Plakias Forums

Ostraco's Bar => Gossip => Topic started by: Barny on August 05, 2007, 12:41:15 PM

Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Barny on August 05, 2007, 12:41:15 PM
Hi all,
I don't know if this is interesting but how did you all find out about Plakias?
Did you just stumble across it in a travel agent or what?

My story starts when myself and a friend and our partners decided we wanted to go away for a break the four of us so we sent the girls off to find a holiday while we syayed in the pub!
Some time later they returned and said they had booked two weeks in a place called plakias on an island called Crete through the co op travel agency and sunmed, they even threw in a free taxi to bhx and back! We stayed in a place called pension paligremnos which was opposite where santa maria is now.
That was about late eightys i think and have been ther ever since!!

Whose story is next?

                         Barny.
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on August 05, 2007, 01:55:38 PM
In our case, we were holidaying near Rethymnon and had never heard of Plakias. One chap at the hotel was only there by chance - he had been at the Alianthos but his wife was taken ill and admitted to the hospital at Rethymnon. While chatting he suggested we visit Plakias. We had a hire car for just one day (money was tight) so after driving to several places first, it was around 3pm by the time we reached Plakias's Far End. It was just about our first time on a naturist beach but we instantly fell in love with the beach and, later in the day with Plakias as a resort. By the end of the day we knew where we would be staying the following year! So glad to be returning this year after missing out last year.
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Alex&fran G on August 05, 2007, 02:51:28 PM
Fran and I were looking for somewher quiet we asked a friend who recomended Plakias ,Margaret and Ian have been going for about 18 years so we decided to go with them at the end of the fortnight I said to Fran Well I really enjoyed it but I dont think I could come here every year, since then we have never been anywhere else. Regards  Alex
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Butties on August 05, 2007, 07:01:06 PM
In 2000 from the roadside viewing point above town just outside of Sellia, thought "have to go there, it looks bloody marvalous".
It was our first foreign holiday as a family, my wife had practically told me she was going to go it alone if I did not pull my finger out and book a holiday in the sun. We ended up doing a week in Ayia Galini, total greek island virgins with a 15 and 12 year old in tow.
We hired a car for three days in the middle of the week and just drove, luck took us towards Plakias, total fluke. The week we got back to blighty I went into a travel agent and said "I want to go here, Plakias, how can I do it?" Ended up going with First Choice to CC's. Been three times now, with Corfu, Cyprus and Samos in between.

Butties
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: George on August 06, 2007, 08:39:12 AM
I've always been one to avoid the crowds and the obvious resorts, ie mention Crete and people will say Ag Nic or Malia, or Rhodes and its Faliraki etc etc... Sorry guys these places are not for me. I go abroad to see and feel a foreign country.
I've tried a lot of the, as they were then, remoter islands, just to find some authenticity, then good old SunMed, bless 'em, included Plakias. This looked good to me! A bit mor




sorry about that... I had an error message come up when I hit the preview button, maybe that had something to do with it  g g...
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: George on August 06, 2007, 08:41:23 AM
I've always been one to avoid the crowds and the obvious resorts, ie mention Crete and people will say Ag Nic or Malia, or Rhodes and its Faliraki etc etc... Sorry guys these places are not for me. I go abroad to see and feel a foreign country.
I've tried a lot of the, as they were then, remoter islands, just to find some authenticity, then good old SunMed, bless 'em, included Plakias. This looked good to me! A bit more remote from some of the more popular resorts, so I went for it.
Stayed at the Erato for two weeks and really liked it and the resort and the far end, that was in 1992.
Went back with Tina the following year, and remember sitting in Antonis, which had by then been adopted by me as my afternoon bar, and looking out to sea I turned to her and said 'perhaps just one more year'.
We tried other islands just to find somewhere comparative and went to some great places, but always decided to go back to Plakias for the big two weeks and we never looked back.
Done seaching... Found Plakias!!  

george g...
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Chas on August 06, 2007, 11:03:05 AM
We are addicted to Greece and are cheapskates, too.

So, for the past five years (since the kids were forced into independence!) we've trawled the internet for "late deals" in quieter/smaller resorts.

We came unstuck (sort of) a couple of years back and ended up in Stalis .... however, on a trip to Gortys and Phaeston, we discovered the south coast (Miritos, to be precise) and noticed the only UK company having accommodation there was Kosmar.

Miritos has disappeared from the brochures but Paleohora and Plakias seemed to tick the right boxes, so we kept on checking the website.

Finally, this May, we got the deal we wanted .... to Plakias ... and the rest is you know what  


Historical note:
We first discovered Greece back in the 70's - thanks to Sunmed, Grecian and (shock horror) Club 18-30 (the first package to Rhodes, when Faliraki was a lay-by on the coast road with about five buildings!).
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Regulars since 1992 on August 06, 2007, 05:51:06 PM
Our best man and his girlfriend first introduced us to Plakias back in the late '80s and we've been back most years since. Apart from motorsport, which is a job for me as well as a passion, foreign travel is one of our great loves and we tend to head elsewhere whenever we can each year, but an autumn return visit to Plakias is always one of our annual priorities. As we fell in love with staying at Stella's many years ago, we still do now and make our own travel arrangements as a result. Roll on mid-September when we're back again for a couple of weeks.
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Greecemad on August 06, 2007, 08:53:58 PM
Great idea Barny.

Like many others, I was introduced to Plakias by SunMed. As I had no-one to travel with I looked for holidays where I could join a group of people. After doing 4 coach tours (one to the Greek mainland), I discovered the rambling holidays that SunMed did in and around a place called Plakias in Crete and on Lesbos (Plakias also appealed because of the nudist beaches in the vicinity). So in 1990 I spent a fortnight in Plakias (at the Oasis Pension) and enjoyed the rambling led by Bill and Joan. The year after I did another SunMed rambling holiday on Lesbos - this was not so enjoyable as Molyvos isn't such a good walking area, it's doesn't have the same good beaches, and the rambling leaders weren't as good either. However, on both these holidays, I discovered various people, including some on their own, who were travelling independently. So I then set off on my own and did a 3-week island hopping trip around the Dodecanese and Cyclades. I have travelled independently to various Greek islands ever since and have been to Plakias a total of 9 times in 18 years.  

Greecemad
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: John R on August 06, 2007, 09:29:04 PM
After my retirement in October 1996 we went via 1st Choice to Malia (their choice not ours !!). We actually did ok there - good rooms, quiet location and we found a super authentic place to eat in the old town (have never found better !!). Hired a car, saw a lot of Crete and liked the island enough to return. However we thought the following year we would try Rethymnon. Ended up a bit too far East of town - 0K but really Malia was preferable to that (better eating facilities). When booking for that year, 1st Choice brochure were mentioning Bali and Plakias as remote places for those with more sense of adventure - or something like that. We had already see Bali and didn't fancy it but we hired a car and investigated Plakias. Our jaws dropped when we saw Plakias (and the immediate surrounding area - and what a drive through the gorges). So the following year (1998) onwards we booked 1st choice to Plakias and Stella Pension. When 1st Choice dropped out of Plakias we came independently - still to Stella.

