Plakias Forums

Plakias => Plakias => Topic started by: Daniel on March 29, 2020, 03:06:19 PM

Title: October ?
Post by: Daniel on March 29, 2020, 03:06:19 PM
June holiday gone.

Looks like September holiday is also gone.

Let's hope that we are clear to travel byOctober, we can gat flights and that all our usual places are still up and running.

Don't know how late places stay open or when airlines stop flights but if we can go this year, then we make every effort to do so.

We need Plakias and they more than ever will need us.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: conway s on March 30, 2020, 02:04:55 PM
Hope you are correct Daniel we lost our holiday to Plakias for the Greek Easter. All the people concerned with our holiday have been very kind, from Best cars at the airport they are carrying my booking over to October if all goes well. Also Maria and her son Gianni at the Helios apartments (part of the coop).
Easyjet who I was flying with have transferred our flights to October at the same price, so here is hoping.
We got cancelled last October because of Thomas Cook so very upset about not seeing the place for almost 2 years.
Let us all hope this deadly virus goes away and lets the world get on with our lives. 
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Richard on May 12, 2020, 10:03:36 PM
We've found the same, everyone very accommodating, and not just to secure business either, I don't think. Just seem to take it in their stride.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: conway s on May 13, 2020, 02:18:48 PM
I look at the webcam everyday from the Livikon and not a deckchair or umbrella and we feel choked at not being their. As you say I hope they are coping without the tourists unlike over here I am sure they wont have a furlough scheme. Let us all hope that they all survive the lack of customers. October cannot come quick enough I hope we are not being too optimistic. Take care everyone we know when we are out their and the ones we don't know. 
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Daniel on May 13, 2020, 06:45:50 PM
But looking (longingly) at that webcam, it seems that there is a lot more activity in the town recently ?
Mostly cars and vans etc but more and more people are beginning to show up.
Hope they keep going this year.
It looks more and more likely that we will have to write off this years holidays in Plakias.
And hope to re visit again in late May 2021.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: conway s on May 14, 2020, 02:36:53 PM
The wife says if we have to isolate when we get back she wont be going. We are both retired so don't see the inconvenience.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: ian s on May 14, 2020, 07:34:58 PM
Can’t think of anywhere better to be right now, but getting there is the problem.  Not so much the plane as the queues at security etc. not to mention the bus to/from the plane to terminal!

Booked for September.  Only missed 1 year out of 30 so fingers crossed.

Thoughts are with our friends in Plakias and of course it’s loyal visitors.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Richard on May 15, 2020, 11:32:58 AM
As for the 2 weeks' house-arrest - oops! sorry, quarantine on return, well worth it, I think. I only go out once a week for food in any case, I'll just buy a bit extra.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: conway s on May 18, 2020, 02:25:08 PM
I am with you Richard it takes me 2 weeks to get over my visit to Plakias anyway. I don't drink back home so let my hair down , normally at Joe,s so can give kidneys a rest on return. I do feel that the way it is going it will not be in force by then, or am I being too optimistic.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: daza on May 19, 2020, 11:33:43 AM
My supplies of Ouzo/Tsiporo have been depleted !!! (and No12 just doesn't float my boat). I need Plomari!!! HELP.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: JBMouse on May 19, 2020, 02:36:23 PM
Hi Daza, like you I am concerhned for my Ouzo supply. I was luck to have been back to Lesvos last June and brought back at least 10 litres, plus I could buy Ouzo Mitiline and Barbagianni in Plakias, and even more in duty free at Heraklion (Aphrodite/Mini etc) so I thought I was good to get through till June and our next trip to Kalamata, but I am getting low now. Lidl has Greek week starting on 21st May, so I will test drive one of their bottles with a view to more if it is drinkable! Lidl are doing lots of yummy Greek food as well, including Bougatsa!!!
Yiammas to all
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Arnaki on May 24, 2020, 12:44:15 AM
Hi Daza and JB, Our ouzo supply is dwindling too. Thanks for the information about Greek week. I hope the world has recovered enough soon for us all  to safely travel and not infect each other, but in the meantime we must find our Greek experience where we can. Next year we will presumably be limited to Duty Free levels. But don't get me started on Brexit!
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Daniel on May 31, 2020, 10:40:54 AM
Today should have been our first day this year in Plakias, staying with George at Creta Mere.

