Arrived back 22nd May 2007 after a two week holiday at Maria Studios with my
Fiance.  The rooms were a nice size, as was the pool, the bar and the
breakfast area.

Had a really great time, Theo, Billy, Dimitri and the lovely Alex made the
evenings enjoyable with quiz nights, karaoke and magic tricks. Although
watch out for what Theo teaches you to say in Greek - not for the ladies.
Dimitri's Greek dancing was excellent and put the hired Greek dancers to
shame for the entertainment value. 

Definitely take your own towels, what they provide is no larger than a tea
towel, you are only supplied with one toilet roll to which apparently in
the contract with First Choice you are only given one then you have to buy
your own. 

Alykes is a good 10-15 minute walk depending on your speed and the beach
10-20 depending on which end of Alykes beach you wish to be.

We had a quad from 'Dennis' in Alykes for 95euros a week and then a scooter for
the second week for 50euros. We hired our own motorboat for 30 euro and hour and took a trip
with First Choice to Olympia for 52euro each.  Never again through a tour
operator. To be honest Olympia was excellent but James the rep failed to
tell us that the total 104euro cost didnt include entrance to the museum or
the site itself or food. You found that out on the ferry with another
guide. The trip only included the cost of the ferry, coach and two guides.

Mark and I have been to Zante twice before and know the island quite well
and seen pretty much most of it and there are plenty of lovely places to
go.  Port Veromi is nice, Kambi is the place for the best sunset, Kalamaki
is nice to stay and very near to Laganas which is where you go to drink
yourself stupid in the numerous amounts of bars and clubs. Tsilivi is a
nice beach, the Keri Caves and shipwreck are worth a view. Dont forget your
snorkel and flippers - lovely things to see in the warm water too.

The best restaurants in Alykes we found were Ponderosa, Spiros, Ambrosia
and the chinese/indian.  The Jungle bar with Dimitri and Vicky was fun as
always. 

Maria studios was a lovely stay, and would like to offer Alex our regards
and sympathies (Mark and Julia) as he lost his cousin the night before we
flew home. We never got to say goodbye to him and he bought a smile to our
faces whilst there - top guy!!!!

Julia and Mark

P.s. Alex, keep practising those WDK Blues with a straw ;o)

Hi, I'm staying at the Callinika in a couple of weeks, can anyone tell me how long does it take to walk to the nearest bar/shops/beach etc Many thanks Julia

Excellent, thanks Carole.... looking forward to trying the bars and appreciate the shortcut!!! Yammas!!!!