46
Plakias / Re: Travellers cheques
« on: June 17, 2016, 06:35:14 PM »
They are hotels.
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47
Plakias / Re: Travellers cheques
« on: June 17, 2016, 01:26:45 PM »
I'd like to know too. I am going to take mine to my UK bank to cash, but if I can use them in Plakias then that would be better.
48
Holiday Companies / Re: Greek Airports strike
« on: June 17, 2016, 01:19:15 PM »
That is good news for everyone who would have been affected. Let's hope they come to some agreement, and the strike doesn't remain a threat throughout the summer.
I just need to continue to worry about the potential Thomas Cook cabin crew strike for my Kalamata flight in July....
The joys of travel!
I just need to continue to worry about the potential Thomas Cook cabin crew strike for my Kalamata flight in July....
The joys of travel!
49
Plakias / Re: Heatwave due to arrive from 16th June
« on: June 14, 2016, 07:20:08 PM »
Not much wind, so it will be very hot. It's the first time I've seen a mosquito forecast included.
Still a few weeks before I go. I hope it cools down just a bit. Above blood temperature gets very uncomfortable!
Still a few weeks before I go. I hope it cools down just a bit. Above blood temperature gets very uncomfortable!
50
Plakias / Re: Parking for disabled
« on: June 12, 2016, 02:25:47 PM »
Hi Susie,
I assume you know that Labrynth Studios are quite a way out of the village, and with no tavernas close by (as far as I know)? So you will almost certainly need to drive wherever you go.
I am disabled and can't walk far, but we don't hire a car in Crete. Plakias is compact and we stay in the centre. I take my wheelchair (and my ever helpful husband!) to enable us to get a bit further afield. Lesley who has already answered is the expert on Plakias parking.
This site gives useful information about using the Blue Badge outside the UK, which you might find helpful: http://www.theaa.com/public_affairs/reports/blue_badge_abroad.pdf. On the main road, it may depend on whether the 10 minutes stopping restriction is classed as waiting time or parking time. You can't park where parking is prohibited, but you can where it is time limited, according to the section on Greece. This website also has a little statement in Greek which you can display with your blue badge, if that helps. However, do you really want to go to Rethymno police station to have your ticket annulled when you could be sunbathing or sight seeing?
Enjoy Plakias, I am sure you will.
I assume you know that Labrynth Studios are quite a way out of the village, and with no tavernas close by (as far as I know)? So you will almost certainly need to drive wherever you go.
I am disabled and can't walk far, but we don't hire a car in Crete. Plakias is compact and we stay in the centre. I take my wheelchair (and my ever helpful husband!) to enable us to get a bit further afield. Lesley who has already answered is the expert on Plakias parking.
This site gives useful information about using the Blue Badge outside the UK, which you might find helpful: http://www.theaa.com/public_affairs/reports/blue_badge_abroad.pdf. On the main road, it may depend on whether the 10 minutes stopping restriction is classed as waiting time or parking time. You can't park where parking is prohibited, but you can where it is time limited, according to the section on Greece. This website also has a little statement in Greek which you can display with your blue badge, if that helps. However, do you really want to go to Rethymno police station to have your ticket annulled when you could be sunbathing or sight seeing?
Enjoy Plakias, I am sure you will.
51
Plakias / Re: News article about projects in Plakias area.
« on: May 27, 2016, 10:09:40 PM »
Thanks for that, I think. It just goes to show the different sentence structure in Greek and English!
It does appear that there are going to be some interesting developments. Do you think this mean that the parking area around Kri-Kri/Lysseos is going to become a little square - that would be lovely.
I hope that any development of kerbs takes into account disabled access. Currently, pavements in and around Plakias are awful, and whilst the sea front promenade is okay, the level access is often block by taxis and cars.
It does appear that there are going to be some interesting developments. Do you think this mean that the parking area around Kri-Kri/Lysseos is going to become a little square - that would be lovely.
I hope that any development of kerbs takes into account disabled access. Currently, pavements in and around Plakias are awful, and whilst the sea front promenade is okay, the level access is often block by taxis and cars.
52
Holiday Companies / Re: Olympic Holidays and API
« on: May 12, 2016, 01:48:08 PM »
Thanks Barny
It is helpful to hear that you can travel without API, which is what I was concerned about. Yes, I imagine that the new passports will do the trick.
I'm flying Thomas Cook to Kalamata this summer (as well as Plakias - lucky me!), and have discovered that doesn't require API either, so it looks as if API is being phased out at least to some countries, but some companies haven't caught up yet.
It still leaves me wondering why you need API if you book extras on Thomas Cook on an Olympic holiday, but not if you don't! Probably a quirk of Thomas Cook's very quirky website.
Arnaki
It is helpful to hear that you can travel without API, which is what I was concerned about. Yes, I imagine that the new passports will do the trick.
