Well folks it's that time again. Christmas is done and dusted, the decs are almost put away...time to look forward to sunnier climes and a week/fortnight of relaxing bliss. Whether that may be lounging on a beach and partaking in the occasional cocktail (or 3) - check...or checking out the local scenery. Please ask us regular visitors if there is anything that you would like to know more about? Please ask away and we will (try) to give unbiased views on all matters Arillas xx
hi its our first visit in august really nervous as its a new place xxx
Please don't be nervous....Arillas is such a relaxed and friendly place and the locals so welcoming and helpful that you will soon feel at home. Beautiful beach, loads of good tavernas serving excellent food; quiet bars, lively bars.....something for everybody. You will love it. I am of course slightly biased.....will be back for the 23rd year this summer.
Arillas is the sort of place where everyone feels at home, our first visit was 2002....we have been to lots of other places too but Arillas is the only place we return to again and again.
Val x
This will be a useful thread to the people visiting for the first or second time.
As for us Regulars Information is what we are good at offering, and amongst us we should be able to point you in the right direction.
For a first visit be warned.........
THIS PLACE HAS A MAGIC THAT WILL DRAW YOU BACK
Have a fantastic time and just go with the flow.
ARILLAS has a habit of delivering the goods
It isn't our first visit to Arillas but was wondering if it is still possible to do the cliff path walk to San Stephanos and to be able to stop off at either of the two amazing tavernas on the way and back?
Suzy X
Yes the path was diverted in the early summer, and is now much safer to walk.
The only thing is.... where it was crumbling along the edge there have been a couple of landslides on to the north beach, so if you use that beach be careful where you put your sunbed.
Val x
Stories of near misses last year. Val's advice is very important.
For walkers a really nice day out is to follow the diverted route, call in at Gravia bar, then up to Akrotiri. Views just unelievable. Die-hards might then walk down into San Stef.
Phil
Really pleased that we're still able to do the cliff path walk even though the route has been diverted, obviously for safety reasons. I'm especially pleased that we are still able to stop off at the Gravia and Akrotiri tavernas...both fantastic places to eat and drink and as previously said...spectacular views! Thanks for that info.
Thank you also for the safety advice if we're on the beach below the area with the landslides!
Sounds scary!I hope they don't need to put those safety barriers there as it will spoil the look but I'm sure they will do what they have to do. Sometimes we just need to use our common sense and simply don't sit directly under that particular spot!
Suzy X
Does anyone know if the Corfu brewery is still open to the public for tours on Tuesdays and to buy their goods on Saturday mornings?
Suzy x
The brewery was open last summer for its usual tours.
We have called into the office and just asked to purchase things like T shirts and they have been more than happy to help us.
Best to ask about the tours though as you may need to book a place.
Suzy, last year the tours took place on a Saturday between 11.30 - 1.30 (could be slightly different times). Goodies can still be purchased on a Saturday, including the beers at 1 euros per bottle - an absolute bargain! Of course, you can still pop in and make purchases at any time during the brewery opening hours.
Thanks for the replies regarding the Corfu brewery. Loved it when we were there in 2013 but didn't have enough money on me to buy a tee-shirt (hubby spent all the cash on the extremely cheap beers to stock up the fridge at Kaloudis appartments!)So I'm really pleased that they still sell them.
I remember walking the road way (perfectly safe!) to the brewery...only took about 20 mins from Kaloudis appartments and before it opened we stopped at a taverna for a coffee...hubby had an ouzo which was really cheap! I can't remember the name of the place...can anyone help? The owner had a beautiful baby daughter about 6 months old. There was a dartboard in the bar area which looked well used!. We were going to return one evening as they were such lovely people(then again...everyone is in Arillas!) but we never got round to it. Anyway we shall definitely drop in again this year and it would be lovely if we saw their beautiful daughter again...although about 2 and a half now...I think?
Does anyone know if the same family are still there?
Suzy X
Yes Suzy the family are still there and in fact they now have another baby now! The bar is called Nikoletas and like you it's one of our favourite places to while away a couple of hours. There is always something new to see as the owner(s) are always working away adding new features and prettifying the premises. Quite a bit work was being done as we left last October.
Toasted sandwiches and chocolate cake are now offered for nibbles, but you can always pop in to their little supermarket next door - they don't mind you buying one of the giant donuts to enjoy with your coffee!
