Plakias Forums
Plakias => Plakias => Topic started by: Daniel on November 24, 2020, 02:22:15 PM
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Now that the latest vaccine news is looking like we can see an end to this Covid misery by Easter next year, we can start to plan for 2021 holidays in Plakias again !!
We have already re scheduled ( and paid for !!) one of this years flights back to June 9th next year but today we took the plunge and booked again for September.
14 nights from 11 th September from Leeds Bradford to Iraklion.
Daytime flights with Jet 2 and costing ?812.
Let's hope and pray that nothing comes along to spoil these plans.
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Just had our flight to Crete for there Easter blown out of the water again. Not totally surprised so now carrying it over to October should get all clear by then. We will both have our jabs by then next 2 weeks for me. My car hire company have carried my car payment over also. How many more out there are suffering like ourselves.
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Had my first jab this morning and Ruth has hers next Tuesday.
So, with the 12 week gap between jabs, we should both have had our final injection by end of April and be " clear" some 3 weeks after that.
Flight booked some time ago for first week in June and keeping our fingers crossed that that will be possible. But we have thought that before and been disappointed.
Looking now to book car park at Leeds Bradford and car in Crete sometime within the next few days.
But still more than half expecting it to go pear shaped again before then. Every time we get our hopes up about getting back to Plakias, something about this virus comes along and scuppers our plans.
Flights also booked for second week in September and , of the two flights, they look to be a much more likely option this year.
But we live in hope !!
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If you are booking a car in Crete why not support a local Plakias firm : MotoPlakias, brilliant service and good prices, and will arrange for the car to be ready at the airport for you.
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Thanks for that Julie and Frank I will have a look at them and see how they compare with the ones I have been using in the past.
Daniel been going Plakias for 27 years I didn't know I could fly from Leeds Bradford being from Huddersfield it would be better for us than Manchester.
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I am no great fan of LeedsBradford airport.
It seems to have gone down hill over the last few years.
Far to many passengers using it for the ( outdated) facilities on offer.
Needs a lot of money spending on it if it is to become anything like a top class regional airport.
Compared to say Manchester or Newcastle or Birmingham then it well out of date.
But it is only about 30 mins from where we live, and on relatively quiet roads.
And the parking at Sentinel is close to the airport, easy to use and affordable.
This as opposed to over an hours drive to Manchester and the possible traffic congestion on the motorways.
So we continue to use it, despite its faults.
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best of luck to you all
we live in hope to visit finikas again in the not too distant future
we were all set and for once I had paid a deposit to cyano hotel to get a discount for July 20
we spent a week there may 2019 my American partners first visit to Plakias
and were due to return July 2020 to remember my brothers sad demise on road to iraklion [sisses] July 25 2000
with help from my brothers friends in the area , we had a memorial stone installed overlooking souda bay
located close to souda mare hotel
obviously our plans were canceled and we hope to travel from Tampa Florida later this summer
we get our second jab 9 days away on feb 10th
then its hurry and wait for authorities to decide
we fly stand by because my partner is delta airline retiree. so fingers xd we will all meet again
im a uk expat with Canadian and USA citizenships
we managed to see my family new home on Canadas beautiful prince Edward island last sept
two week approved quarantine before we could stay at my sons home
hoping we can get there for my 70 th this august
Canada getting tough on returns from many countries usa included
I drove to PEI 4500 miles there and back
not sure what Canada will say if I attempt to enter by road at Maine New Brunswick border
right now only talking about those flying in. mandatory test 72 hours before entering Canada
then mandatory hotel quarantine for three days including another test. Canada pm says will cost minimum 2000
I cannot get a answer what happens when driving
topsy turvy world right now
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In with a chance of Plakias in early June ?
Will have had both vaccine jabs and willing to show evidence of that vaccination.
Flights with Jet 2 booked last year Leeds Bradford to Iraklion. ( eye watering expensive)
If not, then we will have to wait until September but we hope not !!