I'm flying Thomas Cook to Kalamata this summer (as well as Plakias - lucky me!), and have discovered that doesn't require API either, so it looks as if API is being phased out at least to some countries, but some companies haven't caught up yet.
It still leaves me wondering why you need API if you book extras on Thomas Cook on an Olympic holiday, but not if you don't! Probably a quirk of Thomas Cook's very quirky website.
Arnaki
53
Holiday Companies / Olympic Holidays and API
« on: May 09, 2016, 10:56:57 PM »
The time is nearly upon me to pay the balance of the holiday - but on the bright side that does at least mean we are one step closer to departure. I thought I'd complete the API details whilst I was about it, but there was nothing on the My Booking section to allow this. Looking further at the website, it states:
"Advance Passenger Information (API)- Update
You are now only required to provide API if your booking includes a flight on Easyjet or Ryanair or if your booking includes a flight on Thomas Cook and you want to add Holiday Extras to you booking."
We're going with Small Planet now.
How do the powers that be get the information they need then? Why do some airlines need it and not others? Isn't API is an international requirement? It's a mystery to me. Can anyone illuminate me?
Arnaki
"Advance Passenger Information (API)- Update
You are now only required to provide API if your booking includes a flight on Easyjet or Ryanair or if your booking includes a flight on Thomas Cook and you want to add Holiday Extras to you booking."
We're going with Small Planet now.
How do the powers that be get the information they need then? Why do some airlines need it and not others? Isn't API is an international requirement? It's a mystery to me. Can anyone illuminate me?
Arnaki
54
Plakias / Re: How Plakias has changed since the 1980's. 1983-1986
« on: May 09, 2016, 01:12:12 PM »
Wow - now that IS change!
Arnaki
Arnaki
55
Plakias / Re: How Plakias has changed since the 1980's. 1983-1986
« on: May 06, 2016, 01:47:11 PM »
Thanks for sharing these. Although Plakias has developed over the years, it hasn't changed beyond recognition, unlike many places on the north side of Crete.
56
Holiday Companies / Re: Les' replacement
« on: April 27, 2016, 09:48:20 PM »
Olympic Holidays start next Tuesday I think, so someone may report back soon. Hold on a little longer, Billy!
57
Holiday Companies / Re: All change on Olympic Holidays Manchester flight times.
« on: April 27, 2016, 09:44:05 PM »
We have had the flight change email too for Manchester in August. At least we live only 5 miles from the airport, so no major hassle. I have had worse changes. Bonus is that we should get to Plakias in time for a trip to the Far End.
I do feel for those travelling further. Have a good sleep on the flight.
Arnaki
I do feel for those travelling further. Have a good sleep on the flight.
Arnaki
58
Plakias / Re: Rebuilding after fire
« on: April 24, 2016, 12:43:22 PM »
Hi,
It appears that the rebuilding work is well underway, with some completed. I've not been there myself yet, but there are some pictures on this link (which is a very informative website) http://www.beautifulplakias.com/plakias.html
I expect others who have been there recently provide up to date information. I get my Plakias fix in August.
Arnaki
It appears that the rebuilding work is well underway, with some completed. I've not been there myself yet, but there are some pictures on this link (which is a very informative website) http://www.beautifulplakias.com/plakias.html
I expect others who have been there recently provide up to date information. I get my Plakias fix in August.
Arnaki
59
I'd agree with "unpredictable".
We generally go the last two weeks in August, which usually has some spells of strong wind; one holiday it was extremely windy for 10 days out of 14. We have been the last week in October, when we had glorious sunshine and mostly flat calm seas - gorgeous. We've been for two weeks in July with no wind. Last year it was early August and only one day of strong wind. In the summer months, the temperatures are oppressive when there is no wind.
It is as difficult to forecast as the UK weather.
Try the weather link the Useful Links on this site which gives data for last year including the wind, and there are some other weather sites with historical data, but I am not sure whether that records the wind speed.
Arnaki
We generally go the last two weeks in August, which usually has some spells of strong wind; one holiday it was extremely windy for 10 days out of 14. We have been the last week in October, when we had glorious sunshine and mostly flat calm seas - gorgeous. We've been for two weeks in July with no wind. Last year it was early August and only one day of strong wind. In the summer months, the temperatures are oppressive when there is no wind.
It is as difficult to forecast as the UK weather.
Try the weather link the Useful Links on this site which gives data for last year including the wind, and there are some other weather sites with historical data, but I am not sure whether that records the wind speed.
Arnaki
60
PlakChat / Re: web cam
« on: April 08, 2016, 01:02:30 PM »
I saw news of a Saharan sandstorm hitting Crete today.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/207699/article/ekathimerini/news/authorities-warn-of-sandstorm-on-crete-on-friday
The view on the webcam certainly looks rather murky today.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/207699/article/ekathimerini/news/authorities-warn-of-sandstorm-on-crete-on-friday
The view on the webcam certainly looks rather murky today.