Messages

751

Where to go / Other resorts

« on: August 26, 2004, 01:06:26 PM »

Both Thassos and Paxos sound interesting.

Being to the west and north of Greece respectively, I wonder how reliable the weather is in May and October? I know it can rain in places like Corfu and Halkidiki in July/August (have experienced both), whereas rain would be extremely rare in Crete/Rhodes, etc at that time. That said I had perfect weather in Kefalonia in October 2001. For those who want a clothes optional beach without a long walk or a ride (i.e. like Plakias) Scala on Kefalonia fits the bill in that way and is good for eating and walking as well.

Mike

752

Plakias / Plakias outside the normal season

« on: August 25, 2004, 01:26:48 PM »

The normal season for UK visitors is early May - mid/late October. Does anyone have experience of Plakias outside these months? There have been occasional references to it in the forum but nothing substantial I think.

On the first of my 26 visits to Greece I learned that Rhodes, the driest place in Greece, experiences an annual rainfall very similar to London. However, London's is distributed throughout the year whereas Rhodes gets virtually none in the summer 6 months. This must mean that their winter period is twice as wet as London (in terms of total amount anyway; not necessarily the same as the number of wet days). Therefore, all other parts of Greece are even more substantially wetter than the south of the UK in winter, explaining why some islands to the north and west of Greece are so lush in spring. Plakias presumably has a climate not significantly different from Rhodes.

To my knowledge, no UK tour operator features any part of Greece in its winter programme, so those that go must book independently. I think I read in a book sometime that the sea at the south coast of Crete is warm enough for swimming most of the year.

Are there many tavernas open outside the normal season? In some of the resorts I have visited I have been told that they virtually shut down in winter as most of the property owners live elsewhere. I would not think this applies in a big way to Plakias, but could be wrong.

I would be interested to hear from those with experience of Plakias out of season.

Mike

753

Forum and Website discussion / More Statistics Added

« on: August 24, 2004, 01:08:10 PM »

Ploppy (Paul) or Ostraco.

Re. Statistics, I know what a topic and a post are, but what is a view?

Mike

754

Plakias / Is it doable?

« on: August 24, 2004, 12:57:17 PM »

Mike - Manos used to offer holidays in Plakias, but pulled out several years ago!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=2220\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

 absolutely gutted cos I get my biggest discount with manos  :'(  and they are such a good company aswell
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=2223\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hello Fraoula,

I keep hoping that Manos are not going to succumb to the mediocrity of Airtours/My Travel but they haven't yet. I received excellent discounts for both this year and next (admittedly they inflate the brochure prices) .I did not know that they used to go to Plakias, as Ostraco has said- must have been quite some years ago.

Mike

755

Where to stay / where to stay

« on: August 21, 2004, 02:20:29 PM »

Welcome to the forum, Rikits.

Last year there was quite an interchange on tour operator versus independent for which I give the link.

http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?show...=tour++operator

I think it is a matter of personal preference; however, it seems that tour operator is cheaper in low season whereas which is cheaper in high season is more debatable. A significant cost if going independently is the airport to Plakias transfer. If you intend to hire a car and use this for the transfer this can alter the balance. Also the choice of accommodation is obviously much wider by booking independently.

Hope you enjopy Plakias, however you get there.  

Mike

ps. I'm sure there is an easier way of adding a link- perhaps the forum administrator could enlighten me.

756

Plakias / Is it doable?

« on: August 21, 2004, 09:50:41 AM »

Harribobs,

That's interesting and I bow to your greater knowledge, being an "insider". What you are effectively saying is that there is a greater demand for package tour holidays to Plakias than the tour operators can satisfy. So why did First Choice pull out- they seem to have misjudged the situation?

What you have said confirms that I was wise to rebook my 2 weeks in mid May at Kostas Chrysoulla with Olympic rather than wait.

Maybe one of the forum members in the holiday industry ought to point this situation out to FC, possibly by giving them a link into the forum. Incidently, even though FC gave me my money back for the holiday they cancelled, they never bothered to send me a letter explaining the situation and confirming the cancellation.

I have long since been amazed that Manos (still good even though now part of My Travel/Airtours as they seem to operate pretty independently) doesn't include Plakias as it is just the sort of resort they go for and demand is high.

Mike

757

Plakias / Is it doable?

