Plakias Forums

Plakias => Plakias => Topic started by: Ploppy on July 22, 2007, 12:39:59 PM

Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Ploppy on July 22, 2007, 12:39:59 PM
Plakias certainly has its fair share of returning visitors each year.

Just thought I would get a feel for just quite how much of a dedicated lot we are.

Myself and Margherita tend to go once a year in September. Once went in June due to work committments. September suits us as it is after the school holidays, the sea is lovely and warm and the weather is still good.

Wouldn't mind going twice a year but having only 20 days holiday and other pressures like family visits make this impossible.

The poll only allows three questions but I could of asked 'How long do you go for?' We do the standard 2 weeks but last year we did 3 which was heavenly. I know a lot of people also split the holiday with another resort so let us know where else you go.

Thanks,

Paul
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Rowena & Carl on July 22, 2007, 05:46:18 PM
Quote from: Ploppy
Plakias certainly has its fair share of returning visitors each year.

Just thought I would get a feel for just quite how much of a dedicated lot we are.

Myself and Margherita tend to go once a year in September. Once went in June due to work committments. September suits us as it is after the school holidays, the sea is lovely and warm and the weather is still good.

Wouldn't mind going twice a year but having only 20 days holiday and other pressures like family visits make this impossible.

The poll only allows three questions but I could of asked 'How long do you go for?' We do the standard 2 weeks but last year we did 3 which was heavenly. I know a lot of people also split the holiday with another resort so let us know where else you go.

Thanks,

Paul

We go for 2 weeks in June/july and 10 days in October would be longer but the same problem not enough leave. We normally have a break from Plakias just for 1 night when we head up to Rethymno which is fantastic but we soon crave Plakias again the next day. We did do 3 weeks in Plakias for our honeymoon and I would definately do that again if I had more holiday. I had two extra trips to crete with my sister in law over making it 3 x a year for 2 years (heaven) we first stayed in Panormo (& Plakias 1 night) on the north coast between Bali & Rethymno it's a lovely small working village very peaceful if you want to really chill out which we did & the 2nd time we stayed in Plantannes, Rethymno as my friend was reping there, not such a nice area next too busy beach road & beach really packed but still had a wonderful time & the family at the apartments we stayed in were wonderful. Only 7km from centre too so spent alot of time in the old town at night.

Would also be interested to hear of other people's stays on other parts of the island as one day we plan to drive to Crete & tour the whole Island, we have covered alot of the west but never gone too far East, Matala probably the furthest.

Look forward to hearing others stories etc

Rowena
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: George on July 23, 2007, 12:17:01 PM
That surprised me, I thought there would be a lot more Seasoned Veterans than that, there again there's only been 19 votes as I write this.

george g...
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Mike G on July 23, 2007, 01:10:32 PM
Being retired, fitting holidays in with annual leave isn't a problem and my ideal would be two weeks in May and three in Sept/Oct. I know many disagree but I think going to Plakias for all your foreign holidays shows a lack of imagination but I do like to go there once every year (not this year unfortunately). I like it hot but not overbearingly so and prefer the quiet times of year for more reasons than I will mention here.

Other favourites are Paleohora (Crete), Petra (Lesvos), Tingaki (Kos), and Kambos (Samos). I would like to try Skopelos some time and Skala (Kefalonia) again if they ever resolve the (far end) beach issue . I also enjoyed Agios Georgious (Corfu SW coast).

Those who know Greece well will recognise the common link in these resorts being decent areas for walking and a far end.  

As I prefer to book via a tour operator booking three weeks can be a problem but as someone has said in another thread it is a really good duration for a break.

Mike
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: John R on July 23, 2007, 01:39:14 PM
Quote from: George
That surprised me, I thought there would be a lot more Seasoned Veterans than that, there again there's only been 19 votes as I write this.

george g...

I agree with the above remark. I am not yet quite a seasoned veteran (10th year this year) but still feel like a newcomer whenever I talk people while there - all seemingly having been there for much longer than us.

John R
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: John R on July 23, 2007, 01:44:00 PM
Quote from: Mike G
I know many disagree but I think going to Plakias for all your foreign holidays shows a lack of imagination but I do like to go there once every year

Mike

Well - basically we don't go abroad at all for our holidays. Went to Crete once as a one off adventure to celebrate retirement (12 years ago), found Plakias and been every year since. Somehow we just don't consider it as "being abroad" - sounds daft but there it is !!

John R
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: George on July 23, 2007, 01:50:28 PM
Quote from: John R
Quote from: George
That surprised me, I thought there would be a lot more Seasoned Veterans than that, there again there's only been 19 votes as I write this.

george g...