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It's stop/start for me! Booked for 29th. April last November with easyjet to Chania, found out yesterday that all flights to Crete cancelled until 1st. May, so took the free flight change to move going out to that Saturday 1st May, but now Boris says no travel until 17th. May at the earliest. Cannot change to June until easyjet cancel all their early May flights, so I have to sit tight and hope easyjet cancel and there are seats on the flight, and Kostas has our room for us. This will be the 3rd. or 4th. change for us since last year, Kostas will be wondering what is going on! Missing Plakias big time.
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Same boat as yourselves 3rd time of trying but keep on canceling so had to give up until October. No saying if Boris says ok that the EU will allow us in .
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We have booked to return to Plakias staying at Sofia Hotel 7th September for 2 weeks as have been going to Plakias every year since 2005 we are from Liverpool and have made many friends there.
Fingers crossed we can all go looking forward to seeing Aggelos at the pool bar and of course Joe at his bar so many of the great people we meet year after year.
We were lucky enough to get there last September despite Covid and thoroughly enjoy it.
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We should be in our first week in Plakias now but once again we are disappointed to be still at home in England.
Still living in hope for first week in September but who knows how things will develop ?
So, is anyone in Plakias now ?
How busy is the place ?
What are the mix of visitors ?
Are all bars and tavernas now open and how busy are they ?
Sun beds out on the beach and being used ?
And any other general observation about the place ?
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We too are hoping to return on 7th September staying with Kostas and Chrysoulla. If things stay the same, in amber, if my understanding is correct, as we are double vaccinated we dont need to have a pre-departure covid test to enter Greece? Have already ordered our day 2 tests on return ( to get the serial numbers) and understand that the Plakias medical centre will do our covid tests for return to UK. Does anyone know if all this is correct?
Good luck and good health to all when trying to return to our beloved Plakias. Kalo taxidi.
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If things stay as they or or improve, then we will fly out from Leeds Bradford with Jet 2 on Tuesday 7th September to Plakias for 14 days.
Pick up a car at the airport and a leisurely 2 hour drive across the island.
Staying with George at Creta Mare.
First meal on Tuesday will be at Gio Mar.
I hope that I am not tempting fate !!!
We are both double jabbed and THINK that we know what to do and what paper work is needed and which hoops we need to jump thru at both departure and arrival in Iraklion.
But we will check this several times before we set off for the airport. And any advice and guidance will be most welcome.
One thing which we can not second guess:
How long will it take us from arrival at Leeds Bradford to getting on the plane ?
We would normally leave plenty of time and arrive about 2hours before the flight departs.
Is this still enough time with all the (for us unknown) current checks/restrictions/paperwork to get thru the airport ?
And what, if any, could be the delays at Iraklion airport on arrival ?
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I'm hoping to be travelling out on Saturday Sept 4th.
I keep an eye on the news, and have waves of optimism and pessimism! Current thinking is to wait until August 25th, when I believe the next government update is expected.
We're flying from Gatwick - and will probably arrive there 5 or 6 hours before we're due to fly, instead of the usual 3 or 4. Usually there's time for a meal airside, but this year - who knows?
As for arrival in Crete - well, it will be a question of getting our Greek heads on, and going with the flow there.
Nothing arranged yet for testing: hoping changes on the 25th will make things easier. Fortunately, we are all 'double-jabbed'.
From posts I've seen on other sites, there's no problem with getting tests in Plakias before returning home.
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Peter, my understanding is the same as yours but agree it would be nice to have it confirmed. Due to fly out 14/9.
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Yes Ian, its all a bit nerve wracking. Last September it was more straight forward, just had the pre departure and return forms to fill in. We all know Plakias is worth the extra hassle but cant relax till we are on the plane, its not good having to keep checking things, I'm getting a bit old for this extra stress. Yamas!
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We fly out on September 7th for two weeks staying at the Sofia again & flying from Manchester so looking forward to meeting Aggelos and all the regulars at the Kostas pool bar.
We are both double vaccinated and are aware that we both have to tale a test at the Plakias medical centre before we leave but didn't realise that we may have to prebook the covid test for the second day of our arrival back in UK.