« on: August 20, 2004, 12:47:12 PM »

Hello Cornucopia,

Another option might be to get a late tour operator deal as you are planning to go as the schools return. Try First Choice or Olympic first, the two largest in Plakias. I have read that there are plenty of unsold holidays in Greece this year (overcapacity) so you could be lucky. Others in the forum can advise on the smaller operators. I've never booked late myself but have been told by others that you can often get something for half price. Just make sure you are going to Plakias; can't imagine the accommodation choice is too important.

If you can get something for 50-70% of brochure price you should easily be within the range you are looking for.    

Mike

758

Where to go / Other resorts

« on: August 18, 2004, 03:53:54 PM »

Hello Hopper,

Do any tour operators go to Karpathos? I don't recall having seen it in any brochures. It must be the largest island off the main tourist trail (Evia excepted). On those grounds it sounds good. Does it have an international airport? Based on its location the weather ought to be as reliable as it gets in Greece.

Mike

759

Where to stay / First Choice Pull out of Plakias!

« on: August 17, 2004, 01:26:51 PM »

I totally agree with Graham and Karen's post earlier today. There was an extensive discussion last year on tour operator versus independent and some are in one camp, some another. It is whatever suits the individual. However, what no one seemed to disagree with was that early or late season it is cheaper to go with a tour operator, even with First Choice out of the picture for 2005. This assumes you use a taxi to and from the airport rather than multiple changes on the bus as was suggested.

I have now rebooked my cancelled May 2005 FC holiday with Olympic; same date, same accommodation (Kostas Chrysoulla), and the only difference is that it is £30 pp more with Olympic. At £260 pp it is still good value.

760

Where to go / Other resorts

« on: August 10, 2004, 03:14:20 PM »

I agree with Ostraco re. Paros and Mykonos. I had a good holiday in Paros (Logaros/Pisso Livadi) in Oct 2000 as a single traveller. However, of the 14 day holiday only 11 were spent on Paros, owing to transfer delays from Mykonos caused by rough seas (2 days) and an early return for the same reason (1 day). This meant 3 nights in a Mykonos hotel and 2 evening meals at Manos' expense. Mykonos is frequented by a certain type of male (I'm not prejudiced but am of the opposite persuasion) and the island is really expensive.

Not surprisingly Paros disappeared from Manos holidays soon after, as they must have made significant losses. Now that's an understandable reason for pulling out (First Choice please note!).

Pity, as I thoroughly enjoyed Paros and hope to return if they ever build an international airport.

Mike

761

Where to stay / First Choice Pull out of Plakias!

« on: August 10, 2004, 01:22:01 PM »

Re. First Choice pulling out of Plakias (see my earlier entries for my experience of the issue) it now looks as if it is closed. After nothing for over 2 weeks since my last communication with them I E-Mailed their communications team and they phoned me back. I had to explain everything from the beginning and initially still got the line that "we may honour existing bookings even though accepting no more". I expressed doubts whether this was viable and was then put in touch with their accommodation team. They eventually confirmed that FC has pulled out of Plakias for 2005 completely. On that basis they are sending me my deposit back and confirming it in writing. I was also told that edition 2 of FC Greece is out on Friday and will still contain some Plakias properties (Alianthos, Stella, and Irida I think). However, this is just a case of the new brochure being out of date before it is issued.

So, over 6 weeks after Grahame alerted us to the fact, FC has finally confirmed to me that my holiday is cancelled. John R was right in that the information you are told depends on whom you speak to at FC.

So, it looks like Olympic for me for 2005 as it seems they are the only operator offering day flights (outward and return), self catering accommodation, and less than £300 pp in May. If anyone knows differently perhaps they could let me know.

As someone else said, it is sad for those in the holiday industry in Plakias that one of the two major UK companies is pulling out and I hope that they replace the business.  

762

Where to go / Other resorts

« on: August 09, 2004, 01:13:37 PM »

One thing that we all have in common is that we like Plakias and therefore other similar resorts suitable for twenty to seventy plus somethings, with a good beach and tavernas, laid back Greek atmosphere, with excellent scenery and walks would fit the bill. Oh, and no lager louts.

Resorts that fit into this description that I know of are not on Crete. I have virtually decided to restrict myself to them (and Plakias of course) rather than look for somewhere new, risking disappointment (the last exception to this is my autumn 2004 holiday to Vassilikos, Zakynthos).