John R
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Ploppy on August 06, 2007, 09:36:30 PM
We came across it by chance. We knew we wanted to go to a Greek island and Margherita said 'Why not Crete?'.
Checked out First Choice and Plakias came up, like the look of it and a quick Google later we found this website.

I thought if John put all the effort into setting up the website then there must be something about the place. That was seven years ago and we have had a wonderful time there each year.
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Stuart & Hilary on August 07, 2007, 04:14:08 PM
We arrived in Iraklion some 11 years ago with no idea of where we were going. So having ordered Greek salads in a taverna, we spread the map out and were checking out a few places in the Rough Guide when the waiter asked us where we were going. Having said we had no idea; he then looked at the map, recommended Plakias and later that day via a couple of bus journeys we duly arrived. The first couple of years it was for two weeks at a time but now we tend to dip in for 4/5 days at the end of the holiday.
Mind you we were slightly distracted while the waiter was talking to us because, presumably the owner’s elderly father, sitting at a table facing us proceeded to remove his false teeth and clean them in the jug of water, before popping them back in. We did finish the Greek salads!!

Stuart
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: harribobs on August 07, 2007, 10:08:25 PM
we had already discovered the joys of the south coast in previous holidays, having visited paleohora and sougia while being based on the north west coast and matala when being more centrally located. we had a full couple of weeks holiday based in paleohora and then i was looking for base to do some walking on the E4

i am pretty sure i first heard of the place from captain barefoot's site and from there to the www.plakias.co.uk (http://www.plakias.co.uk) site and booked our first holiday. i enjoyed our stay but surprisingly, didn't immediately warm to the place, we made a few short visits while being elsewhere but have found being drawn back now twice a year for the last couple of years  
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: shinaria on August 08, 2007, 09:56:14 AM
Think it is 15 years ago when we first met Plakias. A friend told us about and as we had the chance for a last minute trip we booked our first two weeks in Hotel Sofia which is one of the oldest hotels in town. After the flight we were put into the bus and carried across the island to the south. Happy not to be one of those thrown off the bus at the various stops during the ride, especially at the north coast hotels. Remember the first crossing of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge ... and then the sight of the sea.  ["Cor magis tibi Kriti pandit"   ] Phantastic! You know the rest.
We returned, with breaks, over the years [with our growing number of children] and as we change, the town does, but the island stays the same.

See you next year
Shinaria
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Peter&Dawn on August 09, 2007, 06:10:35 PM
George and Tina had been showing us their photographs and diaries from Plakias for years.

Three years ago we were looking for a completely relaxing holiday, as far away from the stresses of work as possible, and we came to the conclusion that there must be something that keeps drawing them back, so we decided to have a look for ourselves - and thankfuly we have now discovered the secret.
This year our daughter hopes to discover the magic that is Plakias.

Thanks George & Tina.    
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Noopsy on August 09, 2007, 07:32:29 PM
In 2004 after "her indoors" made her exit, I decided that I wanted to go somewhere where I could finally indulge my passion for "far-ending".  After trawling through various web-sites I was eventually advised to take a look at this one by Karen T who was a member.  Having read through all the postings and obtained helpful answers to some basic questions I thought I would try out the place for a week.  At first, I didn't rate it all that highly but because the far end fully met my expectations I decided to come back the following year...and the year after that, by then for 2 weeks...and again this year.  On this occasion, especially, I discovered new things about Plakias, and have come to appreciate that there is more to it than just the far end.  And travelling to and from the village through the dusty streets of Heraklion and Rethymnon and the sun-baked countryside and the towering cliff formations I have realised that Crete itself has a subtle charm that grows on you the more times you visit her.  I, for one, will be renewing my acquaintance with this wonderful place next year, and hopefully, many more after that.

Thank you Karen for ever.
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: badger on August 11, 2007, 11:36:42 PM
I think we first went to Plakias in 1986 through SunMed, staying in the first floor rooms next to Livicon (Morpheas? Not sure if they were called that then.) We arrived in the dark to a full moon over the sea, but had no idea until morning of the full beauty of the view.
 There was no promenade then and the road sort of crumbled into the beach. We used to buy fresh doughnuts from the traditional bakery and eat them still warm on the stony sand. We also spent a lot of time watching the short wheel-based bus loading up with backpackers heading West, a lengthy process with the rucksacks on top.There was a heatwave in Greece that year (if I've got the year right) and with no aircon we often tried to sleep on the balcony with wet towels to cool us down (it didn't work.)Walking in the heat was difficult, we couldn't get further than Sunset Taverna (Tsasomanolis now?) without stopping for a drink on our way to Souda. sometimes we were so desperate for shade (no sunbeds or umbrellas anywhere) that we would hide behind plants or in the tiny cave on the little cove near Souda.
The road to Sfakia was scary as it ran out of tarmac for a stretch which couldn't be bypassed as it could now by the Frangocastello road. It was worth it though for the views and the sight of the proud old men in traditional dress;sadly you hardly ever see them now.One of these men frequented Plakias, he had one arm, perhaps someone remembers him?
The Meltemi blew for the duration of our two week stay which I found stangely exciting even though it made Plakias beach a no-go zone with the stinging sand. There were no windbreaks around the tavernas and the tables quickly covered with dust. "Dusty, windy, dusty, windy " was the refrain of one of our favourite waiters.
The SunMed rep laughed to himself when we set off for Preveli where we soon encountered the naturist hippies who lived along the river and made strange calls ahead to warn of visitors!
We found Plakias magical and visited a couple of times before having our children. Eventually while staying in Loutro in 2002 we went back for a day.The development was a real culture shock at first, but we have grown to love Plakias as it is and have had five holidays combined with time in Loutro with our two boys.

Alison
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Daisy on August 12, 2007, 03:56:22 PM
We found Plakias in the Inspirations bruchure in 1993 and never having been to Greece or her islands before we decided to give it a whirl. Our flight was delayed hours, we were herded on to coaches at Heraklion and driven all over the island before being deposited at the Alianthos Beach,at midnight, tired, hot and hungry. Never having been before we thought all tavernas would be closed, we know different now, so collapsed into bed. What a revelation next morning to step out on to the balcony and see that lovely view that even today we never tire of.So despite a bad start we are still going, sometimes twice a year if we have no other plans.
So many friends made, so many good times, yes it's busier these days and a lot of changes have we seen BUT we can find nowhere better Daisy
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Mike G on August 15, 2007, 01:09:53 PM
Quote from: Greecemad
I discovered the rambling holidays that SunMed did in and around a place called Plakias in Crete and on Lesbos (Plakias also appealed because of the nudist beaches in the vicinity). So in 1990 I spent a fortnight in Plakias (at the Oasis Pension) and enjoyed the rambling led by Bill and Joan. The year after I did another SunMed rambling holiday on Lesbos - this was not so enjoyable as Molyvos isn't such a good walking area, it's doesn't have the same good beaches
Greecemad
IMHO the Molyvos/Petra area of Lesvos is at least as good as Plakias for walking. It is covered by two excellent books by Mike Maunder and Lance Chilton. The former book is Molyvos based but also covers Petra and the latter is Petra based but also covers an area north and south. It also has a good map. Molyvos has a far end beach with a lovely view of the castle; however it isn't quite as good as Plakias or Paleohora.

