Plakias Forums
Plakias => Where to stay => Topic started by: Tessa on June 05, 2008, 12:53:30 PM
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My boyfriend and I are visiting Crete for the first time and I really like the sound of Plakias. We're looking to stay somewhere that has a pool, close to the beach and is within walking distance of the local restaurants and bars, somewhere with a selection of restaurants as we like to try different ones.. I also get the impression that there's some nice walks around the area too and places of interest that are not too far a-field!?
I have been looking at some of the hotels and reviews but a couple of suggestions would be really appreciated and maybe those hotels to avoid!! Someone mentioned Lamon but I can't seem to find them listed with any tour operators, I've only come across them independently where you can reserve a room and book a flight separately..
Thanks,
Tessa
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My boyfriend and I are visiting Crete for the first time and I really like the sound of Plakias. We're looking to stay somewhere that has a pool, close to the beach and is within walking distance of the local restaurants and bars, somewhere with a selection of restaurants as we like to try different ones.. I also get the impression that there's some nice walks around the area too and places of interest that are not too far a-field!?
I have been looking at some of the hotels and reviews but a couple of suggestions would be really appreciated and maybe those hotels to avoid!! Someone mentioned Lamon but I can't seem to find them listed with any tour operators, I've only come across them independently where you can reserve a room and book a flight separately..
Thanks,
Tessa
Hello Tessa and welcome to the Forum. You don't say if you are booking through a tour operator (only Olympic really) or independently. Click on the Article System button at the top of the screen to see reviews on accommodations and tavernas. If you are booking with Olympic, then Kostas Chrysoulla would fit your requirements. I have stayed there twice and it was fine but it has been known to suffer from a lack of attention to detail. Be prepared for a long transfer with Olympic though. There is a large selection of tavernas in the town (all within easy walking distance of one another) and the standard is high in the main.
I've never stayed at Lamon but think it always looks dingy from the outside. I met someone once who had stayed there and she was not at all impressed. The small pool is very overlooked. It used to be a Kosmar property until they pulled out of Plakias at the end of the 2007 season.
Plakias is a superb place for walks, both starting and finishing in the town if you don't have a car, or in the surrounding area if you do.
I would recommend Lance Chilton's book. See
http://www.marengowalks.com/Plakiasbk.html (http://www.marengowalks.com/Plakiasbk.html)
It includes a useful map. Good quality maps aren't generally a Greek speciality!
Mike
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My boyfriend and I are visiting Crete for the first time and I really like the sound of Plakias. We're looking to stay somewhere that has a pool, close to the beach and is within walking distance of the local restaurants and bars, somewhere with a selection of restaurants as we like to try different ones.. I also get the impression that there's some nice walks around the area too and places of interest that are not too far a-field!?
I have been looking at some of the hotels and reviews but a couple of suggestions would be really appreciated and maybe those hotels to avoid!! Someone mentioned Lamon but I can't seem to find them listed with any tour operators, I've only come across them independently where you can reserve a room and book a flight separately..
Thanks,
Tessa
Hello Tessa and welcome to the Forum. You don't say if you are booking through a tour operator (only Olympic really) or independently. Click on the Article System button at the top of the screen to see reviews on accommodations and tavernas. If you are booking with Olympic, then Kostas Chrysoulla would fit your requirements. I have stayed there twice and it was fine but it has been known to suffer from a lack of attention to detail. Be prepared for a long transfer with Olympic though. There is a large selection of tavernas in the town (all within easy walking distance of one another) and the standard is high in the main.
I've never stayed at Lamon but think it always looks dingy from the outside. I met someone once who had stayed there and she was not at all impressed. The small pool is very overlooked. It used to be a Kosmar property until they pulled out of Plakias at the end of the 2007 season.
Plakias is a superb place for walks, both starting and finishing in the town if you don't have a car, or in the surrounding area if you do.
I would recommend Lance Chilton's book. See
[url]http://www.marengowalks.com/Plakiasbk.html[/url] ([url]http://www.marengowalks.com/Plakiasbk.html[/url])
It includes a useful map. Good quality maps aren't generally a Greek speciality!
