I have been trying to write this post since we returned from Arillas but have only just got logged in again. We travelled with Corfu Escape from Manchester on May 22nd for a week and stayed at the Bardis Sun Studios. Everything about it was brilliant and I would urge people to use Corfu Escape. Nancy is brilliant, very efficient, the flights were great , transfers direct and Bardis Sun Studios were fantastic. Poppy Spiros, Bobby and George could not have been more helpful and we had a wonderful week.
I realise that people might be a bit wary about using a small new company but don't be, we will use them again.
Hey Jenny, thanks for your post. We fly from Manchester with Corfu Escape in September. REally looking forward to it. Gives us an extra bit of comfort knowing that the operators are up to scratch.
Hi Azzymo when do you fly out from Manchester we are going on the 4th of september to the bardis sun studios so could be on the same flight.i
Cannot agree more with Jenny's comments. Just back from 2 weeks where my partner Pam & I had a great time.
The whole Corfu Escape package excellent VFM and the Bardis Sun Studios is a great accommodation . Anyone who is within 2-3 hours drive of either Gatwick / Manchester should consider travelling ( we drove from Swansea for the privilege ).
Other bonus direct transfer to resort ( 45 mins compared to average 2 hours multi drop with other operators ).
Host family Spiros,Poppy,Bobby( in the words of a famous lager "possibly the best entertainments manager" ) and George do all possible to make you welcome and your stay the best. Testimony of this is seen by the number of previous guests who return or call in to frequent the bar/use the pool.Studios are spotlessly clean and they probably have the cleanest pool on the whole of Corfu with the attention its given( no problems with swimming when we were there). To sum up all round great package good accommodation,great company,superb hosts in an idyllic resort missing it too much already.
Here too!! The accommodation was great and the personal attention was unsurpassed. From cheerful greetings to fond farewell nothing was too much trouble. Poppy even arranged local delivery of flowers for my wife's birthday after we had been let down by a company in the UK. Spiro was so informative about the sea, local beaches and his daily catch. Bobby kept us well supplied cool drinks, smiles and the latest football info. But, we are sure the real brains behind the operation was George who appeared quiet at the outset but missed nothing and had such a dry sense of humour!! The rooms were very clean and well equipped with regular changes of towels and linen. We certainly wouldn't hesitate booking with Corfu Escape again, excellent VFM. Nancy was very helpful from initial booking to departure providing that extra personal touch so lacking from the big tour operators. She even provided drinks and snacks at the airport when our return flight was delayed two and a half hours.
hey russell, that's the flight we'll be on, we're staying at the Airport on the 3rd as we're flying from Belfast and the connection flights were too tight to fly in from Belfast on the 4th.
Justbooked with Corfu Escape last night, after reading all the above post. We cant make it this October but have booked for May 7th to 21st 2007. Viv & Pete
Hi Azzymo and Russell we also fly out in the 4th September for two weeks, what time is your flight?We are also staying at the airport hotel on the 3rd.
Hi Azzymo and Sheila hope to see at manchester airport we fly out at 11 am on the 4th of september.
hey sheila! great to hear your going at same time too. Is this your first trip with CorfuEscape? Where are you staying on the 3rd? We're thinking about just doing the HolidayInn at the Airport but it's working out quite expensive. Any tips on a most cost effective option?!
hi we are not going with corfu escape but we will be staying at the rainbow. We are staying at the Crowne Plaza the night before it cost us £69 so not too bad
i am so gutted.
i wanted to book for 11th sept 06
but none availible
really wanted to go
suexx
I'm looking at booking with corfu escape - what do they do with airport transfers ? Are they included in the full price ?
Thanks
Quote from: Lozicle on August 03, 2006, 06:42:11 PM
I'm looking at booking with corfu escape - what do they do with airport transfers ? Are they included in the full price ?
Thanks
Hi,
i have just booked with corfu escape to go last week sept, the transfers are included in the price, i have also phoned Bobby & he said the transfer is an hour max.
mataxxa.
Yes they are included and so are inflight meals.We go Monday from Manchester cant wait .Nancy from Corfu Escape seems to be really fantastic ,she will answer and deal with any problem or request very quickly i am very impressed.
We got our confirmation from Corfu escapes 2 days after booking even asked if we needed any help at Manchester,
It includes transfers DIRECT to Arillas.
Had a letter from them last week saying that they are still in process of negotiating flights for 2007
and that in-flight meals may not be available in the package and they will let us know
The very fact that we are being keep informed as we are makes us feel important as people
and not just 2 more bums on seats as with some bigger firms. Viv
We also go on Mon but not to the Bardis. We are staying at the Galini this time but have booked the Bardis next June.I expect we will see you Mon night as the Bardis will be our first stop for a drink and a catch up with Poppy. Have you stayed there before?