Will need to look into this further as we thought we could take a test when we returned without pre booking before departure.
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We thought exactly the same thing re the day2 tests and I would probably have tried to sort this while l was in Plakias. It was a fellow traveller who told us that when you fill in your return UK forms they will ask for proof that you have booked your day2 tests. The only proof of this are the serial numbers on the actual test kits. Apparently the next UK govt travel update is 25th August, you could wait to see if there are any changes but as we also travel on 7/9 I thought it was cutting it a bit fine. We now have our super duper do it yourself day2 travel kits at home ready for when we return, and have the serial numbers to take with us.
If anyone knows a way round this then please let others know so they wont need to do what we have done.
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best of luck
my partner Josephine tested positive July 12
one week later I took her to ER in Tampa
12 hour stay they gave he the intravenous anti bodies blood infusion
she encouraged me to fly to Athens but in her condition I could not leave her
aegean allowed me one year to use the credit I have with them
cyano hotel are terrific people
I spoke with Zack z and let him know its postponed till 2022
my brothers stone at souda mare will wait for us
jo is recovering but no doubt she has the long Covid recovery
fatigue and cough
I have had five PCR negatives. sore nose but feeling fine in crazy Florida
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Very cheap flights available now for September if you?re up for it! I transferred my existing flight to next year then rebooked for this year!
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Ian :
Just done the same thing. Moved this years flight to next September and re booked this years flight.
It has saved us ?400 on this years holiday !!
I am amazed that Jet 2 are letting us do this ?
Now we will sit down tomorrow and ensure that we have everything in place for both our outward journey and our return journey.
But just to be doubly sure, we intend to allow an extra hour at Leeds Bradford Airport on the morning of 7 th September just in case things do not go smoothly.
Can now really feel that we are actually going to Plakias again and can not wait !!
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Has anyone flown into Greece with Ryanair recently? There seems to be some uncertainty on the Tripadvisor site as to whether Ryanair require EVERY passenger to fill in a passenger locator form. Like last year the Greek gov form lets/tells you to fill in one form for yourself and any family members. I've done this again without a problem, although was a bit puzzled when it only asked for my covid status and not my partners. But at least it asked for her details and like me she has proof of her two vaccinations.
Maybe people are just worried about Ryanairs idiosyncrasies, have you Jet2 people just filled in the one PLF form?
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As I understand it, one for the whole household going out, but one for each member of the household to return.
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Packing now for 6 am flight tomorrow from Leeds Bradford with Jet 2 to Iraklion .
Pick up car at airport and leisurely drive down to Plakias and George at Creta Mare.
All documents recorded on phone plus a hard copy printed off " just in case "
Will report back on the airport / flight experience and thoughts on how Plakias has changed in the 2 years (my god is it that long ago ?) since we were last allowed to travel there.
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Ha - also just booked for dep to Chania then hire car to Plakias.
SHOCKED at how car hire price has DOUBLED since last visit in 2019.
Any recommendations around company?
Cheers
DandC
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Booked today for 18th September for 2 weeks. Flights from East Midlands to Chania on Ryanair very cheap-?130pp return including reserved seat and luggage. However car hire about 50% more than it was last year. I wanted to ask the situation regarding the PCR test prior to flying back to the UK. Someone mentioned Plakias medical centre but not sure if you have to book this prior to the test and how soon do you get the results? Any information gratefully received. All the best.
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Not sure what your vacation situation is .
We are both double jabbed .
Because of this we do not need to book PCR tests before leaving Plakias .
All that we need are Lateral Flow Tests .
We booked these at the Medical Centre to take place on Monday morning 20th September 11am the day before we fly back to England.
Results back within 1 or 2 hours and costing 20 e each .
The Medical Centre is on the main road coming into Plakias on the LH side just before the big church .
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Bloody predictive text .
For vacation please read vaccinations .
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Whilst I have my phone out a short update after our first few days back after a 2 year gap :
The place is very busy .
