Indepentently or Package?

[Truth]

I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time ! It sounds like it would be hard NOT to !

[westhampete]

Aint that the Truth.

[Truth]

The Truth IS out there !!!!!!!!!!

[Paudman]

I don't know what happened to the original topic (lol!) but we're once again having to book privately - almost the same price as last year, only £30 more expensive. There are two operators, Thomson and Falcon using the same flight and one is £500 cheaper than the other (for three of us of course) despite providing exactly the same service. When I went to enquire about flights Thomson was the higher by £500, when I actually went to book three days later Falcon was now the higher by the same amount, and Thomson had reduced by £500 and was actually £5 cheaper than the first quote... and this was three months ago so hardly last-minute.
Incidentally - out of three Travel Agents in my home town, one could not get any flights at all, one could get us the outward date but not the return date, or the other way round - but not both dates to suit - while the third had all dates available at £500 cheaper than any other quote. Confusing!! However... another week and we'll be back in Arillas again!

[Rachel B]

Hi Dimitris,

I booked my package holiday through Co-op Travel.
I have never booked independently before, for no other reason other than it's very straight forward. Everything is booked and paid for at the same time - gets things out of the way.
For next years holiday, i'll definitely look into booking independently

Rachel x

[daisyday]

It's such a shame the big tour operators take such a "big slice of the pie".  I prefer booking a package (for the reasons stated above) but husband's work shifts meant that we wanted to book leaving on a Saturday this year and doing it independently means that we can pick and choose flight date whereas packages tend to go on set days of the week - difficult when working sometimes.  However, I don't think there is a lot in it on the price (especially factoring in the taxis at say 55 Euros each way) but it does give us the chance to try somewhere new - Bardis Sun Studios - and very much looking forward to it. 

[daisyday]

And pleased to say my "ticker" worked!  Read all the tips and tried it out.

[justphil]

Hope you like Bardis Sun Studios daisyday. Just back from our 3rd stay there, and now we stay there every summer. Already booked for next year....

PhilnJen

[daisyday]

What are your dates for next year?  Luckily I booked about last Sept/Oct because I think they were nearly full then - they are very popular   I'm sure we'll love it - they seem like genuinely nice people - as does everyone in Arillas - which makes us just keep wanting to go back for more!  Have been to quite a few other Greek Islands but nothing beats Arillas

[Truth]

The hotel was very quiet the last week in May when we went past , there were a few more in the studios though

[justphil]

Daisyday, the same dates as this year - we arrange it with Poppy while we are there. You are so right about their popularity which speaks volumes about them. They had all but 100% occupancy for their entire season this year! Much of it was booked last year.

Truth, we saw the same. The hotel was very quiet for July, but apart from being next door and having the Bardis name, they are completely separate.

Phil

[daisyday]

Probably won't see you then Phil.  We will probably return at the same time - mid two weeks of Sept.

[Bella]

I book independently every time as this gives the freedom to try a different accommodation on each visit and choose what time and day to fly. However, after more than 10 years of visiting (usually more than once a year) I have just about stayed everywhere lol I went to the Bardis Hotel for 3 weeks in June for the first time and have to say it was absolutely fantastic! The included breakfast - anything you like is cooked fresh for you when you order and is divine and oh that swimming pool! the best in Arillas if you are a serious swimmer like me and want to do 100 lengths non stop! I will be back in October for more of the same.

[martin-w]

Hi Bella,
I must agree with you about the Bardis Hotel. I have been using it since 1999!
I too travel independently, and since I lost my wife, solo, knowing that Dorita and Aris will look after my every need, and no 'singles' charges'. I go twice a year now, May and September/October, looking forward to my next trip 'home', 27th. September-11th. October. Dorita even books my taxi which meets me at the airport as part of the personal service which is great, i know all the drivers now and they know me!
Might see you there?

Martin.

[Truth]

Hi Phil,
I didn't realise that the two were totally separate entities. I suppose with them sharing the same name and being next door I just presumed they were under the same management.
Cheers