Hooray ! We've booked for the 25th Sept for a week at the bardis :)
Hope the weather will hold out for us !
Can't wait now :)
Flying out from Manchester so just got parking to book :D
HI,
When i spoke to Bobby last week he said that next year Corfu Escape is looking at using flights from Birmingham which will be great for everyone in the Midland area insted of Manchester or Gatwick.
Can't wait to get back home again (Arillas)!
Mythos
BRILLIANT NEWS !!!
That would be so much easier for us :D :)
guess I'll have to wait to 2008 til they fly out from Belfast!!!.....
whos that in your ava picture azzymo ?
that's yours truly lozicle.
Cool! - what kind of music do u do ?
that picture is about 2 years old, that was taken during the 'rock band' era. I've seen spread my wings and now play alone embracing the acoustic. Cd's available at the door, bargain at a fiver!
Conscious that this is a post about Bardis Sun and I don't want to hijack it with talk of my musical exploits, I'll have to say something about Bardis.... IT'S GREEAAT and I'm going there in under 4 weeks!!!
Cool Beans :D
Rock is good - the best infact :D
And We'll be at the Bardis 25th Sept - can't wait - i need another holiday already :D
Speaking of beans I've just eaten one of my tins of giant beans out of the supply i bought back with me :D DELISH.
That's good stuff, sure maybe I can leave a cd with Poppy, for you to pick up when you arrive if you want, a kind of welcome pressie! Then I can await your positive criticism!
Hey that'd be great :D
Hi lozical,
We fly out on the 25th as well to the bardis sun, Hope to see you there.
Arrilas Forever
Mythos
Ahh cool :) Where do you fly from ?
You can't miss us - well be the only goths in the village :P
We are flying from Gatwick on the 11.10 flight.
You can't miss us we'll be propping up the bar!!! If not ask Bobby.
Were do you fly from?
Oh roll on Monday :)
We fly out from Belfast on Sunday, stay at a nice wee hotel, and then onward from Manchester on Monday morning. Can't wait to go back.
Hopefully will get to see more of the area this time and just not stay at sea front.
Quote from: smurfdrl on August 23, 2006, 11:49:52 PM
Oh roll on Monday :)
We fly out from Belfast on Sunday, stay at a nice wee hotel, and then onward from Manchester on Monday morning.
Thats a great relaxing way to start your holiday. ENJOY! :-)
Eileenx
We have booked today to go next year in June. We stayed at the Galini last year which was lovely. But thought the Bardis Sun was very good value and it is nearer the sea too, no long trek back up the hill in the scorching heat! I didnt think about asking for inflight meals, but as it seems to be a lunchtime flight we are not too bothered as we could eat before the flight anyway. If it is on the flight well, thats even better! Cant believe the transfers are in the price which is brilliant! We hired a taxi last year for the transfer from the airport and that was great and took the coach back which was fine too and was very pleasant, not long at all.
Even though the holiday is a long way off I will spend the next months dreaming of going back, not having to trawl websites looking for somewhere, its all done and can now try to lose the weight and more that I put on being out there this year! Might even manage to make the walk to St. George next time!!!
Can anyone tell me if they have air con (if so, how much is it - is it just fans) Thanks
Quote from: Mythos & Mataxa on August 23, 2006, 02:24:00 AM
We are flying from Gatwick on the 11.10 flight.
You can't miss us we'll be propping up the bar!!! If not ask Bobby.
Were do you fly from?
We're flying out from Manchester and absolutely can't wait :D
Loz, I finally get to see the green hair!
Might see you if we can get booked for end of September, will definatly know who you are now
Jill
hehehehe :D
Told you all I was easy to recognise :) :)
However - last Arillas visit, after 2 weeks of sea and sun my hair was looking a rather wishy-washey shade of very pale green/yellow :P :lol:
We will be there from 18th Sept, hope to see you and your green hair, our son is a drummer, and has done a cover for Iron Maiden, plus plays for other bands,music like Ozzy etc.
Lozicle, I did think your hair looked brighter in the pic than when i saw you in arillas.
My hair was blonde when i went, but was a bit green by the time I got back!!
Not sure what they put in the pools nowadays! ;) .