Maybe 80 pc German visitors ?
Very few English voices to be heard .
Accommodation all seems well used .
Sun beds very busy particularly towards the far end .
Difficulty getting a table some evenings at popular times and popular places.
Need to pre book to be sure of eating when and where you want to.
The village itself has seen little change since our last visit .
Few minor buildings have gone up and improvements made to others .
BUT:
A new huge supermarket has gone up on the car park / waist land opposite the existing supermarket .
And the development on the front has gone on at pace .
Now fully built up front Antonio?s Place right to the far end .
Some good .
Some not so good .
It can not be very many years before the entire front is developed.
But Plakias remains our destination of choice for holidays .
I will give a fuller report when we get back home towards the end of September.
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Great to hear some news of Plakias although sadly we have missed both last year and this year, down to the pandemic shambles. Hoping to get back for next Greek Easter. Development of the front along from Alianthos to the far end doesn't sound good, hopefully Skinos beach end will stay much as it was, even allowing for the enormous wall and extra width road outside On The Rocks which I have seen on Nikos' website and facebook pages, but at least Nikos won't have to balance the pick up on the edge of the road anymore! We love Skinos beach, the bar, Siroko, the sunset and the dinosaur.
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Funny that you say that .
We are heading to eat at Siroco in about half an hour
It has been closed for the first few days that we have been here but re opened last night.
Looking forward to it !!!
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Thanks Daniel. We're both double vaccinated too so the test at the medical centre should do us. Disappointing to hear about the further development on the front, makes you wonder how many supermarkets Plakias needs!
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Here's some info -
https://www.plakias-doctor.gr/#covtest (https://www.plakias-doctor.gr/#covtest)
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Tripadvisor says Tav Corali is closed till 2022! Can anyone confirm please?
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Yes it is closed at the moment
Don?t know for how long ?
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Made it! All in all a very straight forward trip on EasyJet from Edinburgh. No major queues at Edinburgh and Heraklion was a dream.
The plane was about half full and we arrived half an hour early.
Probably the least stressful trip I?ve ever had. So if you?re having doubts about travelling just now I?d say go for it. A bit breezy this morning but set to get hot at the weekend.
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May 2021, resort was quiet, felt very different in some ways, wonder if the new hotel has brought a change in attitude. During May (and last October) it felt as if a conscious decision had been made to use English, rather than Greek, greetings and farewells in many tavernas, but maybe that was chance.
Our plane also not anywhere near full, Heraklion not as quiet as I expected but still better than other years (bar 2020?).
Test, at the medical centre to the right, on the road out of the village to Lefkogia, was EUR20 and had our results (thankfully -ve!) in 15 mins; filled in the form on their website before we went and all was very smooth.
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Great to hear some news of Plakias although sadly we have missed both last year and this year, down to the pandemic shambles. Hoping to get back for next Greek Easter. Development of the front along from Alianthos to the far end doesn't sound good, hopefully Skinos beach end will stay much as it was, even allowing for the enormous wall and extra width road outside On The Rocks which I have seen on Nikos' website and facebook pages, but at least Nikos won't have to balance the pick up on the edge of the road anymore! We love Skinos beach, the bar, Siroko, the sunset and the dinosaur.
I still enjoyed Skinos Beach in May - love it, overlooked it for years - and I didn?t miss dodging the traffic by On The Rocks! Change to road etc not as bad as I thought it might be
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Hope to go to Plakias next weekend, so glad to be spared the minor hassle of a departure test in Plakias :). Alas we're back before the PCR 'day 2' test is scrapped/replaced (on Oct 22?), so still have to fork out for that one :(
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Hi Dand
Don't you mean Oct 2nd when changes take place.
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My understanding is the test in Plakias 2-3 days before leaving Crete is scrapped from Oct 1 but the PCR to be takes within 2 days of arrival back in UK is only being scrapped/changed later - on Oct 22?
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End of term report :
First of all, we have had a lovely 2 week holiday in Plakias with George at Creta Mare.
