|
Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 29, 2022 7:07:15 GMT
Ditto. Loved reading the posts.
|
|
|
Post by cariad23 on Aug 29, 2022 7:41:24 GMT
Great reports, I have this picture in my mind of 17 girls tottering along in heels talking loudly. Great hotel has room available most don’t then a day wasted. Would you go back to this hotel?
|
|
|
Post by balddave on Aug 29, 2022 14:44:41 GMT
Great reports, I have this picture in my mind of 17 girls tottering along in heels talking loudly. Great hotel has room available most don’t then a day wasted. Would you go back to this hotel? In answer to your question, if ,like this week we just need to basically do nothing and recharge, then yes , otherwise back to town, in my opinion pound for pound the Alkyon is better value. another thing I don’t think we’ll be doing again is visiting in august, far to busy for ourselves, May,June or September for us. one thing we have discussed is extending next years week in May to 10 days, not ready to go home but commitments await.
|
|
|
Post by balddave on Aug 29, 2022 16:35:45 GMT
At the airport, got a taxi rather than using transfer, here early to beat the crowds,currently sat in the upstairs cafe prior to going through to security. I’m assuming it will be mayhem, 2 Italian flights taking off 10&15 minutes after ours.plus another 25 minutes before.
Today was just as we planned, breakfast, packed cases and checked out leaving luggage in storage room then headed to the beach which was noticeably quieter than previous days, basically sat on sun bed ,read kindle, went to bar for a drink, return to sun bed and repeat. Had a late lunch of tuna baguettes then returned to the hotel, the free use of a room to shower and change was perfect, one noticeable point is ,the room in question was a standard room however it was somewhat larger than our supposed premium pool room? Collected luggage and sat on bar terrace awaiting taxi which arrived bang on time, check in no queue so quickly sorted, our flight is evidently on time so all’s good with the world. Possibly our least active visit to Skiathos, but we both thoroughly enjoyed it
|
|
|
Post by katet on Aug 29, 2022 16:36:51 GMT
Thanks Dave, have loved your reports. Your holiday really has been too short! Safe travels
|
|
|
Post by balddave on Aug 30, 2022 7:14:30 GMT
Spoke to soon when i said our flight was on time, it departed Manchester 45 minutes late so arriving in Skiathos late, however all passengers on board, only 2/3 capacity, by 10:05 our schedule for take off 10pm, excellent we thought until the pilot announcement of a 30/40 minute delay due to air traffic control. Eventually took off at 10:40 arriving back in Manchester 12:15 am, quickly disembarked and at pass port control, ourselves along with several others had purchased fast track but the machine would not accept any of our bar codes, eventually Mr Jobsworth from border control arrived advising us that because of our late arrival our fast track passes had expired, after some heated discussion he reluctantly relented and let us through. Cases off very quickly, car park ( meet and greet) a breeze, back home approximately 1:40 am , straight to bed. I shall post later with my general observations post holiday
|
|
|
Post by kelso on Aug 30, 2022 8:12:46 GMT
No matter how good a holiday, isn’t it great to get back in your own bed! 😄
|
|
amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
|
Post by amy115 on Aug 31, 2022 9:27:53 GMT
Thanks Dave, have really enjoyed your 'drivel'.
|
|
|
Post by balddave on Aug 31, 2022 15:57:03 GMT
As promised, general thoughts/ summary
Is Skiathos still our go to place —yes
Would we stay at the kanapitsa Plaza again— yes, however would hire a car , boat taxi to town great, but a decent undulating walk to the bus stop.
Would we visit in high season again— not if we can help it, too busy for us, and without sounding racist/offensive, the island visitors at high season, ie our Italian,Romanian, Bulgarian etc brethren I find at best rude towards staff, loud and ill mannered.
Town is still probably our favourite place to stay, just having the ability to reach a good deal of the island by bus or boat taxi, plus the variety of fabulous evening venues, and only a stroll home.
Has the island got more expensive, I would say yes, understandable bearing in mind the current economic climate plus the covid effect. Price increases not massive, eg kanapitsa boat taxi up 50cents each way, drink has gone up similar amounts possibly a tad more, main courses increased in many places by 1 or 2. Euro, still excellent value for quality of product. It doesn’t sound horrendous but it all adds up, anyone on a tight budget will have to be conscious of costs.
The lack of holiday reps on the island is an issue, we had been given a reps name, but the contact number was uk based call centre, we took 3 days trying to get through to let them know we wouldn’t be using the transfer to the airport.
As everywhere staffing is an issue, talking to long standing business owners, they said those with employment in the mainland who would normally travel to the island to work the season are reluctant, despite the short term financial benefits, give up a secure regular income.
Did we have a great holiday, hell yes, we did exactly what we planned which was very little, can’t think of a better place to do next to nothing in.
I have enjoyed posts from YM, Kev and Bob, looking forward to reading those of forum members still to visit this season.
|
|
|
Post by yorkshiremouth on Sept 1, 2022 12:00:44 GMT
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading these.
Great observations to finish off, too.
|
|
|
Post by kelso on Sept 1, 2022 17:00:22 GMT
Great round up Dave. I agree about busy August. I only went then because it saved me £600 on the ridiculous price Olympic Holidays wanted for my usual time in September. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday, like you I wouldn’t go at that time again. I also got the feeling that there were larger numbers of other nationalities than previously and some of their manners left a lot to be desired, particularly in their dealing with restaurant and taverna staff.
|
|
|
Post by *Di* on Sept 2, 2022 6:17:20 GMT
Great round up Dave, thanks so much for letting us all enjoy it with you! 👏🥰
|
|
|
Post by balddave on Sept 2, 2022 18:50:10 GMT
I shouldn’t be jealous but I am, I have a group of 4 friends flying out tomorrow and another couple arriving on Monday, my fault I introduced them to the island 3 years ago for my 60th, they and others have been smitten and now visit regularly. Is there anywhere I can claim commissions? I know my phone is going to constantly receive photos of places I would want to be.
|
|
|
Post by kevb on Sept 3, 2022 4:34:05 GMT
Although initially you may have regrets about not doing something while here, look on it as a start of the list of things to do for the next visit.
|
|