Thinking long and hard about next years trip to Arillas. As yet, we haven`t put any money down, thinking we would wait til January when, hopefully, sale prices will come into effect.
I`ve kept off the travel websites on purpose so that I don`t become tempted to book now.
Or SHOULD I book now? Last time I left it late, we had a bargain. But these days, the cost seems to spiral and no matter when you book, it can be expensive. But book, we will!!
Low cost air travel is cheaper the earlier you book, I know but as yet have not tried this. So do you think I`ll get a good deal in January, considering the way costs are at the moment? For package deal, that is.
Yammas, Paul
To be honest I am pretty "obsessed" with watching package holiday and also flight prices of places that I have booked and generally over the last few years prices tend to go up. I would always go for booking early but saying that there does tend to be a "sale" February time? I booked for next August in Arillas in September and prices have gone up considerably since for both the flights and accomodation (may be sold out now I think?) ! Same with June flights to Tenerife next June. We booked September and they have gone up by 30% already.
Up until this year we have always booked early with Tommy Cook and found the earlier the better. We booked for next June in early October with Easyjet from Luton early saturday flights 20k luggage £161 bargain. We missed the £153 flights by 2 days having to confirm hols with employers.
Allan
june?? when?? where??
hope to see you, will have to sort out when we can get there
ger x
Since finding out how little of the money we pay for a package actually finds it's way into the hotel owners pocket we always book direct with the hotel and get the best low cost flight deal we can. Much better for the local economy.
I understand how you feel about how much the hotel owners get from package holidays. But if it means that it is affordable for us to go, then that is the way for us.
Think we try and balance this out by spending our cash with our hosts as much as we can.
Paul
I'm with Paul on this one. IF we were in a stronger financial position we'd always book independantly but unfortunatley we're not. Booked flights through Easyjet and Tria Adelphia through Thomas Cook this time around.
paul /truth ,and all
at this time ,with the world in economical crisis,,i think the people of arillas just want bums on seat <excuse the pun>,no they might not get bundles of cash from the tour operator ,but theyll have people there spending cash in there bars and eateries, ive booked independent ,and it might be a tad more expensive,but if i was in a position,and had to choose package or no arillas ,then the answer is in our hearts,,,at least were going back next year ,,a thought for those who wont be able to .yammas
we would love to be able to book direct, but flights from bristol area are really expensive, so we book a package, but spend when we get there, so hope we are helping out a bit by doing that.
ger x
I think you're right Kevin. Greece in general, well the world for that matter , just needs to get money "moving" again. If only it were that simple though eh?
We shall be spending plenty as there are 7 of us for our second week when both sets of our parents come to join us and the daughter.
truth
that sounds lovely,i take wife and mum-in-law when we go ,and spend spend spend and if i ever run out ,off to cashpoint in san steph on me scooter,ang get some more,,,,true nothing is that simple ,but its a start,,yammas
We have all gone away in May for the last 4 years but with school hols and everything its August this year. It is nice and me and the wife get a couple of nights out together while the little ones grandparents look after her. It is a start and all that we can do is our bit, one day the politicians might do their bit !
We have already decided to gamble on next October last-week. As soon as EasyJet releases them we will book flights. If we wait it will cost as much again, and that might just tip the balance against being able to go.
If it all goes wrong we will only have lost the low fares. Well, that's how desperate we get for our late week. 2012 will be our 6th time.
Phil
There might be a bit of a party that week Phil....Michelle and I will be there and maybe a few others.......
I dont think we should get too concerned about any dispute between package/independent bookings.For example we travel from Glasgow so are pretty well tied to a package to Kaloudis which we love!
The main thing is that we should encourage people to come to Arillas so the hotels/apartments/bars/restuarants do good business.Then the local economy will thrive and we will have introduced Arillas to more to appreciate its enchantment.
I have no idea what the prices will do moving forward but I can say that my two weeks in Arillas next year are at the best price I have ever had! First two weeks of summer school hols, from Newcastle at Tria Adelphia for myself and my daughter (therefore classed as two adults - no child prices available when only one adult travelling!) for £950. Transfers and luggage included.