Mike
Hi Mike
Thanks for your quick response, I will take a look at the hotel you recommended.
As for Olympic Holidays I know what you mean. I took my first package holiday last year and it was with Olympic, I couldn't beleive it, having to queue for miles just to check in at the airport on our departure. I've always flown places independently up until last year when we booked a last minute holiday through a tour operator.
Do you find it easier and cheaper to book independently and travel from the airport to Plakias yourself? I read someone's post yesterday that its about 80Euros from Heraklion airport to Plakias by taxi, or there's a bus route.
Tessa
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Hi Mike
Thanks for your quick response, I will take a look at the hotel you recommended.
As for Olympic Holidays I know what you mean. I took my first package holiday last year and it was with Olympic, I couldn't beleive it, having to queue for miles just to check in at the airport on our departure. I've always flown places independently up until last year when we booked a last minute holiday through a tour operator.
Do you find it easier and cheaper to book independently and travel from the airport to Plakias yourself? I read someone's post yesterday that its about 80Euros from Heraklion airport to Plakias by taxi, or there's a bus route.
Tessa
Hi Tessa
Welcome, good advice so far as always, baffles me sometimes how quick we are to help people out with any kind of info about Plakias. There's a lot of experience here and it's all good!
I've been going independantly for 2 years now (third coming up), I got bored with the limited choice that the tour companies were offering, after numerous years of grief of one thing or another, usually hidden subsidies and surcharges, and now there's only Olympic it's even worse.
Independance gives you the variety of choice and there are so many people here who can give you contacts for many of the acommadations.
It is more expensive, there's no getting away from that, but look on the bright side, independance gives you a much wider choice of where to stay and when to go.
As Mike said, a good start is the article system if your leaning that way, or if you do decide to go with Olympic, their acommadation has been occupied by many of the members and will give you their honest opinions of the places, but they will be varied.
You sound like you might like the Alianthos Hotel, it's got everything your after!
Good luck!
george g...
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Hi Mike
Thanks for your quick response, I will take a look at the hotel you recommended.
As for Olympic Holidays I know what you mean. I took my first package holiday last year and it was with Olympic, I couldn't beleive it, having to queue for miles just to check in at the airport on our departure. I've always flown places independently up until last year when we booked a last minute holiday through a tour operator.
Do you find it easier and cheaper to book independently and travel from the airport to Plakias yourself? I read someone's post yesterday that its about 80Euros from Heraklion airport to Plakias by taxi, or there's a bus route.
Tessa
Hi Tessa
Welcome, good advice so far as always, baffles me sometimes how quick we are to help people out with any kind of info about Plakias. There's a lot of experience here and it's all good!
I've been going independantly for 2 years now (third coming up), I got bored with the limited choice that the tour companies were offering, after numerous years of grief of one thing or another, usually hidden subsidies and surcharges, and now there's only Olympic it's even worse.
Independance gives you the variety of choice and there are so many people here who can give you contacts for many of the acommadations.
It is more expensive, there's no getting away from that, but look on the bright side, independance gives you a much wider choice of where to stay and when to go.
As Mike said, a good start is the article system if your leaning that way, or if you do decide to go with Olympic, their acommadation has been occupied by many of the members and will give you their honest opinions of the places, but they will be varied.
You sound like you might like the Alianthos Hotel, it's got everything your after!
Good luck!
george g...
Hi George
Thanks for the info, this forum is a great way to get questions answered! I will start by looking at the article system and go from there.. and check out those hotels you and Mike recommended.
Many thanks again.
Tessa
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Hi,
I've gone independant for the last ten years now, and as George says, it's a bit more pricey but you get more freedom to arrange transfers etc. In the old days and not sure if still the same, you were out of you room at ten on your last day and if your flight was not till late you just had to take your luggage everywhere you went!
I agree with George, the Alianthos Garden has all you need, I have stayed there many times and never been let down.
Barny.
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There is an independent bus transfer from both airports to the main resorts / cities.
See www.flightline.co.uk and go to hoteltransfer.
