Ok, 2021, lets go !!

[ian s]

Peter, my understanding is the same as yours but agree it would be nice to have it confirmed.  Due to fly out 14/9. 

[Peter G]

Yes Ian, its all a bit nerve wracking. Last September it was more straight forward, just had the pre departure and return forms to fill in. We all know Plakias is worth the extra hassle but cant relax till we are on the plane, its not good having to keep checking things, I'm getting a bit old for this extra stress. Yamas!

[micklfc]

We fly out on September 7th for two weeks staying at the Sofia again & flying from Manchester so looking forward to meeting Aggelos and all the regulars at the Kostas pool bar.

We are both double vaccinated and are aware that we both have to tale a test at the Plakias medical centre before we leave but didn't realise that we may have to prebook the covid test for the second day of our arrival back in UK.
Will need to look into this further as we thought we could take a test when we returned without pre booking before departure.

[Peter G]

We thought exactly the same thing re the day2 tests and I would probably have tried to sort this while l was in Plakias. It was a fellow traveller who told us that when you fill in your return UK forms they will ask for proof that you have booked your day2 tests. The only proof of this are the serial numbers on the actual test kits. Apparently the next UK govt travel update is 25th August, you could wait to see if there are any changes but as we also travel on 7/9 I thought it was cutting it a bit fine. We now have our super duper do it yourself day2 travel kits at home ready for when we return, and have the serial numbers to take with us.
If anyone knows a way round this then please let others know so they wont need to do what we have done.

[reddiablo]

best of luck
my partner Josephine tested positive July 12
one week later I took her to ER in Tampa
12 hour stay they gave he the intravenous anti bodies blood infusion
she encouraged me to fly to Athens but in her condition I could not leave her
aegean allowed me one year to use the credit I have with them
cyano hotel are terrific people
I spoke with Zack z and let him know its postponed till 2022
my brothers stone at souda mare will wait for us
jo is recovering but no doubt she has the long Covid recovery
fatigue and cough
I have had five PCR negatives.  sore nose but feeling fine in crazy Florida

[ian s]

Very cheap flights available now for September if you?re up for it!  I transferred my existing flight to next year then rebooked for this year!

[Daniel]

Ian :
Just done the same thing. Moved this years flight to next September and re booked this years flight.
It has saved us ?400 on this years holiday !!
I am amazed that Jet 2 are letting us do this ?
Now we will sit down tomorrow and ensure that we have everything in place for both our outward journey and our return journey.
But just to be doubly sure, we intend to allow an extra hour at Leeds Bradford Airport on the morning of 7 th September just in case things do not go smoothly.
Can now really feel that we are actually going to Plakias again and can not wait  !!

[Peter G]

Has anyone flown into Greece with Ryanair recently? There seems to be some uncertainty on the Tripadvisor site as to whether Ryanair require EVERY passenger to fill in a passenger locator form. Like last year the Greek gov form lets/tells you to fill in one form for yourself and any family members. I've done this again without a problem, although was a bit puzzled when it only asked for my covid status and not my partners. But at least it asked for her details and like me she has proof of her two vaccinations.
Maybe people are just worried about Ryanairs idiosyncrasies,  have you Jet2 people just filled in the one PLF form?

[Yvonne]

As I understand it, one for the whole household going out, but one for each member of the household to return.

[Daniel]

Packing now for 6 am flight tomorrow from Leeds Bradford with Jet 2 to Iraklion .
Pick up car at airport and leisurely drive down to Plakias and George at Creta Mare.
All documents recorded on phone plus a hard copy printed off " just in case "
Will report back on the airport / flight experience and thoughts on how Plakias has changed in the 2 years (my god is it that long ago ?) since we were last allowed to travel there.

[DandC]

Ha - also just booked for dep to Chania then hire car to Plakias.
SHOCKED at how car hire price has DOUBLED since last visit in 2019.
Any recommendations around company?

Cheers
DandC

[JaneGary]

Booked today for 18th September for 2 weeks. Flights from East Midlands to Chania on Ryanair very cheap-?130pp return including reserved seat and luggage. However car hire about 50% more than it was last year. I wanted to ask the situation regarding the PCR test prior to flying back to the UK. Someone mentioned Plakias medical centre but not sure if you have to book this prior to the test and how soon do you get the results? Any information gratefully received. All the best.

[Daniel]

Not sure what your vacation situation is .
We are both double jabbed .
Because of this we do not need to book PCR tests before leaving Plakias .
All that we need are Lateral Flow Tests .
We booked these at the Medical Centre to take place on Monday morning 20th September 11am the day before we fly back to England.
Results back within 1 or 2 hours and costing 20 e each .
The Medical Centre is on the main road coming into Plakias on the LH side just before the big church .

[Daniel]

Bloody predictive text .
For vacation please read vaccinations .

[Daniel]

Whilst I have my phone out a short update after our first few days back after a 2 year gap :
The place is very busy .
Maybe 80 pc German visitors ?
Very few English voices to be heard .
Accommodation all seems well used .
Sun beds very busy particularly towards the far end .
Difficulty getting a table some evenings at popular times and popular places.
Need to pre book to be sure of eating when and where you want to.
The village itself has seen little change since our last visit .
Few minor buildings have gone up and improvements made to others .
BUT:
A new huge supermarket has gone up on the car park / waist land opposite the existing supermarket .
And the development on the front has gone on at pace .
Now fully built up front Antonio?s Place right to the far end .
Some good .

Some not so good .
It can not be very many years before the entire front is developed.

But Plakias remains our destination of choice for holidays .
I will give a fuller report when we get back home towards the end of September.