College Summer 2014 - 42 Tips To Surviving Ios, Greece

Ios is a brilliant Summer away in College. It's close to home, the weather is perfect, it has a beautiful beach and the nightlife is some of the best fun you'll ever have. I would highly recommend it, here's a few things you should know before you go.

1. Book your flights now

They might be cheap now but they'll get very expensive, very soon. Book a lateish one and stay in Athens for the night so you'll be fresh for an early boat to the island.

2. Go early

If you're planning on getting a job, try and get there as soon as you can i.e early June

3. Stay in Hotel Annita in Athens

It's cheap and they organise your ferry and for you to be taken to the port in the morning.

4. Wear sunscreen

On the ferry, the Grecian sun is very strong and it would really ruin your first day if you were roasted.

5. Don't miss your stop!

The boat will be going to loads of islands and they don't come around waking you up for Ios!

6. Don't take the first offer

When you get off the boat you'll be bombarded by people offering you deals. We stayed in Sunrise and it was the best place to stay as far as we were concerned but do a bit of research before you go. Try and negotiate the price down at the port, often times they will go lower. Agree on a price and make sure it doesn't increase as the summer continues.

7. Don't stay down at the beach.

It might seem like a good idea but it's a serious trek at night from the clubs and you don't want to be relying on taxi's since there's only a bout 3 on the island.

8. Go to Escape for breakfast

It's the best place for breakfast on the island, you can get a full Irish, nice coffee and it's owned by a lovely Irish family.

9. Pre drink in Sunrise

Buy your vodka in the market and set yourselves up outside. Be nice to George!

10. Don't spend all your time in Sweet Irish Dream

It might be the first place you go, they set the bar on fire and the music is fun but don't make the mistake of going there every night. Too many Irish and far more to see.

11. Stick with Smirnoff

The alternative is Ostrov which has been renamed 'Stab' by the Aussies. The story goes that a guy who drank a bottle of it went so crazy that he stabbed his mother. It's pretty intense stuff, be careful!

12. Try and get a job in Harmony

Hardest place on the island to get a job because it's the best. If you get to Ios early enough and they like you, you might have a chance.

13. Get a job at the water sports

It means you get to spend all day on the beach, in the water, and you have your nights free. Plus you get to drive around in a speed boat all day, flinging people into the air!

14. Do a tequila slammer is Slammers

Put the helmet on and let him bang your head with a hammer. Yes it looks dangerous but it's really not.

15. Get to Circus bar to see the fire show and hear Matt sing

He puts on quite a show

16. Eat in Pomodoro

It's a little pricey but great for a special occasion. Really good food and a beautiful view.

17. Make friends with hospitality staff

Wherever you go, be nice and try and make as many hospitality friends as you can. They essentially run the show and it's very easy to get a good/bad reputation.

18. Get involved in the Fun Pub

They do a movie every night, you can sit on couches and eat your baked potato while you watch Shrek 3. It's awesome. They also have pool, table quizzes and jenga tournaments, great place to meet people.

19. Paint yourself blue for the Midsummer party

The Swedish midsummer will be on June 20th this year, and like every year, will start around noon in Flames Bar and finish at Far Out at the end of the beach. The Swedish people are ridiculously good looking and it's always a great day. Watch this video before you go any further!

20. Don't forget to eat on Irish Day

Irish Day is on the 17th of July every year and it starts at Escape. Everyone then marches down through the town singing 'The Fields Of Athenry' and 'Ole Ole Ole' . Sounds horrific but it's actually one of the best days of the Summer.

21. Get the Malteaser shot in The Orange Bar

It is phenomenal.

22. Get a gyro

They are essentially a Greek kebab. They are delicious.

23. Eat in Lord Byron

Pricier than most places but excellent food.

24. Bring Dioralytes

Re-hydration sachets that got us through the Summer. They taste like soapy sea water but it's worth it.

25. Go to Scorpion

It's only open for part of the Summer, it's a bit of a walk but it's the only real club on the island. Definitely worth a visit.

26. Get involved in Watersports

So much fun, perfect way to kick a hangover but make sure you're wearing a secure bikini.

27. Be careful at the Wet T-shirt comp

It's a great day and if you're brave enough to enter then more power to you, just be aware of all the camera phones!

28. Be prepared to think you're going to die on every bus journey to the beach

There is a turn that the bus takes which is so dangerous, it's better just to close your eyes.

29. Be nice to the mountain goats

They're everywhere

30. Respect the locals

They could literally fuck you up.

31. Get a chicken pie at the bakery

It is one of the best things you'll ever put in your mouth.

32. Do a Flaming Lamborghini in Flames

They're surprisingly very tasty!

33. Girls - don't bring high heels

Even if they're wedges, there is literally no point. They'll weigh down your luggage and you'll only break your ankle if you attempt to put them on.

34. Don't stay in

You might think you have to, your body is wrecked, you're feeling sick.... worst idea ever. Suck it up, have some food and stop being a baby. Every night in Ios is a great one.

35. Dance on the bar in Rehab

Preferably to the Amy Winehouse song.

36. Go to Astra for a cocktail

They are the best in town

37. Get a job in a club

They'll make you go around promoting on the beach for a couple of hours a day. It might seem like hell but it's actually the best way to meet people.

38. Be prepared for a free for all

If there's anywhere in the world I would say that monogamy doesn't exist, it's Ios. Scoring is plentyful and if you're not single, you should really consider it before this holiday.