Just hope that 12 months will let us go back to see them again.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Daniel on June 07, 2020, 01:53:27 PM
Looking at the web can there does not seem to be a lot of activity on the beach.
Any sun beds out yet ?
And are there many visitors in town ?
And what nationalitys are currently there ?

Still hurting from missing two visits this year.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Richard on June 07, 2020, 04:25:30 PM
Me too, April and May to celebrate retirement! Ho hum.

End Aug and Oct booked, everything crossed, and who knows, it may be open for business again, and quiet might be nice but I very much hope not too quiet for the locals to recoup some of their lost income - must be a huge blow.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Daniel on June 18, 2020, 01:12:10 PM
Still no sign of sun beds or trip boats showing on the webcam.
Are visitors starting to come back to Plakias yet ?
How much of the town is now re opened ?

Weather looks brilliant especially when typing this sat in a cold very wet North Yorkshire
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Frank And Julie on June 20, 2020, 12:38:55 PM
Things are slowly moving ahead here, Ostraco opened its upstairs bar on Friday night and was quite busy, a few tourist about but not many, everyone is expecting the numbers to increase early July but some taverners are keeping closed at the moment to see what happens, a very popular bar in Rethymno was fined 10,000 euros and shut down until further notice in the week by the police for not adhering to the distancing rules, which are very hard if not impossible to enforce, no more than 6 at a table or group and each group must be 2m apart.
Not many Taverners open yet as mentioned before , the are just waiting if the people come then they will all open at once I think, the Greek government has stated that any area that has a sharp increase of Covid cases will be put on lockdown, so how long we stay open is anybody’s guess.
The rules on sunbeds on the beach are that each lounger has to have a disposable cover and once the guest has used it, it must be disinfected and left for 20 minutes before another guest can use it, so most of the owners are saying that its to much hassle to do/enforce so they wont bother putting out beds, maybe they will change their mind and just increase the cost to cover the expenses and extra labour needed, again to few tourist to make it worth their while at the moment.
No demand for the boat trip at the moment, but we are getting ready for local tours and fishing trips for early July so if people want them, we will be ready. (I work on the fishing trip boat)
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: ian s on June 20, 2020, 09:09:13 PM
Obviously it’s for all the wrong reasons but must admit it would be nice to enjoy the beaches without the sun beds/brollies.  I’m sure when I first visited 30+ years ago there wasn’t a sun bed to be seen anywhere.

However hope it’s not too long before businesses get back to some form of normal.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Daniel on June 30, 2020, 08:37:12 AM
Decision for this year now taken.

We are not brave enough to risk a 4 hour plus flight to Plakias in the current uncertain conditions.
Looking now to re schedule our Jet 2 flights back to either June or September next year.

It is with great regret that we do this but for people in our age group caution on health issues must be our top priority
Taking  unnecessary risks whilst this virus pandemic is far from over seems to us unnecessary and unwise.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: ostraco on June 30, 2020, 12:29:00 PM
Having grown up near some of the best beaches in Cornwall, I've never bed a sun bed fan. I visited a few years ago in November, and really enjoyed using the beach with no beds in view.

I do feel Daniel's point on the risks is valid. A couple of years ago EasyJet cancelled our return flight a few hours before we were due to fly home. Inconvenient, but the Plakias locals helped us out - and I had three extra days in the sun.

I didn't make it to Plakias last year, so this time I'm just going to go for it, and hopefully handle any problems if/when they arise. To be honest, I think any hassles are more likely to be caused at the UK end rather than in Greece.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Daniel on July 05, 2020, 01:49:26 PM
Contacted Jet2 today to re book our this years September flight.
Now re booked for 9th June 2021

Problem free booking.

BUT:
The prices are eye watering.
Expect to pay much more for flights with Jet 2 to Crete next year.
With add ons and charges for changing, we have paid an extra 50 pc on top of the price which we agreed that we would have paid this year.
Flights for two to Iraklion are becoming a luxury item !!

But if we want to go back to Plakias (twice) next year, then we have little alternative but to pay up.

Just hope that the rest of the holiday hasn't also gone up by 50 pc
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Daniel on July 05, 2020, 04:19:05 PM
People on the beach ?

Trip boats out in the harbour ?

Things getting back to some form of normality ?
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: ostraco on July 05, 2020, 04:49:56 PM
I can understand you're keen to get something fixed for next year Daniel. Personally, I'll wait as I feel the travel industry is still in all sorts of turmoil, and maybe things will be better next year. I'm hoping fares will return to more realistic levels.

