We're staying here in May 05 and would like some information which the tour operators neglect. How long is a walk to the beach or town? How easy is it to get a pool-side sunlounger? Any recommended restaurants or bars nearby? Many thanks in advance.

Best hotel in Alykes Bay, and we didn't even stay there!! Its right by the most perfect stretch of beach, and the food is awesome and well priced.

Come off the beach, order your food and then have a dip in the pool whilst its being cooked. Lush!! Thanks to Roxy.

There are so many companies offerring different prices for different versions of this tour that it makes your head spin.

Eventually we went with Mamfredas Travel (in Alykes high street) and the prices have gone up since 2004!! First Choice were offerring it at 42 euros per person - we got it for 23 euros per person. You get coach pick up and drop from as near as possible to your hotel included in the price. It also includes an hour at the shipwreck and two other "swim stops".

Make sure you book the "Alexandros" Island Cruise - its the biggest and the fastest. The "Delphini" left Zante dock 15 minutes before us, made all the same stops, and was nowhere to be seen when we got back on the coach. And the muck it pumps out of its funnels cannot be healthy!!

All the staff on the Alexandros were helpful and friendly, including the feuding Olympiakos and Panathanaikos fans in the kitchen! The Shipwreck is stunning but impossible to walk along in bare feet - wear jelly shoes or something - unbelievably, the Alexandros backed right up onto the beach. The Keri caves are amazing and the boat managed to squeeze right into one of the caves. Definitely worth it!