Agni Travel – Tailormade Greek Island Holidays Page 1 of 42 At Agni Travel we specialise in offering individual, 'unpackaged' rental properties, including luxury villas with pools, traditional houses, and apartments. We offer accommodation on the Greek Islands, Turkey, Italy and Cyprus. We have handpicked all our properties individually, strictly on the basis of quality and value for money and we carry out regular inspections to ensure they maintain the standards we have set. We also work closely with owners to keep all the properties up-to-date and this allows us to have an intimate knowledge of all properties. We have supplied this villa book to give you a little bit of knowledge about the Island and this fascinating Country and if you would like a copy of any of the information we would be more than happy to email it to you. Please do not remove any pages from this book so our future guests can enjoy it as much as yourselves. We hope you find everything as you have expected but if you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to call us during office hours as we want you to relax and have an enjoyable holiday. If this is your first time travelling with us or you are one of our many repeat clients we hope you enjoy your holiday and will return to experience another stay with us soon. The Agni Travel Team Agni Travel – Tailormade Greek Island Holidays Page 2 of 42 OUR PAXOS OFFICE Our Paxos office is located in Gaios just opposite the police station. It is on the road towards the new port from the centre of Giaos and just past the main electricity office (DEH) Opening times: 9am – 1pm & 5pm – 9pm Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sunday. Agni Travel – Tailormade Greek Island Holidays Page 3 of 42 ESSENTIAL ADVICE: A IR C ONDITIONING Where air conditioning units are fitted within our properties Agni Travel does not charge a local fee for their usage. However, due to the high running costs of air conditioning and to help the environment, clients are requested to observe our booking terms (part 2(c)) for proper use: Windows and doors must be kept closed while units are on. Air conditioning must only be used when you are in the property and should be switched off when you leave. (The units, being fan assisted, will very quickly cool your property on your return). F IRE S AFETY Please make a note of where all the exits are and the location of the fire equipment in your accommodation. Be especially careful when barbequing as the surrounding vegetation gets very dry during the summer. Always ensure that hot coals have been completely extinguished. (The owners of some properties, due to extreme fire risk, do not allow the use of barbeques so please check with us first). F URNITURE Please do not take the indoor furniture or furnishings (eg. cushions, throws, pillows etc.) outside as these will spoil in the sun or if it should rain. If the outdoor furniture provided is not adequate, please let us know. L OCKING UP Although Greece is generally safe, we recommend that whenever you leave your accommodation you ensure that all windows, French doors and shutters are locked, and the air conditioning, fans and lights are switched off. S IESTA In Greece siesta is taken very seriously. Between the hours of 15.00 and 17.00, shops close and people go home to sleep. If your villa has local neighbours, please be considerate. S UN U MBRELLAS Please make sure that the umbrellas are closed at night and when you leave the property. The wind can ‘whip’ up very suddenly, causing damage to the umbrella itself and to surrounding property. If they are left open and unattended we will have to ask you to pay for any damage incurred and for any broken umbrellas. Agni Travel – Tailormade Greek Island Holidays Page 4 of 42 T OILETS Please be considerate of the drainage systems and remember that a blocked toilet may not be resolved as quickly as we would like, especially in the high season. W ATER AND P LUMBING Tap water is drinkable but due to different mineral content it is advisable to use bottled water for drinking and making ice. Please use water sparingly. There is a possibility of occasional water cuts due to water shortages in the height of the summer. If your water does stop, then please immediately notify us so that we can try to arrange an emergency supply. Location of the hot water heater switch is in the fuse box. Please ensure the switch is up when hot water is required, but we suggest that while showering the hot water heater switch is turned off. PAXOS COMMON QUESTIONS Agni Travel – Tailormade Greek Island Holidays Page 5 of 42 DOCTORS There are