Go by bus to Rhetymon and take a taxi to Plakias
Beachcombers
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There is an independent bus transfer from both airports to the main resorts / cities.
See www.flightline.co.uk and go to hoteltransfer.
Go by bus to Rhetymon and take a taxi to Plakias
Beachcombers
Thanks everyone, some good advice. I've started to look at flights and hotels so will bear your suggestions in mind.
Tessa
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We stayed at the Apollon 2 years' ago - quite happy with it - the rooms were larger than at Kostas Chrysoula which is right next door. The pool was clean but quite cold.
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Hello Tessa,
You mentioned the long queues at Heraklion airport. All users can suffer from this not just Olympic ones. I agree with what George has said about going the independent route. You have to accept it is more expensive generally, especially if you are going singly. For my part I get two fortnight holidays a year for the price I would only get one for if I booked independently. You pays your money, etc, etc.
There is a lot of discussion on this forum about the merits and demerits of tour operator versus independent and I won't go through them all.
See http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=197 (http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=197) and other threads.
I was told the taxi fare was €80 if pre-booked from Plakias or €100 if you just turn up at the airport. I wasn't able to check the latter as I missed the board in the luggage reclaim area this year which advertises the fares.
Re. Apollon, it wasn't open in the middle of May.
Mike
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I see that Olympic are now featuring the Sofia Hotel, 2 star B/B. But the Apollon has gone!
george g...
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The Sophia is operating closer together with the Kostas Chrysoula now. Nice place with a great breakfast, maybe a bit "continental", but they may learn how to do serve the full English breakfast now... We will be there in july.
I wrote a small article in the "Article System" about them http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?auto...ticle&id=23 (http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?autocom=articles&code=showarticle&id=23)
there is also a link to their site in the www.
See you there?
shinaria
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He
The Apollon is still there, but as it is mainly dealing with the Czechs it doesn't open until May.
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Hi, I have just returned from Plakias, and can confirm the taxis as 100 euros from the airport, but only 80 euros from Plakias, so if you can pre book a taxi from Plakias you should save a little.
I have not tried the Alianthos Gardens, but a couple I met on the return transfer found it somewhat noisy as many people arrive/leave at odd hours in the middle o the night, plus, of course, it is more expensive being half board, thus reducing the opportunities to sample all of the great tavernas etc. in Plakias.
Assuming Googlr earth is up to date, there are not many places with a pool. I stayed again at Costas Chrysoulla, and found it ideal for doing exactly what you say you want to do. It is basic, but clean, and very typically Greek, and has air conditioning if you want it (5€ a day). I would certainly be happy going there again, and I will - can't wait to be back in Plak again.
The return transfer with Olympic was AWFUL, and I am about to make a major complaint to Olympic about the time/queues, and nearly missing the flight. Nuf said, 80€ is a bargain!
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The return transfer with Olympic was AWFUL, and I am about to make a major complaint to Olympic about the time/queues, and nearly missing the flight. Nuf said, 80€ is a bargain!
I'm really surprised to hear that JBM
We've all complained to Olympic about the transfers, one reason I'm now independent.
Has anyone ever had any satifactory outcome from a complaint about the transfer, I didn't??
george g...
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We've all complained to Olympic about the transfers, one reason I'm now independent.
Has anyone ever had any satifactory outcome from a complaint about the transfer, I didn't??
george g...
... and you won't George if what you call satisfactory is a direct transfer. Lumping the Plakias guests with the Bali and Rethymnon ones ensures they can make a profit at the prices they charge. If you get a direct transfer then this is likely to be luck. Where they could improve at no extra cost is to add a 5 min "comfort" break at one of the Rethymnon hotels. Many, but not all, people would rather put up with a 3 hour transfer in a comfortable coach than pay £160 (i.e. twice €100) and be driven by a taxi driver whose driving could be iffy to say the least!
In answer to another posting I don't believe the flight would go before a coachload had arrived. Delays at the airport apply to all, not just Olympic clients.
Olympic have used the same flights for a number of years (e.g. about 9.00am out of Gatwick on a Tuesday). On reading the forum I get the impression that booking the BA low cost carrier and others can result in changes, especially from regional airports, not least when the airline sells out to another airline who may or may not be committed to the route.
