How many other Countries have all of us visited?
Has anyone found anywhere like ARILLAS. ?
In Turkey, Spain, France etc..................... ha ha .
Nope... we arent as well travelled as some but even though we have been to some lovely other holiday places I can honestly say we have only ever felt totally relaxed and comfortable in Corfu, espcially Arillas!
We've been to many different countries and many different greek islands but we've only returned to one place .....Arillas!
We have always been of the opinion that there are so many places to visit in the world that we could not afford to visit same place twice but here we are eagerly awaiting our 6th visit to Arillas with the 7th planned.
Don't know what it is but there is something so special about this place! Whether it is the tranquility of lying on the beach or by a hotel pool reading a book, enjoying one of the beautiful walks in the area or chatting to one of the many friends we've made.
We can echo BG's comments - we've been to many lovely holiday places and can honestly say we have only ever felt totally relaxed.....in Arillas!!
Hi All,
I have been to Spain, Gibraltar, France, Germany including Bavaria, Mainland Greece, Italy,Switzerland,Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sicily, Malta, Turkey, Russia, North Africa, The Balierics and other destinations I have forgotten. They all have some good points but nothing compares with my favorite destination Arillas for peace, tranquility, and friendliness!
Martin.
Because I had a fear of flying until about 12 years ago, I had never been abroad and I now feel I have a lot of catching up to do, to see the world. But, it is a dilemma if you are trying to find a place for a main holiday and you already think you have found the perfect place. I always thought Kefalonia was "that" place but that has now changed.
It would be nice to have at least two holidays a year, one in Arillas and one on a touring holiday to see different places in the world. I have been to the Algarve (Portugal), Spain, France, Tobago, Kefalonia and now Corfu. I think short City breaks will be on this years agenda, finances permitting. But if more, cheap flights were available to Corfu it would be difficult not to go to Arillas.
TerryW
We were late flying starters as well Terry. One of our daughters was afraid of flying so our holidays were always in the UK or driving to France or Germany, so we had some catching up to do when she was old enough to be left behind. (now she flies on her own, typical). We have only been to Europe i.e Majorca, Turkey, and the Greek Islands never a long haul flight (dont think I can stand being cooped up for more than 5 hours, I get "stir crazy"). We have done some city breaks too the obvious ones like Paris twice, Cologne twice and Prague which we enjoyed but now I cant really be bothered with all the hassle, must be getting lazy I think and there again there is the cost too, its not so cheap to go haring off as it used to be. Even for a weekend it can cost you as much as a two week holiday.
I have travelled quite extensively around Europe, Scandinavia and Japan. The Algarve is not too bad, Spain is reasonable in places and there are some seriously nice places in Finland, but unfortunately the weather there is rather unpredictable even in the summer and I do prefer the warmer climate. Arillas is a clear number one purely because it is just sooooooooooo relaxed and easy.
Enjoyed Malta (Sliema) will go back there.
Spain, Majorca, Ibiza. no thanks
Arillas is our Number One
Nearest 'comparable' to Arillas we have been to was the island of Leros.Bit of trek to get there as it means either a flight to Kos then a ferry or another flight over to Leros,or flights from Scotland via London and Athens.
Well worth a visit when you get there.
We have been to many countries , mainly europe and the carribean but keep coming back to Arillas , we went to Sifnos about 7 years ago and that was a trek and a half with the girls ie drive to Luton , fly to Athens , bus to Pireaus , ferry to Sifnos. Just short of 24 hours all told but well worth the effort and yes we are going back next year but it will be just the two of us . And Terry I know what you mean about Kefalonia we really enjoyed our week there last year and would go back , but it still is,nt Arillas . As for city breaks give them a try , we try to do 1 or 2 year and you get to see some wonderful places ( if the price is right ) .
Yammas
Dave n Anne
We've visited Menorca, Tenerife. Majorca, none of which I would rush back to.
We have relatives in Minneapolis, and when we've been there, we've ben able to travel to other place. We've been to South dakota and Montana, both of which were absolutely beautiful. I would love to see Mount Rushmore again, and I think that in the future we will return, but for now we're happy with Arillas. It's got everything we want.
Hi all. That's our problem too. Whenever we have the money in season, the choice between Arillas and anywhere else makes itself. And you all know what we always decide...
Been to Turkey Rhodes Crete Zante Minorca Mainland Spain but Corfu beats the lot we did like the other greek islands and menorca was nice we hated Tossa de mar and wont ever be going back there, thats why this is our 5th visit to Corfu :-)
Tony
Hi Folk
Its great to read about your views on different places for holidays. Have been around a bit myself and present favourites are Arillas (number one) and Tingaki in Kos (number two).
However when our sons were young we had three holidays in Denmark. We found wonderful beaches and countryside. The North Sea beaches are great. Drawbacks though (you guessed it) are sea temperature and less reliable weather than the Greek Islands.
We also once stayed for a couple of weeks on the Isle d'Oleron on the Atlantic Coast of France. It was hot (35 degrees) for several days and the beaches were great. However the Atlantic is not the Mediteranean and the sea never gets as warm as it does in Arillas.
So, if there is a vote, Arillas gets number one every time with me.