I like the bright green tho! Maggie :)
Hehe thanks Maggie :D I never bother dying my hair before we go away anywhere, because I know the sun, sea and chlorine will do very strange things to it. So I usually turn up on holiday with faded hair and roots :P
Hello Suzanne :) Make sure to come and say hello if you see us :) I love Iron Maiden :D Got tickets to see them for the 4th time in December :D
Will make myself known, if I can get him do do a copy of the cover he did for Iron Maiden I will bring one out for you, but don't cross your fingers ;)
hehe ok :)
Are you staying at the Bardis too :) (I assume you must be if you're on this thread)
If you mean me, no we stay at the Rainbow, have done for a few years, as we can get 3wks with Manos, see you when we get there, or when you get there??!! ;)
Evening everyone. I have been going to Arillas on and off for twenty years. I stayed at the Bardis Sun in 2004 and 2005, and have just booked to go back on 18th September for two weeks. I can't wait. I am going on my own this year, but feel like I am going home so I don't mind. Hopefully see some of you there. Amanda
We booked with them over the weekend for next year and by Tuesday we had the confirmation through the post and thats with the Bank Holiday Monday too. Now thats service!!
Hi Willowlark, we may have seen you before as we have been going for about 16 or more years, we fly from Birmingham on the 18th for 21days, see you there. Sue. ;)
woohoo! last day of work until I fly out to Arillas on Sunday (well manchester on sunday, arillas on monday)! Starting to get really excited now. It's been a heck of a long summer! Adios!
We're flying to Glasgow on Sunday then on to Corfu on Monday as well. Staying at the mirage, maybe see you around.
I finished work last Friday and it has been one long week just waiting to go,but nearly there.
Roll on Monday
I must say I agree with you.The service from Nancy at Corfu escapes is excellent.Would recommend the company to anyone.Look forward to seeing you in June.Is anyone else going?
Apart from us?
I don't know if we're going to be able to make it next year :(
Myself and my partner RUSSELL recently visitied the Bardis Sun Studios via Corfu Escape for the first time and had a lovely holiday. We received a warm welcome on arrival and this was extended throughout our entire stay. Poppy and Spiros and not forgetting Bobby are wonderful hosts, the studio we stayed in was cleaned every day and adequate for our needs. The bar, which of course was a popular area was well stocked and both drinks and food were excellent. The pool area was very clean and relaxing - both myself and my partner enjoyed a much needed break, rest, respite whatever and were very sad to leave. I think the fact that whilst we were there many guests whom we spoke to had enjoyed previous holidays at the Bardis and were returning for yet another visit, speaks for itself. SPIROS, POPPY AND BOBBY (AND NOT FORGETTING GEORGE) were wonderful!!
They are very good hosts, i met them last year when i stayed at the hotel and went to watch the football in their bar, Bobby and i got chatting then that was that, cocktails in there every night!!
We're heading back there in May next year and i cant wait!
We walked past the Bardis many times and have heard such good things about it. I can't wait to stay there :)
You'll have a fab time Lozicle, im so jealous that youre going soon!
When you get there say hello to Bobby for me, thanx.
Clare.
We have booked for next year too and are looking forward to it very much after reading the good reports!
Is anyone else flying out of Manchester on Monday ? (25th) ?
Hi We are flying out of manchester on 25th Sept but on the XL flight at 10.30a.m. We went to Bardis Sun in May with Corfu Escape and it was great. We are staying at The Horizon this time. My friend from work flew out of Manchester yesterday to the Bardis Sun. They had a 3 hour delay and they had a storm last night but she has said it was OK today thank goodness.
Jenny
well just back into work today after two weeks to bardis sun with corfu escape. We had booked to go there again after enjoying our stay in 2005 so we expected to have a good relaxing time in arillas as we had done the year before and I must say we weren't disappointed.
One slight disappointment though was that the famous memory of Poppy didn't remember that we'd visited the hotel the year before, so much for her impeccible memory! :) just kidding. Remembered everyone else bar us! haha. Bobby didn't remember us either when we got off the bus but we soon put them right!
As expected, the rooms this year were clean and adequate for a good holiday with air conditioning a nice option for those who can't sleep in their boxers with the doors open! We were woken up every morning by quite a bit of the noise around the pool but we shouldn't have really been lying asleep when the sun was shining anyway! I just wish the young girl who circled the pool with her recorder would have played a different note than the one she did for the guts of an hour! ;)
The craic at the bar was mighty. Bobby and Poppy were great hosts (i say this as we never really spent any length of time with Spiros and George). Hope you like your wine festival jug Poppy and hope you like the Linfield top Bobby! The volleyball game on the Friday was great fun, really good 'hotel bonding' experience. Loved it. Just raging that I missed the previous weeks game.