Lance Chilton's books of Plakias walks markedly improved the quality of my walks in Plakias and again the map is excellent.

Mike
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: katowales on August 28, 2007, 08:20:54 PM
Well, way back in 1997 - had just finished 3 years study and was awaiting results on my degree and felt I needed/deserved a holiday - so went to the nearest travel agent and booked what was a last minute cheapy - you know those ones where you don't know where you are going or where you are staying (well I was a student, albeit a mature one!)

The cheapest 2 weeks going was to Crete - needed to look on the map to check (though I did know it was Greece).  So couple of days before departure I picked up a Rough Guide to Crete at the local library and it sounded mostly good to me - strangely I already got a feel for Plakias at this early stage (the write up said all the right things - relatively unspoilt, not too easy to get to, quiet, but with some nightlife - and a naturist beach).  We ended up on the North coast (as to be expected) in Gouves! so immediately hired a car and made a bee line for Plakias.

Steve and I have not looked back since, suppose we have been back a dozen times, the only months we haven't been are August/Nov & Dec  We had a week in January this year and will be back end of Sept for 2 weeks (with other destinations in between, just to be sure there is no other place like it!) We love it so much we have now bought a piece of land outside Lefkogia and our Cretan architect has put in the plans for a modest little house - we are coming to live in Crete within the next year!

Carol & Steve
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: jann on August 29, 2007, 01:19:47 PM
Having stayed in Ierapatra in 1986 we hired a motorbike, also caught  the local buses and went to many places on Crete. Fell in love with it, bought a Rough Guide and decided Plakias sounded like the place for us and one day we would go back there.

For the next few years, as we had a touring BMW motorbike at home we toured Europe, Pyrenees etc. and to satisfy our love of Greece even did a tour round mainland Greece (driving through the old Yugoslavia in 1990 just before all the 'trouble' started) saw some amazing places such as Meteora, Delphi, and beautiful resorts like Parga and the pelopponese, also visited our daughter who was living in Zakynthos at the time.

In June 1992 we decided we would take our promised holiday to Plakias and booked with  with Sunmed to Chrysoula rooms.  ( I've still got the tickets and all the reps info)    Unfortunately we were right in the middle of a building site, it must have been when they were developing Kostas/Chrysoula. Work started about 7am it was dreadful and the rooms themselves were bad (Glad to hear things have improved there)  We were moved to Zorbas which was great and none of this put us off Plakias !

On my own now, but determined to make it back somehow !
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Chris H. on August 30, 2007, 08:37:22 PM
Always was prejudiced about Greece, based on nothing really, we've always been Spain people. Met the misses there about 40 years ago!
Misses kept asking for a Greece visit though, so I gave in last autumn, let's give it a try then. So I googled and googled for apartments with a nice view in quiet places and I just happened to stumble into this forum, lucky me  So many people drooling over this Plakias place, must be something special, let's check it out. So we did, booked a flight, rented a car, booked 3 weeks in Olive grove, .....When we drove into Plakias the first day we stopped by at a supermarket and bought a few six-packs of Mythos, took it to the apartment and drunk them on our terrace, oops, then I knew, this is the place for me, can't pinpoint why really, it's just tourists and bars, restaurants, hotels and apartments and that's it, nothing more really, but there's a certain atmosphere I have never experienced anywhere else and I like it a lot. The rest is history. Spain has seen the last of me, my wife has a nice way of putting it: In Greece you find what you expect from Spain but never really find. I won't take any chances and keep coming back year after year and hope to get old here one day, Spot on!!! love it....wished I had found out years ago. Still, I know now. (anyone wants to buy a caravan parked in a Costa Brava campsite?
Chris H.
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: jenny on September 01, 2007, 05:52:39 PM
1993*, we happened to join a naturist club (here) and some friends had been to Plakias for 2 weeks in the May - enjoyed it, loved the sound of the naturist beach.  Husband #1 and I followed them the following August.  Don't know if it was SunMed or Inspirations now, who we went with.  Their office was right next to the Forum, set back from the road.  They used to bring a big coach all along the front then, husband not impressed with dragging 2 heavy suitcases from the coach up the hill.  Stayed at Stella on B&B, not v impressed with lack of loo seats, tiny balcony (struggle to get 2 people on it) breakfasts diabolically sparse - difficult for me as I am diabetic, so we breakfasted out every day.  Stella invariably unsmiling.  Not sure where Far End started because no-one on it, we weren't very experienced naturist then, didn't feel comfortable there as weren't positive it was the correct place.  Meltemi a nightmare.  Met a v nice couple at Stella though.  That helped!  After a few days we hired a car and went other places and enjoyed it all in all, but not the best holiday we ever had.

* now I've got my thinking head on, the year was 1983, so our first visit was 1984!!!! (I'm glad I'm not an Epsilon ....)

New beginning in 1998, very skint, took a very last minute VERY cheapie to Kos, had a wonderful time, went to Tingaki most days.  Man (who had only previously been to France, Austria and Germany) said he thought he liked Greece.  Had other holidays on Greek islands.  Wondered about Plakias a few years ago, found the Forum.  Stuck it in Favourites and toyed with the idea from time to time. Last year eventually decided to go for it.  Had a week in early Oct - fab!  Took the walking boots and poles - but was far too hot for us, to walk any further than the Far End!

We were going again in May but were side-tracked to Makrigialos.  OK, food very good, but Far End equivalent too far and too difficult for me (I'm clumsy and literally still have scars from that holiday, the scabs have not long disappeared!)

We have just booked a week in Plak at KC from 05 Oct, from B'ham - for under £400! - about £60 less than last year! Olympic - price reduced on Friday lunchtime whilst I was still toying with it, so we booked it last night!

So has anyone got KC's email or phone no, so we can ask for a front room at Zorba's?
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Mike from Sussex on September 03, 2007, 09:40:51 AM
Quote from: jenny
We have just booked a week in Plak at KC from 05 Oct, from B'ham - for under £400! - about £60 less than last year! Olympic - price reduced on Friday lunchtime whilst I was still toying with it, so we booked it last night!

So has anyone got KC's email or phone no, so we can ask for a front room at Zorba's?


