Hi all can anyone tell us how busy Arillas has been so far this year ?
Is it quieter than normal because of this crazy credit crunch & the Greek economic situation ?
Hopefully people are still trying their hardest to have a holiday in Arillas this year & all the local businesses aren't suffering to much
Derek, like you I hope that they all have a good year. I admit to my vested interest, I want to live there (exactly there, not nearby) with Vasillis and all the Armourada crew, Dimitris and Litas and Spiros, with Jimmy and Spiros at Rainbow, with... all of them as neighbours.
Luckily for me my, Jen does too.
Eggy posted a worrying answer to your question last week. About wondering why more weren't enjoying our Arillas. He said "well it's only May." Or similar. I feel it in my bones that life will be hard this year. I hope I am wrong.
Phil
It was very quiet at the beginning of May....
It's still a variable Arillas folks. - The "changeovers"don't help as some leave on a Friday wth more arriving on the Monday , or vice versa. ( Some quiet days )
So we get these quiet spells. I was shocked though, on Saturday to see so many cars parked up and so many people around.
It will be mid June, I think for Arillas to have a bigger buzz than we do now.
But........ Make no bones about it, there is a buzz, albeit gentile, happening now.
Cheers
Negg
Sigh of relief exhaled Eggy. I hope to see them all sweating and running round like demented chickens when I get there in July. So many customers they can't cope. Big tills, little spills. Will add our little bit to it. Fingers crossed
Phil
We usually get to Arillas in September and have found it to be fairly busy.
The beach was packed. Hopefully it will be a good season with not many put off by hard times. Some how, we all get there. The price we paid this year was the lowest we`ve ever paid, so is it really that hard for people to get there?
I know job situations lead to uncertainty and maybe it`s hard to commit to a holiday, but we coudn`t imagine not getting away. But there are different circumstances for different people, I suppose.
We need new visitors to discover Arillas to keep it going, and we will do our bit.
Paul
Yes Arillas is quieter than normal for May as we have just returned..Lots of vacancies..in most of the popular hotels and apartments....but it apears to be the same all over Corfu....Bad press from English tabloids & travel companies (conspicuous by their absence)+ poor exchange rate may be one of the reasons.
For those who are recluctant to go independent it has never been easier.with cheap flights from most UK airports..and unless more people take the independent route things may not improve..prices have not realy increased and Arillas is still great vaue for money...
Quote"Its not the quantity of Visitors its the Qaulity" Unquote
Hi, Kes. I understand people like to go independent but even with cheap flights plus accommodation costs can anyone really argue against our package price of £470. We`ve not gone independent beacause we`ve always had good package prices.
Having said that, we are not against booking direct. Just horses for courses.
Paul
I've only been going independant the last couple of years
and it works fine for me. It started when my travel Agency
stopped having trips to Arillas.
I spoke to Marino at the Horizon about it, and he said I could
book independantly which I did. All in all, the price was the same.
Connie x
We returned home this morning after a 9 hour delay with Monarch which was not pleasant. we spent a very pleasant week at The Bardis Sun Studios which was busy. However I think that Arillas is quieter than usual this year and as for the rest of the island that we saw was very quiet with many holiday apartments not open, with pools either empty or stagnant. Many hotels only had a couple of guests in them.
We have been to Arillas 9 times in 6 years but we think that we might give it a break now for a couple of years as the world is a big place.
Quoteafter a 9 hour delay with Monarch which was not pleasant
Hi Jenny,
Was it the Monarch flight to Birmingham (MON1643)?
Cheers
Terry
Hi Jenny,
Don't give up on Corfu!!!
You're quite right about saying there are lots
of places to see and to go to. But if you've got good memories
from the past, I'm sure you will get more in the future.
Greece is in trouble at the moment, all we can do is support by
returning again and again. Then things WILL get better.
Connie x
Every year I say we will try some where different at the beginning of the season and return to Arillas in September. Every year I open the holiday brochure and guess where it automatically opens - CORFU. Then I start thinking of all our friends over there, the friends we meet up with and the happy memories and just book again to the place we love best ha ha ha, works for us.