I agree with the above remark. I am not yet quite a seasoned veteran (10th year this year) but still feel like a newcomer whenever I talk people while there - all seemingly having been there for much longer than us.

John R
Full of surprises this thread, I had the impression that you had been more than me John (my 11th year this year), and do agree with you, I still do feel like a newbie, so where's all the long termers? Or are we them  ?

Would be interested to see John O's vote, maybe he took that 60's photo  

george g...
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: compage on July 23, 2007, 04:53:26 PM
Our first visit was in 1991.
Although we've been to Plakias more than once in a year we've never planned to do that.
It's just that we've used Crete as a starting point for some other trips but then cut them short and had a few days in Plakias to fill up the available time.

We like to do 3 weeks in Crete in late September / early October and have a week of that in Paleohora before finishing up in Plakias.
Before Paleohora we might do a couple of nights in other places.
Hania is good for that but this year it's going to be Malia so that we can visit the ancient sites.

We've hardly touched mainland Greece yet but other islands we've enjoyed and visited some more than once are Corfu, Paxos, Kefalonia, Thassos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Rhodes and Kos.
The only one we didn't like was Tilos.
In addition, we've visited some of the smaller islands but not stayed overnight.

In the next decade or so we hope to visit a few more distant places for various reasons.
Some are in Europe but most are long haul.
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: John R on July 23, 2007, 05:03:35 PM
Quote from: George
Full of surprises this thread, I had the impression that you had been more than me John (my 11th year this year), and do agree with you, I still do feel like a newbie, so where's all the long termers? Or are we them  ?

george g...

Been going to Crete for 12 years now but first 2 years were "wasted" on North coast. We visited Plakias for a day on our 2nd year (so I suppose I can nearly say this year will be our 11th) and immediately on arrival sat in our car looking around the place thinking "what have we been doing for the past two years ?"

John R
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Daisy on July 23, 2007, 08:05:09 PM
1993 was our first year, we will be making our 14 visit this year, we try to go May & Sept,  we have made many good friends over the years. We have been to Corfu, Lefkada and the east coast of Crete and enjoyed them all but always return to Plakias.
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Greecemad on July 23, 2007, 11:22:52 PM
As I'm sure I've said before, my first trip to a Greek Island was to Plakias in 1990. Since then I've been to the Greek Islands every year and for the past several years I've been twice (in June and then in August/September). The pattern I've settled into is to go somewhere in June for a week (or sometimes longer) and then have a long island-hopping trip in the Cyclades in August/September. I think I'll probably now limit the June to holiday to Crete and the Sporades (Skiathos/Skopelos).

I've been to Crete 10 times and Plakias 9 times (so I'm not yet a seasoned veteran). On Crete (going clockwise) I've stayed in Chania, Bali, Iraklion, Hersonissos, Malia, ?, Lendas, Matala, Aghia Galini, Plakias, Sougia and Paleochora.

I've also stayed on the following islands: Rhodes, Kos, Patmos, Lesbos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Corfu, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Antiparos, Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonissi, Donoussa, Amorgos, Anafi, Folegandros, Serifos. I've made day visits to Poros, Aegina, Sikinos, Delos, Kalymnos, Pserimos, Thirassia and the volcanic islands in the middle of the Santorini archipelago.

Back in the 1980s I also did a coach tour of Athens and the mainland.

You may also be interested to know that there is no other forum like Plakias Forums about any other of these places on Crete, or any other island.

Greecemad
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: George on July 24, 2007, 08:43:25 AM
Seems like there are some seasoned campaigners around.

My first visit to Crete was in 1978 which probably gave me the taste for Greece (although it was a Club 18-30), but the bug was definately caught.
Other islands include Rhodes (Lots), Kos, Ios, Karpathos, Samos, Kafelonia and Lefkas.

Stayed in Makriagialos in the east one year, because we wanted to explore that end of the island, and regretted it, and went straight back to Plakias the following year.
My first visit to Plakias was 1992 and haven't looked back!!  

george g...
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: John R on July 24, 2007, 10:28:11 AM
Quote from: George
Seems like there are some seasoned campaigners around.

My first visit to Crete was in 1978 which probably gave me the taste for Greece (although it was a Club 18-30), but the bug was definately caught.
Other islands include Rhodes (Lots), Kos, Ios, Karpathos, Samos, Kafelonia and Lefkas.

george g...

