136
Where to go / Re: The final organised evacuation from Crete 1943
« on: December 15, 2014, 05:02:37 PM »
This looks really interesting, can you tell me where can it be found please?
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137
PlakChat / Plakias website with some interesting info
« on: December 15, 2014, 04:47:03 PM »
Came across this website this evening:
http://www.plakias.com/en/travelguide/around-plakias
A few interesting facts hidden away, e.g. bridge over the river that runs through Plakias possibly built around 961 AD by chapwho liberated Plakias from the Saracens (is this the one near the old mill? Looks like it).
http://www.plakias.com/en/travelguide/around-plakias
A few interesting facts hidden away, e.g. bridge over the river that runs through Plakias possibly built around 961 AD by chapwho liberated Plakias from the Saracens (is this the one near the old mill? Looks like it).
138
Plakias / Re: Winter warmers
« on: December 01, 2014, 12:56:09 PM »
Re northern European influence, I was nearly hit by a cricket ball while sitting in a taverna to the side of Corfu Town's main square, couldn't believe it! Apparently there are several pitches on Corfu and many enthusiastic followers.
We went in September and I couldn't help noticing that the roadside flora was (a) still green and (b) quite similar to southern UK.
We went in September and I couldn't help noticing that the roadside flora was (a) still green and (b) quite similar to southern UK.
139
Plakias / Re: Winter warmers
« on: November 26, 2014, 08:06:00 PM »
We've been during the last week of April, some tavernas open, the sea is warm enough to swim in but nothing like September, and one year - 2009/10?, can't remember exactly - there had been snow on the beach in late March, and wandering down for lunch with shorts/tee-shirt was definitely a mistake!
So, pot-luck, I suspect. That said, if wild-flowers and walking are your thing, then April is grand.
So, pot-luck, I suspect. That said, if wild-flowers and walking are your thing, then April is grand.
140
Plakias / Winter warmers
« on: November 25, 2014, 09:53:54 PM »
Appreciate that comments fall-off over the winter, but isn't this the ideal time to offset the rainy weather and dark nights with thoughts of sunny Plakias?
My 'starter for ten' is the lovely walk beyond Souda Bay and, in spring-time, the fantastic smell of the small pine grove on the hillside and the sound of finches....
My 'starter for ten' is the lovely walk beyond Souda Bay and, in spring-time, the fantastic smell of the small pine grove on the hillside and the sound of finches....
141
Where to eat...or not! / Re: Where to Drink!
« on: November 16, 2014, 05:16:11 PM »
I like Nufaro. If we are eating out then I usually drop in early evening with a good book for an aperitif, until my wife drags me out.
Joe is always welcoming, and the elderly locals usually in there chewing the fat, or playing backgammon, adds something.
Joe is always welcoming, and the elderly locals usually in there chewing the fat, or playing backgammon, adds something.
142
Where to eat...or not! / Re: Gorgona
« on: November 16, 2014, 05:11:58 PM »
When Greece adopted the Euro I felt that the prices were hiked-up quite a bit, but since then, agree with other comments, very good value.
I sometimes forget that with fish and seafood, as well as the generally superb quality, it is caught locally the same day in many (most?) cases. I really like this, it adds to the holiday.
I sometimes forget that with fish and seafood, as well as the generally superb quality, it is caught locally the same day in many (most?) cases. I really like this, it adds to the holiday.
143
Where to go / Re: Food For Thought
« on: November 16, 2014, 04:44:21 PM »
Yes, the year-round option could make much better sense for the islanders, assuming sufficient interest, by maximising use of existing facilities. I would like the idea of visiting very late Autumn if I thought that some Tavernas etc remained open. Not having tried, I wouldn't know what to expect though.
I remember seeing Hapimag when being built - in 1995 I think? - and have a vision of concrete monstrosities almost 'marching' down the hillside to the beach. Looks slightly less awful now that it has been completed, and some plant-life has returned, but still not my thing.
On the one hand, we can hope that the hotel/golf complex keeps things well away from Plakias, but if successful, who knows what else it may encourage elsewhere on the island?
Still, I remain optimistic that the hilly landscape and 'relative' remoteness of Plakias, when compared with much of the north coast, might slow changes somewhat.
I remember seeing Hapimag when being built - in 1995 I think? - and have a vision of concrete monstrosities almost 'marching' down the hillside to the beach. Looks slightly less awful now that it has been completed, and some plant-life has returned, but still not my thing.
On the one hand, we can hope that the hotel/golf complex keeps things well away from Plakias, but if successful, who knows what else it may encourage elsewhere on the island?