Jenny,

The last contact details I have are;

Tel. 28320 32242
Fax. 28320 31827
papadakis@aias.gr
http://costas-chrysoula.kreta-sun.com (http://costas-chrysoula.kreta-sun.com)

Mike
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Mike G on September 03, 2007, 01:21:13 PM
Quote from: jenny
We have just booked a week in Plak at KC from 05 Oct, from B'ham - for under £400! - about £60 less than last year! Olympic - price reduced on Friday lunchtime whilst I was still toying with it, so we booked it last night!

So has anyone got KC's email or phone no, so we can ask for a front room at Zorba's?
Hello Jenny,

I think that as you have booked with Olympic, it will be the Olympic rep. who allocates a room to you, rather than the KC management. If you phone Olympic you can still add a special request to your booking.

Mike
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: jenny on September 03, 2007, 06:38:24 PM
I think that as you have booked with Olympic, it will be the Olympic rep. who allocates a room to you, rather than the KC management. If you phone Olympic you can still add a special request to your booking.

Cheers, chaps!  That's the only snag about t'internet, no boxes to tick for sea view etc although all the rooms at KC are advertised as 'Inland View' anyway I think.

Will get my man to give em a ring if he can spare the time from his hectic schedule during the week (he's very busy indeed today - ie. gone fishing LOL)
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: beachboy on September 03, 2007, 08:50:35 PM
Dear all

We have not found Plakies yet but we soon will as we have booked to stay in the "Lamon" at the end of Sept this year and cannot wait.  Stumbling over your forum and its content from you all make Plakies a perfect place for me but this is to be confirmed.

My partener and I love the sun and I think that we will try the far end as some of you have stated that there are not many gawpers and pervs so we hope for some nice weather and hopefully some nice rest.

The only thing that we are confused about is that there js plenty of mention of two more smaller beaches past the far end that look fantastic but there is a problem with the sun shade/sunlounger people taking up all the space?  If anybody feels atht they can put me straight about these beaches than please let me know.

We have busy lifestyles therefore we never see the sun and all that we want to do it to tan, eat well and obviously have a few drinks

Please all keep well

Cheers BAM
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: jenny on September 03, 2007, 10:20:27 PM
A word of warning then - if you are not 'dedicated' 'Far Enders' - do please both be sure to use high factor sun-cream on literally ALL the bits that aren't used to seeing the sun!!!!!  Otherwise I guarantee you will regret it, before you have had a chance to get used to the idea  ......

We both burned a combination of shoulders, noses, boobs, bellies, balding head and bums on Shoreham beach over the August Bank holiday weekend (sun and wind, sea, wind and sun LOL) and we've been nude sunbathing for over 25 years and had already had 2 separate hols abroad doing just that, this year, prior to the bank holiday!  and I currently have the cold sores to prove it LOL

Take it carefully - and enjoy!
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: John R on September 03, 2007, 10:54:58 PM
Quote from: jenny
We both burned a combination of shoulders, noses, boobs, bellies, balding head and bums on Shoreham beach over the August Bank holiday weekend

Makes me mighty glad that we stick to walking  

John R
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: jenny on September 04, 2007, 01:20:03 AM
Makes me mighty glad that we stick to walking

No it's just as dangerous when you are me - I always burn my nose wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, it just sticks out so far (just call me the Dong with the Luminous Nose) - or I burn the back of my neck or fall down a cliff when I walk; if I'm on the flat I usually turn an ankle or two - I fink I must be a bit accident prone LOL

Perhaps I was a Laydee in a former incarnation and carried about in a sedan chair by lackeys, and thus ill-prepared for life in the 21st century???
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Chas on September 04, 2007, 11:09:02 AM
Quote from: jenny
Quote
Makes me mighty glad that we stick to walking


No it's just as dangerous when you are me - I always burn my nose wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, it just sticks out so far (just call me the Dong with the Luminous Nose) - or I burn the back of my neck or fall down a cliff when I walk; if I'm on the flat I usually turn an ankle or two - I fink I must be a bit accident prone LOL

Perhaps I was a Laydee in a former incarnation and carried about in a sedan chair by lackeys, and thus ill-prepared for life in the 21st century???

Hi, Jenny - and any other newbies,

If you want to reply to somebody else's post, you can use the (http://forums.plakias.co.uk/style_images/ip.boardpr/p_quote.gif) button at the bottom-right of that post.  It will automatically open your post window with the previous post "quoted" in it.

You can edit unwanted bits within the quote.

Otherwise, you can copy the abstract you want and paste it into your post and then start it with
Code: [Select]
[quote] ... or ... [quote name='joe bloggs'] and end the abstract with
Code: [Select]
[/quote], so the whole thing looks like this:
Code: [Select]
[quote name='Chas']What a right one I am![/quote] in the window and like this ... [!--quoteo(post=0:date=:name=Chas)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(Chas)[div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]What a right one I am![/quote] ... when posted.
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Mike G on September 04, 2007, 01:33:36 PM
Quote from: jenny
Cheers, chaps!  That's the only snag about t'internet, no boxes to tick for sea view etc although all the rooms at KC are advertised as 'Inland View' anyway I think.
Hello Jenny,

You are right that when you book Olympic on the internet you can't make special requests- you have to phone in afterwards (they have a freephone number as well as an 0870 one). Interestingly, they guaranteee that when booking by phone they will beat the internet price.

Until September 15 they have a £20 per person discount offer which they are E-Mailing to those on their mailing list, which is cheaper still.

Mike
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Richard on September 23, 2007, 03:27:46 PM
Hi Barny,

After my first Greek holiday on the island of Aegina in '93 I immediately booked one for '94, at the Albatross Apartments in a place called Amoudara.

Checked location on a map before we left, looked to be about 15 mins from Heraklion. After about an hour in the taxi I was getting concerned but assumed I'd misread the map. To cut a long story short, we were dropped off at the Albatross Studios in Plakias, the only problem being there was somebody else in 'our' room!

Walked into the village and found the holiday rep., who organised a taxi back to Amoudara, which is a noisy suburb of Heraklion which happens to have a beach. This was a huge disappointment after seeing Plakias briefly, but I've been back to Plakias many times since. This Albatross was a lucky one for us!!

Cheers,

Richard
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Davos on January 01, 2008, 04:14:36 PM
Hi
We first found Plakias in 1990. We were looking for a chill out kind of holiday, and came across it in Simply Crete.
Loved it from the word go.
Son was born and could not get back till he was 7. It felt like comming home (dont know why, just did). Have been back 6 times since and son is of the same opinion.
Roll on the end of May, mines a Mythos.
Happy new year to you all.
Dave
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: JaneGary on January 11, 2008, 12:00:29 PM
Hi, we found Plakias about '88.

But was miffed/impressd to discover that my parents were in Plakias back in late 70s!

Our favourite place was Piso Livadi in Paros, much smaller than Plakias, but when we considered going back a few years ago we discovered that the wonderful beach had been taken over by a development including massed discos and bungie jumping on the beach, As well as rows and rows of umbrellas.

Have been very happy with Plakias ever since.