I came alone in 1965 to Crete for a few days (stupidly stopping only around Heraklion). Also went to Athens and Delphi on that same trip. In 1971 we went on a coach trip around the Greek mainland followed by a week on Rhodes. After that we had no real desire to return to Greece until my retirement when uncharacteristically - in 1996 - we went on a very cheap last minute - accommodation allocated on arrival (Malia !!) package. Found Plakias in 1998 and have returned annually ever since.

John R.
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: George on July 24, 2007, 10:41:25 AM
We all make mistakes John, but we get there in the end!!  

george g...
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Ploppy on July 24, 2007, 10:55:12 AM
We are relative newbies. First went in September 2001.

This was back when my fear of flying was severe, almost didn't get on the plane, Margherita had to virtually drag me on. Thankfully I did and found Plakias.

Johns site was up and running then and I became a member of the old forum before we went so we knew something of what to expect.

11th of Spetember happened whilst we were there so it is not a trip easily forgotten for a few reasons.

We have been back each year since so this year will be our 7th trip.

Paul
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Chas on July 24, 2007, 11:40:02 AM
Quote from: Greecemad
... You may also be interested to know that there is no other forum like Plakias Forums about any other of these places on Crete, or any other island.

Greecemad

Good choice of words - I have to put in a plug for my "home" board camBoard for Stoupa, the Mani and Greece (http://www.zorbas.de/scripts/phpBB2/) (I'm one of the Moderators, there) - no disagreement with your comment, as it's a "mainland" based forum.
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: ian s on July 24, 2007, 08:31:11 PM
Our first visit to Plakias was September 1989 I think.  Our first time in Greece, picked out of the Olympic brochure - we hit the jackpot first time.  We've been back every year since bar one (the year they tarred the road to Souda) and more recently twice a year - June and September.

First time we were there we met a couple who boasted they had been there 5 years in a row.  How sad we thought, but look at us now!
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Alex&fran G on July 24, 2007, 08:41:49 PM
Quote from: ian s
Our first visit to Plakias was September 1989 I think.  Our first time in Greece, picked out of the Olympic brochure - we hit the jackpot first time.  We've been back every year since bar one (the year they tarred the road to Souda) and more recently twice a year - June and September.

First time we were there we met a couple who boasted they had been there 5 years in a row.  How sad we thought, but look at us now!

Now twice a year, you must be earning too much money Ian ,  Regards  Alex
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: harribobs on July 24, 2007, 10:25:35 PM
we first went to crete, (hersonisos) in  1999  (IIRC  ) , then maleme, paleohora discovering plakias in 2002. a few times we have driven to plakias when staying elsewhere just for a change for a couple of nights

being in the lucky position of having two holidays a year we tended to take may in plakias and the second week (august or september) elsewhere, usually in crete. last year we took both holidays in plakias as we will this year, but we think we might have a change for one holiday next year.
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Tony and Sandra Smith on July 24, 2007, 11:18:25 PM
We are so fortunate that our very good friends Brian and Kathy Barwise moved from England to renovate and live permanently in a property on the top road out from Asomatos to Plakias and we have the great position that whenever we can get flights to Crete (and the time off work) we can stay with them. They are wonderful friends and to see the difference to thier house every time we return is great. Their son works as a "beach-bum" at Hapimag on Damnoni beach at present and I know that Hapimag is not a favourite of this board but Hey lets be tolerant.

Tony
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Mike G on July 25, 2007, 09:44:40 AM
Quote from: Chas
Good choice of words - I have to put in a plug for my "home" board camBoard for Stoupa, the Mani and Greece ([url]http://www.zorbas.de/scripts/phpBB2/[/url]) (I'm one of the Moderators, there) - no disagreement with your comment, as it's a "mainland" based forum.

Re. Stoupa, I assume there is still no "far enders" beach.

Mike
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Mike G on July 25, 2007, 09:49:21 AM
Quote from: Greecemad
I think I'll probably now limit the June to holiday to Crete and the Sporades (Skiathos/Skopelos)

Greecemad
Hello Greecemad,

Very impressed with your list of islands visited. I've had 32 Greek holidays but can't match you for places covered. I would be interested in any comments re. Skopelos, either as a posting or a personal message.

Thanks

Mike
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Chas on July 25, 2007, 01:32:08 PM
Quote from: Mike G
Re. Stoupa, I assume there is still no "far enders" beach.

Mike
Stoupa beach is too small to have a far end - roughly, including Kalogria, Stoupa and Halikoura beaches, the total length is still less than that from the bridge to the Alianthos Beach.

