trust me, I'm a travel agent!

[fraoula]

Now I Know you have been discussing this topic for a while now but working in travel does have its advantages. Don't know if you have already heard but
Kosmar are only dealing with the Apollo ( of which they are calling the 'Apollon')
and the Lamon hotel. Don't go phoning them just yet though they won't have any prices until their 2nd edition brochure arrives-I'm told this will be end of august beg of sept. Argo haven't got their contracts for Plakias sorted out yet either however they are certainley a bit pricier than other tour ops. Spoke to a lovely girl at first choice admin  word from their boss is that First choice were 'loosing' money
down in Plakias- if you can believe that?    

                Fraoula

[Mike G]

Fraoula,

As you are in the know, is it right that Kosmar will only be offering night returning flights from Gatwick for 2005 holidays to Plakias? Unfortunately I don't do night flights.

Mike

[fraoula]

well Mike, so far kosmar only seem to know which accom they are dealing with and not much else, they are still in the process of putting the flight sched. and price panels together. I do hope it's worth the wait! Kosmar usually price up quite cheap- here's hoping; good prices, good flights, sounds like a dream............

[roger]

that is really useful info Fraoula - many thanks
I dont know anything about the Appollo - where is it .- but I like the Lamon and stayed there once in early 90s with either First choice or Inspirations . Well located ,breakfast on the balcony , near bus train and taxi points , and most important very close to the Livicon !
 Did I read somewhere that Kosmar only fly to Hania - which would make sense as they operate mainly in western Crete ? If so then that would be early morning flights but only from Gatwick or Manchester
 I have never travelled with them but heard good reports and their choice of resorts looks good so perhaps they will be more suited to the sort of people who like Plakias whereas first choice seem to be mainly interested in the mass youngsters market through their Twentys subsidiary . As for how come FC are losing money in Plakias I can understand that .They have reduced their scale of operation there so have fewer visitors to spread their fixed costs over - ie rep , office facitlities , transfer costs etc . But then whose decision was it to run down their operation in Plakias ? Basically Plaias fitted well with Sunmed but not with the sort of market first choice is after - mass tourism mainly for kids with more money than sense who wants lots of so called entertainment rather than diserning sophisitcated holidaymakers like all of us !
 Only 3 weeks 6 days to go now .Is anyone going to be there between 10 and 24  august apart from Barny and Ruth - who have not replied to my e mail so presumably want an uninterrupted honey moon !
roger

[John R]

Kosmar fly to Heraklion as well. Indeed probably mostly to Heraklion at a quick glance of their 1st edition brochure I have with me

John R

, and most important very close to the Livicon !
 [a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=1859\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Er it is to Livicon itself that we will probably be looking to stay when we go independent in Sept 2005

John R

[fraoula]

I dont know anything about the Appollo - where is it .-      
 
The apollo studios are behind the cristos chrysoulla studios and can be accessed
through a side street form the main street that runs through plakias. central location. It has it's own pool, pool bar Manolis and aristides own it I believe (from krikri taverna). rooms quite small but okay for a base.(or a bed to fall into!?)

by the way can anyone tell me exactly where the phoenix apts are exactly? I know where the Phoenix hotel is (opposite the rocky beach on the road to souda)    do you know if the apartments are next to the hotel or furthur down the road?  also does anyone know how much the alianthos  beach  charge independantly for a three person room?  

      Fraoula  

[roger]

Thanks for putting me right re Kosmar flying to HEraklion John . Too early I suppose to know which airport they will use for Plakias .There are fewer flights to Hania but it would make for a nice journey to Plakias and is probably a  less congested airport
I have often thought of going independent and staying at the Livicon and talked to Dionysos about it but never organsised myself to do so . And if I did that I would drink even more of his beer ..... 1
 I have now placed the Appollo I think - thanks Fraoula . Indeed if I have got it right , I overlooked their swimming pool one year when I stayed at Cost Chrsyssoula .But given a choice , I would much prefer the Lamon to the Appollo , I will though miss the Stella -we Stella lovers will have to get Kosmar to take over First Choice's bookings there
roger

[fraoula]

I will though miss the Stella -we Stella lovers will have to get Kosmar to take over First Choice's bookings there
roger
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=1864\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I'm sure if every single stella lover wrote a few lines to kosmar they may consider  it -remember, demand, demand, demand!!!  
                                        Well, it's worth a try...?
 
              Fraoula

[roger]

I think that someone picked up from first choice that there was an alleged problem with the Stella - sounds like an excuse for pulling out .
 I will have a chat with Stella's son - cant remember his name but  he is the only member of the family who can speak english ! - so through him get the lie of the land and see what their plans are when FC pull out . Depending on that . I iwll sugget on here a campaign to get Kosmar to book Stella
mind you it would be even better if the booked the Livicon but I think Dionyssos prefers to be independent. i iwll certanly have quite a few chats with him over quite a few beers .
roger

[Mike G]

From Fraoula's description of the Apollo apartments, it is where I stayed in 1995,  a long time ago I know, with FC. They were fine- decent room and good pool. Overlooks the Kostas Chysoulla pool and pool bar. Well located for resort centre etc.

Re. Kosmar, it sounds as if they are expecting to make a profit from one property only- why can't FC make a profit then?

We will just have to wait and see where they are flying to. My guess is Herakloin only. Hania only seems to be used for the immediate vicinity.

Sometimes things conspire against tour operators I know. Most have dropped Paros as there is no international airport. Being reliant on the boat (usually from Mykonos) meant many nights to be financed in Mykonos hotels waiting for the wind to drop. It happened to me in Oct 2000! However, it seems ridiculous that FC can't make a profit in Plakias.

Mike