Still, I remain optimistic that the hilly landscape and 'relative' remoteness of Plakias, when compared with much of the north coast, might slow changes somewhat.
144
Where to go / Re: Food For Thought
« on: November 14, 2014, 05:29:56 PM »
One hour? In Madonna's helicopter perhaps!
Seriously, I have seen Plakias change slowly over the years and expect it to continue to do so. I am not sure if there is enough space at the far end for the sort of prison camp that you allude to, though.
The change may well come, as you put it, but to my mind it is far from inevitable on the basis of the available evidence.
Fingers crossed, I suppose.
Seriously, I have seen Plakias change slowly over the years and expect it to continue to do so. I am not sure if there is enough space at the far end for the sort of prison camp that you allude to, though.
The change may well come, as you put it, but to my mind it is far from inevitable on the basis of the available evidence.
Fingers crossed, I suppose.
145
Where to go / Re: Food For Thought
« on: November 11, 2014, 07:44:09 PM »
Agree totally.
I think that there is an airfield on the south coast but it's military. The idea of a commercial equivalent doesn't bear thinking about.
Your point re 'passing through' is, I think, extremely well made.
My first holiday in Greece was on a small island south of Athens. The other two couples taken to the same place complained about the quiet, but I loved it. A few tavernas, small quiet beach, my first taste of Greece.
The following year, we were taken to Plakias in error, and then taken back to our booked accommodation in Amoudara, which is essentially a suburb of Heraklion with a beach. Tried to make the most of it but wasn't impressed at all. I probably wouldn't have returned to Greece if I had not been taken to Plakias - I liked it, and the south of the island, very much.
Richard
I think that there is an airfield on the south coast but it's military. The idea of a commercial equivalent doesn't bear thinking about.
Your point re 'passing through' is, I think, extremely well made.
My first holiday in Greece was on a small island south of Athens. The other two couples taken to the same place complained about the quiet, but I loved it. A few tavernas, small quiet beach, my first taste of Greece.
The following year, we were taken to Plakias in error, and then taken back to our booked accommodation in Amoudara, which is essentially a suburb of Heraklion with a beach. Tried to make the most of it but wasn't impressed at all. I probably wouldn't have returned to Greece if I had not been taken to Plakias - I liked it, and the south of the island, very much.
Richard
146
Holiday Companies / Re: BA flying direct to Heraklion
« on: November 11, 2014, 07:33:40 PM »
We used Swissair last year, via ZRH, very good if you are not in a hurry, short transfer time and not a bad price either.
In any event, May can't come soon enough for me!
In any event, May can't come soon enough for me!
147
Holiday Companies / Re: BA flying direct to Heraklion
« on: November 10, 2014, 05:11:37 PM »
No, don't think so unfortunately. We live a short drive from Heathrow and would use it out of preference.
148
Holiday Companies / Re: BA flying direct to Heraklion
« on: November 02, 2014, 07:20:46 PM »
Yes, we did the same with Avios, also saved £100 but flying from LGW.
Wasn't entirely clear from the website, but I think that the tickets may also be a little more 'flexible' having done this?
Wasn't entirely clear from the website, but I think that the tickets may also be a little more 'flexible' having done this?
149
Holiday Companies / BA flying direct to Heraklion
« on: November 01, 2014, 04:34:28 PM »
Like the title says, BA are now doing flights directly to Heraklion. We booked a couple of days ago, for a very reasonable price, and bagged the last two seats for outbound May 01, so if scheduled flights appeal, best book soon.
Richard
Richard
150
Where to eat...or not! / Re: Taverna manousos anyone eaten here recently?
« on: October 14, 2014, 08:42:40 PM »
Agree with comment above, quirky maybe, service sometimes seems a little slow, although living just outside London my standards are far from Hellenic in that sense!
Still, food always fine, simple fare but cooked very well, and Manousos always chatty (and liberal with Raki!). Being very stereotypically English, I don't like fuss or unctuous service, but here, it doesn't ever seem intrusive, rather just genuine friendliness.
Perhaps we all just have bad days. I certainly do.
Imagine that I'll head back there next year in any event, and thoroughly looking forward to it. Sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy your visit and hope that perhaps you'll give them another chance.
Richard
Still, food always fine, simple fare but cooked very well, and Manousos always chatty (and liberal with Raki!). Being very stereotypically English, I don't like fuss or unctuous service, but here, it doesn't ever seem intrusive, rather just genuine friendliness.
Perhaps we all just have bad days. I certainly do.
Imagine that I'll head back there next year in any event, and thoroughly looking forward to it. Sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy your visit and hope that perhaps you'll give them another chance.
Richard