Messages

1

Plakias / Re: Taking Currency for holiday

« on: May 15, 2015, 09:22:21 PM »

Here is the list, strangely Crete is not listed but certainly has more than 3,100 inhabitants.

It does seem an odd list.  Similarly missing are:  Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos (and others, but this is not test of our knowledge of Greek geography and population). 

Arnaki

The answer I think is that Crete and the Ionian islands already have a higher rate of tax (?VAT) than the islands on the list.

With regard to the payment by credit/debit card for everything over €70 this is nothing more than a tax collectors charter.  We all know that avoiding tax is a national pastime (and that is why cash is king) but what intrigues me is long it will take to set up once the law is enacted and, more importantly, whether prices will have to rise or will the traders be able to stand the increased costs to their business if they absorb the increases.  I doubt they will be able to absorb the costs and will have to pass them on to us but I doubt it will happen for several months if at all this season.

2

Forum and Website discussion / Re: Plakias Map not working - Google Maps says......

« on: April 06, 2015, 03:47:51 PM »

Me too.  Unfortunately I've just posted a new thread on this in Plak Chat without seeing this first.

3

PlakChat / Plakias Map

« on: April 06, 2015, 03:42:57 PM »

For my sins it has been a while since I visited the forum so apologies for not keeping up to date.

I wanted to check a few things out so clicked on the useful links and went to the Plakias map link.  It is unfortunately not working any more.  I wondered if anyone else had noticed and, secondly, would it be feasible to get it working again as there must have been a lot of hard work put into it in the first place and it being there must be very useful to new and returning visitors alike?

I'm using Windows 7 by the way.

4

Where to eat...or not! / Re: Traditional Greek Tavernas

« on: June 05, 2014, 08:23:28 AM »

The Dionyssos restaurant in Mirthios didn't even offer us a menu, but took us into the kitchen and opened all the pots to give us a look and took our order there on the spot. Food was fantastic with lovely views down to Plakias. Only my opinion, but much better quality than the Panorama.

That is what I call a Traditional Greek Taverna! 

5

Holiday Companies / Re: Olympic 2013 Holidays

« on: April 18, 2013, 04:03:17 PM »

Hi again,
Just been through a pretend booking process with Olympic and yes the flight does state it's with
Jet 2 now and that transfer to Plakias are NOT included !

We booked this holiday in Feb. 2013 the flight times are the same from Leeds / Bradford but are we flying with Monarch or Jet2, who know's ?
To be honest , not bothered so long as we leave on time and get there and back safely. Yamas !!

Just had another look at Olympic site and transfers are included with their Tuesday flight that gets into HER at 15:15 but not the Saturday flight which doesn't get in until 22:10 so I presume you are traveling on a Saturday.  The Monarch Saturday flight times were put back an hour for our flight on 4 May to 15:20 arriving in HER at 21:20 which matches quite well with the Jet2 times.  I suppose night transfers cause their own problems (and extra costs) which is probably the reason why Olympic are only offering them on the Jet2 Tuesday flights.

If you aren't hiring a car or getting a taxi from the airport bear in mind that there are only 4 buses a day from Rethymno to Plakias (to the best of my knowledge based on Sept 2012) leaving Rethymno at 06:15, 11:30, 14:15 and 18:00.

Shame there wasn't any scope to wangle some transfers from Olympic though.  Never mind.  Enjoy.

6

Holiday Companies / Re: Olympic 2013 Holidays

« on: April 17, 2013, 07:04:16 PM »

Jackie and i  have booked 14th Sept. 2013 from Leeds / Bradford with private taxi transfer to Plakias.
Olympic don't provide a bus transfer as part of the package unfortunately.
Thought about a car but we don't want one for two weeks. Will just hire a bike in the resort !

Triton750 you might like to have a look at this link http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?topic=1836.0 where the subject of Olympic transfers have been discussed.  I have just posted that Olympic are now including transfers to Plakias.  It may be worth your while taking this up with them if they weren't even on offer when you booked.  I know they weren't offering transfers when I looked in Septmeber/October time.

Just out of interest are you traveling with Jet2 or Monarch?

Maybe do a price comparison (then and now) before you call them though!

7

Holiday Companies / Re: Olympic-Will they give lift (Flight Only)

« on: April 17, 2013, 06:52:08 PM »

Just had a look at the Olympic online brochure and sure enough the Plakias holidays all include transfers now. 

I think it is a shame that Olympic have or were operating a 'fluid' system as far as bookings are concerned as this will confuse potential customers and will, I would have thought, if transfers weren't included when they first looked, put some folk off traveling with Olympic or going to Plakias because they either don't drive or don't fancy hiring a car.  Others may have been put off quite simply because transfers weren't included or even offered as an add-on as was the case when I first looked some months ago.

They have also changed the flight options from Leeds Bradford and are now not offering flights with Monarch leaving Jet2 as the only option.  Choosing the Monarch option that was previously available dropped to price of the holiday quite a bit from that charged if the Jet2 option was chosen. 

I can quite understand them only offering one airline if transfers are included in the price as they then wouldn't have to contend with different arrival times etc etc.  But it does make me wonder what their thought processes were prior to issuing their first brochure.  To me it is not very clear thinking and suggests making it up as they go along.

