- An intimate look at unique inns throughout Greece.
- Only the best made it into the book, hand-selected and visited by the author.
- Many are off-the-beaten track destinations hard to discover independently
- While there's a range of prices, all are good value.
- Focuses on the proprietors as well as the property, crucial for choosing inns.
- Only 80? I'm looking ahead for Volume 2.
- It's a large hardcover book - not something you'll want to haul around. Buy it ahead of your trip.
- Though it includes a number of islands, the book is strongest on mainland sites.
- Practical information inexplicably omits emails or URLs.
- The provided maps are detailed and large-format actual roadmaps, with the properties clearly marked on them.
- Includes some country-club locations.
- Book is 29 Euros in Greece and can be found at the Road Editions bookshops among others, as well as at the airports
- ISBN: 960-8189-72-1
Author Jacoline Vinke and photographer André Bakker have both focused on what makes these generally small inns truly unique and very revealing of the character of their proprietors. Most entries include photographs not just of the buildings, food, or rooms, but also of the owners who will be modulating every aspect of your experience at their properties. It's nice to be able to consider not just the decoration of the rooms but also the liveliness you see in the eyes of the owners.
Each entry includes a full-page photo of the property, followed by a description of the inn, its history, and the surrounding area. This is followed by a minimum of practical information, usually name, address, and phone number. Two pages of smaller photographs follow, accompanied by information organized in handy categories. These include:
Where you'll sleep - Detailed information on room amenities and, often, details on specific rooms.
When you feel hungry - What your options are for food.
Bring the children? - Answered for each property, along with any pluses or minuses for kids.
To see and do - local sightseeing and potential adventures.
Good to know - extra bits of information that can help you decide if this is where you want to stay - whether it's open all year, if there is a parking problem, prices, what credit cards are accepted (if they are).
Getting there - this is a very strong section including both general information on how to get to the region or island, but also how to get to the property. Here's an excerpt from the entry for Lila on the island of Syros: "Take a right on the waterfront boulevard Ethnikis Antistaseos and after about 200 meters, right after the last palm tree, you turn left into Naxou, a very narrow alleyway with steps."
Additions and updates on the inns are available at the author's website