Here are a few photos to keep you going until your next visit...
(http://imageshack.com/a/img540/2853/tVhzui.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img661/1343/lBwIC9.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img907/9089/EmnpP3.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img910/2105/pwQWhH.jpg)
That's the place Eillen!
Thank you so much for the lovely photos. It looks even better than I'd remembered it. Also what lovely news to hear that they now have another addition to their beautiful family. It looks so tranquil...looking forward to August!
Suzy X
Sorry I spelt your name wrong Eileen!
Suzy X
I am confused! Is this near (gorgeous) George's supermarket??
Jo, I think it is just beyond the junction at top of the hill (the one down to San Stef.) Past Christos on the left and Kostas Supermarket on the right, and on the route to the brewery. Jen and I have sat in there a couple of times in the days we always stayed with Alex Sgouros, which is just before Christos. That's if I am right of course!
Phil
You're spot on Phil
On the corner as you turn off towards San Stephanos
Near the petrol station?
Sorry for the late reply...first day back at work today and only been home about an hour. Regarding the lovely photos that Eileen kindly posted,I think the taverna is quite near to a petrol station but not 100% sure? Everyone one else is spot on as it is definitely on a the junction that Phil mentioned and across the road(opposite) there were some appartments with a pool and a bit further down was a supermarket. I can remember turning left at Ammourada's taverna and we just continued up the road until we arrived at the brewery which wasn't yet open so we visited this particular taverna which we had passed on the way. It's almost next door to the brewery and such a lovely find it was!
Lots of little birds fly around under the vines...so sweet. We will definitely return in August...Hope they are open in the evenings too?
Suzy x
On the corner before the petrol station, where you turn left to San Stef.
Hello,
We are back in Arillas for our 5th time in July. When it was just myself and my husband we used to walk the cliff top path towards San Stephanos. We now have a 4 year old in tow and would like to walk up to Akrotiri to see the sunset but was just wondering how safe it is to walk back down the path after dark or is there another safer route?
Thanks
Linsey
Hello all, our first stay in Arillas will be July 23rd at Bardis sun studios with our two teenage daughters.
We are wanting to hire a car for 4/5 days, are there any recommendations for hire cars in the village? Thank you Brian
Hello BAJ and welcome to the forum. We'll be seeing you there - we're at Bardis Sun Studios from 10th until 31st July. Can help you with a bit of local knowledge.
There are choices for car hire, but our local Arillas Cars, run by the lovely Krasaki family (son Theo is the main man...) has a well earned reputation for value and service. Can point you in the right direction when you arrive.
Best wishes
Phil
Hi Lyndsey. Although the cliff walk is easy and safe enough during the day I definitely wouldn't try it in the dark and that's without a toddler! We usually coincide an eve visit if we hire a scooter or a car for the odd day. Nikon usually does nights with live music and they are magical (if usually a tad busy to say the least!) oh and see you in the marinaki :))
Lindsey, Jo is right, I wouldn't do the cliff path after dark.
However, you can walk the road way back.....its lit all the way, but no pavements, so just keep hold of little one's hand.
To come back down the road, when you get to Gravia Bar, take the road to the left of the bar as you look at it.
Follow this past some houses, apts etc, then you'll come to the 'main' road, where you can go left down the hill to San Stef. Go straight on here, then at the T junction go right, and its down hill all the way to Arillas.
Hi BJA welcome to the forum....Phil is right about car hire from Arillas Cars
I have always used Theo and got good service and a reasonable price.
The dates you are there will be HIGH season and availability at short notice may be a problem. I would advise emailing Arillas Cars and asking for more information from Theo, especially if you will require the car for more than a couple of days.
Tel: 00302663051401
Mobile: 00306949445864
e-mail: arillascars@gmail.com
link to web site http://www.arillascars.com/
See you there we are over from 16th-30th July
Good advice John, we have in the past booked by e-mail, pay when you pick the car up, early or late season isn't to bad but would definitely precook July- August.
Val x
The hated predictive text strikes again.....although you may feel precooked in July-August your car should be prebooked. Lol x
Val x
Phil/John/Val,
Thanks for the welcome and advice. I will contact Arillascars to prebook.
Phil, as you are there for so long,I guess we have made a good choice of accomodation in your opinion?
