Hi All,
Found this site as I am visiting Arillas for the first time, it looks a
very nice place to be in.
Can anyone tell me what trips Arkokal Travel do from the village
and would these be cheaper than the Rep trips ? I would like to
see a little of Corfu
Hope for a reply
rainbow
Hi Rainbow,
There are a few independent travel operators in Arillas.
They offer Corfu day and night trips, Aqualand, BBQ boat trips, Albania boat trip, Pelokastritsa, Horse riding, scuba diving, Paxos + Antipaxos boat trip and others that I cannot remember.
Do not use the trips organised by the reps they are a lot more expensive.
Have a nice time
Hi Rainbow
Just pop in to Olgas travel,she will be able to offer you any trip and like john says the holiday company trip are more expensive.
Ang
Hi Rainbow, when are you visiting Arillas ? ;)
we did island tour with Arillas travel end of May very good trip, 30 euros rep wanted 36 euros
I agree, never book with the reps, they always charge more for the trips, there are a couple of travel shops for you to choose from, have fun!!
We have always saved between 5 & 10 euros pp by booking outside and when we went to Albania it was 14 euros pp cheaper then the tour company we were with. Viv
Hi, we are just back from our first visit to Arillas, I would definately recomend Olgas Travel, very helpful and knowledgable about what what the trips involve and where to go. We hired a car from Olga for three days, booked for the Hydropolis water park at Acharave through her (great day out if you have kids in tow) and she even contacted the San Stephenos boat hire company on our behalf (which we had booked directly in San Stephanos) when we were unsure whether the boat would be available due to a choppy sea for a couple of days around 11th-12th July.
The worst day we had on the holiday was a boat trip via the tour operator which consisted of a 2 and a half hour coach transfer out via the whole of the north of Corfu Island, when we got to the boat everybody got on and they announced that there were no toilets working on board so half the passengers then got off to use the toilets on another boat, we traveled approx half a mile north of Paleokastritsa, then 1 mile south to a beach that they called Paradise beach, the kids called it pain beach due to it being a strip of shingle that was like walking on hot coals. we were dumped there for 4 hours or so with a barbeque and a few umbrellas.they were selling beach shoes for 8 euros, twice price that they were in Arillas. The boat trip back was 10 minutes and then we were expected to sit on a coach for another 2 hours or so as they were dropping off in the reverse order of picking up. We paid a Taxi driver 45 Euros for a 25 minute trip back to Arillas as if we had got back on the coach I think I would have given the rep on the coach a no holds barred account of what we thought of the whole day.
We would say stick with the local travel services.
Neil, Elaine and family.
Glad you had a good time. We learnt our lesson with organised coach trips some years ago... a never to be repeated experience!
Just to add to my earlier post, the rest of the holiday was fantastic! will post some more later about the best bits as we are still unpacking and washing!
Neil.
Expect you back online then in a week ;) LOL Its the worst part of trying to put it all away again.
These trips through tour ops need some serious revamping!!
I'm glad to see Olga's Travel get a good mention here. She does look after her customers.
When in her office recently a lady wanted to change money against a card. Olga asked what cards she had then sent her to the ATM machine. She then got a better rate and no commision charge. Good business sense with a genuine keeness to help.
I admire that.
ChrisElaine - Very glad you had a good first time. Probably, like most of us, you learn from any little "blips" & don't make the same error twice.
Regards
Negg
Has anyone been on the boat trip to Albania? We are going in september to Arillas and quite fancy that.
Neilelaine how much was your car hire for the 3 days?
Thanks
Paul
I haven't done that trip myself but know people who have and it seems to be one of the better ones.....but a very long day!
Hi all
got home last night from our 1st trip to Arillas. We had a great time staying at Perry's and Jimmy's also using the the pool etc at the Rainbow complex. The 2 brothers there are very nice and great entertainment. Everyone in Arillas was very nice including the nice family in the apartment next door and the guests we met while there. I was surprised how beautiful that part of Corfu still is. It was very hot while we where there, we hired a fan but next time I will book with aircon. We had an hour delay coming home but a poor Manchester flight had a 9 hour delay with XL. Returned to rain and grey skies, miss the sun and Arillas. Back to work tomorrow to save up for next holiday.
Benita
Sandy what does it involve then do you know?
Hi pg32, Pete and I went in October 2005, along day and a great trip. Havent got time at the moment to write about it but will post tomorrow. In the meantime there are some pics of Albania on our website if you open Corfu oct 2005 and go to first thumbprint Viv
Hi, Our trip to Albania remeber it was in 2005 so it may have alterd some what.
We had to be outside Arillas Travel by 0730hrs to get the coach into Corfu harbour, we were hustled into a little room where we gave our passports for inspection and finally boarded the boat at 0900hrs. It was a nice trip taking approx 1 hour. We then were met by our guide who was a retired school headmaster, very well spoken and very knowlegable our driver was an x Albanian goalkeeper and kept saying "your in save hands" which he seemed to find very amusing We were on the bus for about30 mins and arrived at a lovely little tavena (if thats what they call them there) anyway we had a coffee and then had a chance to change our money. There was a chap sat at the table with so many notes I could hardly believe it. We were told not to change more then 20euro's as we didnt need it and it would attract undesirable's. We changed exactly 20 euro and got about 2000 (forgotten what their currancy is) As soon as we had our money kids seem to come from no where selling braclets necklaces ect.
We then boarded the coach again and went to Butrint which I enjoyed but then I like history and loved all the ruins (think a few people were a bit bored) We then were taken back to where we had changed our money and had a very nice lunch (all in the price) this was about 1500hrs. After lunch we went into the town itself, it seemed really spooky in some parts and yet it was fasinating at the same time, we had time to buy gifts and souvoniers and yet another coffee. I enjoyed it but dont think I would have wanted to walk round by myself. The kids just kept coming from out of nowhere to see you little oddments, some were very nice and some you just bought because you felt you shouldnt buy from one and not the other. We arrived back at the port about 1800hrs straight onto the boat and back to Corfu. When we got there if felt as if we were being debriefed (maybe im a bit over sensetive) anyway we got back to Arillas about 2000hrs and went straight for a meal and then to bed.
One thing I must tell you is that when we went we still had to pey a harbour master's bribe, dont know if you still have to,cant remember exactly what it was but think it was about 5 euros each. Anyway all in all it was a very nice day out all though we were shatterd when we got back. We would like to do it again in a few years time to see how it has changed. Viv & Pete