Jill
The flight was Monarch 1829 to Manchester. Just about getting over the delay. I've emailed Monarch to see if we are entitled to any compensation.
Just come back after a month stay , I . would estimate visiters no,s were down buy one third in may but by the start of june they seemed to be back to normal,I think the volcano had a lot to do with that . the Thomas Cook rep said a lot of people booked but didn`t turn up for their holiday for fear of not be able to get home on time.
As for me , can`t think of a better place to being stuck in.
Mr C.
Yer not wrong.
It has been quieter. Very good for guests but not so good for business.
However, this little sleeoing (mini) giant we call Arillas is beginning to wake up.
( Taken a while to get going but.......... Book yer parking place soon people! )
And.... Get stuck at the Airport? - We always wished for that!
Cheers to you n all
Negg
We thought Arillas looked like a bit of a ghost town when we arrived on 17th May and it stayed pretty quiet for most of our two week stay. However, it was starting to get a little busier when we left (typical, heh??)
We've never been in September before but coming back on the 27th Sept until sometime in October and looking forward very much to being back amongst our friends
We had a 9 hour delay as well (Thomson to Manchester) and not good. I believe that Thomson may have sub let their plane to ferry BA passengers long haul (better money). Our plane flew into Luton from Athens on Monday morning 31st May, and had to then fly up to Manchester, getting new cabin crew in the meantime, before leaving Manchester for Corfu with lots of weary travellers. It then picked up the Manchester-bound weary travellers around 11pm.
Did it put us off?? Not on your nelly!
Janis x
Janis luvver, I sort of sensed the ghost town thing. But May is always one or the other. And viv and Pete were missing.
I am so glad to hear things are hotting up a bit. Like you, I want Arllas to survive this downturn.
Sorry you had such a hard time with travel. But you know already it woud never stop Jen and me. Not on your nelly....
Phil
Hey Phil, from tomorrow you will counting down in weeks on your ticker!!
Still seems a lifetime Jo. Especially with all the r**bags who are drinking my Mythos as we speak..... lol!
They all know I don't begrudge them. The more who go the better it will be for all our friends who provide us with our dreams. Last year was bad for them. This one seems even worse. How long can they all survive?
Phil
Phil
Twas said once-"If the world is devasted by "A-Bombs" only cockroaches will survive"
They are wrong - The Greeks will survive to get rid of the cockroaches!.
Rumour has it that Greece would have beaten Rome all those years ago if they hadn't decided to attack "AVRIO". - (Good decision, Look what happened to Rome.)
Negg
Hi Neill.
QuoteTwas said once-"If the world is devasted by "A-Bombs" only cockroaches will survive"
They are wrong - The Greeks will survive to get rid of the cockroaches!.
And they have forgotten about Cher. It is widely assumed that coackroaches and Cher (and all her plastic surgery) will survive. Ask Hannah in the Nut about Cher, and Phil making yet another exhibition of himself. She so sympathises with Jen but she dances with me anyway.
My point is that even our Coconut bar is under threat. I have had some wonderful eperiences there. I want many, many more. Please folks, help me keep them viable.
Phil
We came back Friday and it was just starting to pick up. During our week there it was very quiet, not many around any pool and some apartments not even open, it was the same all over Corfu.
We were told that the German Government had told tourists that they travelled to Greece at the own riks so a lot had cancelled.
Jill
QuoteWe were told that the German Government had told tourists that they travelled to Greece at the own riks so a lot had cancelled
That's so sad! We need to get the word out that Greece and her islands is still a very viable proposition for holidays - just look at the wonderful experiences we've all had in our Arillas - and we're all still clamouring to go back for more!