Mike
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The problem with the return transfer was the timing of the departure from Plakias I think. We left Plakias at 11.10 in the morning, whereas previous years the departure was 10.00 or thereabouts, so we arrived at the airport last of all the coaches, with no time to spare, especially as some of the people ion the coach were for the EARLIER Birmingham flight, I have no idea how they got on with the short tome to flight time, considering our rush through. All of this not helped
by there being no rep whatsoever on the coach at any point during the transfer.
I too doubt getting any results from the complaint, but I will try!
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We've had this subject on several occasions over the years, and the situation doesn't seem to change any from when I complained about 5 years ago.
Unfortunately, now Olympic have a captive audience, if you don't like it, tough! Or do the other thing!!
george g...
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We've had this subject on several occasions over the years, and the situation doesn't seem to change any from when I complained about 5 years ago.
Unfortunately, now Olympic have a captive audience, if you don't like it, tough! Or do the other thing!!
george g...
Then we will just have to do the other thing, George and go independently.
There is no way that I will again be put thru the cattle drive, organised (???) by Olympic Holidays at Heraklion Airport.
In my view,and in this day and age, no paying customer should be treated in this way by any Holiday company, whatever their holiday prices.
That, and close to 3.5 hours of transfer time last September from Plakias, was enough to almost have us crossing the resort of our "prefered" holiday list. (others include Samos, Thas sos,Parga and Skiathos)
They may think that they have a "captive audience" to Plakias but they won't catch us again.
We have explored buying a flight (from XL), car hire and accommodation and we booked at the start of this year to return to Plakias at the end of September for 2 weeks.
I will report if all goes according to plan.
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There is no way that I will again be put thru the cattle drive, organised (???) by Olympic Holidays at Heraklion Airport.
They may think that they have a "captive audience" to Plakias but they won't catch us again.
We have explored buying a flight (from XL), car hire and accommodation and we booked at the start of this year to return to Plakias at the end of September for 2 weeks.
I will report if all goes according to plan.
I'm afraid that cattle market at Heraklion airport was the same for us last year (September) and we went independent. Thankfully we got there very early - probably 3 hours before takeoff. I advise everybody to get to that airport early, work out the queuing system (there is some logic we discovered) and just follow the sheep. The big problem is the hold luggage X ray system which applies to EVERY body from every flight to every country - all funnelling through that one bottleneck. It does actually work but heaven help you if you are late.
I am sure you will enjoy your independent set up as described - same time, same airline and same arrangements as us.
John R
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of course one of the other plus points on going independent are that you can choose your airport, ie Chania! which, when compared to Heraklion, was an absolute joy
i don't believe there is a great deal of difference in the distances between them and plakias
another is that your chosen host gets the full benefit of your hand earned pound notes and you get a superior quality room
on another point, John i really do not see why if you are travelling independantly you should be joining queues of package holiday people, i am not being snobby here, but you wouldn't do it anywhere else!
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on another point, John i really do not see why if you are travelling independantly you should be joining queues of package holiday people, i am not being snobby here, but you wouldn't do it anywhere else!
I assume from the above you mean that this sort of queuing doesn't exist at Chania - and not that I should queue jump when at Heraklion !!! It was riotous enough without trying that.
We were going to Chania last year but our flights were cancelled and basically that means there aint any flights from Newcastle to Chania now. The (now defunct) BA flights from Manchester which we used could not be bettered in price and queues or not we took that flight to Heraklion.
We didn't find the queues at Heraklion all that bad when we discovered how they worked. The problem was that some people didn't join the right queue for the right purpose. I saw people joining the X ray queue before they had checked in (thinking it was the check in queue) and vice versa. People who did that sort of stayed in a queue all night - or so it seemed. We sussed out their system and though a bit tedious it all worked ok. We knew we had time and it all worked out ok.
I can't now remember exactly why we didn't book our (FREE via Tesco clubcard) XL flights from Manchester to Chania for this year but I think it is because we can't do our 18 day package (go out Fri and return Tue). I think they only fly Tuesdays (??) which meant only a 2 or a 3 week duration. Struggle to get G. on a 3 week break - taken a long time to persuade her 18 days.
