Well, what a summer 2008 has been both in Corfu and northern Europe! Whilst our temperatures soared up to the 100s, and stayed there, with not a drop of rain for 3 and half months, Northern European skies remained grey and rain was a daily occurrence. Oil prices went through the roof, the pound dropped through the floor and the finale was the collapse of the third biggest British charter company Excel airways!
Dear Friends.........
Miscellaneous News
The combination and timing of these events have made us take a fresh look at things. We were ahead of the trend when we started our un-packaged holidays 13 years ago.
At that time it was a big step for many of you to break away from the traditional idea of “package holidays” and do “your own thing” but you tried it and loved it!
The imitation of others who have followed our lead is the greatest form of flattery. Now so many have jumped on the bandwagon price wars are rife. We want to keep the essentials of Travel with Friends that makes us different and better than any tour operator, but we have to be competitive, especially now ,when a very weak pound has increased prices for holiday-makers all over the Euro zone.
We are aware we must keep ahead of the game and keep the inevitable price increases as low as possible. It is time to rejuvenate ourselves; our programme is having a face lift and a little liposuction! (Actually we could probably do with a little of both ourselves!).
So, whats going to be different?
We are going to offer you more choices to enable you to tailor make your holiday yet further.
One of our biggest changes will be the axing of our hard copy brochure. It has become VERY expensive, especially to post, and is now available to down load in pdf format on our website http://www.twfcorfu.com/PDF/Fullbrochure.pdf. We have always been aware that our newsletter is anticipated with more enthusiasm than the brochure itself so here it is, it will be a reminder that we are still here and remind you to check out the web-site for the details of our reinvented programme. The internet, which was still a novelty 13 years ago, is now firmly part of everyday life and has opened more doors than anyone would have thought possible.
Many of you will be unaware what a big part of the holiday cost your taxi transfer is. We have made this an optional extra so you can chose the best method for you; rent a car, friends who can meet you, or for the cost conscious you can opt to share a taxi with others on the same flight. We will still be happy to book taxi or minibus transfers as we always have. If you book your transfers with us you will have the security of our emergency telephone contact number so should you be delayed, miss your flight, or suffer some other calamity we will make sure your taxi is still there to meet you.
Though spending more time behind the scenes we will still visit to make sure all is well, help with any information for first time visitors, catch up with news for “regulars” and establish return flight information for check out and taxis. Less unnecessary visits by Carole will cut our fuel bill but you will still have the personal service of always being able to contact us, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on our emergency phone contact number for any assistance you may need.
For those who have only just come across us, been recommended or simply found a copy of this newsletter; you may ask so what makes us different?
· We have more combined experience in the Travel business than anyone else on the island.
· Our client care is unmatched when the chips are down. The time our experience counts is when the unthinkable happens. ANY problem is handled in a personal and professional manner. Caring is still our main aim.
· We are never further than a phone call away.
· Our arrival days are now more flexible thanks to the regular Easyjet flight from London Gatwick. (www.easyjet.com). Mondays and Fridays will remain the best days for those flying from UK regional airports. There are direct flights from all main European airports almost every day of the week.
· All our properties have a comprehensive Corfu guide and information folder which is the accumulation of 60+ years of living and working on Corfu. It is amended and updated every year, which is more than you can say for other publications!
· We still put in a starter pack of essentials for your arrival. So whatever time you arrive you can have a cup of tea, glass of wine and a sandwich!
Sue’s daughter Elena has been her main preoccupation this year! The final years in Greek school are always really high pressure but Elena decided she would like to go to University in the UK. The tale of woe of the two education systems is too long to go into here, suffice to say it’s complicated. However Elena DID IT! She worked very hard and achieved the required high grade and is now at Bournemouth University studying psychology. I must beg forgiveness if I appeared distracted this summer, but being a working Mum is bad enough, but trying to organise a child going to university in another country is somewhat stressful!
It was all worth it and I got to see England in September for the 1st time in 30 years, taking her to settle her in. I have to say it was beautiful the weather was kind and everything looked very green and lush to eyes used to the dusty dry desert that was my garden when I left Corfu. The other treat was being able to fly direct to Exeter instead of doing my usual round Greece and England tour to get back to Devon in winter.
There are those that think I really did lose my marbles this summer; taking on a Labrador puppy in May. Actually I am inclined to agree with them! She is of course a true “Andrex” puppy and is gorgeous, even if she has redesigned my furniture, Theo’s shoes, and re potted (read UN potted) most of my plants. Some of you met her when she was small and quiet enough to sleep under the desk…. The desk would now be dragged out of the door, needing something more immovable to keep her in one place!
