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We feel rather proud that we have navigated the troubled waters of yet another difficult summer remarkably well and feel that we are last benefitting from an upturn in independent travel, and people using the Internet to find their holidays. We are grateful, as always, to our ever growing band of regular guests, (many of whom commented on how quiet the beach was this year).
Who spotted our regular Acharavi guests interviewed on a double page spread in THE SUNDAY TIMES in the spring? It was an article investigating the possibilities of extended holidays, which we have the flexibility to offer! That is a feather in our cap! Can you believe that we forgot to mention too that Sue was seen on BBC breakfast TV a year ago giving her opinion on the Euro!?
On that subject, the second year of the Euro has been interesting, as we have all settled into using the new currency. It would be silly to pretend that there has not been price rises this year but we believe that everyone stills find eating and drinking out good value. A strong Euro and weak Pound Sterling unfortunately made for a 10% increase before taking into account inflation. This state of affairs has resulted in brochure price increases we would rather have avoided. Though the “duty free” allowance (which is in fact duty paid!) and plays a part in everyones holiday budget, has increased to 3200 cigarettes, so as those goods are still cheap here it helps to balance the holidays expense sheet!
Many of you have now met a new member of our team, Shirley, who is a resident of Avliotes near Aghios Stefanos (west). Whilst being too young (that just means younger than us!) to have a cricket score years of experience she has a thorough knowledge of the island and has worked with other companies with the same work ethos as ourselves, so has slipped easily into harness, maintaining our attention to personal service.
We continue to be bombarded with questions from people who are looking to move out here and live their dream. We would still caution you though, as many have discovered this year, life here is not what you see on holiday! Unless you are of independent means, earning enough money here to live for 12 months is hard when most jobs are dependent on a weak tourist market. Work is often available for as little as 4 months and starting a new business in such a climate is very risky. Sorry if we sound obstructive and pessimistic but we have witnessed many sad failures lately! Please do lots of research first! The property market (and prices) continues to boom.
Acharavi
Big changes a foot yet again. Adonis, owner of Anthony has decided to go ahead with rebuilding his house, so that cannot be included in our programme in 2004. Eleni’s son Angelos will move permanently into Kostas apartment. Angelos has entertained many of you with his guitar playing, together with Alexi the bouzouki player, at Georges Taverna in Almiros and Alkinoos Taverna in Old Perithia, they have added a captivating atmosphere during their music nights. It is wonderful to listen to traditional music with no electric amplifiers!
The ever popular Tzambiris will also be lost to us next year as Kiki and her new family will be moving in themselves, but it will be replaced by Angeliki, their previous home. Sharing the same garden and convenient location, it is smaller, with 2 bedrooms but will be renovated. It will have new french windows onto the garden and an attractive front patio. I suspect, from this year’s experience, that its most popular feature will be air conditioning, which rapidly seems to be becoming as desirable as shower curtains once were!
The rental of mobile air conditioning units has suddenly taken off as an extra to add comfort to a holiday. Our exceptionally long hot summer this year is not the only reason, as most of these were booked before we knew how hot it would be! Last year it was new idea and demand was slow, now they are very busy, so, especially in high season, prebooking is essential to guarantee being able to supply them.
We are pleased to say in a continued effort to move with the times we have now been able to arrange towel changes twice a week in nearly all our properties. Eleni also now boasts a new electric cooker too!
An important and exciting development is the addition of BEACHSIDE BUNGALOWS to our Acharavi programme. Many of you will know these houses from the old Beach Villas brochure or perhaps more recently Unijet, and many will know Vangelis and Irini the owners, who will continue to run them. They are simple houses only meters from the beach, at the sandier end between the Gelina and the Acharavi Beach Hotel, behind what was Nikos Acharavi Restaurant. One of Beachsides regular guests assures us it was only 96 steps from her bed to the beach! The catch phrase, “location, location, location! ” was invented just for them! It is an unrivalled spot for a family holiday.
Well, the rash of new buildings we mentioned last year are nearly all up and running, the new aparthotel below Toula and Eleni opened in August, called Thinalos, looking smart but rather new and obtrusive; we are looking forward to its weathering and the growth of the greenery, it does have a pool open to customers of its pool bar. The shops by the Pump are doing well though not all occupied; the new Odysseus Restaurant has proved very popular. The new taverna, Apagio, behind the Dimitra supermarket though, reputedly well rated, has been very quiet. We saw Alan and Anita of Romeo’s bar move to new premises (the old El Greco taverna) on the old village road, this time as a restaurant called Anita’s Restaurant. Arthur Watson opened the old Brad’s Pit as Arty’s Place, and John and Tina reopened the Zanzibar as the Rock bar. It is a shame not to have seen their efforts better rewarded in this difficult year.
On the other hand Kev and Rob have done very well at PlanetOlivewood, with some sterling help from Kev’s Mum, Jean. They leant towards family entertainment with quizs and games, some live shows and the odd karaoke night.