We have had to wait 2 years for it ,so the return was all the more welcome.
We are delighted that we took the time and effort ( and leap of faith ) and returned to Crete .
Positives:
Jet 2 flights from Leeds Bradford with Jet 2 were excellent. Plane barely half full going out but 90 pc full coming back.
Car hire good and as usual accommodation at Creta Mare was first class.
Weather was very good for mid September.
Just one afternoon of rain but otherwise good.
But towards the end of the holiday there were 4 very hot days ( and nights !!) with temperatures up into the mid 30 deg.
Unusual for so late in the season ?
The general discipline of mask uses and social distancing was well observed and particularly so by the European visitors.
Made us feel more at ease outside and inside Tavernas in Plakias than it does sometimes in England.
The welcome that we received from Taverna owners was warm and genuine.
They are really pleased to see old faces back in town after so long away.
Changes :
And I record these without comment :
The road outside Creta Mare and On the Rocks has been doubled in width to allow proper off road parking.
A huge concrete retaining wall has been built at the back of the beach to support this.
I am told that this work is planned to continue next year all the way to the new harbour and even on towards Souda but who knows ?
A brand new huge Supermarket has been built on the spare land opposite the existing supermarket.
It fronts onto the sea front and attracts trade from those on the beach or those traveling along the beach road.
Building work on the sea front continues at pace.
Some good.
Some not so good.
From Antonios Place to the far end is now built up.
How long before the rest also goes this way ?
I remember this when it was all fields !!
When coaches came in for the day, the first Taverna offered free sun beds with a meal.
This has moved on.
Now, the Hotel has put tables into the wooded area and serves snacks and meals from there.
There are also tables on the sea front outside some other cafes and hotels also serving food and drinks.
The number of cars and visitors coming into town for the day has increased a lot.
Parking towards the far end is now at a premium .
The whole resort was very busy for the time of year.
Accommodation mostly full.
Tavernas full and booking essential at our favourite ones and at a reasonable time.
The owners say that the second half of 2021 is at least 10 pc busier then 2019.
Needless to say, they are delighted by this.
The mix of nationalities is very different this year.
Probably 80 pc European with the vast majority from Germany.
But also French, Dutch and Italian visitors there.
Very few Britain voices heard .
Eating out :
We used our usual Tavernas of Sirocco, Lysseus, Geo Ma and of course Sifies.
All we excellent but to our mind, Lysseus offers the best quality of food and the best choice of food.
And a special mention to a new addition :
On the newly made up road from Souda to Rodekio, a new small pop up Cantina Foinikias has opened.
Well worth a visit if passing that way.
Airports:
Going out with Jet 2 from Leeds Bradford was very good and well organised.
We had all the correct paperwork in place so no problems passing through here or in Iraklion.
But coming home was not as good.
All our required details were stored on our iPhones.
But there is no internet connection at the Jet 2 check in at Iraklion. Why is this so Jet 2 ?
Luckily help was available to sort things out but it took an awful lot of time and effort.
Our advice would be to take a photo shot of any forms or paperwork or store then on the iPhone where they can be easily accessed.
But best of all, take a paper copy !!
Arrival at Leeds Bradford was just the opposite.
Just have to show your passport
Every thing then comes up on their screen and no need to show any other documents.
We are now back home.
We have booked flights next year for early June and early September.
So we wait and see what next year will bring us.
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I?m still here Daniel and pretty much agree all your sentiments. A bit cooler today and supposedly to drop to low 20s tomorrow with a little rain.
In the 30+ years I?ve been coming I?ve never known Plakias be so busy and as you say cars everywhere. I wonder if due to COVID people are choosing smaller resorts and avoiding the big hotels on the north coast?
Also agree about Lysseos - been there every night. The one thing that hasn?t changed one little bit over the years. The heart and soul of Plakias.
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Hi Daniel
the road to Rodikino from Souda where do you pick up the road in Souda is it near the taverna. This is good news as it will save time instead of going through the mountains. Me and my wife go to Rodikino every year its so peaceful.