We eventually chose Sitia for our May independently arranged holiday but might get back to Plakias at the back end.

8

Holiday Companies / Re: Olympic-Will they give lift (Flight Only)

« on: April 16, 2013, 11:21:11 AM »

When I looked at Olympic earlier in the year they weren't offering transfers at all to Plakias this year.  I know when we came last September there was only 6 one way and even less going back (even though we did other pick ups in Rethinmon and Bali) which boosted the numbers a bit.

I just thought they (based on numbers last year) weren't pushing Plakias as, with the cost of transfers, they weren't making enough money out of it.

Are they now giving the option of transfers either as an additional cost or as part of the package as without transfers or a hire car getting to Plakias can be a bit of an a.se depending on your flight times?

9

PlakChat / Malaria in Greece

« on: October 23, 2012, 08:30:50 AM »

Just stumbled across this article going back to 2011 which is reporting that after an absence of more than 30 years malaria is being seen in Greece again.  The cases (over 50) all are in the mainland but it is a cautionary tale in terms of protecting yourself against the pesky mozzie wherever you are.

Better safe than sorry eh!  The piece comes from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and is here for you to read in full http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/sciadvice/Lists/ECDC%20Reviews/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=512ff74f-77d4-4ad8-b6d6-bf0f23083f30&ID=1197.

Mind you I must say that I didn't see any signs of mozzies in Plakias in September but the didn't stop me spraying before going out and running to mozzie machine at night because the little b-----s love me.

10

Announcements / Re: Tapatalk Support Added

« on: October 19, 2012, 07:18:47 PM »

The GetJar link re free TapaTalk no longer works for everyones info so unless anyone knows an alternative free route you need to pay the £1.99.  Well worth it though.  Great app.  Thanks for enabling it on here.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

11

Holiday Companies / Re: Olympic v independent from Leeds Bradford 2013

« on: September 26, 2012, 08:47:27 AM »

Anyone thinking of Plakias from Leeds Bradford for 2013 should be aware that Monarch as well as Jet2 are flying the route next year and that, when I looked some weeks ago, they were quite a bit cheaper than Jet2 in the Olympic brochure.

We are going to have a look at Sitea and Palekastro in May and Monarch worked out at over £100 each cheaper than Jet2 for the flights.  So much for Jet2's "friendly low fares" tag!

I know it is the wrong forum but has anyone stayed in Sitea or Palekastro.  Any pointers would be most welcome.

12

Where to eat...or not! / Re: Fix

« on: September 26, 2012, 08:36:15 AM »

Assuming, for once, that everything written in Wiki is accurate that is an interesting resume Stuart. 

I know I enjoyed it during my daily visits to Argo earlier in the month.  I think it has a cleaner taste than Mythos.  Welcome back Fix!

13

Where to eat...or not! / Re: Fix

« on: September 23, 2012, 07:14:27 PM »

Not sure if Fix has been mentioned before but I am sure the hardened drinkers in the forum will know all about it. It is a Greek 5% Premium Lager Beer introduced in 1864 but this is the first year we have noticed it. Here in Sougia & earlier in Paleochora. Like Mythos it goes down well after a hot day on the beach. I believe it went out of production many years ago but is now making a come back.
Stuart

Fix was the only Greek beer we saw available when we first started visiting in the late 70's.  I can't remember when they went belly up though even though it came as a shock to find it no longer available.  It was the on to the Double Dutch ale (Amstel & Prasini) until Mythos was introduced to be followed a few years later by Alpha. 

I have a feeling that another Greek one appeared for a short time before disappearing but I can't for the life of me think what it was called.  Can anyone else think what is was or is my mind playing tricks with me again?

14

Where to eat...or not! / Re: Where to eat 2012 ?

« on: September 16, 2012, 07:17:29 PM »

We didn't try all the eating options during the week we were there.  In fact we only managed four different establishments. 

We tried Muses twice and would put it in the cheap and cheerful bracket rather than a place to go for top quality nosh.  Kri-Kri (once) was a notch up on Muses although my rabbit was just so many bits and pieces it was a bit disappointing.  Medousa (once) served good quality grub but the service was very slow and became excruciatingly so the longer we were there which automatically removed it from my recommended list.

Our best eating was had at Lysseos (3 times).  Good quality food each time with extremely efficient and friendly service.  Top of my list without doubt.

15

Where to stay / Re: afternoon sun at Sofia

« on: September 16, 2012, 06:56:01 PM »

Hello

I hope to catch you in time.  My apologies for not answering sooner.  I have sent an email to you requesting your booking details so that I can deal with your request.  I could not find anything with the username you use here in my reservations.

Please let me know asap.

Kind regards

Receptioin

Thanks for trying.  We are now back after having spent an enjoyable week with you without an afternoon sun room (by choice when we got there).  We opted for the rear overlooking the 'cat cafe' with sun first thing in a morning.

I would like to commend everyone at the Sofia for the immaculate housekeeping and friendliness we experienced whilst with you.  My only gripe, and I know that there is nothing you can do about it, is the size of the balconies which are far too small for comfort.  Other than that I would, without any hesitation, recommend the Sofia to anyone going to Plakias.