I just checked the Webcams - links at the top of the page. Seems to be very different from a normal July. I can't even see any sunbeds!

Title: Re: October ?
Post by: jinky on July 25, 2020, 05:34:11 PM
We are due to fly to Plakias the middle of next month and are now reasonably confident that it will go ahead. Wondered if anyone who is already out there can advise on payment in tavernas, bars, supermarkets and tourist shops. Is it more common this year for card payments or is cash still king as in previous years?
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Daniel on July 27, 2020, 09:56:03 PM
I am sorry to throw cold water on holidays in Plakias this year, but:
 
With the latest reaction from our government to the situation in Spain, how can anyone be sure that a holiday abroad, wherever it may be,will not result in having to isolate for 2 weeks on return to the UK ?
We simply do not know and can not know the future virus situation in any of our holiday destinations .

There is no way that we will even consider boarding an aircraft until at least mid 2021.

And even then, conditions will have to drastically improved before we do so.
And then some form of vaccine or medical developments will have to be available.

Do we really think that this pandemic is  under control and is going away ?
We do not.

I am 74 old and am very, very wary of this corana virus.
Call me a scared old fool, but I want to live to be an even older old fool.
And that old fool wants to be sat in the sun on the balcony of Creta Mare, sipping Metaxa, eating olives and feta and gazing out over the Libyan Sea.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Barny on July 28, 2020, 07:42:18 AM
Am I right in thinking that a face covering would have to be worn when you enter the airport, The bar, restaurant and four hours on the flight and taxi transfer? I see people on the telly wearing one on the beach?
I'm normally booked to go next week, hours on the beach, Antonis place, staying at Stella but I am thinking the same as Daniel. what if.....

                     Barny.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Frank And Julie on July 28, 2020, 01:12:35 PM
We are due to fly to Plakias the middle of next month and are now reasonably confident that it will go ahead. Wondered if anyone who is already out there can advise on payment in tavernas, bars, supermarkets and tourist shops. Is it more common this year for card payments or is cash still king as in previous years?

Cash is always King with the Greeks even more so this year !
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Frank And Julie on July 28, 2020, 01:30:15 PM
Am I right in thinking that a face covering would have to be worn when you enter the airport, The bar, restaurant and four hours on the flight and taxi transfer? I see people on the telly wearing one on the beach?
I'm normally booked to go next week, hours on the beach, Antonis place, staying at Stella but I am thinking the same as Daniel. what if.....

                     Barny.
No one is wearing masks on the beach! the only restriction is you have to wear a mask in the supermarket.
Regarding coming or not, I guess each person has to make their own decision, Plakias feels very virus free at the moment and all serving staff are wearing masks in all the taverners and bars, the taverners has removed tables to give everyone more space minimum is 1.7m between chairs on different tables.
They have different cleaning regimes in the apartments and hotels all designed to keep you and them safe.
As most of you know I live here and speaking to relatives and friends back in Blighty I feel a lot safer here, even with the tourists.
Planes who knows they say they are safe so I guess they are !
The Greeks have been very proactive in all of this to keep everyone as safe as possible so I have no reason to believe they will not continue to do so.
If you can come this is the year great – they need you more than any other year !

Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Frank And Julie on July 28, 2020, 01:37:57 PM
Further to my last comment I have just seen this :

As of TOMORROW Wednesday, 29 July, masks will be mandatory in more indoors spaces in Greece.

Full details here https://realgreekexperiences.com/greece-is-reopening-for-to…

For both employees and customers:
- All grocery stores (bakeries, butchers etc), including supermarkets where it was already mandatory
- All other retail stores
- Offices and businesses where there is contact with customers (e.g. banks, public services)
- Doctors' practices, other medical services
- Hair salons, beauty parlours
- Elevators
Reminder that masks remain mandatory in all public transportation (metro, buses, ferries etc) and taxis.

In addition, masks will be mandatory for all EMPLOYEES in cafes, restaurants, tavernas and other places where food and drink is served.

The fine for not wearing a mask is 150 euro.

Museums have not explicitly been mentioned, but I am sure there will be further clarifications in the next day or two.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Daniel on September 07, 2020, 04:38:07 PM
We were due to fly out to Plakias tomorrow morning but had already cancelled the holiday.
Glad we did.