Jane
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Greecemad on January 12, 2008, 05:04:43 PM
Quote from: JaneGary
Our favourite place was Piso Livadi in Paros, much smaller than Plakias, but when we considered going back a few years ago we discovered that the wonderful beach had been taken over by a development including massed discos and bungie jumping on the beach, As well as rows and rows of umbrellas.
Jane

Doesn't sound like Piso Livadi to me, I thought it was a quiet place with up-market restaurants etc. I've been into the little port several times on the Skopelitis Express on its way to the Small Cyclades, but it doesn't go to Piso Livadi any more.

Greecemad
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: JaneGary on January 12, 2008, 05:22:26 PM
Try googling Pounda Beach which is west of PL. It had one taverna selling drinks and home cooking such as goat stew, with a donkey asleep on the beach in them old days 15 years ago.
Nice to hear that the little town remains quiet though.  Memories of a very serious (and well oiled) cricket match between Brits, Kiwis and Aussies. Not jumpers for goal posts, but beer crates for stumps.

Jane


Quote from: Greecemad
Quote from: JaneGary
Our favourite place was Piso Livadi in Paros, much smaller than Plakias, but when we considered going back a few years ago we discovered that the wonderful beach had been taken over by a development including massed discos and bungie jumping on the beach, As well as rows and rows of umbrellas.
Jane

Doesn't sound like Piso Livadi to me, I thought it was a quiet place with up-market restaurants etc. I've been into the little port several times on the Skopelitis Express on its way to the Small Cyclades, but it doesn't go to Piso Livadi any more.

Greecemad
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: travellingran on March 15, 2008, 04:00:21 PM
Quote from: Barny
Hi all,
I don't know if this is interesting but how did you all find out about Plakias?
Did you just stumble across it in a travel agent or what?

My story starts when myself and a friend and our partners decided we wanted to go away for a break the four of us so we sent the girls off to find a holiday while we syayed in the pub!
Some time later they returned and said they had booked two weeks in a place called plakias on an island called Crete through the co op travel agency and sunmed, they even threw in a free taxi to bhx and back! We stayed in a place called pension paligremnos which was opposite where santa maria is now.
That was about late eightys i think and have been ther ever since!!

Whose story is next?

                         Barny.


Hi Barny,
We first found Plakias in 1979 . We had been going to Paleochora for three years and went into the mountains to explore on our hired Vespa. We  travelled north and then east for hours and the scooter broke down. We were taken by an olive farmer (scooter and all) on his trailer to a beautiful mountain village called Vatolakos where there was a workshop. The Vespa was taken away and we stayed at the Kafenion overnight. Concrete base beds and stand astride loos - the whole Cretan experience in one night. I have never , ever forgotten it and the kindness of the extended family who we are still in touch with. (Another chapter)
We decided the main road back to be the sensible course of action and set off towards Chania.
My husband was reading the road signs !!! and turned right. The scooter with its new lease of life buzzed along endlessly and we reached RETHYMNON. Abandoning all hope of ever seeing Paleochora again we set off south and the end of the road rounded a bend to reveal the breathtaking panorama of Plakias bay. Paradise found. I have several surviving photos of the
two days spent in this glorious place. We found a room at the Old Asterias which required both youth and a sense of humour. The electricity to the village went off on a regular basis well into the 1980,s .
We had to abandon trusty scooter (by arrangement with owner)and return to Paleochora for our bags. By bus to Rethymnon ,Chania and on from there. Took all day.
I will share these photos with anyone interested. Although a tour company or two were using Plakias it was delightfully small and unspoilt. Now alone and still travelling I still make it to Plakias as often as I can. . Sadly since Greece joined the EU the massive tourism grants are funding a lot of development but a blissful holiday can still be had by staying in older accommodation .
Just returned from Cambodia but going back to Plakias this June.
Anyone interested in 1979 photos of Plakias - please ask.

Heather . travellingran
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Greecemad on March 15, 2008, 09:07:00 PM
Quote from: travellingran
Hi Barny,
We first found Plakias in 1979 . We had been going to Paleochora for three years and went into the mountains to explore on our hired Vespa. We  travelled north and then east for hours and the scooter broke down. We were taken by an olive farmer (scooter and all) on his trailer to a beautiful mountain village called Vatolakos where there was a workshop. The Vespa was taken away and we stayed at the Kafenion overnight. Concrete base beds and stand astride loos - the whole Cretan experience in one night. I have never , ever forgotten it and the kindness of the extended family who we are still in touch with. (Another chapter)
We decided the main road back to be the sensible course of action and set off towards Chania.
My husband was reading the road signs !!! and turned right. The scooter with its new lease of life buzzed along endlessly and we reached RETHYMNON. Abandoning all hope of ever seeing Paleochora again we set off south and the end of the road rounded a bend to reveal the breathtaking panorama of Plakias bay. Paradise found. I have several surviving photos of the
two days spent in this glorious place. We found a room at the Old Asterias which required both youth and a sense of humour. The electricity to the village went off on a regular basis well into the 1980,s .
We had to abandon trusty scooter (by arrangement with owner)and return to Paleochora for our bags. By bus to Rethymnon ,Chania and on from there. Took all day.
I will share these photos with anyone interested. Although a tour company or two were using Plakias it was delightfully small and unspoilt. Now alone and still travelling I still make it to Plakias as often as I can. . Sadly since Greece joined the EU the massive tourism grants are funding a lot of development but a blissful holiday can still be had by staying in older accommodation .
Just returned from Cambodia but going back to Plakias this June.
Anyone interested in 1979 photos of Plakias - please ask.

Heather . travellingran

Hi Travellingran,

I enjoyed reading your story, it was very interesting.

The electricity went off fairly regularly well into the 90s, as 1990 was the first year that I went.

You were lucky to do the journey back to Paleochora by bus in one day, as I suppose the new road from Rethymnon to Chania wasn't built then. I have done the reverse journey by ferry and taxi 3 times and that has taken quite a lot of a day.

I am very interested in old photographs of Plakias (and Paleochora too - have you seen the site with all the hippy-time photos on it?). There is another thread that I started where we collected various photos going back well before 1979.

Greecemad.
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Rowena & Carl on March 16, 2008, 10:01:38 PM
Quote from: travellingran
Quote from: Barny
Hi all,
I don't know if this is interesting but how did you all find out about Plakias?
Did you just stumble across it in a travel agent or what?

My story starts when myself and a friend and our partners decided we wanted to go away for a break the four of us so we sent the girls off to find a holiday while we syayed in the pub!
Some time later they returned and said they had booked two weeks in a place called plakias on an island called Crete through the co op travel agency and sunmed, they even threw in a free taxi to bhx and back! We stayed in a place called pension paligremnos which was opposite where santa maria is now.
That was about late eightys i think and have been ther ever since!!

Whose story is next?

                         Barny.


