San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu
Welcome to San Stefanos (NW Corfu) => San Stefanos news and views => Topic started by: Mikeatew on December 16, 2010, 06:28:28 PM
-
Regular visitors will have received Teresa'a e-mail advising their intention to 'go it alone' in 2012, ie ditch Thomson and let privately. Rates quoted are e150 per person per week (studios) and e160 (b&b). They cannot be blamed for seeking to maximise returns on their business but will seriously effect those who cannot find an acceptably-priced flight only.
Furthermore, if it works for them, how many others will follow? What do you think?
-
With the popularity of San Stefanos I will be surprised if others don't follow suit. The Romanza Hotel increased it's private rooms from one to five this year, and I know that several forum members have booked privately next year, including me.
-
Hi all on the forum, you will see that my website (www.corfuselections.com) was set up for this purpose, as many owners approached me about promoting their apartments, some have their own emails, some not - so I launched Corfu Selections for the owners. They can either answer their own emails, direct their email to me and I then call them (the owners and give them the customers requests), have a page on my site or if they have their own site they can link theirs into mine. Some owners who are on my website still have contracts with the tour operators but only on allotment or not all their rooms, this also gives the opportunity for other nationailities to explore and stay in San Stefanos as the owners can now be found on the net. It also means guests whom which to plan short stays, twin centres etc can book. We have had contacts from all over the world and customers arriving as well by car, or via Athens as well as directly from UK. I wish Teresa's well in their new venture. :)
-
In the current economic climate it's got to be the way to go,
Thomson's prices have soared this year for 2011, but only Thomson reaps the rewards - nice to see the middle-man cut out when you can!
Up to now it's difficult to book some accommodation when controlled by the big company, as you have little choice - so I'll be watching how it goes!
-
Remember that companies exist to make a profit, not for any other reason. Thomson prices have risen, so have costs. Teresa's is a business, and clearly the owners consider that the business will benefit from 'going independent'. What this means is that they consider they will make more money doing this. Will they succeed? Only Mystic Meg and perhaps Don can answer this.
-
I have no problem with anyone making a profit - good luck to all who do - but there is a difference between a profit and a licence to print money!
Thomson's (TUi) are making obscene profits & considering our economic state, could offer better deals to the owners and us the customer.
Mystic Meg and Diagnostic Don are sure to know this!!
-
We're off to Teresa's in August with Thomson for the 1st time. We don't usually do our own thing for hols cos we're always worried that if the airline crashes or similar that we'll be left without any comeback.
It'll be a shame if we really like it there that we would have to risk doing it ourselves next year.
San Stefanos looks likes the place that would be perfect for us and I love the view from Teresa's.
Can we take out special insurances if we do it ourselves? I'm sure we probably can but we've just never had to do it yet.
-
We're off to Teresa's in August with Thomson for the 1st time. We don't usually do our own thing for hols cos we're always worried that if the airline crashes or similar that we'll be left without any comeback.
It'll be a shame if we really like it there that we would have to risk doing it ourselves next year.
San Stefanos looks likes the place that would be perfect for us and I love the view from Teresa's.
Can we take out special insurances if we do it ourselves? I'm sure we probably can but we've just never had to do it yet.
I can safely say that there will be no comeback at all if the airline crashes!!! ;)
-
I can safely say that there will be no comeback at all if the airline crashes!!! ;)
LOL ::)
-
http://www.tuitravelplc.com/tui/pages/investors/results (http://www.tuitravelplc.com/tui/pages/investors/results)
I was interested to read the figures behind TUI's 2010 profits - click on the attachment in the website.
TUI's profit margin is in the 2.5% - 4% range with c£400m made from a turnover of c£13bn. I was stunned to read that cost of sales was £12bn for which a breakdown is not provided, but presumably it covers accomodations bookings, fuel, staff costs, shop/call centre costs, bus hire etc. Info is provided on aircraft leasing etc which in the context of these figures is small beer.
Basically it is a bulk volume (20m customers who pay c£675 each), low margin operator and it really doesn't look as if it can possibly hand back much to the holiday maker. So if its screwed by fuel, VAT etc like the rest of us, and the industry watchdogs ensure that directors remunueration is in keeping with the industry then that does not leave many others who can benefit from the gravy train. Accommodation owners, commission paid to other intermediaries for sales leads are two that spring to mind.
