Greece still great value if you know where to look - 'Insiders Guide to Greece'

Paul Fogg,  Freelance Holiday's MD has been sharing our money saving ideas with readers of the Sunday Telegraph in their 'Insiders guide to Greece'. As specialists in Crete for the past 26 year we've seen fortunes rise and fall in the Hellenic Isles, but have to date - including last year - always found that if you are looking for a relaxing break without breaking the purse, Greece  always comes up trumps.

In 2010, according to the Sunday Telegraph real prices in Greece have dropped this year by almost 10 %, so if you're considering self catering in Crete, this is a good year to give it a go. Promise you won't be disappointed!

When looking for a roof over your head, self catering is always our first choice, with more space than a hotel room and a fridge and cooking facilities to hand, self catering is simple and cheap. Paul suggests looking for apartments in a small group sharing a pool - it's likely that you will have it all to yourselves for some of the day if it's  shared by only a few. If it's by the beach, so much the better - buy your own umbrella and cheap sunbeds (much cheaper than hiring every day)  the  sea, sand and sunshine are for free. Our Rouladina Apts  start at £395 for a week in a 3 bedroom apt in May, 600 yards from Stalos beach in Western Crete. Or try a village house with no pool that's near a beach.

In either case,  you'll remain in touch with the locals. In a country famed for its hospitality you can become overwhelmed by the gifts of home cooked food, wine or freshly picked fruit and vegetables in season from owners to whom  'filoxenia' is second nature and whose welcome is as warm as the climate. Most holidaymakers enjoy the local flavour of a street market and here you can fill a bag with fruit and veg, the fresh aroma of which fills your fridge for days whilst you enjoy slices of ice cold watermelon, oranges etc at less cost to purse and waist than ice creams.  Lidl has also arrived in Crete so you can make a one stop shop for all non consummables or try the local INCA superstore.

With Yogurt and honey for breakfast, a quickly put together Greek salad for lunch and an evening meal in a local taverna, sitting under the stars by the sea or in a bustling village square becomes affordable.

If you can get together with friends  then a private Villa with pool can be surprisingly affordable - a week at  Villa Artemis, in the hills of western Crete, costs £1,855 in high season, that's less than £30 per person per night. It has its own pool and sleeps up to nine people. With a brick built barbecue, evenings by the pool are really enjoyable.   

To see what the Telegraph say about Greece as a value for money destination follow the link:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/holiday_type/beach/article6989680.ece