Arillas Forum
Welcome to Arillas => Arillas general information => Arillas Calendar => Topic started by: martin-w on January 12, 2012, 02:28:07 PM
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After quite a 'kerfuffle', I have now achieved what I thought was impossible! Booked my flights for three weeks in Arillas on the internet, with Thomas Cook. Most companies, (I usually use Thomson), only let you book one or two weeks, as their computer systems are set that way. I did try to 'modify' the booking system at my local Thomson Shop, but no luck. anyway, at the prices Thomson want this year from Cardiff they 'haven't a chance'! A great shame, as they have served me well for many years.
This year I am traveling from Bristol, got a 'bargain' in the Holiday Event Sale, £230 + seat choice + meal + baggage(20K) = £294. I kept viewing the offer every hour, till they did a final further £20 off, then pounced! Job done! Still couldn't believe it until I printed my e-tickets!
As usual, I will be 'at home' in The Bardis Sun Hotel booking 'independently' with Dorita. Slight increase this year, but quite understandable, considering the higher taxes and the Greek economy.
I am so looking forward to my stay, at last, the 'light' at the end of the tunnel again!
Yammas!
Martin.
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Well Done Martin. Have been reading your other posts on this and we are having all the same troubles as you. You would think that it would be so easy to just book the flights you want and the airlines would be happy for the custom. We are restricted on dates every year due to work restrictions so flying from Norwich is our only realistic option and Thomson is the only one to fly from Norwich and they are really taking the proverbial this year. But, and don't tell them this, we are going come hell or high water. Will just have to do a bit of overtime! And to think that a very popular company is now doing all inclusive holidays only - whatever is happening out there? But that's another story.
Ann x
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Hi Ann!
When I was at the Thomson Shop I was told that if there are no 'rivals' for certain destinations form an airport, as with Thomson from Cardiff to Corfu, they 'can charge what they like' because they have a 'captive' clientele. I was also told that they also have another 'captive' group, that don't stay on the Island, but use Corfu Habour as the launch point for cruise liners, the air fare being 'part of the cruise package' so naturally, Thomson 'fill their boots'! The likes of us have no influence in the pricing, as we are a minority.
Anyway, loyalty is now 'out of the window', and 'all inclusive' is not my cup of tea! So good luck, hope all works out for you in the end. Ariilas or bust!
Martin xx
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Brilliant news, Martin am really pleased you managed to get what you wanted. Three weeks, jammy so and so! How many sleeps until you go?
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martin
well done yiammas ,
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Well done Martin - and see you in May us holiday buddies will meet yet again
Love
Mary :)
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Well done Martin!
What dates in May? What dates will you be there also, Mary?
We arrive on 21st May and leave on 4th June
Janis x
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As you all say the most importurnt to those of us who love Arillas is that we can get there As Someone who rely on package trip(Thomson) as we have no viable private alternative from Glasgow we are still worried if major tour companies are restricting their availability or allowing concerierns about their committment to Arillas.Forgetting about us it cannot be good for the resort which we all must promote
Oliver and Catriona.
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Hi Janis, Mary!
7th.-28th. May so see you all there. Must have another trip to Efi's!
Yammas,
Martin.
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As you all say the most importurnt to those of us who love Arillas is that we can get there As Someone who rely on package trip(Thomson) as we have no viable private alternative from Glasgow we are still worried if major tour companies are restricting their availability or allowing concerierns about their committment to Arillas.Forgetting about us it cannot be good for the resort which we all must promote
Oliver and Catriona.
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Hi Oliver and Catriona,
Perhaps you prefer to fly from Glasgow, but are you aware that Ryanair now fly from Prestwick? I believe there is an introductory offer of free rail travel to Prestwick from anywhere in the UK.
There are some very reasonably priced fares available but the downside is it's a Thursday flight - not so easy to fit in with time off work.
Eileen.
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Good job Martin! I am sure you will have as great time as always :)
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Hi Janis
I arrive on 11th May and leave on 25th May. So will see you for four days. I didn't think I was going to manage it this year, with me changing jobs 3 times in less than a year! But really looking forward to it now and saving hard. I'm also hoping to do a September visit.
Love
Mary xx
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Oliver and Catriona - have you considered Thomas Cook - they do flight only from Glasgow on Mondays, and the times are sensible as well.
Janis - not quite certain of my dates yet, but there is a very strong chance I might just catch you this May!
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dont forget to put your dates on the calender ,,,,yiammas
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Good news all round then. :-)
Prestwick flights sound good but a bit of a trek from North Wales !! BUT I do like trains ??? I wish we could still fly from Liverpool to Corfu (only did it once I think?) Maybe I dreamt it - can't be sure!
I must stop reading these posts Martin and Mary or I could be in serious danger of clicking something I shouldn't. I could be booked in no time at all!
Really glad you got your 3 weeks Martin.
Cheers Nan xx
Keep you posted Phil and Jen xxx
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Go on Nan! Click away and join us all for a May party!
On the calender Kev, and got a new Ticker factory!
Yammas,
Martin.
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good on ya martin ,,yiammas ,,x
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Go on Nan, get clicking and join us in May would be great to see you again. I wasn't even going to have a holiday this year but couldn't resist just looking on the internet and before I knew it I had lost control of my mouse and booked my May holiday!!
Love
Mary xx
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Come on, Nan - get clicking! It would be lovely to have the May crowd together again
Janis xx
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Janis I am definitely going to miss you in May :,( .....as that when my daughter has booked the 'family holiday' to Rhodes, oh well I suppose it stops you and I becoming those two strange women who keep asking everyone who they are Lol !
