Messages

31

Plakias / Re: coach excursions from Plakias

« on: August 30, 2012, 02:36:38 PM »

I am not awarer of any coach excursions (perhaps other members know better), but there are boat trips (leaving from the jetty) and you can use the bus service to visit e.g. Rethymnon. If you are up for some fairly heavy climbs, you can explore the surrounding area by pushbike, which can be rented in Plakias.

Good luck,

Mike

32

Plakias / Re: Sun Beds

« on: August 16, 2012, 10:13:14 PM »

Well as many of you already know, this year I am hitching a lift with Olympus - yes including that notorious transfer- and then staying at Stella with the Aformentioned Markos  and Evi. That's the way the prices worked for me this time.

John,

Did you book a Plakias package. I have done similar, but booked the cheapest Malia package they had. That and car hire for the fortnight was still cheaper than air tickets alone, leaving us to stay where we liked in Plakias.

Mike

33

Plakias / Re: Sun Beds

« on: August 09, 2012, 12:53:54 PM »

I was told that the new sun bed numbers and positions were in fact how the licencing has officially been  since long time back but was ignored until recently when some official decided to tighten things up and apply the licence conditions. This may or may not be true.

I am a none beach person and as such might occasionally be liable to moan about too many beds spoiling the looks of a beach. However I thought that the reduction in beds (all through - not just the far end) looked ridiculous compared with the vast expanse of beach available. There is scope for far more beds - and sensibly spread out on a beach that size.

John

Hi John,

You are most probably correct. I agree on the beach, even with the number of beds from town out to the far end a couple of years back there was probably over 80% free of any clutter.

It would do the local economy better if the reaction had been to adjust the licences, rather than the jobworth banality which occurred.

Mike

34

Plakias / Re: Sun Beds

« on: August 08, 2012, 07:40:17 PM »

It is sad to read that several Plakias regulars are thinking of not returning owing to the far end sunbed situation. It is clear from posts I have read (plus my own experience in May) that Plakias is having a quiet season anyway and could do with a boost.

There is a limit to the number of beds that the far end can cope with as those many visitors who don't want to use them have to be accommodated as well. However, a few more could easily be fitted in.

Let us hope common sense prevails before too many join the exodus.

Mike

Dear namesake 

Even during the busiest I have seen it, the far end was well able to accommodate all comers. The problem is that the number of beds has been reduced from the level during the noughties. This is a problem for OAP couples like us; we cannot lie on the sand for very long before the joints start complaining. Until recently there was no worry obtaining beds until 10am or so, to have to bag something before 8am is not condusive to a relaxing holiday.

As you say, hope common sense prevails.

The alternative Mike

35

Plakias / Re: Sun Beds

« on: August 08, 2012, 12:43:48 PM »

We agree with you ..surely its upto the local people to keep Plakias attractive to all its visitors.There are several sunbed sections but it cant be a coincidence that its the naturist end thats the best supported.  I would say its upto the local businesses ,in particular the Paligremnos  to point this out to the powers that be ......we as a couple along with many  others have spent many euros at their resturant at lunchtime ,at the beach bar later  and on renting their far end sunbeds.We have  also visited  similar but not as good beaches in Skiathos,Rhodes and Gran Canaria etc  with many sunbeds to hire . Whilst we adore Plakias have a  feeling "they" are trying to push naturists out ....   
 

I understand your sentiments, but must point out that the folks at the Paligremnos do not run the sun beds at the far end. The local authority sell licences to operate sun beds on a season by season basis. The reason Fredi stopped servicing the far end is that the price of a licence was increased and the man who employed Fredi decided not to renew and sold the beds to the next licensee. The new man told me that he could not make a return on his costs if he employed anyone, so did everything himself, leaving Fredi looking for opportunities as a waiter.

Mike

36

Plakias / Re: Sun Beds

« on: August 04, 2012, 12:43:44 AM »

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

The problem with the lack of sunbeds does not lie with the providers, but with the licensing. Last year the number of sunbeds licenced at the far end had been significantly reduced from previously, but also those actually provided were crammed together. The man collecting the money, who had paid for the license, told me that this was all in accordance with the licence and when he had spread the beds out a bit due to customer comments, he had been threatened with a large fine, so moved them back again.

