Messages

196

Plakias / Re: Sun Beds

« on: August 03, 2012, 10:08:09 PM »

We were in Plakias from 10-24 July and found the whole place much quieter than expected - we normally go for the last two weeks in August.  The far end was pretty quiet most of the time, with sun beds available if you needed them.  As "freelance" sunbathers (we tend to go down early or late for a fairly short time and just put our towels down on the beach) I am quite glad that there weren't many sunbeds out, as it is annoying to see rows and rows of empty sunbeds.  However I can understand that you wouldn't want to be rushing to claim a sunbed.

However, I would like to stick up for the two guys working on the beach and the sunbeds at the far end, as they were working really hard to keep the place clean no matter what time we were there, raking the sand for cigarette butts and other detritus left by inconsiderate humans, watering the dunes to help the grasses to grow and even watering the sand to reduce the sand-blasting on windy days (it didn't work as the wind kept changing direction).  One morning a couple of horse riders came down and one of the men stopped them - my Greek was not up to understanding much of what was said, but the gist was "Don't ride on our beach".  One of the horses answered a call of nature, and after some discussion and arm waving one of the riders got off and simply kicked a hole in the sand at the water's edge and kicked the poo into it and covered it with sand, and rode off.  I don't suppose horse riders carry a pooper-scooper.  The two men to their credit dug it out and cleared it away, avoiding a nasty mess for people walking along the water's edge in their bare feet.

So I say three cheers to the people who work to clear up other people's mess and keep the beach clean, even if they do not supply enough sunbeds for some people's liking.  We're going back for a week on 28 August, and I bet it will be wall to wall sunbeds at the far end!

Arnaki

197

Plakias / Re: Back to Plakias

« on: July 09, 2012, 10:39:19 AM »

I remember a Taverne I did love best, it was on the other side of the travel agency not on the main street, but I really forgot
Bille

Hi Bille,

I think you are thinking of the Minoiko.  It closed two years ago, and did not show any signs of reopening when we were there last year.  We enjoyed it too - very friendly with good food.

Arnaki

198

Where to eat...or not! / Re: Traditional Greek Tavernas

« on: July 03, 2012, 10:12:34 PM »

Hi Kayisi,  There are a couple of Cretan retsinas in bottles, as well as retsina and other wines available in water bottles in the supermarkets for a couple of euros for 1.5L.  They are all worth a try - the bottled Xanion is a bit musty tasting, but we like the Ekavi.  We can get Kourtaki in the UK so tend to give it a miss on holiday.

We usually go in August and eat late, so usually find that there are plenty of Greeks eating at the restaurants.  One unusual and heavenly dish is the pork monasteriou at Mousses - pork with dates.  Give it a miss if you don't like your main course sweet, though!

Do check the fly count in the cabinets when you are out and about during the day....  It may make you want to eat fresh food, but you did ask!

We are going next week but will be returning on 28 August for a week, so we might see you in early September?

Hi Stavros, we enjoyed the music night at Paligremnos in 2010, but they did not have it on when we were there in August last year, which was a pity.  However we do have a CD as a memory of the evening, and I play it particularly when I am cooking gouvetsi or stifado.  The rabbit stifado at Paligremnos is very good.  And the size of the serving of gigantes is ... well .... gigantic - (now don't go mentioning old f-rts).

Arnaki
 

199

Where to eat...or not! / Re: Traditional Greek Tavernas

« on: July 02, 2012, 09:42:44 AM »

Hi Kayisi

There are plenty of tavernas with these cabinets, particularly those near the harbour (Mousses, Sophia, Gorgona come to mind).  The kitchens are small, and I haven't come across anywhere where you are invited into the kitchen  (except to choose the fish).  Mousses has a very wide choice, and it is always available and piping hot, making me think that at least some of the food is pre-prepared and microwaved - but very good nonetheless.

I think that inviting customers into the kitchen happens only rarely these days - probably against EU regulations.

Enjoy your stay - 8 days and counting for us.  Mmmm - just thinking about gyros pitta and retsina in the souvlaki hut....

Kali oreksi!

Arnaki

200

PlakChat / Re: Anyone there? Excited yet?

