Semeli Studios

Semeli Studios is in a perfect position, straight out onto the beach front path/road and sea. It's on a site with the Kamelia Hotel which is owned by the same friendly family who live on site. There are lovely well kept gardens and a bar. The whole site is clean and tidy.
We were lucky enough to have room 109 which is on the first floor and the only one with a balcony facing the sea. The studio was clean, comfortable beds and the usual 2 cooking rings and fridge. The utensils and crockery were adequate, a kettle was provided as were tea towels and dishcloths. Towels were changed every 2 or 3 days and beds 3 times in 2 weeks. Hand held shower had a curtain and shower-tray. The down side was the rooms got really warm and there were no fans. Also no safety deposit boxes but I think crime is not a problem in the area.
At the bar there is a book swap. There are also some airbeds and beach umbrellas and toys for you to borrow. Although the Semeli is in a quiet position there are tavernas virtually next door. To the left it is quieter and there are some bars and tavernas. To the right is the village centre where there are supermarkets and more tavernas, a few shops etc. On the harbour there are a few amusement and dodgems.
The place was quite busy when we visited, mainly with Greeks which suits us just fine. There were a few Germans, Scandinavians, Romanians and Bulgarians but it must have been about 85% Greeks. There were several bars, about 15 tavernas and a few tourist shops. We never had a bad meal. Quite often we got a free shot or brandy or a plate of melon. Usually the cost for 2 starters, 2 mains and wine was €28-32. Draught beer €2-2.50, spirits €4-5. A gyros pita was €2 and gyros plate €5. You can drink the tap water. Fruit is cheap and plentiful.
Taverna-wise we liked Akrogiali, lovely little family concern, Green Sea, lovely for lunch, try the tuna or chicken sarnies which are paninis. Koralli, massive menu, seafood plate was fantastic, Krambousa, busiest in town, Nautalus very good. Flisvos was excellent, a bit pricier but plenty of freebies and a bit like an English Gastro-pub. Billed as a Greek restaurant I don't know what a Greek would make of it. Seafood risotto was delicious. Megas Alexandros was a bit disappointing, stingy with the bread, I had lamb in sauce but there was no sauce just a lot of salad, maybe I picked the wrong thing.
The Greek night at the Alkyoni was an experience. We arrived and found a spare table. They brought bread and the menu but 20 mins later still not ordered and no drinks. I don't know if we just caught them on a bad night but there were 4 men waiting on and they were very disorganised. People were coming in and getting fed up and leaving. Wished we had left them a euro for the bread and left. Glad we didn't. When we ordered they didn't have what we wanted but if you go it is worth sticking it out! The food we did get was excellent, the bouzouki player and organist were great. A woman was singing the Greek Folk songs then later a man singer in the traditional Greek style. It was fantastic. There was no pressure to get up and dance. As the night wore on more Greeks came in and they were enjoying themselves. It was a great night. In Thassos Town Moyses was excellent, near the ferries.
You can walk to Golden Beach in about 40 minutes but some of the road is unlit. Tried the Vigli and Fedra there. Both were excellent.
We had a car for 5 days so went round a fair bit of the island. There were a lot of sandy beaches. At Alyki the bay on the right was absolutely packed. We went to the left (take your own beach mats) which was much quieter and the snorkelling was good.
Disappointingly there was a lot of renovation work going on at Monastery Archangelou but you can still look around part of it. At Skala Rachoni we stayed outside Hotel Mediterranean where the sunbeds were €6 with a free soft drink. Skala Sotiros had a small but nice beach and harbour. Pachis beach was very nice with an excellent taverna behind. At Skala Prinos you can catch a ferry to the mainland. We went round to Limenaria to visit the Iris Gold factory. The beach is nice here with good snorkelling just off the beach. We went to a little taverna with loads of octopus drying outside. Free sunbeds if you have lunch in taverna.
We had a ride up to Theologos which was interesting. Panagia is a busy village, nice in the evenings, with water fountains higher up away from the main road. Thassos Town was a lot smaller than we had expected. There are the usual tourist shops, jewellers, and tavernas. Dodoni ice cream parlour on the waterfront is not to be missed. You can go round the ancient agora and there are boat trips.
One morning we got up early and caught the 8.10 flying dolphin to Kavala. This was €18 per person return, pay on the quayside. Kavala is a busy city, don't take your car! We went up to the citadel in the old town( €1.50) and also saw Mehmet Ali's house. There is a good view of the rest of the city from up there! We had a walk round the shops, lovely squares and the waterfront and then returned to Thassos.
We didn't get up into the mountains as you need a 4x4 to do this. If you like somewhere nice and Greek with no karaoke, no sky sports and no English breakfasts you will like this. We had a great time and would like to return if we didn't have so many other Greek places on the wish list. The people are wonderful and so is the food. Enjoy!