Though I warned people about Heraklion it didn't really bother us but I know you were sickened by it last year
John R
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We have explored buying a flight (from XL), car hire and accommodation and we booked at the start of this year to return to Plakias at the end of September for 2 weeks.
I will report if all goes according to plan.
That's just what I do Daniel. You don't say where you are, but I got an XL flight at 07.00am from Gatwick to Chania ( as everyone says, much prefered), had a car waiting for me at the airport, and the drive took me just over one and a half hours.
I was sitting on the balcony at Flisvos around 3.00pm with a glass of red, having done the shopping and unpacked.
Unless one has a 'Beam me up Scotty' facility, you can't get better than that!!
Go for it Daniel!! All the info you need is on this forum!
george g...
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I assume from the above you mean that this sort of queuing doesn't exist at Chania - and not that I should queue jump when at Heraklion !!! It was riotous enough without trying that.
John R
i really mean at either
i saw last year the reps lining people up to stand in the sun, then going inside themselves for a comfy seat and do their make-up
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I assume from the above you mean that this sort of queuing doesn't exist at Chania - and not that I should queue jump when at Heraklion !!! It was riotous enough without trying that.
John R
i really mean at either
i saw last year the reps lining people up to stand in the sun, then going inside themselves for a comfy seat and do their make-up
I don't believe that for one minute!!!
And they're usually so considerate, bring back Morven I say!!
george g...
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The deficiencies at Heraklion airport can't be blamed on Olympic, it is down to the airport operators. I have used Hania once and didn't find it much different, although that may not be the experience of others. All you can ask Olympic to do is get you there on time and explain the system. At least there were reps there in May to guide you to the right check in desk. Queues at luggage X-ray seem common at Greek airports, unlike UK ones where it is done after you have handed over your luggage.
I don't understand Chris' (Harribobs) comment about check in segregation. On my Monarch flight in May there were people on the flight from several tour operators as well as many independents. Everyone had the same check in (at Gatwick and Heraklion) and (mediocre) level of comfort on the plane. How else would it be?
Mike
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And I have now thought of another reason to go independant, using Gatwick/Chania, (ignore the extra cost, Plakias is worth it), you would not be lumped in with all those other people, the Not Saga Louts, going to Malia, Stalis and Hersonnisos. This years return from Heraklion was made memorable (?) by a large group of our American cousins returning from a week of whatever.
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I don't understand Chris' (Harribobs) comment about check in segregation. On my Monarch flight in May there were people on the flight from several tour operators as well as many independents. Everyone had the same check in (at Gatwick and Heraklion) and (mediocre) level of comfort on the plane. How else would it be?
Mike
for the last couple of years, the tour reps were making people queue outside the airport building, what i am saying is that as i am traveling independently, i will go to the check in desk when it opens not when an Olympic rep decides i can
obviously we will be sharing the same departure lounge and aircraft afterwards
i agree that the chaos at heraklion can't be blamed on Olympic (or the other tour operators) but it would help if they actually did something about it
last year the queues were horrendous, people were joining the wrong queues, turning up to the scanner to be turned away as they hadn't checked in, absolute madness
while all this was going on there were two 'pretty girls' in olympic uniforms sat down, chatting, re-applying their make up and playing with their mobiles when i inquired what their job was supposed to be at the airport they actually got of their arses. i took their names at the time and seriously considered complaining
the only time i have had a problem at Chania was a couple of years ago when a power failure buggered up the whole airport, this year we spent ten minutes in the check in queue, walked over to the scanner and went through immediately. you cannot get any better than that
chris
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The return transfer with Olympic was AWFUL, and I am about to make a major complaint to Olympic about the time/queues, and nearly missing the flight. Nuf said, 80€ is a bargain!
I'm really surprised to hear that JBM
We've all complained to Olympic about the transfers, one reason I'm now independent.
Has anyone ever had any satifactory outcome from a complaint about the transfer, I didn't??
george g...
Thanks all for the tips!
