Brochures 2005

[Mike G]

Brochures for 2005 are starting to appear (get a life I hear some of you saying- we haven't been away in 2004 yet!). First Choice is offering Costas Chrysoulla and Irida. Haven't seen Olympic yet- they usually offer Costas Chrysoulla and Dora. I have used the search facility on this website and there is quite a lot of comment about Dora (mainly positive) but little on Irida.

Dora looks to be on a 1 in 3 hill or is it just the way the photo has been taken? I don't remember Plakias being as hilly as that, although the surrounding area certainly is.

Opinions on any of the First Choice or Olympic properties would be welcome or advice on any other tour operators including Plakias in their programmes (I prefer to use a tour operator rather than going independently, as I believe they are better value, in low season at least).

Enjoy your holidays this year.

Mike

[John R]

Haven't seen the Fist Choice brochure yet but on their website for 2005 they also have Stella Pension - where we stay (last 6 years) - and where we have already booked for late Sept 2005. Last year their 1st edition brochure missed out Stella (causing unecessary panic on my part).

John

[plakias34]

Hi Mike, have stayed in Dora many times, very nice, only changed to Costas & Chryssoula this year as it was a great deal from first choice, the 1 in 3 hill goes up the side of the building but it's more or less on the flat, don't worry, you don't have to be a mountain goat to get to it!

[Mike G]

Thanks to the two correspondents who replied. I have booked for mid May with First Choice at Costas Chrysoulla. This was mainly because my partner, Diane, occasionally likes the use of a pool. I always prefer the beach.

It's a long way off and I have to admit that when we travel it will be almost 10 years to the day that I made my one and only visit to Plakias. Up until recently I had a policy of never going to the same place twice; however, now I have about 5 favourite Greek resorts (Plakias being one of them) to revisit.

Diane made her first trip to Greece with me in May 2004. It was my 26th and we went to Tingaki, Kos. It was excellent, but not as scenic as Plakias; however, there are distinct similariities between the two resorts.

One of the things I have noted about Plakias is that the taverna reviews are almost invariably very positive- I hope I find this to be the case.

Incidentally, last year I had a very interesting correspondence on this website with several interesting folk about the merits of tour operators versus booking independently. The holiday I have booked with First Choice was £230 per person booked on their website. This price may be bettered in the 11 months before I go if there are any really good "special offers" but in my opinion it shuold be excellent value. First Choice seems cheaper than Olympic.

Congratulations to all who use this website. I know of nothing like it for any other Greek resort.

[John R]

Yes the First Choice price for the two of us for two weeks in late September / early October 2005 was such that it isn't worth staying at home. The cost for us both which includes transfers, B&B at our favourite place (Stella), expensive local airport surcharge (Newcastle), comes to £227 per person. We booked it in April this year, 19 months in advance !!!

John

[Mike G]

John,

I'm glad I'm not the only one who books holidays miles in advance. I always book around May for the following May and Sept/Oct. Some other people think I'm crazy!

Mike

[plakias34]

Hey Mike
How did you manage to book online? it's been coming up on my pc as no availability throughout May and June for the last three weeks! I'm getting awfully confused!

[Mike G]

Hello "Plakias 34",

Yes, I found the same recently as well. I booked in late May and had no problems on the internet. John R checked a few days ago and found that his holiday at Stella, flying from Newcastle in Sept 2005, was still available on the internet. I received the same message as you (I was only doodling out of curiosity). I suspect the problem lies with the First Choice website. Maybe they can only cope with a certain number od enquiries at any one time. No way are they fully booked for 2005 already.

I suggest trying late at night or early morning or contacting them by E-Mail  for an explanation. If you don't need the advice of a Travel Agent  it is worth booking on line as there is a significant discount. I still haven't managed to track down a FC brochure for Greece for 2005, although I have glanced at an TA's "office copy".