« on: June 05, 2012, 02:05:35 PM »

Hi Davos
the far end was very quiet...infact so was the resort....but the sunbeds were (maybe because it was start of season) fewer in number & close together as they were last year.
Most naturists were using the dunes.
There is a notice saying ' No Nude Bathing') outside the top Beach Bar (Paligremnos)
Anyway we're sure you will have a fantastic time.
Keep the beach warm for us...we will be staying at the Paligremnos in Aug/Sep.

Dave&Les

Hi Dave and Les -

Glad you had a good time.  We noticed the "no nude bathing" sign last year, but the far end was not affected. 

We are going in July so thought we would miss you, but we also couldn't keep away (or pass up a bargain) and will be there on 28 August for a week, so we can arrange to meet up then.  No doubt you will see us as we go for our early morning swim.

Arnaki

201

Plakias / Re: waves !

« on: May 28, 2012, 09:12:00 PM »

Well - are you going to descibe the waves?!  Don't leave us with such a tantalising message without telling us more...

202

PlakChat / Re: Strategic flights in doubt?

« on: May 22, 2012, 10:06:23 AM »

7.30 am departure to Heraklion from Manchester left 25 minutes late this morning (info from the airport website, sadly not from being there myself!).  So, rather better than reports from last week.

203

PlakChat / Re: Strategic flights in doubt?

« on: May 18, 2012, 10:16:46 PM »

I flew on Strategic for two holidays last year, both with Olympic.  We had no problem and thought them rather good.  The seats were roomier than on other charters.  There is a long string on Strategic on TripAdviser - just search for Strategic.  That mentions refurbishment of planes and contingency arrangements for replacement planes when there is a fault.  However, judging by reports, it doesn't sound as if the contingency arrangements have bedded in yet.

Good luck to everyone flying Strategic.  It'll be us in July and September.  Perhaps someone will report back on their return from what appears to have been some nightmare journeys.

Arnaki

204

Where to go / Re: Boat trips

« on: May 08, 2012, 11:28:30 AM »

To answer SunnyC's original question.... there are trips from the small harbour in Plakias several times a day every day when I've been in August.  These go out to nearby beaches, such as Rodakino and Preveli.  The ferry to Gavdos runs from the big harbour but you would need to stay for two to three nights in Gavdos.  All trips depend on the weather - the wind can mean that people are stranded for several days in Gavdos.

So far we haven't done any of the trips, but are thinking of going to Gavdos next time.  The ferry hardly ran last time we were there due to high winds.

There are also bus and walking trips available, including one to Balos which includes a boat trip.  These can be booked through any of the travel agents (as can Gavdos), or through the Olympic rep if you are on a package.

Someone mentioned the bakery in answer to one of your other threads, and I agree the big one is marvellous.  However - there is also one at the end of your street from Dora, which has nice bread and cakes and the Argo cafe also had good cakes to take away.  That will save you a bit of a walk.

Enjoy your holiday - you seem very keen to find out everything before you go, so you don't miss anything, and this is just the place to find out.

I wonder if Shinaria meant squid - because I've certainly never seen grilled penguin on the menu anywhere!

Arnaki

205

Holiday Companies / Re: Olympic Flights from Birmingham

« on: March 09, 2012, 11:32:57 PM »

We are flying from Manchester with Strategic and our outbound flight is still going out on the Tuesday morning but the return flight arrives back in Manchester at 4am on the Wednesday.  I think Strategic must have made a "W" arrangement, where the flight goes from Manchester to Plakias, picks up the returning Birmingham passengers, then brings out the new Birmingham holidaymakers, and then returns the Manchester people home.  I've been elsewhere on this arrangement, and been both the ends and the middle of the W; you do feel cheated leaving before you arrive, so to speak. 

Although at least we get one more meal in Plakias, I'm supposed to be back in work on the Wednesday morning.  More to the point our daughter is due back for her first day of the new school year.  I knew we were cutting it a bit fine, arriving back at 7pm, but I wasn't expecting 4am!  At least we live only a few minutes from the airport.

Arnaki

206

PlakChat / Re: Strategic flights in doubt?

« on: February 26, 2012, 03:33:18 PM »

Our holiday in July from Manchester is still showing as Strategic, and Strategic is still being offered as an option on the available holidays from Manchester on Olympic's website, so no change there at the moment.  I suppose we will all just have to wait and see.