Hi Barny,
We first found Plakias in 1979 . We had been going to Paleochora for three years and went into the mountains to explore on our hired Vespa. We  travelled north and then east for hours and the scooter broke down. We were taken by an olive farmer (scooter and all) on his trailer to a beautiful mountain village called Vatolakos where there was a workshop. The Vespa was taken away and we stayed at the Kafenion overnight. Concrete base beds and stand astride loos - the whole Cretan experience in one night. I have never , ever forgotten it and the kindness of the extended family who we are still in touch with. (Another chapter)
We decided the main road back to be the sensible course of action and set off towards Chania.
My husband was reading the road signs !!! and turned right. The scooter with its new lease of life buzzed along endlessly and we reached RETHYMNON. Abandoning all hope of ever seeing Paleochora again we set off south and the end of the road rounded a bend to reveal the breathtaking panorama of Plakias bay. Paradise found. I have several surviving photos of the
two days spent in this glorious place. We found a room at the Old Asterias which required both youth and a sense of humour. The electricity to the village went off on a regular basis well into the 1980,s .
We had to abandon trusty scooter (by arrangement with owner)and return to Paleochora for our bags. By bus to Rethymnon ,Chania and on from there. Took all day.
I will share these photos with anyone interested. Although a tour company or two were using Plakias it was delightfully small and unspoilt. Now alone and still travelling I still make it to Plakias as often as I can. . Sadly since Greece joined the EU the massive tourism grants are funding a lot of development but a blissful holiday can still be had by staying in older accommodation .
Just returned from Cambodia but going back to Plakias this June.
Anyone interested in 1979 photos of Plakias - please ask.

Heather . travellingran

Hi Heather

Great story & experience I think, Would love to see the 1979 pictures. We have our own Vespa in Plakias now (an old one) so far been reliable but we don't venture too far Rethymnon the limit. Please do send me the pic's would really love to see them.

Rowena & Carl
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: travellingran on March 18, 2008, 02:08:08 PM
Quote from: Rowena & Carl
Quote from: travellingran
Quote from: Barny
Hi all,
I don't know if this is interesting but how did you all find out about Plakias?
Did you just stumble across it in a travel agent or what?

My story starts when myself and a friend and our partners decided we wanted to go away for a break the four of us so we sent the girls off to find a holiday while we syayed in the pub!
Some time later they returned and said they had booked two weeks in a place called plakias on an island called Crete through the co op travel agency and sunmed, they even threw in a free taxi to bhx and back! We stayed in a place called pension paligremnos which was opposite where santa maria is now.
That was about late eightys i think and have been ther ever since!!

Whose story is next?

                         Barny.


Hi Barny,
We first found Plakias in 1979 . We had been going to Paleochora for three years and went into the mountains to explore on our hired Vespa. We  travelled north and then east for hours and the scooter broke down. We were taken by an olive farmer (scooter and all) on his trailer to a beautiful mountain village called Vatolakos where there was a workshop. The Vespa was taken away and we stayed at the Kafenion overnight. Concrete base beds and stand astride loos - the whole Cretan experience in one night. I have never , ever forgotten it and the kindness of the extended family who we are still in touch with. (Another chapter)
We decided the main road back to be the sensible course of action and set off towards Chania.
My husband was reading the road signs !!! and turned right. The scooter with its new lease of life buzzed along endlessly and we reached RETHYMNON. Abandoning all hope of ever seeing Paleochora again we set off south and the end of the road rounded a bend to reveal the breathtaking panorama of Plakias bay. Paradise found. I have several surviving photos of the
two days spent in this glorious place. We found a room at the Old Asterias which required both youth and a sense of humour. The electricity to the village went off on a regular basis well into the 1980,s .
We had to abandon trusty scooter (by arrangement with owner)and return to Paleochora for our bags. By bus to Rethymnon ,Chania and on from there. Took all day.
I will share these photos with anyone interested. Although a tour company or two were using Plakias it was delightfully small and unspoilt. Now alone and still travelling I still make it to Plakias as often as I can. . Sadly since Greece joined the EU the massive tourism grants are funding a lot of development but a blissful holiday can still be had by staying in older accommodation .
Just returned from Cambodia but going back to Plakias this June.
Anyone interested in 1979 photos of Plakias - please ask.

Heather . travellingran

Hi Heather

Great story & experience I think, Would love to see the 1979 pictures. We have our own Vespa in Plakias now (an old one) so far been reliable but we don't venture too far Rethymnon the limit. Please do send me the pic's would really love to see them.

Rowena & Carl


Hi Rowena and Carl,

I will attempt to email my pics., to your hotmail.
If you receive them would you post them onto the forum site for me?
 (I will explain - I have a very old PC , steam driven and pedalled.It only runs windows 98 and I do not use Outlook Express.  I much prefer travelling to updating my computer , these choices due to being a pensioner. )

Heather.travellingran


Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: steven on March 18, 2008, 08:08:13 PM
I will attempt to email my pics., to your hotmail.
If you receive them would you post them onto the forum site for me?
(I will explain - I have a very old PC , steam driven and pedalled.It only runs windows 98 and I do not use Outlook Express. I much prefer travelling to updating my computer , these choices due to being a pensioner. )

Heather.travellingran


Good idea Heather i'd love to see those pictures. My first time in Plakias was about 1984 so i must remember some things.
Title: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Rowena & Carl on March 20, 2008, 11:21:07 PM
Quote from: travellingran
Quote from: Rowena & Carl
Quote from: travellingran
Quote from: Barny
Hi all,
I don't know if this is interesting but how did you all find out about Plakias?
Did you just stumble across it in a travel agent or what?

My story starts when myself and a friend and our partners decided we wanted to go away for a break the four of us so we sent the girls off to find a holiday while we syayed in the pub!
Some time later they returned and said they had booked two weeks in a place called plakias on an island called Crete through the co op travel agency and sunmed, they even threw in a free taxi to bhx and back! We stayed in a place called pension paligremnos which was opposite where santa maria is now.
That was about late eightys i think and have been ther ever since!!

Whose story is next?

                         Barny.


Hi Barny,
We first found Plakias in 1979 . We had been going to Paleochora for three years and went into the mountains to explore on our hired Vespa. We  travelled north and then east for hours and the scooter broke down. We were taken by an olive farmer (scooter and all) on his trailer to a beautiful mountain village called Vatolakos where there was a workshop. The Vespa was taken away and we stayed at the Kafenion overnight. Concrete base beds and stand astride loos - the whole Cretan experience in one night. I have never , ever forgotten it and the kindness of the extended family who we are still in touch with. (Another chapter)
We decided the main road back to be the sensible course of action and set off towards Chania.
My husband was reading the road signs !!! and turned right. The scooter with its new lease of life buzzed along endlessly and we reached RETHYMNON. Abandoning all hope of ever seeing Paleochora again we set off south and the end of the road rounded a bend to reveal the breathtaking panorama of Plakias bay. Paradise found. I have several surviving photos of the
two days spent in this glorious place. We found a room at the Old Asterias which required both youth and a sense of humour. The electricity to the village went off on a regular basis well into the 1980,s .
We had to abandon trusty scooter (by arrangement with owner)and return to Paleochora for our bags. By bus to Rethymnon ,Chania and on from there. Took all day.
I will share these photos with anyone interested. Although a tour company or two were using Plakias it was delightfully small and unspoilt. Now alone and still travelling I still make it to Plakias as often as I can. . Sadly since Greece joined the EU the massive tourism grants are funding a lot of development but a blissful holiday can still be had by staying in older accommodation .
Just returned from Cambodia but going back to Plakias this June.
Anyone interested in 1979 photos of Plakias - please ask.