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The starting point of the new road to Rodekio is not all that easy to find, and it is not yet signposted.
However, from Plakias, drive right to the end of Souda and turn right at the last taverna.
Continue up this road for about 400/ 500 yards and look for a road or more like track to the left.
The road then goes downhill and thru a series of tight bends before if begins the climb up to the top level.
An interesting drive then over to Rodekio.
Couple of things:
Not a good road for the faint hearted and not one to be used in the dark !
And at the Radikio end, take careful note of where the road comes out.
Again, not signposted and easy to miss on the way back.
Remember that it starts with a steep concrete climb.
And please give the new pop up Cantena Foinikias on the road side avisit if open.
The views from there are stunning and always a warm welcome.
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Hi,
We fly home from Hania on Saturday. So we went to pharmacist today to get our LF tests done. Although both negative, he could not find us on the system using our Greek Passenger Locator Form. Therefore he has not given us a certificate!!
Has anyone else had this experience?
Or does anyone have a solution?
As things stand we will try the doctor tomorrow.
Thanks J&G
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Sorry to hear about problem you are having - no idea why you can?t be found on the system. I did my test through the doctor at the medical centre and got the result and certificate back within a couple of hours. I booked an appointment for the test however and am not sure if you can just turn up. Good luck.
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Pleased to say that all is ok with our covid tests done at the medical centre.
Don?t know why the pharmacy one didn?t work yesterday!
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Got back from Plakias on Fri 8/10 after 12 lovely days! 1st visit since Jun 2019.
Some random notes/comments:
Flew into Chania - Greek PLF only got a cursory glance.
Return from Chania - had to show UK PLF and COVID passport, as expected.
Tavernas very busy - booking essential at the popular ones. Masks, sanitizers much in evidence.
Some were even refusing non-diners ie stopping off for a nightcap was a non-starter. eg Throubi, Minoiko. Panorama up in Myrthios even turned us away when we wanted a drink-only at 3.30pm, even though only 3 tables in use!! Unbelievable!
Our faves lived up to expectations - GioMa, Vrisi, Mariou, Tasomanolis and the new Alatsi (ex-Harakas) was a pleasant experience - VVG food.
On the Rocks boasts 'beach service' - we ordered inside then waited on beach for 20 mins despite a chaser. Only 4 other customers. We walked!
Ostraco = nice place for chilled late drink - sofas etc and nice waterside views.
Weather excellent - no rain, temp 24-30 deg, but really windy!! (Except the day we left!). Little or no wind as you went west of Plak.
Feared the worst hearing of the 'new builds' at east end of the beach - found them low-key - fairly tasteful, only 2 storey and well set back, with large gardens in front.
Disappointed by the new supermarket - the 'old' one opposite has a better range.
Hardly any Brits; about 95% German (or more).
Amazed by the road maintenance - LOADS of resurfaced roads.
Prices - eating out was about same as 2019, as was accomm cost. Petrol up from E1.45/l in 2019 to 1.75/l now. But car hire!!! DOUBLE the 2019 rates.
However, cannot recommend MotoAuto Plakias highly enough. Stress-free at all stages. No deposits, free 2nd driver, collect car at airport and pay at the office in Plak the next day! Rates were no more than any of the other firms either (E400/ 12 days). I'll be using them from now onwards.
Sad to say goodbye!
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Oh, and now no need to do the LFT just before leaving Plakias, just the 'Day 2' PCR when we got back to UK.
The latter test is no bother, just rather ??? - though it's being replaced later this month by the cheaper LFT.
Shame we just missed out - the saving would have bought a lot of aspro krasi up at Taverna Plateia (another fave spot. Their moussaka is truly the best I have had!)
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* that emoji should have been "? ? ?" - it converted itself into an emoji!
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"? ? ?"
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Pound signs! - seems you can't type them in here!!
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Another 6.4 magnitude earthquake reported today on Crete.
Centre looks like at the far eastern tip of the island ?
No reports of much damage caused.