Bargain
Its a good price but I was gobsmacked when we got our price ! Flights (including luggage) and room for 2 adults one child for 13 days from Manchester 11/8 was £840 !!! Just need to get the taxi sorted at the other end and the aircon and its job done ! Will come in at about £1000 all in I'd say. I must admit after reading this forum for the last couple of months I haven't looked forward to a holiday as much as this one for years,,, and its still 9 months away ! We will no doubt see you at Tria Adelphia as I think we will cross over for a week?
Hi truth. Sadly we will be back home by the time you arrive. We are in Arillas from 23rd July until 6th August. I also cannot wait. Due to the excellent price for the holiday we aim to hire a boat, maybe a quad (although the jury is still out on that - I keep hearing bad things). We should also be able to eat out most evenings - usually we alternate between eating out and in. It really is fantastically priced for the kids hols and I did not get hit by under occupancy supplements. There is a low baggage limit of 15 kilo but I am guessing Arillas is casual so the cocktail dresses and heels can remain in England. Bliss!
Thats a shame we'll miss each other. I think I'll probably leave my cocktail dresses and heels at home as well even though we have 20kgs each, I only tend to wear them in the privacy of our own home !!!! LOL . Strangely enough the two things you mention that you fancy doing I have been thinking about , the boat hire (first week with the wife and daughter) and the quad (second week while the grandparents take the daughter out). I thought the quad would be a safer bet than a scooter, which we tend to hire out usually, but I am not sure sure now?
[/quote] I thought the quad would be a safer bet than a scooter
Please anyone who usually hires a quad bike check your travel insurance, I read recently that certain companies are re-classing them under 'extreme sports' along with para gliding due to having to pay out for accidents as they have become more popular.
Worthwhile asking before buying the insurance.
Val x
Good point. Knowing my luck we'll come off the quad and I will sink the boat !
Maybe it won't be long before the only thing our travel insurance will allow us to do is.... 'travel'.
We will have to insure ourselves in case we want to lie on a sunbed soon.
Val x
I think I remember Viv having some issues about a quad bike accident, she posted in the summer the post was 'Holiday Insurance' It wasn't her or Pete who had the accident though.
Val x
Please remember, if you do not have a licence to ride or drive a particular vehicle in the UK then you will not be insured if you use that type of vehicle abroad, and if you have an accident then you will be liable for the full costs of all damages to vehicles, persons and all other incidentals.
If in doubt use your legs or a taxi.
Enjoy Arillas and only come home with good memories.
ttfn and ride safe. Mick.
It was Clare (aka Smithy/Smiffy?) who had the quad bike accident. She appears to be OK now but it was an absolutely horrendous accident......
Janis x
Hi Janis, just checked...... in was about Micheal and it was in the post 'Holiday insurance' in July
Val x
Hear Hear Mick. There are too many other ways to spend your time in Arillas if you bother to try. I have read too many sad stories about accidents and injuries on scooters and quads.
If you get bored in Arillas, just say hello to someone. Smile and say kalimera to everyone. Invite them for a drink in Ammos, or anywhere. Share your stories, your life and your friendship. They will have more to say than you do, believe me. Before you know it, you will be inviting them to dinner at your UK home a few months later. Forget about being labelled as shy, this place will connect you and look after you. And make it easy for you, if you make the effort and let it do so.
What we need is drinker-friendly local buses to take people further afield at affordable fares. It won't bother Jen and me, because so far we have been totally satisfied being in Arillas itself for four uninterrupted weeks at a time. Roda? Where is that? Corfu?
Phil
We just like to jump on the bike , have a ride into the mountains and stop in a couple of Kafenions in the villages......... Never had an accident yet but then again I had never fell off my push bike on the way into work until last week either ! lol
im a scooter maniac ..as phil/jen and many know ,have it for the duration of me holiday ,,and boy do i get about ,,as of yet no accidents ,so fingers crossed,but the greek roads are,of a bad way .and with there economics the way it is ,i cant see them getting any better ,,so lets all take care ,yiammas..x
You can,t beat a scooter Kev we also usually hire 1 to get around although i would never go into Corfu town on a scooter but the north west coast from Arillas down to Dassia is a great sight seeing run
Tony
Agreed about Corfu Town. I was there on a scooter about 20 years ago and it was a nightmare !
Lol I was in Corfu town in a Jeep 30yrs ago accompanied by 3 nutty females it was a laugh.... we have always hired some mode of transport over the years but our favorite these past 7yrs has been the Quad Bike , tootle about the North west coast is a must.
Ang