Never one to be outdone Carole also has a new puppy !!
Resort News
Acharavi now has an appreciation society on Facebook! Some of you may like to while away a winter’s day exchanging photos and holiday experiences with other like-minded people.
The Sun apartments have been bought by the Century resort Hotel.
It seems that Matoula apartments are not with First Choice next year, Thomas Cook are no longer exclusive at Eriva….. all the more reason to take the plunge and travel independently to visit your favourite holiday destination!
As yet the repercussions of the drastic drop in the value of the pound, the economic crunch and the shock collapse of XL is still to be seen, but Yamas Bar will close at the end of summer 2008.
It was a huge surprise to everyone when Thenasis did not return from Canada to open Valentine’s on the beach. He has been much missed.
Everyone always asks after Terry who once had the Kima taverna on the beach, which then moved to premises opposite the old 7 islands apartments. He worked at Apagio behind the Dimitra supermarket for some years until the sad death of the owner. He has tried a couple of jobs this summer but not found his niche yet.
Gino who used to have the Fattoria Italian restaurant has returned. He has opened Da Gino where the Chinese was, on the corner by the baker. It’s great to have him back (well, his food really!) So now we have 2 Italian options, but sadly no Chinese.
Kostas of the Panda bar continues to struggle with his illness making it very difficult to keep the bar running.
The Pumphouse remains busy through the ups and downs, though the boisterous humour of Aleka was much missed; she is now working for her cousin Adonis, in the Gloo Gloo café. Everywhere else was notably quieter, especially the Sunset and Monolithi up the hill, though both had Greek music at weekends. Vangelis has a new cook at Beachside Taverna and his daily specials proved hugely popular, some doing an about turn and forgetting their original plan to dine elsewhere, to have that day’s favourite special meal!
The first of Gloo Gloo Takis’ children; Tassos got married this year. It was great to see the boys all dance their routines from the very famous Gloo Gloo Greek nights at his reception! It was a real trip down memory lane and all of them just as agile with their heel slapping and high kicks.
Kaminaki: We are never quite sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing to report that nothing really changes in this tiny corner. There was one big wedding; sun bed George’s son Niko and Nina, daughter of Vitamins taverna, which caused quite a stir with fireworks and doves over head, much to the delight of all! Anna and Asterios waved goodbye to Dimitri after his summer of working the boats with his dad, as he has gone to study philosophy at Queens in Belfast.
Sue and Spiro at the taverna remain in good health and son Mark this year was helping out at the tables during school holidays. Although no Greek night was put on this year, Spiros’ Kleftiko and traditional dishes were as popular as ever. Anna and Stros have come to terms with modern technology and now have their own web site www.kaminakiboats.com.
The East coast attracted a lot of stars this summer with Eddie Murphy, Denzil Washington and Abramavitch to name a few. The stunning East coast has always attracted the rich and famous and this year was no different. Nissaki just down the road now has a diving school and Agathi and Lakis children continue to run the Mitsos taverna continuing the family tradition. The bay of Agni just past Kaminaki still continues to attract travel writers and food critics alike therefore ensuring a wide selection of mouthwatering dishes will always be available.
Agios Stefanos: Tucked away in the North West corner, at the end of the coast road it is always hard to imagine what else is going on in the island. Like everywhere else the economic effect was felt with some of the tavernas remaining closed. On the other hand a new taverna specializing in mussels opened on the beach and proved popular with its fish dishes. The good news is that there is now a hairdresser based in the village, and the beautician still has her shop.
Vangelis nd Anthula remain are well, with Vangelis still fishing everyday and working in the Hotel Nafsika at night. The new harbour has brought life to the village, and fresh fish can be bought from the fishermen from the quay side. Helena can still be seen running around tending to her chickens and vegetables, which are still left on the doorstep for clients as a surprise when they return from the beach! Some new buildings have gone up on the road to Nikos pool. These are for the children of parents who left and emigrated to America and now have the money to build holiday homes. Greeks can never be separated from their roots, and will always maintain a connection with “home”. George, Theodora and Spiro continue to run the Nafsika and remain in good health, with Spiro taking more of an interest in the cooking side and making a more diverse menu, using very old Greek recipes from their native island of Erikoussa.
In conclusion, we guess that no one will take a chance on next summer being a good one in Northern Europe, and we know that people would rather not get that new sofa than give up their summer holiday and escape from a depressing economic climate, so we hope to see you all back in Corfu in summer 2009!
We will continue with our mail shots through the winter so you can indulge in a little escapism on a dull winter’s day!