Just seen the Government has put 7 extra Greek islands onto the quarantine list and yes, Crete is amongst then.
As from Wednesday 4 am people returning will need to self isolate for 14 days.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Peter G on September 07, 2020, 08:32:10 PM
We are still geared up to fly tomorrow afternoon and will be happy to do so, according to people who are there Plakias sounds a lot safer than UK. Obviously everyone's particulars will vary but now we are retired we have no problem re quarantining. In fact, l half wish that Greece had been put on "the list" much sooner, it might have prevented some of the younger travellers from spreading the virus throughout the islands.
Hope you can return to Plakias next year.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Daniel on September 07, 2020, 10:32:27 PM
We too are both retired now for some 20 years.

Our flights for this year are now re scheduled for June and September next year and we hope and pray that things improve, a vaccine is found, we can make those flights.

But things will have to improve dramatically before we can be confident enough to board a plane for a 4 hour + flight to Crete when we can not be sure of our fellow passengers medical condition.
This pandemic is by no means over and some people's attitudes to this virus worry us.
So we avoid personal contact and obey distancing guidance at all times.

The few weeks quarantine on return to England is not the point for us.

It is the threat of spreading the virus on our return to other non involved, elderly family members which exercises our minds.

But that is only our take on this very, very complex problem.
Each of you will have your own views on this and whether or not it is safe or advisable to travel abroad this year.
You will make your own individual decisions based on your own take on what you see and what you read and hear and understand and what your consider that best course of action should be for your individual situation.
That decision will then be be one which you can be comfortable and you can act accordingly.
And for you that decision will then be correct.

We have made our choice .
And we are more than happy to forgo this years holidays for the chance of more holidays in Plakias in future years.

But it still hurts that by tomorrow evening we should be enjoying a meal at Gio Mar !!
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Daniel on September 10, 2020, 09:02:55 AM
I know that we will not be in Plakias in September this year, but is the end of month local festival still planned or will the Covid  restrictions mean that it has to be cancelled ?
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: Colin & Sandra on September 10, 2020, 10:25:13 AM
Still on for the 20th. Tui cancelled our flight with Olympic, so our stay at Sofia Hotels gone. (16 week wait for refund)
So got very reasonable flights out with Jet2 and back with Easyjet, Car hires booked, and 23 nights at Castello arranged.
Nothing else can possibly upset our plans can it?   
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: JBMouse on September 10, 2020, 02:00:08 PM
It looks like our holiday on October first will have to be scrapped if Crete remains on the No non-essential travel advisory from the FCOD, as our insurance would be invalidated. No problems quarantining, but the insurance side of things makes it a no go. Easyjet still flying those dates, so no chance of a refund, possibly only vouchers for next year, which we might not be able to use, so we selfishly are looking to easyjet to cancel all flights, then we get a refund, as we did when our June Greek holiday was cancelled (Kalamata).
All the best to everyone in Plakias, after over 20 years going there I hope I can get there again soon as I have not said my goodbyes.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: John R on September 10, 2020, 04:24:33 PM
Staysure is offering cover for places where FO advises against travel due to COVID and also covering you for COVID etc,
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: JBMouse on September 11, 2020, 10:58:29 AM
Easyjet have cancelled our flights, so we are getting a refund, limited availability to Crete on other dates, and at a much higher cost, so that, together with needing to quarantine makes Crete a no go, such a pity, never missed a year yet to Plakias. However, my grey matter has been hard at it to work out how to get to Greece this year as we love it, and my ouzo stocks are dangerously low, so Kalamata area looks possible for similar dates, though only 9 nights, no need to quarantine (at the moment) but we were due to go there in June then it was cancelled, so might get another crack at it, just hoping the early October weather will be as good as southern Crete.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: conway s on September 11, 2020, 01:20:44 PM
Got the same news myself blown out of the water again. Car booked at airport in Heraklion. Other flights not suitable , like you get the money back have a rethink.
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: greek1 on September 11, 2020, 02:54:08 PM
looks like easyjet are trimming their schedule. Our Tuesday Edinburgh return fight has just been cancelled grrr. But have managed to re-book a sat to sat holiday. so fingers crossed, don't want to miss my visit to kastro and that fantastic view. Anyone looking for insurance try battleface.com. They provide cover even if the fco is advising against travel
Title: Re: October ?
Post by: conway s on September 12, 2020, 01:08:39 PM
well we have given up on getting back to Plakias this year Easyjet have allowed us to transfer our booking to next April for the Greek easter so will just have to wait until then. What with Thomas Cooke then Easyjet and the pandemic will us aficionados of Plakias ever get back there.