Perhaps we should have a weddings/births/christenings column! Anna and Georgos of the Captain Aris Bar are now proud parents of a bouncing baby boy too! News that was too late for last years letter. Natalie and Andreas had a gorgeous baby girl, she is to be Christened “Effie” in the autumn, and Claudia and Ben of Invisible kitchen have a charming baby boy, Max.
It is always sad to have to add a third coloumn for deaths, but many of you will know Nikos, known as Lakis, from the Dallas Gold Shop, who tragically died of cancer in July, I am sure those who knew him join us in sending our sincere condolences to his family.
Kaminaki
Like the rest of the island, Kaminaki experienced a quiet season, which in turn means a few changes happening for 2004. The talk in the village is that the micro market, tiny as it is, may well not open next year, as it is expensive to run (due to Greek tax laws) and without the business it is not viable. Should this be the case alternative arrangements will be made for essentials. The small new complex with the "swimming pool" never opened even though it was finished and it appears it will remain closed next year. No new tavernas to report, it is still Spiros on the beach and George on the rocks, both of whom continue siesta tradition in the afternoon! It was lovely to have Sue and family back in the taverna this year, with Sue looking well; having finished her treatment and with a positive attitude. The "Greek evening" with the spit roast lamb and dancing, proved hugely popular and will no doubt happen again next year. Anna and Stross are still on the water, with Sophia their eldest, now 17, helping Travel with Friends guests on arrival at the airport and Dimitrios helping on the jetty. I am sure many of you know Kaliopi villa, owned by George and Stavroula, we are pleased to feature this house this year, adding a property by the beach to the programme. Along the coast, Agni has made a name for itself as the "gourmet" spot on the island, with articles appearing each week in the UK press (or so it seems!) with each taverna in turn creating a new dish to try to out do the other! Still a beautiful spot to walk along to from Kaminaki, but don’t forget the torch! Nissaki has had a noisy summer with the building of a safe harbour, which will be completed by next year. Finally as a regular visitor to this part of the island, yes, George Best did think about buying a villa above Kaminki, but this is still in the speculation stage and we are saying no more!
Agios Stefanos
At last we can report some marriages in the Agios Stefanos area! Vangelis is now a happily married man, to Anthoula who is expecting their first child in the New Year! Anthoula has been seen busily cleaning the houses and feeding the chickens this year, looking like she has always been there. Theodora at the Nausica is getting very excited, as it appears Spiros is finally going to relinquish his bachelorhood, with a wedding in December in New York. So in a bad year for tourism it’s quite nice to have happy family news. Mihalis (Vangelis father) is having further treatment in Ioannina, and sadly does not venture out into the village as he once did. Manthos has also not been in the best of health, but this summer he seems to have recovered his own unique brand of wit, and can be seen in his usual spot passing comments on local life! The building on the hillside seems to have slowed down, but on the outskirts, a small amount of building of private houses seems to be going up although nothing in the old part of the village. The new ventures of last year have worked well, and the comments about the choice of food in Agios Stefanos are still nice to hear, so it’s good to know that the new restaurants are keeping up the old standards!
Just one sentence from Carole about her "new" house. Regulars always ask, "Why don’t they ever finish anything?” the answer (as in our case) is money and time, but we will..…. eventually!
We know its boring and you’ve been before….. but please may we ask you to take the time to read our insert, we really want to help make your holiday a success . Each year we do change some details that will be relevant to your holiday!
We must insist too, that you take out holiday insurance at the time that you book with us. Nobody likes to think the unthinkable that you may have to cancel, but if you do, at least you have protected yourself as far as you can for any financial penalties that you may incur either from us or the airline.
It continues to be our experience that flights seats are a better price when purchased well in advance, especially for those who want longer holidays. Do shop around; it is getting harder and harder to find independent information in the high street as so many travel agencies are owned by big tour operators.
Peter and Libby Cookson are an ABTA bonded independent agent (Spear Travels) who, having lived here for years, has a soft spot for Corfu. They are experts. Get a second quote from him to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Sorry to have to mention this, but PLEASE do think carefully about night flights, arriving on one is easy, but departing is not always so easy. You may in high season and find yourself with a midday check out and no courtesy room available. We do our best to make it as painless as possible but sometimes there are many hours to “fill” entertaining lagging children before its time to go.
So with another season under our belt we are beginning to feel a bit like tomatoes: waterlogged in 2002 and sundried in a very long, very hot 2003! What is our weather prediction for 2004? Don’t ask, the only thing that is sure, is that nothing is certain anymore! Seriously, you do not have to be a rocket scientist to observe how much our weather has changed in latter years, it all seems less predictable and more extreme, as it would seem, has the weather in the UK.
We would again like to reiterate our thanks to those who continue to recommend us to others. We do appreciate your vote of confidence. We have found this annual newsletter much appreciated, especially by those who have been unable to come for a while…….. we hope maybe you will make it in 2004. We hope too that people newly added to our mailing list will come to taste our own brand of “small and friendly” holidays.
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