As I said in another thread, you would not expect the authorities to be trying to drive tourists away when the Greek economic situation is so dire.

Mike

37

Where to go / Re: The Pelion - katigiorgis

« on: August 02, 2012, 03:53:50 PM »

Is it busy all through September ? or just early Sept?  I'm headed out there 25th - I hope it's not a hive of activity then. May was fine.

I was there approx. Sept 27-Oct 11 in 2010 and 2011 and it was extremely busy all through both fortnights.

Mike

When Fredi was working on the sunbeds he told me that September was "British month". He said two other months were German and Dutch, but I can't remember which.

Mike

38

Where to go / Re: The Pelion - katigiorgis

« on: July 29, 2012, 11:42:31 PM »

As much as we love Plakias, the situation at the far end has made us look at somewhere else this year. We got fed up with having to rush down to the beach in the morning just to get a bed. We always stayed at the Peligrimnos and we used to sit on the balcony and watch people drive up between 6.30 - 7.30am, go and put their towels on the bed, and drive off again. This is in September when it gets really busy. It isn't a holiday if every morning you have to rush down to the beach just to get a bed. So it's katigiorgis, in The Pelion for us this year. 2 small tavernas and a little mini market. Lovely apartment with magnificent views towards Skiathos.  Very quiet but no rushing around in the morning!

To stop the tumbleweed rolling through the Forum!

The situation on sun beds at the far end does not seem to have improved since we were last in Plakias in 2011, so if Santa reads this and has any influence with the current mayor, he might point out that people who are annual visitors are actively looking for alternative holiday destinations. In the present economic situation in Greece, surely everything to encourage visitors, especially regulars, should be top priority?

39

Holiday Companies / Re: Olympic 2013 Holidays

« on: July 23, 2012, 05:39:46 PM »

Just checked mid September 2013 from Gatwick:

Dora
Labarinth
Sofia
Alianthos Beach & Garden
Porto Plakias

plus Kalypso Village!

40

Plakias / Re: Plakias bicycle hire

« on: July 18, 2012, 05:20:09 PM »

15 euro to hire a push bike? We paid that to hire a scooter in Rhodes.

Hmmmm

Just Rentals are quoting a tad under Euro 22 for a Toyota Aygo or similar, from which they have to pay road tax, insurance and servicing. Last time I was on Kos (2011) the going pushbike rate was Euro 5 per day.

41

Plakias / Re: Back to Plakias

« on: July 11, 2012, 02:02:57 PM »

Glad to hear the Minioko has re-opened, I can't remember anyone giving anything but praise for the food and very handy for the K&C.

Definitely worth a try for someone who has not been before.

Mike

42

Where to stay / Re: Where to stay

« on: July 10, 2012, 01:34:49 AM »

For a sea view East of the jetty:

Morpheas
Livicon
Flisvos

and at the far end - Paligremnos

but I can't help on current pricing.

Mike

43

Gossip / Re: May be it is time to licence gun ownership?

« on: July 09, 2012, 07:22:42 PM »

Move along nothing new here, Vendetta a way of life

Look out Dimitri, Travelling Gran might be reading this!

44

Plakias / Re: Back to Plakias

« on: July 09, 2012, 07:13:44 PM »

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.


Since Billie was last in Plakias in 2000, she is talking about the Secret Nest. The Minoiko was only open for one or two seasons. I agree with your comments and remember that they had a cat which prowled round the tables and looked longingly at your plate, but never mieowed at you or pawed your legs - ace puddytat!

Mike

Arnaki

45

Plakias / Re: Back to Plakias

« on: July 06, 2012, 08:30:09 PM »

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 the name... Is "The Secret Nest" still there? We loved it, too.

Bille

Hi Billie,

The Secret Nest closed some years ago. I think it is now open for accommodation, but no taverna. There was certainly no taverna last time I was in Plakias (September 2010).

Kind regards,

Mike