Heather . travellingran

Hi Heather

Great story & experience I think, Would love to see the 1979 pictures. We have our own Vespa in Plakias now (an old one) so far been reliable but we don't venture too far Rethymnon the limit. Please do send me the pic's would really love to see them.

Rowena & Carl

Thanks they are great I will try & post on to the forum but i'm not a computer person myself very self taught so it could be 2079 before I manage it!!!

Rowena

Hi Rowena and Carl,

I will attempt to email my pics., to your hotmail.
If you receive them would you post them onto the forum site for me?
 (I will explain - I have a very old PC , steam driven and pedalled.It only runs windows 98 and I do not use Outlook Express.  I much prefer travelling to updating my computer , these choices due to being a pensioner. )

Heather.travellingran
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Barny on September 11, 2013, 07:09:45 PM
Hi All,
This is a topic I started back in 2008 asking how people had 'found' Plakias. As there are a lot more newbies on the board now, I wonder if anyone would like to post how they found Plakias?
Just a thought?

        Barny.
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Plakias Lover on September 12, 2013, 08:51:13 AM
Hi Barny

We found it through the dreaded Olympic brochure!
After a few years under our own steam touring the island or staying at Palechora we decided to try a pacakge with Olympic staying at Costa Chrysoula.
We were hooked on Plakias immediately.
After about 7 years we decided to go it alone as the transfers and flight changes completely did our head in! Also wanted room with a sea view.
From then on (about the last 10 years) we have continued under our own steam, staying at Horizon Beach Hotel and hopefully will continue for many years to come.
Roll on October 5th!!
Regards
Sylvia & Steve
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: JackieatUrbanAgenda on September 12, 2013, 10:19:12 AM
First booked through SunMed in 1987 when my ex wanted to visit somewhere with a nudist beach (!) and the laughing travel agent suggested Plakias. fell in lobe with it then and remember walking past the entrance to Kostas Chrysoulas without ever thinking it would be a regular haunt. I remember the local villagers watching the footie on a black and white TV in the square with the tallest aerial you've ever seen.....when the picture failed someone had to shin up it to wiggle it...how things have changed ! The rooms we had were towards the back of the village and I have never been able to find them so I suspect they've been 'developed'.
Then, a few years later the love of my life and I were looking for a holiday and as he'd never been anywhere hot we agreed to try Plakias again as I knew roughly where everything was. Like me he fell in love with it and we've visited ever since. I have also introduced it to several friends and family who've loved it too. Must be the old Plakias magic taking hold. Booking over the years has been varied. First Choice were OK, then we went independent for a couple of years and now we use Olympic ..although the way things are going I may be booking on my own again next year...cant risk my 50th birthday hols can I !

Back there next week and cant wait !
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: stavros on September 12, 2013, 10:30:54 AM
1984: we  travelled all over western Crete, and found Plakias.

It was so windy we only stayed one night in a rooms place (since gone) where the doors and shutters rattled constantly and moved on. But we decided to give it another try a few years ago and now that the bars and tavernas have cover from the wind, and there are much nicer places to stay, we really like it here. Especially when the wind drops...
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Dave&Les on September 12, 2013, 11:53:32 AM
We came to Crete in 1986 & stayed on north coast (Ag Nicholias) we hired a jeep for couple of days & went exploring on the south coast. We found Plakias by accident & it was a long journey back, we just knew it would be a good place to stay & in those days not many hotels.
The following year we stayed at Lamon with Sun Med & after that we were hooked.

Now we do Olympic holiday in May at KC & the Paligremnos under our own steam Aug/Sept....Plakias is heaven to us & we never want to leave.
Always feels like home & great to meet up with so many like minded people year after year.

Long live Plakias !!!!!
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: spottttttt on September 13, 2013, 04:22:11 PM
We stayed at Paleochora for a week, put hire car on Samaria 'cos we were staying at Spilli for second week, we stopped to have a look at Plakias and that was it, we fell in love with it, specially far end and Freddi!!
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Arnaki on September 14, 2013, 01:28:50 PM
We were on our honeymoon in Georgioupolis in early May 1992, and spent a lot of our time exploring by bus.  My husband suggested a trip to the south and we arrived in Plakias.  However, we did not stop in Plakias but got a taxi to Damnoni.  I was wondering why, when we had a perfectly good beach outside our door and there seemed to be a decent one in Plakias, did we need to trek so far.  When we got behind the rocks at the end of Damnoni beach he stripped off.  (No, he hadn't mentioned it before.)  There wasn't much at Damnoni, but the shell of the Hapimag was in development.  When we got back to Plakias the wind whipped up the dust and we went inside the Souvlaki House for probably my first Greek gyros pitta, whilst we were waiting for the bus.  Husband had been following the Rough Guide which indicated that there was a naturist beach at Damnoni but did not mention the far end in Plakias.  If it had, our holiday history might have been different.

I suppose we must have been into Plakias again that holiday, because we went to Preveli monastery and the bus goes into Plakias and out again on its way.  However it wasn't until May 2007 that we went to Plakias again, when we stayed at Aretousa with Kosmar.  We have been back almost every year since, staying at Kostas Chryssoula, including twice last year. (Nothing against Aretousa, which was lovely with welcoming owners, just that it was no longer on offer as a package.)

Incidentally I discovered the Forum by searching for Arethousa and coming upon Ali & Dave's report of the fire.

Arnaki

Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Barny on September 18, 2015, 12:54:17 PM
This is a post I started years ago regarding how people ended up in Plakias.
Now there seems to be a lot of 'newer' people on the site I wonder how you first found Plakias?

This was my original post,

 My story starts when myself and a friend and our partners decided we wanted to go away for a break the four of us so we sent the girls off to find a holiday while we slayed in the pub!
Some time later they returned and said they had booked two weeks in a place called plakias on an island called Crete through the co op travel agency and sunmed, they even threw in a free taxi to bhx and back! We stayed in a place called pension paligremnos which was opposite where Santa Maria is now.
That was about late eighty's i think and have been there ever since!!
                         