Best wishes
PJ
We have been to Paros, Rhodes, Zante twice, Mallorca several times, Ibiza several times, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Cyprus and Corfu. The only one that came close to Corfu was Paros and i would imagine that has changed over the years. Nothing can beat Corfu and that is why we have been back at least once every year for the last 5 years.
The fact that we have been coming back to Arillas for 15 years, I guess says it all, but we have ben to Majorca, Lanzarote, Malta, France on several occasions, Italy, switzerland, USA and Canada. I have a saying that for me sums up Arillas and that is " it doesn't matter if you are talking hotels, pubs, restuarants or holiday resorts the thing that takes you back is the people not 5 star luxury or other attractions. I cannot tell you how much help we have received over the years that was over and above the call of duty from the people of Arillas and surrounding areas. It will probably make me seem senile but you would not believe the number of times I have left a wallet, camera or other items in restuaraunts, supermarkets etc. and have had people coming running after me with the forgotten items. And thats just one example. It's not just about honesty I really think these locals really care and that shows and we appreciate it. Viva Arillas!!!! Wish I knew the Greek for Viva, how about some help Eggy?
JohnJ
Our sentiments exactly JohnJ. It is the people and yes they do actually care.
best wishes
Phil
John J
Probably translates into " Long Live Arillas " which I think the nearest is " Long Life "
So maybe could be " Kronia Polla Arillas " - " Many years Arillas "
Kronia Polla is used a great deal here.
Dimitris could shoot me down in flames on this explanation.
Cheers
Negg
ps. - I went to Jersey once but couldn't get on with the English Language.
Hi All,
This will be our first time in Arillas, but we picked it because of the similarity to Kefalonia 15 years ago. First time in Kefalonia was Lassi, then that became a disco town !!! So then we found Scala, which was great for 10 years, but now is too commercialised and cant make up its mind whether it wants to be Blackpool or Torquay, some restaurants now make you wear trousers !!!!!
Worst Greek island was Crete...
Positive thing about all of Greece and its islands are the Greeks themselves though, truly lovely people.
We're sure Arillas wont let us down !!!
Eggy..... Hopefully we'll see you in either of them ( Coconut or Whispers )..... sometime during the day !!!!!
Whats wrong with Crete!!! We loved it there... 6 years holiday spent there... does depend on where you go though, the quieter end past Chania & Platanais and South is the best part. Didnt like Rethymnon and towards the East very much. The last time we went was 4 years ago and it had changed a bit then, too busy I must agree in Aghia Marina now, so its spoilt it for us. That is why we opted to go to Corfu for a change and have been 3 years running now.
Sorry Eggy, meant Malibu and Coconut.... !!!
Blondegirl,
Any island with a resort like Malia cant be good surely !!!!
Only joking, just not our scene !
When we went to Crete last year (Herssonnis) something like that. It was full of kids riding scooters. Never Again.
We used to think we would go to Arillas in June and somewhere else later in the year.
Now Arillas twice a year, we know what that we will be somewhere that we love.
riggers...
Finikounda in the Peloponnese compares well with Arillas, very friendly and laid back.
Have to agree with Blondegirl about Crete, the west of the island is lovely.
We really liked Kerala in India, more so than Goa. Tunisia you can keep and I hated the Gambia.
We always seem to end up back in Greece, love Samos, Lefkas, Mykonos, Lesvos and Rhodes, Kefalonia we had 3 days of storms so that put me off.
Anyway, back to Arillas it is then!
been to many places in greece rhodes 10 times[my real overall fave],corfu twice benitses the first time and then arillas,lassi in kefalonia,zante 3 times,skiathos,thassos,santorini,paros,
spain and canary islands on several occassions which id rather forget never ever again.turkey,austria,france,mexico ,st.lucia[where i got married].and lake garda which i thought was fantastic .but forsome reason arillas wins mainly for its simplicity and friendliness.its a resort that i found is not trying to be the same as another resort.when i first got here i thought what am i going to do here for a week but after the first night i said i would be back and this year will be my second visit but this time for2 weeks.to sum it up without offending a resort with very little but offers plenty hope i said that right.
Really spot on wino1605. Nothing here, nothing to do, nothing to keep me here.... but that lasts about 5 minutes. A week later you've booked the two weeks for next year, two trips for the one after, two months for the one after that and then you start building a house....
You have travelled all over (btw we love rhodes too) and still realise that Arillas is unique. Maybe it is the water.... but I believe it is the people. Genuine, honest folk who make you part of their extended family the first time they meet you. It is their culture, not their sales pitch.
That doesn't exist as far as I have experienced or heard about anywhere but in Greece. And Corfu is moreso, and the North West is the ultimate example. Arillas for some of us is nirvana.
Agree with every word you said.
Phil
I forgot my daughter and I went to Turkey..... apart from the scenery it was awful... the hotel was worse than Fawlty Towers... noisy, rough and the food was inedible AI. English food cooked very badly! I loved the fantastic scenery when you were on the beeach, amazing red mountains behind you and loads of little islands in front of you, I am glad I took loads of photos because I wouldnt go back! We didnt go out at night, we got accosted by the touts all the time, they wouldnt leave my daughter alone the pests and we didnt feel safe at all. Unlike Arillas there is none of that there unless you count the donut man!