I hadn't visited the forum for 2-3 weeks since first asking your advice on where to stay, travel etc however I have now booked my holiday to Plakias and i'm very excited. My boyfriend and I are on a bit of a budget this year so despite the more accommodating hotels and the flexibility of travelling independently we have booked our holiday with Olympic. We found a holiday for £349 for two weeks departing from our local airport so no petrol or car parking costs involved and I even have to say convenient flight times which just amazed me. We fly 22 July.. 4 weeks tomorrow and counting!
Unfortunately we didn't have an option re hotels, the holiday advertised was Dora and despite the not so fantastic reviews (though I've read worse), we're happy enough to get a reasonable price at the place we wanted to go (plakias) and on the dates we wanted to leave.. So I can't complain and after all, the amount of time we will be spending in the hotel, it doesn't really matter too much, as long as its clean and has a balcony (really hope its not a balcony facing the concrete wall I've heard so much about) and apparently we use the Kostas-Chrysoulla Studios pool..which I don't mind about either because when we went to Corfu last year we didn't once sit around our own hotel pool, we always ventured out to others..
How far is Dora from Kostas-Chrysoulla Studios..and again how far is Dora from the Centre where all the restaurants and tavernas are?
Many thanks
Tessa
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The return transfer with Olympic was AWFUL, and I am about to make a major complaint to Olympic about the time/queues, and nearly missing the flight. Nuf said, 80€ is a bargain!
I'm really surprised to hear that JBM
We've all complained to Olympic about the transfers, one reason I'm now independent.
Has anyone ever had any satifactory outcome from a complaint about the transfer, I didn't??
george g...
Thanks all for the tips!
I hadn't visited the forum for 2-3 weeks since first asking your advice on where to stay, travel etc however I have now booked my holiday to Plakias and i'm very excited. My boyfriend and I are on a bit of a budget this year so despite the more accommodating hotels and the flexibility of travelling independently we have booked our holiday with Olympic. We found a holiday for £349 for two weeks departing from our local airport so no petrol or car parking costs involved and I even have to say convenient flight times which just amazed me. We fly 22 July.. 4 weeks tomorrow and counting!
Unfortunately we didn't have an option re hotels, the holiday advertised was Dora and despite the not so fantastic reviews (though I've read worse), we're happy enough to get a reasonable price at the place we wanted to go (plakias) and on the dates we wanted to leave.. So I can't complain and after all, the amount of time we will be spending in the hotel, it doesn't really matter too much, as long as its clean and has a balcony (really hope its not a balcony facing the concrete wall I've heard so much about) and apparently we use the Kostas-Chrysoulla Studios pool..which I don't mind about either because when we went to Corfu last year we didn't once sit around our own hotel pool, we always ventured out to others..
How far is Dora from Kostas-Chrysoulla Studios..and again how far is Dora from the Centre where all the restaurants and tavernas are?
Many thanks
Tessa
They are very close together, you can basically walk across the road and hop over a wall to KC., and they are both minutes, maybe pushing 2 mins. depending on how fast you walk!!
Have a good one!!
george g...
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I don't understand Chris' (Harribobs) comment about check in segregation. On my Monarch flight in May there were people on the flight from several tour operators as well as many independents. Everyone had the same check in (at Gatwick and Heraklion) and (mediocre) level of comfort on the plane. How else would it be?
Mike
for the last couple of years, the tour reps were making people queue outside the airport building, what i am saying is that as i am traveling independently, i will go to the check in desk when it opens not when an Olympic rep decides i can
obviously we will be sharing the same departure lounge and aircraft afterwards
chris
Hmm ... last year we went independent but still queued outside with everyone else. Just because they're outside doesn't mean they're not in the queue. I know sometimes the queuing system is perverse but the system is trying to make the best of a bad lot. We don't like queuing more than anyone else but find that disengaging brain while shuffling behind the people in front involves little stress. Mind you, that's with us getting there early and being near the front anyway. Maybe if we were late we'd take a different view. Over the years we've had some miserable times at Heraklion and with the transfer but, thankfully it's forgotten by the time we're through the gorge.