three Doctors on Paxos, the most senior being Dr. Kosta, who speaks good English. He can be contacted on: 6977 837 700, 24hrs. There is also a clinic in Bogdanatika, where doctors are able to perform minor operations. Clinic no: 26620 31466. In an emergency, a helicopter service is available to transport patients to the mainland. The only pharmacy on Paxos is in Gaios and it is open from 08.30 - 14.00 and 18.00 - 21.00. The pharmacy is closed Sunday. English is spoken. Gaios also has a Dental Surgery. BANKS AND CASH MACHINES Paxos has just one Bank, which is situated in Gaios where there are also several ATMs. There are exchange offices in each resort, however, and there is also one ATM in Lakka. Credit cards are accepted in some shops, but do not assume that everyone will take them. PETROL STATIONS Paxos has two Petrol Stations, one in Gaios, the other in Magazia. Both of these are open from 08.00hrs to 14.00hrs and 18.00hrs to 21.00hrs, including Sundays during the summer months. TELEPHONES There are numerous public telephones dotted around the island of Paxos. These are operated by phone cards that can be purchased either from kiosks or supermarkets. These are usually in denominations of 3, 5 or 9 Euros. There are Internet cafes in Gaios, Lakka and Loggos. POLICE The Paxos Police Station is based in Gaios with a team of two policemen. The phone number is 26620 32222 although due to the lack of manpower, this is not 100% reliable. WATER Paxos is a very dry island. Until recently it was dependent on stored rain water and on water brought to the island in huge floating rubber tanks. There is now a reservoir near Gaios, but water remains a scarce and precious commodity. The quality of the tap water may not be what you are used to and we recommend you drink bottled water, which can be bought everywhere. Please use the water economically. WATER SPORTS Agni Travel – Tailormade Greek Island Holidays Page 6 of 42 There are several water sports options on Paxos, with a scuba diving centre at Lakka as well as water skiing, windsurfing, para-kiting and ringo rides at Harami Beach, Lakka. Topper sailing boats and pedaloes can also be hired. There are also water sports at Moggonisi. Small boats can be hired at various places. Snorkelling is very popular all round the island, because of the clarity of the water and the rocky coastline. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS Paxos has its own Patron Saint, Saint Gaios, who brought Christianity to the island and after whom the capital was named. His celebration day is 30th June. The Paxiots, like all Greeks, celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin on 15th August and many other name days and festival days, also celebrated by the Corfiots. WHAT TO BUY IN PAXOS Shopping for food on Paxos is easier than it was a few years ago, with better-stocked shops and more frequent arrivals of fresh produce. General stores tend to open from 08.30hrs until 14.00hrs, Monday to Saturday, opening again after 18.00hrs though some may remain closed on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings. These stores are closed on Sundays. The bakeries are open each morning for fresh bread, however, purchases must be made early as quite often they sell out very quickly. Thankfully the supermarkets also stock bread. Supermarkets stay open all day, closing a little earlier on Saturday afternoons. When it comes to shopping for souvenirs or gifts, such shops open all day and every day. Due to the cosmopolitan nature of tourism on Paxos, there are surprisingly chic boutiques and jewellery shops, not only in Gaios, but also in Loggos and Lakka. The olive oil of Paxos is famous for its quality, and makes a great buy. There are a good number of gift shops in the three main villages of Gaios, Loggos and Lakka and craft ware and tapestry work are particularly good quality. Jewellery is also of a high standard and reasonably priced. TAVERNAS AND BARS Loggos has four tavernas along the waterfront, offering a selection of local dishes and Mediterranean cuisine. Freshly-caught fish is a speciality here. Gaios has around 20 tavernas and snack bars with something for everyone including Greek and Mediterranean food, vegetarian menus and also fast food such as pizza and kebabs and grilled chicken. There are also two nightclubs here. There are 12 tavernas and restaurants in Lakka offering Greek and Italian food, and some very good fish. Lakka also has a selection of bars with music, staying open late at night. Agni Travel – Tailormade Greek Island Holidays Page 7 of 42 WELCOME TO PAXOS! Agni Travel welcomes you to Paxos.