The list is (in no particular order), Petra (Lesvos), Scala (Kefalonia), Kambos (Samos), Tingaki (Kos), and Agios Georgious (also known as St. George South) (Corfu). But for the poor beaches I would include Haraki (Rhodes), Kalives (Crete) and Paralio Astros (Peloponnese). Matala (Crete) sounds good but I have never been there.

If anyone would like to know more I would be happy to help, but as this is a Plakias forum it might be more appropriate to contact me via my E-Mail address which I think will be displayed if you click on "Mike G".

I would add that I always (ever since the family has been grown up anyway) holiday in May and Sept/Oct so I cannot vouch that all of the places mentioned are quiet in high season (is Plakias?).

763

Where to stay / First Choice Pull out of Plakias!

« on: July 27, 2004, 09:46:05 AM »

I was interested in Roger's comment about the under 30s having all the cash. I agree that they might spend large amounts whilst on holiday (drink?) but wonder if it is true that they spend more with the tour operator, which is where FC and others would feel it. I keep reading in the papers about 50 somethings and over being the folks with the spending power and virtually everyone I know of who is also in their 50s has miles more spending power than we had when we had families dependent on us.

Roger is not the first to comment negatively on Olympic so could some of you elucidate how they have screwed up in Plakias. I seem to favour them reading the brochure. I think Kosmar are only doing night returning flights to Heraklion (I don't do night returning flights) and Cosmos aren't featuring self catering (if I'm wrong here I hope someone will put me right). Nothing in Argo re. Plakias in the borochure I have for 2005.

764

Forum and Website discussion / Pips and Titles

« on: July 24, 2004, 01:18:11 PM »

I agree with John R's comment of 23/7 at 7.43pm. It is very, very easy to misinterpret an E-Mail as you can't hear the tone of voice or judge the body language. I did it several times when I worked and you need to be very careful.  

I suggest Ostraco, as website "owner" I think, ought to try and get Andy back. We all agree he is a very good egg and has done wonders for the forum.    I'm sure that Yvonne meant no offence and a quick E-Mail to Andy to confirm this would do no harm.  

On the original subject, I was quite happy with the original designations- not too keen on 6 ranks of membership; it smacks of ranks in the army (not that I was ever in it!). It's the content of the forum I'm interested in, not people's rankings.

765

Where to stay / First Choice Pull out of Plakias!

« on: July 23, 2004, 01:18:31 PM »

Re. the continuing saga of my First Choice booking to Plakias for May 2005 which, I was informed by E-Mail, has been cancelled. In response to my E-Mail to FC Customer Services, I received a phone call from CS yesterday. The conversation went along these lines (paraphrased):

FC: So you would like a refund of your £240 deposit.
Me: Yes, your terms and conditions say that if FC cancels or makes a major change I can have a full refund. I only want to holiday on Plakias next May and I have been told you are pulling out of the resort completely.
FC: Agreed, we can refund it.
Me: You haven't yet informed me in writing of the cancellation.
FC: That's because it isn't completely certain that we will be cancelling.
Me: But the E-Mail said you were.
FC: It is true that a block has been put on the computer system to stop further bookings. It is also probable that we are not going to your accommodation (Kostas Chysoulla). However, our Crete team has not reached a definitive decision yet on the whole matter.
Me: Do you mean you could offer me elsewhere in Plakias?
FC: Possibly, or make an arrangement with another tour operator to send you to the KC or elsewhere, with your agreement, so as not to lose your business.
Me: Well, your prices for Plakias are significantly less than all the other tour operators (only Olympic comes close) so I think I'll hang on.
FC: Yes, I would advise waiting to see what we come up with.
Me: I'm not in a paticular rush to rebook. However, I would not wait indefinitely (e.g. Christmas) as I might not be able to book with someone else then.
FC: It will be resolved well before then, I can't give a specific date, but a small number of weeks.
Me: OK I'll wait to see what you come up with.

I also advised that FC management should see this website to confirm what a significant demand there is for Plakias holidays from, I am guessing, thirtysomethings to seventysomethings all over the UK. FC has been in Plakias for over 10 years to my knowledge. Our experience with FC in Tingaki, Kos, in May 2004 was very positive.  

I'll report back when I hear something. FC cancelling our booking is still the most likely option, but holding on a while seems sensible. I was impressed that FC now seems to be making an effort at customer relations at last.  

ps. Apologies to those outside the quoted age bands.