Arnaki

207

Where to eat...or not! / Re: Restaurants in Plakias

« on: February 11, 2012, 05:19:53 PM »

There is a very good range of tavernas in Plakias, and despite several visits I haven't eaten in all of them.  Perhaps we will branch out this year. There are some we have eaten in but wouldn't go back to, but these are the same ones that others enjoy, and vice versa.

Noopsy mentions wheelchair access in some of the tavernas.  A word of caution on wheelchair access in Plakias - ramps can be as steep as around 1:3 (3 metres forward for every 1 metre up/down - good practice is 1:20) - some have a ramp made to the same steepness as the stairs.  Some ramps even have a step at the bottom. Several of the tavernas and bars have level access to the eating area.  Many tavernas have made no attempt at accessibility, so perhaps we should give 2 cheers to those that have at least tried.  The ramps are probably there for deliveries really, and the same goes for the ramps in some of the shops.  If you are going to give it a go, you and/or your pusher will have to have some muscles and probably a stiff drink to face some of the ramps.

Arnaki (occasional wheelchair user and regular Plakias visitor)

208

Plakias / Re: Advice re: resorts like Plakias on Rhodes

« on: January 19, 2012, 09:22:07 PM »

Oh dear, now I feel guilty having put you off!  It is nice enough but it isn't Plakias -

You can find accommodation on here if all else fails -
http://www.haraki.co.uk/

Good luck!

Arnaki

209

Where to go / Re: Stoupa in September 2012

« on: January 18, 2012, 11:23:29 PM »

Hi Daniel,

I've been a few times but last stayed there in 2006, I think it was.  We used it as a base to go down the Mani, further down the peninsula from Stoupa, when our daughter was younger.  We have popped in more recently on our travels in August, when it is very busy, but eerily quiet.  The beach is sunbed-city in the summer, but with a cathedral like hush.  Kalogria beach over the headland is livelier.  Stoupa is okay with plenty of tavernas, supermarkets and trinket shops, as well as a pharmacy. 

The setting is spectacular with the Taygetos mountains as a backdrop.  It is good for walking if it is not too hot, with plenty of villages and Byzantine churches around to explore.  There are buses to Kalamata one way and down to Oitylo the other - they are not frequent, but are reliable.  There is a fairly easy coastal walk to the next village along, about 5km, where there is a harbour and a few tavernas.

No "far end" opportunities - and none nearby.  It is a very conservative area.

I don't feel as relaxed in Stoupa as I do in Plakias, so I think Plakias is more laid back.  However I am sure you will enjoy it.  Try to get down to the Mani or over to the Messinian peninsula (but that might be too far without an overnight stay - the Kalamata road is a bit scary) - they are our favourite places, even better than Plakias if I dare say that here!

All the best -

Arnaki

210

Plakias / Re: Advice re: resorts like Plakias on Rhodes

« on: January 16, 2012, 11:02:57 PM »

Hi Joe and Tony,

We went to Haraki in May 2011.  It is a very small place - one street, several tavernas and a few bars.  The road is behind the accommodation and the sea-front is a promenade - no traffic.  It has a pebbly/stony town beach and a very long, pebbly beach to the south, which goes all the way round to Lindos, with very little in between.  If you are a far ender, it is possible to be naturist on the long beach, but you need to be discreet (and there is nowhere to hide).  We found the food generally uninspiring and expensive, but other people we spoke to enjoyed the food and the ambience.  They do marvellous gyros pitta at Bottoms Up.  I understand it gets very busy with Greek visitors in the summer and families come down from the villages around, so it may have a very different atmosphere then.  It has its own medieval castle ruins to climb up to, and a sandy bay (reportedly the best beach in Rhodes), on the other side of the castle.  There is also a lovely view of Lindos several kilometers away at the other end of the bay, looking very romantic floodlit at night.  It all sounds right, and we enjoyed it, but we won't be going back.  It may not have helped that we had thunderstorms for 4 out of 7 days, and the weather was glorious at home.  It has its own forum and lots of return visitors, so judge for yourself, or at least call in to visit when you are in Rhodes. 

Olympic is the only UK company (and possibly the only company) that goes to Haraki, so it is not overrun by British visitors.  However, there are plenty of rooms you can book directly, as you already have your flight organised.

I understand that the south of the island is pretty unspoilt and off the tourist track, but we did not get there.

I say this not to discourage you, but to give you one person's view.

I hope you find what you want and enjoy yourselves.

Arnaki