Kalimera my lovely friends!
No, I'm not a first timer - but I was! I've just been looking back at my first posts on the forum - made before we first visited Arillas and thought I'd share a couple ....
"Hi everyone - I'm Janis and this is the first time I've tried to post a message on a forum! We're flying to Corfu, for Arillas, on 25th May (3 weeks and counting). "We" being my husband Barry and myself; we've been looking for some time at this website and are encouraged by the positive feedback from everyone.
We're staying at the Kaloudis Studios for 2 weeks and really looking forward to it.
I've not been to Corfu before, but the north west area of the island looks lovely and relaxing."
"It seems so strange, reading everyone's messages and seeing photos of you all - (I've not found a decent one of me yet!!) - I feel as though once we arrive in Arillas I'll suddenly recognise everyone - you know, like when you see a famous person and feel like saying "Hi" but don't...
Am I just mad, or does anyone else feel like this?
Best wish to all, Janis"
That was back in 2007 - and we're getting ready for our sixth visit in six weeks' time! We've had other holidays in the meantime, of course, but each time we say "It's nice, but it isn't Arillas!"
I joined the forum, full of trepidation not having done that sort of thing before, but now - well, sometimes you can't shut me up!! In fact, Barry agrees wholeheartedly with that comment.... :)
Love and peace
Janis x
I've had lots of help and support from forum members and would like to thank you all for that!
I cannot recommend Arillas enough as a wonderful holiday destination with lovely, warm and friendly people - thanks to all our friends in Arillas!!
Janis x
Hi Janis,
Like you my first visits to Arillas was in 2007 and I wholeheartedly agree
that it's been the best holiday resort I've ever been to.
In March 2008 I went to Tenerife for a week, because there were no flights
to Corfu, and all I was thinking of was getting back to Corfu and never go
anywhere else !!! But I didn't just want to go on holiday, I decided to spend
my retirement life there and find a house.
As most of you know, I didn't find a house in Arillas, but in Moraitika on the
South East coast. Sometimes fate takes you to a different place.
But as you say, it's a wonderful place and I too have met many lovely people,
some of them have become friends for life, and I have so many fond memories.
Love Connie x
Lovely posts. Arillas IS special. It seduces people with its simplicity and yet it offers so many sophisticated tavernas with great food, romantic locations, and surrounding countryside and villages. A mile of beach, safe shallow sea, and at least 20 free pools. (Free? Well at least buy a drink...)
The forum is just as special. It has created many long lasting friendships for us with people of like mind - we love being in Arillas - and we use it to stay in touch as best we can. Sometimes we even meet each other there.
I love the way Janis is trying to talk to new people. She, like me, is promoting what happened to us and to her - the welcome that this forum made sure we both received. Our was in October 2007 when Eggy befriended us in The Coconut Bar and asked timidly if he could put a pic of us on this forum. The Arillas Hippies had been born....
For first timers, just give it a try. You have nothing to lose, and so much to gain.
Phil
Loved reading the previous posts - I met Janis on the 'net' and when we met in Arillas over a few carafes of wine - it was like we had known each other forever. Phil and I first went to Arillas in the early 90's it was an el cheapo last minute - allocated on arrival deal. We are so glad we were sent to the Bardis sun studios and met the lovely Poppy and Spiros and their two sons Bobby and George. They made us feel so welcome and have done every year since. I remember the first night in the Bardis Sun bar - I had been bitten to death by mossys - and met some lovely peeps, one even put something on my bites, (I have learnt since not to wear perfume - just eau de Autan or something similar.) We have made so many friends in Arillas, both visitors and locals - we need our Arillas fix every year now. We go again in October for the second time this year - must be our 14th visit I think. We have so many happy memories! Anne x
Hi Janis!
I joined this website in 2007, one of my first posts was in the september..........
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Hi all!
This is my first posting on this website.
I was last in Arillas in May 1999, when my wife Ann and I stayed for our 25th. wedding anniversary at The Bardis Sun Hotel. We had the most fantastic time and got to know so many people. Thomas at the fish taverna and his daughter Spirarula (3yrs. old at that time), Dimitris, your famous Sunday lamb dinners, Poppy and all at the BardisSun Appartments and all the folks 'on the sea front'.
We loved the place, the beautiful peaceful relaxing surroundings, the great walks, and most of all, the friendliness of the residents and other holidaymakers. Reading the postings on this site, it seems the place is still very much the same now!
Sadly I lost my wife three years ago, and have been feeling very down since.
The other day I was going through some old paperwork and found the holiday brochure we had used to book the holiday and inside were all the 'memories' in the form of tickets, and maps etc. of the holiday. I then went to my photographs and found all the ones taken on our last visit. They brought back so many vivid recollections and cheered me up no end.
I have been reluctant to go anywhere on my own on holiday, but feel that I could do with a good break to get away from it all and have a good time! I can't think of a better place to go than Arillas. How many other members on this site 'go it alone'? I would like to hear from you and your experiences. Maybe I'll pluck up the courage to re-visit!
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The rest is history. I have made contact with so many wonderful people, and genuine friends, and feel like it's my second 'home'.
I have traveled to many places throughout Europe and beyond, and none of them has that Arillas magic. The first visit was a 'special offer' on one of those television travel shops. It looked good, so we booked. I will always remember my first view of Arillas as the bus brought us down the hill from Sidari. We were the last ones on it, and as the view opened up I thought, wow, this is it! Now it's my regular holiday destination. Hope to be there again on 30th. September for another two weeks this year!
Yammas,
Martin.
Aww, Martin that's a lovely (albeit very sad as well) story.
Thank you for sharing it.
Arillas worked its magic for you.
Looking forward to meeting you again in October
Janis x x x
Just thinking back our first trip to Arillas was in 1993 and must have had at least 24 holidays there. Always wonderful and so much so that we now rent an apartment all year round so that we can go at the drop of a hat. looking forward to our next trip on September the 30th.
JohnJ
Nice idea for a thread Janis - this prompted me to search for MY first post - it was in response to a request for information about the Bardis Sun and I posted it on 27th. May 2004
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I have stayed at the Bardis Sun before - its clean and functional and the staff - just like everyone else in Arillas - are very friendly and helpful. The area by the pool is great for the sun and is nice and quiet if you don't fancy the beach. Breakfasts are a bit small if you have a healthy appetite, but by paying alittle extra you can get more!
In the evenings pop into the bar next door at the Bardis Sun Appartments - Poppy and Spiros who run it will make you very welcome and its a great atmosphere. Alternatively, take a very short walk down towards the beach and stop at the first taverna - the Sea Breeze. Thomas and his son Yiannis provide some great food and are really nice people.
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Isn't it comforting to know how little Arillas has really changed - everything in that post still holds good today, with the only sad exception that my good friend Thomas from the Sea Breeze is no longer with us.
Hi John, 1993 was our first visit, it was Easter time, season had just started...we came in on the Manchester flight that year.
Ang
1993 was my first visit too....a good year of course....only missed 1994 since then.....xxx
1994 was our first trip, been a dozen or so times since then, this year we had a week from 8th july, our daughter is in arillas now, she arrived last friday.
Year 2000 was our first trip. Remember the taxi ride from the airport at 02:00am.Made a ride at Alton Towers look easy.
I was also in Arillas when greece won the Euros. Best party i've ever been to. No sleep that night.
Yammas.
Pete.