Will look forward to meeting you. We have been through Arillas on the coach several times as we have stayed the last 5/6 years at The Romanza in San Stef, a great place and family. Have visited the brewery a few times as Dimitri from the Arillas brewery family worked the bar at Romanza until last year when he left to work permanently with his brother at the brewery. This year though we fancied a bit of a change but couldnt face not going to The Romanza at all, so have gone independent and booked our first week at Bardis and then move for our Romanza fix for the second week. Wanted the hire car at end of our first week to do the move to San Stef.
Anyway looking forward to discovering Arillas. Regards Brian
Hi Brian
Bardis Studios are ideal for us - very near the beach and some great tavernas. Jen is not very mobile and our dear friends always put us on the ground floor next to the bar.... (ground floor for Jen, bar for me???) The studios are compact but have eveything you need. Last year they replaced all the mattresses with very clever soft-one-side, harder-the-other versions. I always sleep like a baby. The pool is wonderful, Poppy's cooking is amazing, but the atmosphere, hospitality and welcome is second to none. I think you have chosen well. We have spent 11 months of the last 12 years in Arillas, and never grow tired of it, in season or out.
Look forward to meeting you. As you can see from the posts, several other forum members will be at Bardis Studios when we both are. Best wishes
Phil
Hello,
This year we are staying at the Tria in August, though we have stayed
before in 2013. We tried to book last year but full, ended up in Paleo, nice but not Arillas. Could someone please inform me as to whether their have been any changes / improvements (not that it needs improving)as I am sure I read on the forum some work was being carried out in the winter.
Though new to posting, I have read the forum since 2012.
Many Thanks
Paul
Just a general spruce up but the main "spruce up" is the area where you walk out the back of the bar area onto the car park. Its basically been block/crazy paved, in a very nice manner. There were a couple of tables and chairs out there in May and I sat there quite a bit when I needed some me time.
They have also done the same paving in the outside eating area on the pool side of the bar which was grass and astro turfed the previous year.
My husband and I visited Arillas last May...what a fabulous place. We are both in our early thirties and it was our perfect holiday. A real gem of a place with the friendliest locals and just a fantastic relaxed atmosphere! Great to find a place not spoilt by mass tourism! We had picked where we were going to stay this year but Arillas captured our hearts in more ways than one when we visited...we had longed for a family for 3 years and even with help it didnt look like it was to be! When we returned from Arillas our dream had been realised....we cannot return this year as baby is due in 4 weeks but we cannot wait to bring the little one to Arillas next year!! Arillas will remain a very very special place for us and cannot wait for more visits in the future!!
Hi Flora and bump
That's just about the loveliest Arillas story I've heard yet. We have a Brooklyn, a Paris, and the like, will we have a baby Arillas?!
Good luck for the future x
Wow....that is really brilliant. Congratulations to you both.
Arillas works its magic in many ways. If you have been following the forum before you joined you may know that 2014 was a great year for babies in Arillas with four (that I know of) born to local families.
You must let us all know when your little one is born and whether it is a boy or girl, then next year you can really enjoy visiting.... showing off your beautiful Arillas baby, and we will look forward to meeting the three of you.
Good luck for a safe and easy delivery.
Val x
Congratulations, there couldn't be a better reason for not visiting Arillas! xxx
Hi! Auh thank you very much! I was meant to write a holiday report when I came back then my mind was pre-occupied!!
Cypress, that's not a bad name suggestion :)
Val n Bill - Yes I followed the forum just before we visited and it was invaluable, got loads of great suggestions and decided to join when we returned! Will keep you posted on the baby news and cant wait to introduce little one to Arillas, would be lovely to bump into you some time!
Eileen-I couldnt agree more!! :)
Thank you again for your lovely posts, we will remember Arillas forever. When we returned we blew up a photograph of an Arillas sunset and have it in pride of place in our house so we can tell everyone how beautiful the place is (tried to attach but not sure what I am doing)! I keep looking at it though and wishing I was back :)
The Magic has worked again the magnet is pulling you back and as for the water, well what can be said, (be careful what you drink)
ARILLAS has a habit of providing the goods and this time it will be precious goods, Congratulations. wishing you all the best when your little one decides its time to come into the big world.
Thankyou johntheref&dot!! Spiros' advice to my husband one night (referring to ouzo) was 'tonight you drink like a greek you behave like a greek!! Maybe it was something in this 'water'
Anyone visiting Arillas this year for the 1st time-you wont regret your choice. It is honestly the best place we have visited...true authentic greek village and you can tell how much pride the locals take in it! Amazing tavernas, amazing people, amazing sunsets...just a truly stunning place!!
