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Post by Tre on Jun 27, 2017 22:57:42 GMT
Really going to upset Dennis now!! Realised my earlier post was not under Feedback 2017! So I repeat;
So the time is almost here. I've posted before that we're travelling to Skiathos via Athens with Aegean at a great saving to us. We depart Manchester Terminal one Friday 30 June 11:30am A3639 arriving Athens 17:15 Just enough time to to get a drink & a bite to eat (or shop!) before we depart for Skiathos at 19:35 A37076 due to arrive 20:20 I understand that lots do this but it will be a new experience for us. Yiamas! Started the packing.... I need this wine tonight!!!
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Post by balddave on Jun 28, 2017 6:35:43 GMT
Lots of high factor sun cream required, forecast looks superb for you guys
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Post by katet on Jun 28, 2017 10:40:51 GMT
Oooo - so exciting, Tre! When I looked at going via Athens the outward looked fine, but coming back entailed a very long wait in Athens. What are your timings like? (Not that you want to think about coming home when you haven't even gone yet!!!)
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Post by philipt22 on Jun 28, 2017 12:16:26 GMT
Like Baldave says it's hot and getting hotter by the day. If Dennis hires a jimney next week and it rains I'll not be 😊 See you on Friday
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Post by philipt22 on Jun 28, 2017 12:19:54 GMT
Saturday 😀😀😀😀😀
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Post by Tre on Jun 28, 2017 22:53:20 GMT
Kate, as posted above, just over 2 hours in Athens going out, time for a drink! On return less than 2 hours. I'll be sure to post how we find it.
Online check in completed earlier, opens 48 hours before flight. Secured "exit" seats, 11D & 11E, hopefully that means more legroom. No additions cost. We'll see....
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Post by katet on Jun 29, 2017 16:20:19 GMT
Sounds great! Have a fab holiday - I know you will!! xx
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Post by cariad23 on Jun 29, 2017 16:58:34 GMT
Have a great time, ive just logged into BA and reserved our seats free, first time going scheduled from heathrow to kalamata (for stoupa) we go 1st july. Flights only £270 for two. the same holiday on package with olympic £1800 from manchester which is the same distance as heathrow for us. Ive done it for £940 booking it seperately and hopefully more legroom. Getting excited now. we thought next time to skiathos we'd go with agean so i'll be interested to hear how it goes
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Post by Tre on Jun 29, 2017 22:31:44 GMT
The bags are packed, we're ready to go......... even a few kg's to spare! Glass of wine, yes please! The official check of birthday gifts?! What to pack as a surprise or leave at home till my return, or even open early!! Lol! Gotta have my birthday in Skiathos Looks like it's been busy on here today, so sorry if I've missed anyone's post. Taxi 7am...Kalinixta........
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Post by Tre on Jun 30, 2017 22:38:30 GMT
For the first time ever we managed to get to Manchester airport without any queuing traffic. Amazed! Downside, we arrived early & no check in desk yet allocated. 20 minutes later we were the first to check in. 2 kg baggage to spare! As a pre birthday surprise I found we were booked into premium lounge. Fast track security & little more than half an hour after arriving at the airport we'd ordered breakfast & got a coffee. Great start. First time flying with Aegean. Oh boy! Took us back about 20 years. The cabin crew all smartly dressed, caps an all. Lots of hair pins used to secure the "updos" they were sporting. Just have to mention the leg room. Fabulous. Will add a photo showing TC comparison. Prior to take off they came round offering boiled sweets! Soon after take off soft drinks were served, followed by complementary hot meal & drink of our choice; red wine very nice too. Cabin immaculately clean. Captain advised on approaching Athens that the temperature was 41 degrees! Heck! Athens; very unsure as the where to go for connecting flight. Soon sorted thanks to helpful staff. Through passport control & then to security. Problem??! In Manchester I had bought, on recommendation, a shower gel that's supposed to assist in repelling mozzies; £14. 120ml. Oh dear, it hadn't been "sealed" with receipt in Manchester duty free so I had 2 options; Go back & check it in with my hand luggage (approx 4kg) at € Per kg at my cost, or "bin it" To be fair security guy was so lovely. No hint of a "jobsworth" I decided to bin it & he stressed I should send a complaint to Manchester & ask to be reimbursed as they should have sealed it. Will know next time. So, just under 2 hours in Athens, about an hour after security issue! A beer & a snack & we were ready to board for Skiathos. On board the captain announced our journey would be 20 mins! Took off just about on time. There was even time for a complementary soft drinks service before landing. Oh the joy! No silly bus at the airport, we walked to the terminal. No one at passports so a leisurely stroll through. Carrousel starts, still dubious ?! Would our bags have made it through Athens from Manchester? Another joy! First 2 cases were ours!! Straight out to a cab, €20 to Theodora. Drink in the bar less than half hour after landing. Perfect. Got roped into quiz night so now at 1:30 am still not really unpacked.......
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Post by katet on Jul 1, 2017 8:39:30 GMT
T - what a brilliant journey! I'm going to explore this for next year (sadly, already booked wit TC for September). Hope you had a good sleep 😌
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Post by balddave on Jul 1, 2017 9:12:26 GMT
Tre liked your comment ' took us back 20 years', just proves not all progress is good. Aegean certainly seem worth a look for future bookings. Enjoyed your report, have a great day.
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Post by cariad23 on Jul 2, 2017 5:48:09 GMT
Will definitely use agean next time to skiathos. We flew BA yesterday brilliant as u say going back 20 years hassle free. Easier getting through Heathrow than Birmingham or east mids. 5 mins bag check in 5 mins security after reading about massive Olympic delay from Gatwick due to faulty plane will never do package again
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Post by katet on Jul 2, 2017 7:50:00 GMT
Cariad - I guess there comes a time in our lives where we prefer paying for proper service than roughing it on the cheap .......... not that TCook etc are particularly cheap!! And in the case of Agean - great prices too. Was your BA flight expensive?
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Post by Tre on Jul 2, 2017 16:42:46 GMT
1 July Awake at 7am Lovely & . Opened the door- Wow!! The Heat! Anyway, managed to fully unpack & get sorted, I do have to be sorted! John calls it "faffing" but I like things in order & easy to find:) Our holiday can now well & truly begin. Watched a new restaurant take shape in May; Chef to Chef, top of Pap Street. Had heard that it did a cracking breakfast so that's where we headed. Really good, both in quality & value. €8 each for a choice of 2 set breakfasts. We had, Juice, cereal, followed by omelette, sausage, toasted sandwich & croissant, coffee, fresh bread with ham & honey & finally a plate of sliced fresh fruit. Seriously good value but could not manage it all! By 12 noon in town we were melting. I decided to ban the word HOT!! We were complaining at home that we needed the heating on in June, is there no pleasing us!! So, a cheeky beer at Rock & Roll as if felt when we walked by; fans outside! Question, not just here but why do people think it's acceptable to walk around staring at & tapping into their phone instead of looking where they're going? Especially when in charge of a pushchair!! Then up to the Bourtzi for the planned meet with Dennis & Vera & Phil & Liz. Spent a lovely hour or so putting the world to rights. Bus back to Kolios to enjoy a welcome dip in the pool followed by a short siesta in the shade. Far too "warm" to use a hairdryer so it was an evening with "holiday hair" Avli at Pareskevi was our choice. Always served bread with garlic dip & tapenade when drinks are ordered. We chose cheese pies & Baked feta. Followed by chicken souvlaki & meatballs. Both served with oven potatoes. A red & a white wine. Lovely as always €40.
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