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Messages - DandC

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1
Plakias / Re: Travel report Plakias in October/November 2023
« on: November 27, 2023, 04:47:13 PM »
KV - thanks very much for the interesting and informative update  8)

2
Plakias / Re: Changes over the past few years
« on: July 10, 2023, 02:34:53 PM »
Hi - just returned (8 Jul) after glorious 14 days in sunny Plakias  :)

Some random jottings which may (or not) be of interest:

- weather was amazing - 34-37 every day, which may be too hot for some! (looks like it's set to climb even higher this week!!)
- every year has been fairly windy but this year we had med-strong winds on only 2 days out of 14!
- the promenade looked mainly complete and all signs of construction work removed.
- Lots of trees removed - apparently due to disease. Couple of large circular concrete bases in place - looks like plans for a couple of fountains along the front.
- tourist profile different to recent years: say 50% German, 20% UK, 10% each French/Dutch. Also quite a few Aussies!

- some significant changes in the tavernas - the sunken area previously occupied by Lysseos is now filled in and construction going on there now
- GioMa under new management - still excellent, but no longer able to book a table
- Tasomanolis also under new management. Also excellent but care needed in ordering the fresh fish: it's VG but rather pricey, charged at 60 euro/kilo

Other dining out experiences:
- Eleia (in the alleyway off main drag) - very disappointingly dry/overcooked 'Gopes' fish
- Plateia (Myrthios): went 3 times - excellent. Pre-order mousaka to avoid disappointment. VG mixed mezze.
- Dionyssos (Myr): guided tour of the kitchen so you can see exactly what you're getting. VG food and views
- Vrisi (Myr): like last year, they had given away our reserved table but gave us an adjacent (also reserved!) table. A knock-on effect of annoyed punters ensued. The 8-9 HUGE king prawns with creme freche were excellent.
- Mariou: Great place, very friendly and great food.
- To brizolaki (Mariou): tiny new spot. Home-produced white wine VG, and complementary (large) salad platter. Ridiculously cheap - wine+orange juice+bottle water+salad was e3.50!!! Left a very fat tip!
- Panostrati (Selia) - nice authentic, out-of-the-way spot. VG fish.

Mysteriously, the Nymfes bar and restaurant have jumped in at #1 and #2 spots in TripAdvisor after years in spots 12-35!! We visited briefly out of interest: yes, they're smart and tidy and clean etc, but you could be in any 3-4* hotel bar/ restaurant in the world. The bar especially is like a hotel lobby. All just rather characterless.

btw - I was misled in my quote of 1/6/23 saying the alleyway was pedestrianised at night - must have been a one-of!! It's open to traffic - Apologies!

Anyway, enough rambling! Enjoyed our 2 weeks thoroughly. Yassas!

4
Plakias / Re: Seafront work
« on: April 14, 2023, 10:15:24 AM »
Some detail from the TripAdvisor thread https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g319776-i11116-k14353405-Plakias_2023_roadworks-Plakias_Agios_Vasileios_Municipality_Rethymnon_Prefecture_Crete.html#117240838.

Interesting to hear of the plans for pedestrianisation and ringroad by next year.

For those that are interested this is what is being done to improve Plakias:

The major bioclimatic regeneration project concerning the tourist zone of Plakias is in full progress, which is progressing rapidly by the contractor and the continuous supervision of the municipality of Agios Vasilios.This is an intervention with a total length of 900 meters in the heart of the tourist settlement, designed to upgrade aesthetically and functionally the area of the south that attracts many visitors every summer.According to the mayor of Agios Vasilios, the sidewalks on the side of commercial enterprises and shops of sanitary interest from the entrance of Plakias to the bridge have already been completed, while now works are progressing on the sea side with the construction of sidewalks and bicycle paths. According to the schedule, as Mr. Tatarakis told the "R.N.", the works will be suspended on May 15-20 in order to avoid any disturbance during the tourist season. By then, as he underlined, the first part of the project will have been completed from the entrance of Plakias (Alianhtos Hotel up to the bridge) on both sides and there will be no dugouts, while until then, as he added, a piece will be worked on after the bridge and up to the junction for Souda on the sea side. At the same time, as he said, the project for the underground cables of HEDNO by May 20 will be completed at a rate of 75-80%, while the pending issues for autumn, when the project will restart, concern four closed-type transformers while the engraved asphalt will be pending. However, as the mayor pointed out, the project that will restart in mid-October will be completed and delivered on December 10, since as he said it is an NSRF project and there is no room for extensions." The works are in full swing and according to our schedule, they will continue until May 15-20.By then, all the ditches of HEDNO will have been restored, which will have completed most of the planned works (75-80%). I would like to thank very much HEDNO and its contractor Mr Papoutsakis for the progress of the works, which are progressing very quickly. Also, by then (mid-May) the sidewalks, bicycle paths and lighting fixtures will have been installed on the section from the entrance of Plakias to the bridge, While the contractor is proceeding at this time and after the bridge a piece on the sea side. On the sea side there will be sidewalks, planting, bicycle path, pedestrian path. All work stops around May 15-20 and will restart on October 15 to complete the project and deliver it later than December 10. Let us remind you that a flood protection project that is included in the bioclimatic regeneration has been completed", said Yiannis Tatarakis, pointing out that this project will transform the area by upgrading it aesthetically and functionally. He also added that the goal is for Plakias to be pedestrianized in the next tourist season, as then, as he said, the ring road will be completed while the municipality will have at its disposal two municipal parking spaces and a private one.

5
Plakias / Re: Seafront work
« on: March 28, 2023, 12:24:45 PM »
Interesting to see Plakias in the off-season! Lot of work going on, that's for sure. Thanks for posting.
Hope it's tidied up by Jun 23rd ! :D

6
Holiday Companies / Re: taxi transfer from Chania
« on: October 14, 2022, 12:11:11 PM »
You could hire a car for 3 days for the price of a 1-way transfer!!
I'd look into it and can thoroughly recommend contacting Yannis at:

Moto Auto Plakias (MAP) Car Rental
Est. 1986 Rental in Plakias! #motoautoplakias
? Car Rental 365 Days a Year ? Transfer & Accommodation Info ? 24hrs Road & Web Service.

? Request a quote & book your car directly via E-mail, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, FB/Messenger & Google Website:
E-mail: maplakia@otenet.gr
Business WhatsApp, Viber & Telegram: +30 6977924305 
FB/Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/motoautoplakiasrethimnocrete

Website 1: https://motoautoplakias.business.site/   
Website 2: www.motoautoplakias.com 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motoautoplakias.crete/
 
Tel.: +30 28320  31908
Mob.: +30  697 848 7793, +30 697 792 4305 
Plakias 74053  Dimos Ag. Vasileiou RETHIMNO ? CRETE ? GREECE

They also do transfers if you really want to go that route.

7
Plakias / Re: Plakias 2022
« on: June 20, 2022, 11:05:38 AM »
For the east coast road, just head towards Preveli monastery, but cross the river at Gefyra taverna and continue eastwards, passing the taverna on your left. Follow signs for Palm Beach (crossing small humpback bridge) down to the coast. Then just follow coast road eastwards via agia Foteini and Ligres, and on to Triopetra.

8
Plakias / Re: Plakias 2022
« on: June 17, 2022, 04:02:14 PM »
Yammas - just back from 12 dys in Plak.

Horrendous (2hrs+) check in (late Sun evening) at Leeds LBA to Chania 12 days ago. And ONE person checking passports (grrr)

Car hire again from Moto Auto Plakias - again highly recommended - vv quick pick up at Chania airport then wander into their office in Plakias next day to pay etc!
But petrol here!!!!!.......e2.57/l in Plakias!

Weather spot-on - 30-32 and little wind (for a change!)

Visited lots of nice spots again - hadn't appreciated the very decent coastal roads now both East (all the way from Plak to Triopetra) and West (Souda to Korakas/Rodakino). East coast route has loads of lovely deserted beaches. Westwards - do stop at Foinikas taverna for spectacular views over Souda/Plak. Must say these roads were not on any of our maps!! (but are VG)

Busyness? somehow not as full as our last trip in Oct 21. Maybe 80% full in restaurants though the best places and tables need booking! Our faves are GioMa, Tasomanolis, Mariou, Plateia and all lived up to expectations. Prices about same as last year for dining out.
L'etoile du Sud seemed shut, as did Corali :-(  Also Atlantis (but no great loss there).