We're looking forward to returning on 27th Sept (and hope and pray that Viv and Pete will be back on that day as well) but our ratbag friends (sorry!) Joan and John who were with us in May have just booked to go back again on 30th August. Before us! It ain't right!! Only joking - it just proves how much we all love the place
I also feel that the prices are pretty much the same as last year - we ate out every night at different tavernas and the total bill for 4 of us (starter, main course and lots of wine....) varied from 46 euros to 76 euros. We ate and drank whatever and whenever we wanted - and were always well looked after
Janis x
46 - 76 euros is a fantastic price for four people. We too found that we could go out, have a wonderful meal with flowing wine & brandys afterwards for a total cost of about 65 euros.
A couple of weekends ago, four of us went out to a lovely country pub to celebrate our friends 50th......the cost at the end of the evening was £150. I know where I'd rather eat!!
Here's an interesting link about tourism & Greece. Worth a read. www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5633137,00.html (http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5633137,00.html)
Sara
Try a feast of fish at Vavilas. You would be hard pressed to spend that much. Tomas catches it all himself and cooks it too. We will be there at least twice in July. Probably on our own by the sound of it.
Phil
Janis might get to meet you in September we arrive on the 24th.
Prices are the same as last year as far as I could tell, we actually didn't spend as much as last year which means more spending money for September yipeeeeeeeeeeeeee
All being well we will see you there Mick and Jill as we arrive in 27th September. Love Viv
Well I never!!!! we also arrive on the 27th. Table 7 and the sardines are ALL MINE. (But I'd be happy to share). We'll have to have a good night out at the Brouklis, that'll put paid to any talk of a quiet end to the season!
Ivan
PS I re-sent that e-mail
Ivan, have never met you but love your Irish attitude. Quiet end??? who said that?? I'm working on my loud last week of the season already. As for sardines, you can have them all. I'll be eating bourdetto and galactoboureko....
Phil
ps - I'm not as crass and loud as my reputation. In truth, I am a a boring ole git who loves Arillas as much as you do.
Ivan
I have to tell you that Phil is only 19 years old. -He's just had a hard working life.
Phil
I have to tell you that if you're thinking of a Mythos drinking competition then, remember that, Ivan gargles with it in the morning after his daily teeth cleaning routine. ( Once he takes them from that jar on the bedside cabinet )
It's been a busy Arillas today.
Even busier for me typing dribble like this.
Negg
Great fantastic, all together again, we certainly will put pay to the quite. Get the 12************ out. Will tell Pete tonight when I ring home. Janis & Barry also arrive on 27th,I dont believe you have met them yet .All we need now are Harold & Sally to arrive and it will be like old times, and ofcourse or Neill and Wendy. I hope Litsa dosent plan to put little Spiro's to bed early.lol. Loads of Love Viv.
ps what time to you arrive may be able to have a taxi share
Viv, what year did you all meet, can you remember? I would also love to hear Eggy's 'journey' in getting from a Arillas lover to an Arillas resident!
Eggy, I am gobsmacked. Are you serioulsly harder on Ivan than you are on me? Oh well, two silly Ole Gits are better than one in the Nut.... And to put the record straight, I stopped being 19 when my hair turned grey. I'm 20 now.
viv luvver, after all you've been through an Arillas reunion is just what the doctor ordered. So wish Jen and me could fill up the vacant chairs....
Phil
Phil, I will volenteer to sit on Ivan lap (wont be the first time) if it could be there to take one of the chairs with your Jen. We both claimed the same chair as our own one year and Dimitris reserved the table for Pete & I or Ivan & Avril never really got sorted.It didnt matter as we all ended up good friends.
Jo, I cant remember the year that all of us got together, maybe Wendy will she's good at dates.
I know I remember our Eggy saying, see those aches there, thats our new house and also when they got their one way ticket, that was the only night I have ever known our eggs to be a bit on edge and quite (well for him anyway) Viv
I think it was 2004 or maybe 2005.
Ivan
Quote from: Jo Wissett on June 13, 2010, 06:40:38 PM
Viv, what year did you all meet, can you remember? I would also love to hear Eggy's 'journey' in getting from a Arillas lover to an Arillas resident!