Lovely news Flora....definitely something in the water! Good luck with the baby and hope to see you all next year!
What a lovely story and welcome to the forum Flora. Arillas tends to creep into every part of your body and soul and once there, never leaves. It's magic. This will be our 17th year there and many more people we know have been going for far longer. :)
Ann x
it say its 2 hrs transfer time is this correct
That depends on how you arrive. By car or taxi its about 60 mins so I believe, by tour operator bus it can be anything from a shade under 2 hours to 2 and a half hours depending on if they go to Sidari first. Then it depends on the drop offs, you could hit lucky and be at your home for a week or two in under 2 hours, or more like 2 hours 30-40.
We have done the airport to Arillas once with Thomson in under one hour. Mind you it was about 3am after a delayed flight and one stop at San George pick up point (5mins) then straight on to the Mathraki.
I would say though two hours is nearer the mark. The longest was few years go when we travelled with Thomas Cook, we went everywhere else in Corfu first.
Book a taxi to pick you up at the airport....45mins.
Val x
http://www.corfuholidaytaxi.com/
Corfu taxis very reliable, 100 euro return. Used them for the last 3 years. Back in resort in 40 mins. You can book on line and Dimitris will reply straight back.
I know I could e mail and ask but does anyone know if they do minibuses ?
I know Arkokal Travel and Olga both do minibus pick ups from the Airport, might be worth contacting them for prices.
We use Arkokal for our family and guests. It is their own minibus, no middleman fees, reliable and economical.... http://arkokal.gr/
We also use Arkokal every year.
40 mins sounds good by taxi, 2015 will be our first year not being Thomas Cook. Sometimes it feels like 40 before the bus engine goes into gear.
I really wish there was some consistency with the package transfers. Lewis and his girlfriend are staying at the Akti which had the transfer included but at the same time he is used to a 45 min taxi transfer so he doesn't know whether to pay for one anyway.
Jo, as you know its hit and miss we have found that with TC it's usualy a round trip in July and about 90 min from airport. if direct around 50 min. We tend to ask the driver or rep before the coach sets off and then decide if to take the coach or get a taxi from the airport. After all it may save 50 euro
Have used San Stephanos Travel in the past but was just wondering if I could save a few euros elsewhere. Used Olgas once and it didn't , shall we say , go quite to plan even though I have been reliably informed it had nothing to do with Olga herself and she did refund us some of the fare
Book direct with the local family taxi business in Kavadades. Very reliable, we use them all the time...
http://www.corfuholidaytaxi.com/
suntransfers.com offer a good deal on mini-buses.
There are 7 of us travelling so we have booked an 8 seater. Cost is 105.40 Euros inc. tax.
Driver waits at arrival gate with name card.
I think thats a bargain!
Arkokal offer airport minibus airport transfers at a reasonable price. It's been 18 months since I personally last used them but it was less than 90 euros for 7 of us...the price will have gone up. I will post an updated price when they're released nearer the beginning of the season.
I think it was the same last year Eileen, when my family came out to see us last year Arkokal charged 90 euros for 8 people, if more than 9 people it works out another 10 euros per person.
Quote from: coys on February 04, 2015, 09:02:09 PM
I think it was the same last year Eileen, when my family came out to see us last year Arkokal charged 90 euros for 8 people, if more than 9 people it works out another 10 euros per person.
Definitely still a bargain then :-) As well as being cheaper than 2 taxis for 8 people, it's also nice for groups to travel and arrive at the accommodation together.
Thanks for all of the replies .
Cheers
Yassas....just wanted to update you on our news! Our beautiful daughter Evie Rose (just couldn't bring myself to name her Arillas!) arrived on Friday 13th March (lucky for some!!) and weighed a healthy 8lb 1oz. We can't wait to bring her to Arillas next year, we just know she will love it as much as we do!!
Congratulations and welcome to the world Evie Rose! What beautiful names you and your daughter have :-)
See you in Arillas summer 2016! xxx
Thank you Eileen!!
Congratulations Mummy and Daddy (I used to love being called Mummy) and thanks for letting us know. Next summer you'll have a little one toddling on Arillas beach! Take care x
Congratulations on the safe arrival of Evie Rose, hope we meet you in Arillas soon.
Val x