NaxosTravels

I certainly wouldn't avoid Greece for this small reason. I found washrooms well tended too and clean - frankly often more so than in public washrooms in North America which are often plagued with backed up stalls despite (or also because of) toilet paper being flushed.

Bathrooms are completely modern - and almost always the garbage has a foot pedal - so you just toss your paper in. I'm surprised people have found it so concerning.

I've only run accross one "Turkish style" toliet (aka hole in the ground) in Greece and at the time considering I was in the middle of nowhere I was just releived (literally-lol!) to have found a bathroom at all.

Go with the flow and have fun!

travelerjan

I agree with Heimdall. After the first day, you are totally used to it. Some little old lady comes in and cleans your bathroom every day until it sparkles. So what is the big deal??

By the end of each trip, I find myself wondering how much our US sanitation systems could save if they had less to biodegrade.

This is so silly. It's like the shock! Shock! people have at a telephone shower -- you seriously MEAN I have to hold the spray thing in my HAND??

No wonder people around the world think Americans are pampered beyond belief. Forget that we have to have ice cubes in everything, we can't even stand to have to open a fridge door to get them -- we need the ice cubes & water to come out the DOOR.

I really wish people who need all the above would just go to Florida or the Bahamas, and leave more room in Greece. grump grump I know -- End of rant.

Dayle

How fun! I can't remember the last time we had a toilet paper or toilets question!

travelri

Yeah, really not a big deal, so? You deal, you're having fun, you don't really care. And maybe it's better for the environment???? Get real, people.

schnauzer

This is the gross counter story to the above. Because Greeks are not used to putting toilet paper in the toilet, when we used to fly from Athens to Sydney (Qantas) sometimes they would just throw the used toilet paper on the toilet floor as there was no bin to put it in. Can you imagine??? of course as a hostie we had to clear it up, GROSS. A very glamourous job indeed!!

Schnauzer

Maria_H

Really not an issue. In apartments, we sometimes recycle supermarket carrier bags as bin liners, so they can be disposed of easily, if needed. I've also heard other squeamish people suggest using babies nappy (diaper) sacks to neatly dispose of the paper.

PurpleNeon

I confess to having never really thought twice about it. I just finished my business, put the paper in the basket, reminded myself not to look too closely and went on with totaly LOVING almost every minute that I spent in Greece.

I am actually quite squeamish about a lot of things and this didn't bother me in the slightest.

ferryann

I suppose what I was concerned about was the possiblity that there might be lingering smells and flies around the bathroom with the toilet paper not being flushed away.I was also concered about bacteria and stomach upsets etc. That said, thousands go all over Greece each year and love it so I am probably being over cautious.

elina

>>>thousands go all over Greece each year and love it so I am probably being over cautious.

Not thousands, but millions. And you are not putting your head into the bin.

AnnRiley

I'm from the UK but have been on holiday to many greek Islands etc.

I was ignorant and had many misconceptions etc. BUT it really is not a problem, the small baskets are emptied daily and in all my travels and this includes the basic types of accoms, have never found the loos anything other than spotless. Please remember Greece is not a third world country, they have everything you have in America.

Going off the subject a bit, for what its worth Zante was my least favourite greek Island, i found it too commercialised and sorry to say, but a bit tacky..IMO

But each to their own, it just seems a long way to travel to have Zante as your final destination.

Maria_H

I may be wrong but I suspect from other posts that Ferryann is also from the UK? Yes, Zante is commercialised - it's a few years since our visit and I believe it is even more so now but it will not be crowded in May and it still has it's attractions.

ferryann

Thanks. Yes I am from the UK.The Zante choice was made due to this not being our main holiday and just wanting a break somewhere we hadn't been before. We got a deal of £390 for apartment/flight/airport tranfer etc so are hoping for the best.Staying in the Zante Star apartments which seem to have good reviews.

AnnRiley

That's a good deal and am sure you will have a nice break. Just stay away from Laganas!! it makes Blackpool look posh...

One of the positive things i can say about Zante is that it had some of the best restaurants and food that we have tasted in all our Greek hols.

Don't worry about trying any of the Greek dishes they are fab..

My fav's Beef stifado

Enjoy!!

Maria_H

Have a great time ferryann and let us know how you enjoy it. To reassure you, I've never had a tummy bug in Greece in over 15 holidays (lost count now!) Anywhere in Greece will be a mass of flowers in May. Get out and about and take a boat trip, if the sea is calm enough. If you are at all worried about the toilet situation, take a pack of scented nappy sacks (cheap) but it's not an issue and you soon get used to it - just remember where to put the paper when you get back

If you want some walks and tours to see the best of the island, get hold of one of these guides:

http://www.sunflowerbooks.co.uk/zakynthos.htm

Hope the weather is good - it should be lovely but also be prepared for a shower.

MartyB

Oh, yea, 6X to Greece and I love those trashcans! My wife doesn't follow the rules and we have been lucky. But, I don't think she uses much paper.