However, there are plenty of other (very good) beaches on the Mani which are suitable (ie. un-commercialised / deserted) but a car is an absolute necessity.
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Rowena & Carl on July 25, 2007, 09:58:06 PM
We first went in 1994 on a cheap package requesting a quiet resort, we both fell in love with the place, the following year we went to France on a DIY holiday, it just wasn't the same & this October it will be our 21st visit in the place that we love Plakias at Hotel Livicon.

I have travelled alot especially around Europe, did interail 2 years on the trot when I was younger so have seen many places including some other greek Islands & the mainland and especially Athens which is where I first found the greek hospitality so amazing staying with families there. But with all the places I've been to & seen I have never fallen for a place like Plakias & I cry so much every time I have to leave & I can't wait for the day we buy a one way ticket!

We normally do at least one other short break as well each year to visit other places this year was Rome in April and I'm off to New York in December.

Rowena
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Greecemad on August 09, 2007, 09:27:22 PM
Does Plakias sleep in July/August?

Looking at the poll of when we go, the peaks are in May/June, and in September. Also I've just discovered the photograph:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=10...9199&size=l (http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1018849199&size=l)

(I see Harribobs has corrected the location of it)

It was taken on 24th July and appears to be in the middle of the day, and it looks empty. It was busier than that in June.

Greecemad
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: harribobs on August 09, 2007, 11:20:59 PM
   my correction seems to have been ignored though!

it does look very quiet

i think the colours on that pic are a bit odd i must say
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: ostraco on August 10, 2007, 01:23:42 PM
I think my first visit was in 1984 - I've lost my old diaries, and the memory is certainly not what it was! I do know that I've only missed 2 years since my first visit, and that I have been twice in one year a few times - although I have been trying other places for my second holiday in the past couple of years.

Funny you should mention the site being up and running Paul - it only happened because I needed to learn how to write sites for work, and thought I'd give it a go at home. I wasn't going to spend my spare time writing about Project Management (which is what I was doing then). so I chose Plakias as it was something I wanted to write about.
Another motivator was Steve - who often comes out to Plakias with us. He was talking about writing a site as well - and I spoke to him one day his site was nearly finished, and I hadn't really started. SO I cheated, and cobbled something together with a desktop publishing package. It meant I was able to get something live quickly, but I never did meet Steve's standards.

I was amazed that the site started getting accessed regulalry, and I supposed that encouraged me to try to do it properly. The whole thing needs revamping now - just wish I had the time!  Just you wait until I retire!

Initially the site was just stuck up on some free webspace that I got with my Virgin account - then I moved to BT - but a few years back Steve gave me the plakias.co.uk domain as a present, and it's been there ever since. I think that's one reason we get a good listing in the search engines - its been there so long!

Ploppy mentions the old forum - there was always a bit of interest, but they were difficult to maintain. The latest version is so much better - but so much more complicated - so aren't we lucky Ploppy's around to keep his techie eye on thinks - 'cause I'm rubbish there!

Paul also mentions 9/ll. I flew home from Plakias that day - to Gatwick, with Greg and Loz my regular Plakias mates! We landed in Gatwick early evening - and didn't know anything about what had happened until we were outside the airport and the taxi driver mentioned it to us.

What a long and rambling post from me - sorry. I don't get much chance to sign on these days. I am also currently having problems with my broadband connection. So I logged on at work today - I must do this more often - it's a much better lunch option than going to the pub!

Well - back to work soon - see you in Plakias soon (well - Sept 18th!)
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: John R on August 10, 2007, 10:06:56 PM
Quote from: ostraco
Well - back to work soon - see you in Plakias soon (well - Sept 18th!)

We would really like to meet you (Sept 21st)

John + Gillian R
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: George on August 13, 2007, 08:45:17 AM
Thanks for the background info John O.

I bet at the time you didn't have any idea what you were creating.

All I can say is THANKYOU!! I'm sure it keeps us ALL in touch during those withdrawall periods.

And THANKS to Paul once again, for keeping it all up and running  

george g...

John R, you might find him in the Ostraco one night, just guessing  

 g g...
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: ostraco on August 14, 2007, 12:48:38 PM
Quote from: George
Thanks for the background info John O.

I bet at the time you didn't have any idea what you were creating.

All I can say is THANKYOU!! I'm sure it keeps us ALL in touch during those withdrawall periods.

And THANKS to Paul once again, for keeping it all up and running  

george g...

John R, you might find him in the Ostraco one night, just guessing  

 g g...
One night?....  usually most nights mate!
Always happy to meet up!
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Ploppy on August 19, 2007, 08:36:39 PM
Blimey, who went for January??