Yea, so the wine festival. We went to all 3 nights with the wine tasting gradually worse over the weekend but we still enjoyed the festival and the entertainment on hand although why oh why was the clarinet up soooo loud of the friday night, greece don't seem to have good sound engineers! Saying that, the festival is a great time to see a touch of authentic greek nightlife.
We ventured to Albania for the day during our stay. I'd safely say that it was the worse organised trip I've ever been on and I've been on some dodgy sunday school trips in my time! We decided not to go on the additional guiding excursion in Albania and opted to walk around Sarande ourselves, seeing it was also an option that the trip provided. The announcement over the boat tannoy was "everyone to get onto the coach at the Albania port". Fair enough, so we all got on the coach. The coach drove through a few albanian streets with the tour operator showing us points of interest such as 'a bank' among other very non exciting viewpoints. The bus stopped outside a hotel where the operator said to go and change money and have a drink. AFter around 30 minutes of confusion we boarded the bus again on instruction. Next the operator said for everyone to hand in their excursion ticket so we obviously didn't go for the additional excursion so had no ticket so we were told there and then to just "get off the bus". No map, no directions, no help, no nothing, pathetic. The differientiation was never made between the people who opted for the extra trip and not. A very inapt tour operator. I will say here of course that this tour was not operated or anything to do with either Corfu Escape or Bardis Sun. It was booked through Arkodel Travel in Arillas.
So yea, back to Corfu Escape. We never had any problems with them, the help at the airport was sufficient, the transfer to the hotel was a little long on the way there but direct on the way back so no qualms there. I would 100% recommend Corfu Escape to any doubters. I just wish we found out about their excursions earlier than we did as we booked all of ours through other companies.
Now for the food review...... Top spot without a shadow of a doubt goes to Kostas on the Beach. Absolutely scrumptious and top class service. A great range of meals at reasonable prices and a brilliant view of the beach not too far from Bardis. We also really enjoyed Hellens Creparie, some great snacks and meals there, never had one bad bite in that place. Sea Breeze and Grazella disappointed me this year being a big fan of Sea Breeze previously. This time round the service wasn't great, the food was ok but wouldn't attract you back neccessarily. We went to Broukilis for the spit roasted lamb, a tad disappointed with that but the starter was great. The pizza place beside Broukilis was lovely, we carried out from there after our flirt with Albania. The gyros in the grill room was outstanding as usual, oh how i'd love some right now.
Bar wise, we spent most of our time either in Bardis or the Mirage as it always had a good range of football and films (and also did magners). I can't go without saying NORTHERN IRELAND 3 v 2 SPAIN!!!! What a result! Was sitting as the only Northern Irish person in the Mirage when Healy popped up with a hat trick and was cheering away even with the Spanish folk behind. Unfortunately due to the England game being played on the big screen we had to settle for a 21" with no sound for around 80 minutes as the underachievers of England got preference.
We hired a beach buggy for 3 days altogether, what craic that was. We drove to a number of beaches and to Sidari for a McDonalds milkshake and for the girlfriend to fill up on Paul Frank merchandise and boy she really did! If you like fun, hire a buggy, best days of our holiday i'd say.
The weather was immense until the last 2 days of our stay but that didn't dampen our spirits as we were kindly escorted up the north coast by some folk who'd rented a car and who we'd befriended at Bardis. Basically I reckon that's what made the holiday so special this time, more so than 2005, as we met some real cracking people this time round. the atmosphere at Bardis was second to none and the fun factor was at a constant peak.
I think I've wrote enough, yea? I'll try and post a few pictures in the next week of our stay if anyone would be interested.
Ok, well, better go for some lunch now.
Holies
That was a brilliant review! Loved the Albania trip scenario... I could just imagine it, a bit like a carry on film! We go to the Bardis next June/July and are looking forward to meeting our hosts who seem much more friendlier than our previous one at the Galini (aka Kostas).
So can you recommend the quad bikes then for two 50 year olds. Are they safe? Might be a tad easier than walking.
na, not the quad bikes. What we hired was a beach buggy which is pretty much two bucket seats in a roll cage with seat belts which is a heck of a lot safer than a quad or scooter. a little more expensive but is definately very safe and alot of fun. We walked to san stefanous 2 days and hired a beach buggy there by the hour as opposed to the day we hired the buggy in arillas by the day. Just if you don't want it for very long.
Like This, I Think ;)
(http://www.arkokal.gr/assets/images/1.gif)
I think I would definately need to lose weight to fit into one of those! It would be hilarious to see us both fit into it! Wot a scream that would be...
yea that's the one although the rear wheel sizes vary by model but i'm sure you don't care bout that! They really are great fun and very easy on fuel.