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: vulcan on September 20, 2015, 07:37:03 PM
We stayed at the Akti Zeus on the north coast in 1985 & liked it so we decided to come back in 1990 . I looked through the Olympic brochure & saw Plakias & said nothing, my wife looked later and she also picked Plakias so we came. A taxi ride through the gorge in the dark arriving at the Alianthos at 5 in the morning in a howling gale and sitting in the lounge till 6.30. did it put us off? well we have only missed two years since. We have stayed at the Alianthos, Ariadne, Kostas and the last 14 years at Dora's.
My old legs ain't what they used to be so this year we are staying at Corali, no hills or steps. I suppose the place has changed quite a bit but the people haven't.
Vulcan.
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: phillip on September 27, 2015, 11:08:49 AM
We went to a small independent travel agent in the village where we live and said we wanted a quiet, safe and friendly place in Greece for my wife, me and our 4 year old son. We were booked through Olympic and arrive at the airport to be told we were transferring by taxi and that the key would be in the door of our room at Kostas Chrysoula. The taxi driver dropped us of at the end of the alley way near the taverns and grunted, then pointed down the alley. The wind was whistling and blowing and there was not a soul about at 02.30am . I thought at the time that we had made a big mistake. It took ages to find the correct apartment block and the correct room. Our son was now getting frightened  and to be honest so was I. If the key was not in the door, we would be in a real spot. However, the key was in the door with a note inside from the rep. We decided to just get into bed and see what the morning would bring. Well I awoke first, I ventured out first to have a look around. The sun was shining and I fell in love with the place. That was in 1996_. We had a great time but knew our son would want more entertainment in the following years. So we went to various destinations for 12 years. When our son was 16 we asked him if he wanted to go on holiday with us. He said he would prefer to go to the Leeds fest concerts and also have a new computer. So that was deal done and his Grandma minded the house and kept him fed and watered. So we could return back to Plakias. Nothing had hardly changed. We have gone there every year since for our main holidays. We always stay at Kostas Chrysoulas but we try something different every year. Gorge walking, general walking, cycling and travelling around in hired cars. Over the years we have made friends with many people and watched their children grow to being part of the family run businesses. We love the place. Olympic is the cheapest option for us to get there and stay there. All the other travel companies have pulled out over the years but if Olympic did ever pull out we would get there independently.
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: Barny on August 21, 2017, 01:09:57 PM
This is a topic I started years ago regarding how people first found Plakias.
Now I see a lot of new faces on here and am interested to learn how you, too, found Plakias?

             Barny.
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: FionaCW on August 21, 2017, 02:45:47 PM
What an interesting post....thoroughly enjoyed reading thru' all the previous entries !  I too first visited Crete back in 1985 and was also at the Akti Zeus same year as Vulcan when there was only 1 tall refinery tower at Linoperamata !   The years rolled by with visiting other parts of the world and other Greek islands when..... 10 or 11 years ago the sister said - do you fancy going to Crete in September?  She'd been to other places in the island and she narrowed it down to Bali and Plakias and thank goodness we picked Plakias.  We came with Olympic (Edwina was the rep) and stayed (ever since) at the Costa Crysoula and we will be back again in 2 weeks.  We've hired a jeep and got out and about over the years and a couple of years ago we drove back to the Akti Zeus.  Such a shame to see such a lovely hotel all boarded up and now there is a huge refinery just along the beach !  Since we started going to Plakias there have been a few changes and a few 'well-kent' faces missing at the far end - but its definitely a place that has a hold on you.  I never imagined that 10/11 years down the line I would still be coming to the same place, same apartment and same bar - Aggelos is such a laugh and definitely the best barman in Crete, the Costa Crysoula is just like coming home, and seeing Sylvia, her mum and little Rocky, both Costas's and Crysoula - the welcome is genuine and seeing everyone in the bar at the end of the night after visiting Joe's bar and any one of the great restaurants is just the best.  So looking forward to September - a jug of red wine and all will be well with the world ! 
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: JackieatUrbanAgenda on September 09, 2017, 10:44:25 AM
By chance really.....back in 1987 by then partner wanted to find somewhere with a nudist beach so he booked with Sun Med. I loved it at first sight....although I've never been able to locate the rooms we stayed in (somewhere at the back of Costa's I think). The rest is history.....we booked to introduce my (now) husband to foreign travel....have spent our 40th and 50th birthdays there and on Tuesday will be celebrating a 30 year association. Have been elsewhere but it keeps drawing me back.......enough said !
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: conway s on September 09, 2017, 01:11:22 PM
Started in the early nineties first visit was to Elounda very nice but will have changed I am sure. following year Peleochora . We liked the island so much we looked in brochure and said Plakias sounds just up our street. Stayed all over plakias first was Appolo the rep was called Jassinta it is a bit different now. We like to stay at Doras now quirky but so peaceful and she carnt do enough for us especially the raki topped up every day.
We have made so many friends there not a bad one have we found. My greatest friend being Niko Brokialakis you will all know him from the fish and chip shop. I go up to his house when we are over there. I miss all the nights in his restaurant ,also the character's who used to go in there .
My friends back here say why do you keep going back to Plakias , difficult to explain until you have been around Greece and hit upon Plakias.
I have met a few Cretan people on my journeys around Greece and the really are a cut above the rest , I don't mean that in a bad way but they are so proud of where they are from.
Was in Plakias in April absolutely fabulous first time that time of year cannot recommend it enough back in October it will be so different .         
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: thrillers on September 11, 2017, 08:06:54 AM
1983 - our honeymoon. Then a 30 year absence until 2013 and came back for our 30th anniversary. Coming back today for out 7th visit since 2013.
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: rmartlin on November 03, 2018, 04:08:11 PM
For what it’s worth... met my American wife in Plakias in Feb ‘72 before any commercialization of Plakias. A Canadian boy on the road.. In 1976 the N.Y. Times did an article on the first tourists to spend the winter in Plakias which spurred development of an old fishing village which the locals frequented only in summer. We took pride in being in that first group of hippies and culturally things were ‘bumpy’ as mores were radically different then. We called ourselves Plachettes and lived behind Sophis’s Cafe for 1 dollar a night in rope beds and later took a House on the shore for 40 dollars a month... paradise and we were the only westerners there in a semi permanent basis.BTW there were only 2 restaurants open only seasonally and no hotels. You could rent a small house as we did but there were only 3 or 4 available. We stayed 4 months and although offered a job waitering or in the local greenhouse had to leave because things were fractious with the locals due to being unmarried and living together... we made dear local friends however... Monolis and Leftari of Kristos Cafefame who were children when we were there. Plakias IS magic and I can see that so many love it still...
Title: Re: How did you first find Plakias?
Post by: bwian on November 08, 2018, 08:10:59 AM
A fascinating thread! We were having a hotel holiday at the north of the island. We hired a car for a few days and drove all over. On our way back from Frangokastello we called in at the beach at Plakias for a dip. Was delighted to find the naked end!  Visited a couple more times that holiday.
Then, several years later, I found Plakias in the Olympic brochure. It’s been a regular for us ever since.