Jo,
I would be only too happy giving you and your family ear ache for an hour or two
When the ouzo's flow the mouth tends to flow faster.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change over day today and Villa Linakis guests had an hour delay on their flight. Not as bad as M & M , so I'm told. ( They were sat on a 3 hour delay )
So , Tria Adelphia waiting for guests, when I left and Rainbow welcomed a few people to replace those who were going home. More people seemed to be coming in than were leaving so, neck stuck out, I would say it's becoming busier, albeit slowly.
If I thought I wouldn't be arrested I'd take a stroll around the beach tomorrow looking for "White Flesh" - Maybe do a body count - Maybe be arrested or thumped!
Cheers
Negg
Well it looks like September's "hotting up"....
Looking forward to meeting all friends - old and new
Janis x
Haha Eggy Pete and I have often walked along on our second week saying "yep they have just got here" or look at that white bum they dont go nude in uk".
I was told by a good source yesterday that there were around 300 people currently staying in Arillas and this time last year there were about 1200. I'm not sure but I think the capacity for Arillas is about 2000 people at any one time.
I wish we could do more, as Arilliacs, to encourage more people to go there for their holidays. One point worth making is that eating out in Arillas is a lot cheaper than other parts of Europe. My son has just returned from Majorca and he said it was very expensive.
Saddened to read that Terry but I sort of knew.
Reading the forum (as I do all the time) I realise that nearly everyone writes about the enormously high standard of food you can eat in Arillas for relatively low prices. Apart from the wonderful local people, it is the big selling point. We've had Rick Stein waxing lyrical with Jo, Perry and family. Maybe more TV chefs could be persuaded to come to Arillas and air it on their programmes. I can just see Roula showing James Martin galactoboureko on Saturday Kitchen.....
Without a doubt, marketing Arillas is the only way. The days of worrying about commercialisation are over for a while. Maybe a long while.
Phil
It was really quiet when we were there in May. The first couple of days we were worried about all the empty restaurants and apartments. We ate one night at the Captains and we had been the only people there all day. The meal there for 6 of us came to 75e with beers, wine and courtesy shots and large platter of fresh fruit.
We were more concerned about the fact that we had taken the family to give them a taste of Arillas and worried that they would have been bored. But hey ho no way they all loved it and want to go back asap. Our twin Son and Daughter who are 26 Had great nights in the "Nut" even if on some occasions they were the only one's there !!!
There does not seem to be any difference in prices from last year . In fact there seemed to be a price war on as places seemed to dropping prices to attract custom ie Large beer at 1.40e at Graziella.
Will try and give you a bit more info about our hol when I get a minute ( building work going on and a very demanding gorgeous granddaughter plus work takes up most of my time )
Pauline x
Thanks for your heartfelt report Pauline. £12 each for an evening at Captain's with great food, drinks and trimmings says it all. If anyone thinks Spain is cheaper think again.
Quoteworried that they would have been bored. But hey ho no way they all loved it and want to go back asap.
Arillas is quiet, but never boring. From age 1 to 100 there is something for just about everyone.
Hope you get back again this year after all the tribulations
Phil
It was the quietest I have ever known when we were there last week. When we walked around the circuit there was a lot of apartments closed, no on at the Galini, Makris had 2 people by pool, Marvellous had 2 couples, busiest place was the Mirage. Just got a text from Hannah (Coconut) tonight and she said it is getting hotter and hotter but very quiet.
Jill
Jill luvver, text her back and say that from 5th July JohnTheRef and Dot are back in town and Phil and Jen on 13th. We'll heat it up.....
get yer Cher records out luvver!!
lol
Phil
"Greece has pledged to cover extra costs incurred by tourists stranded there by strikes or the ash cloud."
This is good news and will hopefully give people more confidence to have a holiday in Greece.
Full story here ..... http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1142889.php?mpnlog=1&m_id=s~~An_rm_r
There are a few negative comments at the bottom of the page.
We left Sunday morning and from the previous Friday there was more people about, though not as many as usual for the time of year. Nothing for it then but to go back in September!
Ivan