Will be going in July as usual though, just wish we could make it for more that one visit.
Sure that we will meet one day soon though, nipping out now to buy the Lotto tickets ;)
Val x
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So thats Janis, Mary, Martin and us so far, Come on Nan. We are in our beloved Arillas from 14th to the 28th. Do you remember Martin a few years ago when you querid the 10 night stay, well TC have done it again because thats what we are paying for and when we told them it didnt fit in with the flights they said never mind your have to have 12 for the same price. To make sure of this as I couldn't believe it could happen a second time I checked with Mirage and yes we are booked in. We would still have loved to go independently and stayed with Poppy & Spiro but just culdn't turn this down as a lot of differance in money that we can now spend while there. Viv
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Awwwwww bless you all!
What's a girl to do? Don't try to talk me out of it will you? :-) You know I've got next to no willpower there's no need to encourage me.
Waiting for the green light in the turret and it will be GO GO GO !!!
Lottery win would help but as you know I am always keen to cut corners to fund a few weeks in Arillas.
Re-using the teabags
Shopping at poundland
Late night bargain hunting in Morrisons- OMG it's cheap!
Charity shop clothes
Speading butter on only one side of the butties - none at all on beans on toast!!!!!!!
What a skinflint I hear you say.... I'm not that bad really but as they say "every little helps!"
Sings "Dream .....dream dream dream ....."
Cheers Nan xx
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Nearly a full 'team' Viv! I must admit I am quite impressed with Thomas Cook, they did me a very good deal from Bristol, hence the three week stay. I do remember what you said about the 10 day to 12 day deal, but discovered it doesn't apply to me unless I pay the dreaded 'singles supplement'. That's why I go to The Bardis Sun Hotel, because Dorita charges per person, not per room and it works out a lot cheaper for me there. Glad you two have managed to sort it again!
Really looking forward to it all now, that Arillas Magic does you good! Even thinking about it helps during our gloomy wet cold winters!
Come on Nan, O.K., keep thinking 'Arillas', sun, good food, great company........
Yammas,
Martin.
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So funny Nan! Brilliant post - loved it :-)
Eileenxxx
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Eileen, are you going to be around while we are there?
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OOPS pressed post by mistake then, was going to say it would be nice to have all the ( I dont like the expression oldies) but you know what I mean Norm & Sandy, Harold & Sally, Ivan & Avril, Eileen & Keith, Kes & Kath, Sandy and her friends doing the palates on the beach but also the newer friends we have now, what a party we could have.
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Nan, Go on, go on, go on......you know you want to x
Val x
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well me and ann will be there from the 18 th of may for two week see you all there
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Brilliant post, Nan - come on, girl, get booked!!
As for the "cutting corners"... well, I don't re-use tea bags as I like my tea pretty strong (Viv'll confirm that!) but everything else - well, done 'em all and will continue to do so, every little helps (sorry that's Tesco not Morrisons, lol)
Janis xx
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Never mind Tesco, 'Every LIDL helps'. Veg much cheaper, so are lots of other things!
He He!
M.
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Thats the best way Nan the last couple of years saw me out of work for 9 months but with doing away with the odd takeaway and not going out as much on a night we got to Arillas which more than compensated for the the treats we used to have and to be honest i never really missed them
Can't wait to get there this year roll on August :-)
Tony
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will see you there viv will be nice to catch up
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Wow, sorry I didnt put you on the list. I havent forgotten standing up on the bus to see if I could reconise you and then seeing you run along the front to meet me. lol. Viv
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BTW Pete and I walked past your old house a couple of weeks ago, we were staying at the Lincoln hotel. Viv
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Hi Viv,
Looks like we will miss you this year - well at least in your May visit - you usually try to squeeze in another one later in the year! :-)
As yet we haven't made firm travel plans but do know we will be leaving sometime the second week in May.
Sounds like there are going to be lots of parties in Arillas during the last fortnight in May :-) :-) :-)
Eileen.xxx
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Hope to see you then Eileen if you are still there at the beginning of May. I am there until 12 May - hopefully with my dad although we haven't booked his flight yet (waiting to see how he feels nearer the time, bless him).
This year my sister is coming over from Oz - flying from Sydney to Athens then getting a domestic flight over to Corfu on 5 May, returning to UK with me on the 12th. I do hope my dad comes - it will seem weird being there with my sister and him.
Now she has retired my sister is spending 4 months over here this year, so will be coming to Arillas again in August (joined then by her husband). That will be her fourth visit - not bad from Oz!!
Can't wait.....just a pity about work in between.....
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Sandy, looking at the dates it seems we will definitely be able to have a catch up at some point.
I was just thinking about your dad the other day. I had seen your lovely family photo on FB which then sent me wondering if your dad would make it over this year. Hopefully the thought of spending time with is two daughters will spur him on...if only to keep an eye on the retsina consumption ;-)
Eileen.xxx
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Hi Martin, just been on charter flights and found lots of 3 week holidays in Corfu, one is 18th May to 3rd June at £235 wish I had seen it before, thats from Manchester. Then found one same dates from Cardiff £392.69. I know your all booked now but worth keeping in mind. Viv
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Glad you`re all sorted, Martin. They don`t make it easy, do they?
It`s amazing what travel agents can do when they try, tho.
So, we`ve both got what we wanted - three weeks of `r and r` in the best possible place.
What about September?
Paul
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Well done Martin - and see you in May us holiday buddies will meet yet again
CAN A' COME TOO. he he. D-up
Love
Mary :)