Flight back from Chania (late Thu evening) complete opposite to Leeds outbound - the 'queue' to check in to security etc was maybe 10 people - a calming experience (if check-in/security can ever be called that).

At least we returned yesterday to decent UK weather to 'break us in'!

Yassas!


9
Plakias / Re: Car Hire
« on: June 17, 2022, 03:27:19 PM »
Just got back yesterday from Plak - again used Moto Auto Plakias and SO glad once again. Arrived at Chania, shuttled to nearby parking lot and picked up car and OFF!! Just 1 signature for insurance purposes - went into their office next morning at our leisure to pay. Friendly, family concern - very helpful - they even gave us a tin of olive oil from the family farm up in Sellia. Had very clean Skoda Fabia (40k on clock) for e30/day (interestingly - same car was e34/day last Oct). Drop-off was also seamless - no procedures to hold us up. Recommended once again.

10
Plakias / Re: Car Hire
« on: May 12, 2022, 10:21:58 AM »
(my post I referred to is in the 'last 2 years thread!)

11
Plakias / Re: Car Hire
« on: May 12, 2022, 10:20:06 AM »
Hi - also recommend Moto Auto Plakias highly - see my post Mar 21 below. We go to Plakias again Jun 5 and have booked with them again.
Would recommend picking up their car at airport though - a taxi transfer will cost a fortune!! Just pick up car at airport and pop into the office in Plak the next day to pay - no hassle at airport like other companies!!

12
Plakias / Re: The last two years.
« on: May 06, 2022, 10:13:52 AM »
So has anyone been to Plakias this 'season'? Any news?
We go in 4 wks time - counting down the days! :)

13
Plakias / Re: The last two years.
« on: March 21, 2022, 01:45:17 PM »
Random notes from our last visit 6 months ago (Oct 2021)

Tavernas very busy - booking essential at the popular ones. Masks, sanitizers much in evidence.
Some were even refusing non-diners ie stopping off for a nightcap was a non-starter. eg Throubi, Minoiko. Panorama up in Myrthios even turned us away when we wanted a drink-only at 3.30pm, even though only 3 tables in use!! Unbelievable!
Our faves lived up to expectations - GioMa, Vrisi, Mariou, Tasomanolis and the new Alatsi (ex-Harakas) was a pleasant experience - VVG food.
On the Rocks boasts 'beach service' - we ordered inside then waited on beach for 20 mins despite a chaser. Only 4 other customers. We walked!
Ostraco = nice place for chilled late drink - sofas etc and nice waterside views.

Weather excellent - no rain, temp 24-30 deg, but really windy!! (Except the day we left!). Little or no wind as you went west of Plak.

Feared the worst hearing of the 'new builds' at east end of the beach - found them low-key - fairly tasteful, only 2 storey and well set back, with large gardens in front.
Disappointed by the new supermarket - the 'old' one opposite has a better range.

Hardly any Brits; about 95% German (or more).

Amazed by the road maintenance - LOADS of resurfaced roads.

Prices - eating out was about same as 2019, as was accomm cost. Petrol up from E1.45/l in 2019 to 1.75/l now. But car hire!!! DOUBLE the 2019 rates.
However, cannot recommend MotoAuto Plakias highly enough. Stress-free at all stages. No deposits, free 2nd driver, collect car at airport and pay at the office in Plak the next day! Rates were no more than any of the other firms either (E400/ 12 days). I'll be using them from now onwards.

Sad to say goodbye!

Booked again for June 2022 :-)

14
Plakias / Re: Ok, 2021, lets go !!
« on: October 12, 2021, 12:28:26 PM »
Pound signs! - seems you can't type them in here!!

15
Plakias / Re: Ok, 2021, lets go !!
« on: October 12, 2021, 12:27:37 PM »
"? ? ?"

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