Barny, didn't you once go then?
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Barny on August 20, 2007, 09:17:10 AM
I was stil there from the previous august,  plane was late at heraklion!
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: jenny on August 20, 2007, 11:52:50 PM
Well I went once in August 1990-something with husband #1.  We got sandblasted so hired a car and went lots of places.

At some time or another since husband #2 who already had the internet, I discovered this forum and my appetite was re-whetted.  We also have had a few 'other' Greek holidays - Corfu, Kos, Lesvos, Skopelos and Crete.

The last couple of years we've had a couple of weeks in Plak (as our main holiday is usually a family carp fishing trip to France where we hire a lake) but this year we went to Makrigialos in May - food was the best we have ever had in Greece, but naturist beach was a bit too far to walk for comfort for me, didn't really want to hire a car just to get to the beach (only there for a week) and to cap it all was a bit of a scramble over a headland which I decided to slide down one time.  As it was grit it didn't do my shins arms etc much good at all, so I had tan and scabs followed by pink and brown, now faded to scars and brown!  -but are currently looking to come to Plak for a week in October.

Whoever it was asked about Skop, I will PM you.
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Jan and Kev on August 21, 2007, 11:19:24 PM
We are newbies to the forum and reading these messages, very newbies to Plakias. My first  experience of Crete was sometime in the early eighties when I stayed in Hersonisos , not a pleasant experience. Have been holidaying on Greek Islands since and especially like Skiathos, Zakynthos, Kos, Corfu and a few others, then Jan (wife) found and booked Plakias in 2005 and we have been back in September each year since. In July this year we visited Vasilikos on Zakythos and spent most of our time on Gerakas beach, a beautiful unspoilt turtle beach which I would highly recommend, but looking forward to September 7th for our return to Plakias
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: steven on August 23, 2007, 08:52:11 PM
I found some pictures from I think my 3rd or 4th visit, must be around 1988
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: harribobs on August 23, 2007, 11:42:42 PM
superb pics steven

is the first one damnoni?

i see you are in plak until the 24th, we arrive on the 18th, can I buy you a mythos ?  

chris
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: steven on August 24, 2007, 02:30:36 AM
Quote from: harribobs
superb pics steven

is the first one damnoni?

i see you are in plak until the 24th, we arrive on the 18th, can I buy you a mythos ?  

chris

No the first one is the old dirt road to souda.

Those pics were taken with a throw away camera, too bad i couldn't sharpen them a bit.

I hope i will see you next month.
Usually at nighttime i stay at the Ostraco, Smerna or when it's getting late at Joe's.
I can't refuse a free beer  but usually (being dutch) i drink an amstel.
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: harribobs on August 24, 2007, 09:23:29 AM
Quote from: steven
I hope i will see you next month.
Usually at nighttime i stay at the Ostraco, Smerna or when it's getting late at Joe's.
I can't refuse a free beer  but usually (being dutch) i drink an amstel.

 


i'll probably catch you at the ostraco or nefaro then!


have a great time

chris
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: Melusina on August 24, 2007, 06:58:50 PM
I can assure everyone that January is a wonderful time to be in Plakias - peace, tranquillity but also enough people to make it a fascinating place to be.  Quieter than the summer and autumn obviously, but just a very special and wonderful experience.
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: alan on August 27, 2008, 11:45:21 AM
Quote from: Melusina
I can assure everyone that January is a wonderful time to be in Plakias - peace, tranquillity but also enough people to make it a fascinating place to be.  Quieter than the summer and autumn obviously, but just a very special and wonderful experience.

 I first went in 1992 as a second holiday after redundancy, did not fancy California at all, and have never looked back. Travel agent was amazed that I wanted to go to such a small, quiet place (she was an 18-30 type) and daughter of a friend.
 Been going to Greece since 1984 with occasional visit elsewhere but now do Plakias and northern European city, our culture bit, immediately either before or after.
 The annoying part of it is the change of flight time back to Glasgow from 2pm to 2am, 12 hours extra but to leave and arrive in the middle of the night. Not Nice, especially as with usual efficiency Olympic tend to get us there with about 5 minutes to spare.
Title: How often do you do it?
Post by: bwian on March 29, 2009, 03:11:21 PM
Quote from: Ploppy
Plakias certainly has its fair share of returning visitors each year.


Paul

First found Plakias while on a hotel-based holiday in Northern Crete.

Returned years later, and stayed for a couple of years in Georgioupolis, travelling regularly down to Plakias - then, about five years ago, found a base down there and we've stayed there ever since (that's every holiday ever since!)

)