Got back from our first visit to Arillas a week ago,( already feels more like 6 weeks ago!)and we absolutley LOVED it!!Actually I've been looking at prices and availability to see if I can go back next month,even if just for a week!
Our coach trip from airport to apartment was awful but seems to be quite common.The bus driver didn't know where he was going and nor did the rep so after 3 hours of turning round and backtracking we finally arrived at Makris at 5am!
The beach is beautiful and never seemed too busy.The sea got warmer by the day and on our last day (typical!) the waves were fab and great fun.Went to Brouklis 3 times,Dimitris really is a hunny and the food is quality and actually a bit cheaper than other places.I met some Forum peeps,namely Terry & Helen,Mark & Dee,Annette and,lucky for me,the elusive Eggy and his lovely wife.All were lovely people who I could have chatted away to all night!We ate at the Marina both Saturdays for their Greek dancing night,they really are the best I've seen and I've seen a few,especially Talis.My 15 year old daughter and I were particularly happy with the view at Marina,for view read "gorgeous Greek men"!!Every single one of them was GORGEOUS!Hubby a little put out I noticed though!
The only little disappointment with our holiday was not Arillas at all but the silly trips we booked with Thomas Cook.Here are my tips if you are going with them and considering any:
1. Avoid shopping in Corfu town unless you enjoy sitting on a coach (air conditioning the blower above you)in the mid afternoon sun, shopping in a crowded place in stifling heat,and paying more for not as nice food with awful service.
2. Avoid the "relaxing kayiki boat cruise" unless your idea of relaxing is being crammed on a boat with over 100 people!Also,until we'd got our tickets after paying we didn't know the coach picks you up at 7.10am!!It cost us well over 100 euros for the 4 of us yet we had to pay for "breakfast",tea,coffe,crisps or a huge doughnut.After paying 8 euros for 2 coffees and 2 doughnuts we left the boat and got a cab back to Arillas.The part refund the rep mentioned was never mentioned again.
3. Avoid the Cabaret night.A 20 minute trip to Sidari took nearly an hour.Again the cost for the 4 of us was over 100 euros.Food and drink was provided,but here's the catch.The drinks start flowing with the food and stop when the food does.Well,you've never seen food get served so quickly!And it really wasn't very good,a measly greek salad between 4,pizza (very Greek) for the kids and a piece of chicken with a couple potatoes for adults,followed swiftly by a few chunks of melon for dessert.God help you if you put your drink down,the reps soon swiped it!
Obviously I am putting my letter of complaint to Thomas Cook together this week!
Apart from those minor points I can find no fault with Arillas,I LOVELOVE LOVED it!
I absolutely cannot wait to go back,beautiful place,lovely people,great atmosphere,fabulous weather and gorgeous sunsets.
I am supremely jealous of anyone in the forum who is due to go......any room in a suitcase for a smallish person??!!
