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Greek Island Study Groups
Travel and Course Information
The island of Lefkada or Lefkas is one of the Ionian islands, situated on the west coast of Greece, approximately 70 miles south of Corfu. The island is adjoined to mainland Greece by a causeway so the transfer time from Preveza airport to the village of Nidri is just 40 minutes by road. Flights go at the weekends from Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester. Flight time is two and a half/three hours.
A package deal is often the most inexpensive option for your visit, as it includes accommodation in Nidri and transfers to and from the airport. Prices vary so, depending on the tour operator, standard of accommodation, time of year etc, costs for flights, transfers and accommodation will come to between £200-300. As with all holiday bookings it is well worth shopping around a bit to see what is on offer. Most students who have been out to Lefkada for courses over the last four years have found excellent bargains with Olympic Holidays in particular. They are the tour operators for Oscars, a family run hotel, immediately next door to my house where the courses are held its right on the seafront with a beautiful view of Nidri harbour, pool and poolside bar, air conditioning etc. Thomas Cook also do good prices for Yiannis Hotel, again on the seafront and about two minutes walk from my house.
The main tour operators for the island are:
· Thomas Cook Tel 0870 010 9386 Yiannis Hotel
· Kosmar Tel 020 8882 6150 Nefeli Hotel or Happylands
· First Choice Tel 0870 750 0001
· Olympic Holidays Oscars Hotel look on www.olympicholidays.co.uk or call them on 0870 429 4141 or 0208 492 6717
· Sunvil www.sunvil.co.uk - 020 8758 4758 or 020 8568 4499 Armonia Hotel or Ionian Rose Villas which are small villas with own swimming pool, welcome packs and free bicycles my house is 3-4 minutes away by bike.
· If you are feeling rich or just plain extravagant Lefkada now has its first five star hotel The Ionian Blue which is situated about five minutes drive out of Nidri, so you will need to include car hire in your package. I have yet to be informed of the tour operator for 2006 but if you are interested ask me for more information the hotel is beautiful with stunning views of the Ionian sea and the Onassis island of Skorpios, an option of private chalets with their own pools, restaurants, spa etc a real treat.
Flight only can be booked through Barry at:
Satellite Travel Tel: 0208 6433 666.
Also try www.lantisworld.com - which offers an on-line reservations service, and which is an extension of the main website www.lefkas.net which will give you all sorts of extra information about the island, how to get here and where to stay.
If you opt for flight only a taxi to Nidri will cost about 40 Euros. Excellent accommodation, less than two minutes walk from me along the seafront, can then be arranged for you at a cost of approximately 35 Euros (about £25) a night for single or shared occupancy - twin bedded or double bed rooms, en suite, air con, fridge, cooking facilities, stunning sea views.
Travelling from outside UK
If you are traveling from places other than the U.K. you will find that there are limited services into the local airport of Preveza also called Aktio with the exception of Holland, Denmark and Sweden who all have direct flights. However, if you fly into Athens you can then take the Olympic Airways connecting flight which operates three times a week. The timetable varies from season to season. It costs about 70 Euros and it takes 55 minutes. There is also a bus service several times a day from Athens main bus station to Lefkada town. This takes five and a half hours at a cost of about 25 Euros.
Medical Insurance and Information
It is strongly recommended that you travel with an EHIC the European Health Insurance Card which has this year replaced the standard E111. This is a form that can be obtained free of charge from any post office in the UK and it entitles you to free medical care within Greece should that be necessary. You will need to supply your NHS or national insurance number, sign the form and have it stamped by the post office.
There are three chemists, English speaking doctors and a dentist available in Nidri and the main hospital of the island is in Lefkas town, just 20 minutes from Nidri. I speak (passable) Greek and am on hand 24 hours a day to deal with enquiries or emergencies of any kind.
As the weather can be hot from May through to October come with, or buy here, sun cream and mosquito repellent. The tap water is perfectly drinkable but if you want to err on the side of caution bottled water is available everywhere. Food related illnesses the delhi-belly are extremely rare. You do not need any particular vaccinations to visit Greece.
How to Book
To reserve a place please call or fax me direct on 0030 26450 93291,
text me on 0030 6976 296085 or email me on joannaw@otenet.gr
At the time of booking a non-returnable £50 deposit is required in order to secure your place. All courses in 2009 are £245 and the balance is payable at any time before your visit to Greece or in Euros on your arrival, whichever you prefer. Deposits to be paid into my UK account: Details on request
The receipt of your deposit and your guaranteed place on the course will be confirmed either by email, fax or letter.
I look forward to welcoming you to Greece
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