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We were in Plakias in September, having not been for two years and we were surprised at just how busy it was compared to 2019. Plakias is not the small village we first visited in 1995 and has now become a small resort. We always used to eat in the paligremnos at lunchtime and even that wasn?t up to its usual standard. The olives were so small in the Greek salary that there was no meat on them. At the start of the second week we had our usual saganaki and it had been deep fried rather than pan fried. It was so greasy we left it, not something we ever do 🤢
Sadly, we have taken the decision to not go back and now we just need to find something a bit smaller and not so busy. Any suggestions are very welcome 😕
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I started going every year from 1989 so at least we can say we had the best years and have the memories too.....
Barny.
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sorry to read that Susan k
my brother first discovered Plakias back in 1977
he was a regular from then till his tragic death traveling to iraklion
from the secret nest Plakias July 2000
I came over from tampa Florida may 2019. loved it at cyano hotel
first time with my partner , and my seventh visit since 2000
my brothers lovely memorial stone across from soudamare hotel
will always be there
my final visit was scheduled for 2020. covid intervened. no trip
was booked for late July this year but my partner got covid and suffered badly
so maybe next year
my last hurrah. I'm 70 now and Plakias is a long haul from Tampa FL
a final yassas with those who knew and loved tom
so here's to seeing soda bay next spring
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Well that is 2021 Plakias done.
June was a disaster and unable to go .
But September was different.
In spite of our initial trepidation , will we decided to take the plunge and go back to see George at Creta Mare .
Plenty of paperwork and checks and hoops to jump thru but after all of that, a tremendous 2 week return visit.
And we are ready, really, really pleased that we did this .
Would not have missed it for the world.
Now on to 2022 .
My thoughts and plans for this upcoming .
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We were in Plakias in September, having not been for two years and we were surprised at just how busy it was compared to 2019. Plakias is not the small village we first visited in 1995 and has now become a small resort. We always used to eat in the paligremnos at lunchtime and even that wasn?t up to its usual standard. The olives were so small in the Greek salary that there was no meat on them. At the start of the second week we had our usual saganaki and it had been deep fried rather than pan fried. It was so greasy we left it, not something we ever do 🤢
Sadly, we have taken the decision to not go back and now we just need to find something a bit smaller and not so busy. Any suggestions are very welcome 😕
Sad to read that Plakias has lost two long standing and regular visitors. Sadly I don't think I will be back, mainly due to Olympic Holidays not providing a full package holiday. If Covid travel restrictions persist I won't be doing any Greek trips.
M
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We were in Plakias in September, having not been for two years and we were surprised at just how busy it was compared to 2019. Plakias is not the small village we first visited in 1995 and has now become a small resort. We always used to eat in the paligremnos at lunchtime and even that wasn?t up to its usual standard. The olives were so small in the Greek salary that there was no meat on them. At the start of the second week we had our usual saganaki and it had been deep fried rather than pan fried. It was so greasy we left it, not something we ever do 🤢
Sadly, we have taken the decision to not go back and now we just need to find something a bit smaller and not so busy. Any suggestions are very welcome 😕
I first went in 1995 also, and, having visited at least once a year since 2002, only really noticed the changes this year, somehow - changes were slow, nothing sudden, I suppose. The place ?felt different?, though, last year and this, and what stood out for me was that:
(i) it really isn?t ?the end of the road? any more - the tarmac road stopped just beyond what is now the harbour in ?95 (though it was clearly a work in progress), and I drove what felt like miles to the west, well beyond Souda, this year, to Rodakino and beyond
(ii) I felt that a general decision had been taken not to use even the basic Greek greetings and farewells in many the Tavernas, although perhaps that was just my experience. Maybe the arrival of the new hotel, if I?m correct?
(iii) the old Monastery above Souda, after a brief spell of rebuilding in ?07, was suddenly much more developed, not the ?hidden gem? I walked to many times
I wonder about Souda for next year. All it would need is a small shop to be self-contained, though I suppose that might be the beginning of the end there also!