Cost of sales is a whopper though. Basiclally sell something for £1 and only make 3p profit - yikes. Won't take much for this one to lose money given fuel is only going in one direction.
When you balance the scales with the independent booker who does get cheaper accomodation and marginally cheaper flights (in the main depending on where you travel from) then there is really isn't much in it. I wonder who is really skimming the cream - probably governments with a little bit to the hotel owners and the tour operators.
Gosh, a really serious post, apologies but hope it highlights some noteworthy facts ;)
-
Good info Loftyscot. I am sure that if you factor in ALL the costs - cost of time spent organising/booking - cost of travel to/from resort - cost of 'like for like' cover included with package there is little difference. What is interesting is the apparent difference in the price per room the owner gets from the independent booker Vs the price paid by package company? Is there NO advantage to the owner by using Thomson/Thomas Cook et al? Of course there is, or none would do it!
-
Sorry to disagree with you (Rover & Loftyscot) but there is a huge difference
between booking privately and booking with Thomson, dependant, of course on where you fly from.
Below is a “like for like” comparison, all aspects of the holidays described are identical.
My wife and I have booked to stay in San Stefanos mid year 2011 for three consecutive weeks, one week at a very popular hotel (on half board) followed by two weeks at another very popular hotel (on bed & breakfast basis).
This has been booked privately with the owners of the two hotels. The total cost allowing for £100 taxi fares to and from San Stefanos and flights with EasyJet (£336.97 for two people including “speedy boarding) was £1129.87 total.
Today, online with Thomson, the cost of the first hotel (one week half board) was £1168 (for two people).
The cost of the second hotel (two weeks bed & breakfast) was £1404.
Total cost of £2572.00 (and that doesn't include taxi transfers, only the usual 3-4 hour coach transfers)
The Thomson holidays were for the same dates as my private bookings and the flight times (day flights) were identical.
Ok, I know that the above Thomson prices include two sets of flights, so one set of flights could be deducted from the total Thomson costs.
In conclusion, I have privately booked three weeks (1 week half board and two weeks bed and breakfast), including taxi transfers, in San Stefanos for £1129.87. In addition, I don't have to pay the hotel costs until I arrive in San Stefanos. Had I booked with Thomson we couldn’t have stayed for one week in either hotel for that cost.
As has been suggested, Companies must make profits but as Tony says not the obscene profits we are now seeing!!
It appears to me that it is Thomson that is “skimming the cream” and not the Government.
Make up your own minds!!!
-
Wow Waspman, I have no doubt that what you have is correct, but:
1.Your comparison is a little unfair, three weeks at two different hotels is not what Thomson is normally about, and you have not taken into account the flight reduction. Clearly if you had five weeks at different hotels you could demonstrate that Thomson is not the vehicle for you. It's a question of horses for courses
2.You say that you could not do two weeks at either hotel for the price you are paying - but I suspect the difference is not too great? I am paying a tad more, mid year, popular hotel with breakfast, 20Kg baggage, daytime flights, coach transfers, ABTA protection etc. etc.
Conclusion. You are absolutely correct to 'do it your way.' Enjoy your holiday!
-
Booked with thomson 6 months ago for 2 weeks mid may at teresa and 2 weeks mid september at teresa self catering prise 650 and 670 pounds for 2 people brilliant prise 100 pound cheaper than 2010 cant fault thomson
-
OK Rover, let's make the comparison absolutely and totally fair.
The two weeks I referred to at one hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, booked privately was:
Hotel ---------= £335.00
EasyJet flights = £336.00 (includes "speeding boarding", equal to Thomson pre-booked seats and 20kg of luggage standard,
Taxi transfers-- = £100.00
Total cost ----- £771.00
By comparison the same two weeks at the same hotel (referred to above) with Thomson is:
Hotel plus flights ----------------------- = £1534.00 (includes 15Kg of luggage only)
Extra 5kg of luggage (£15 per person) --- = £30.00
Pre-booked seats (2 x £15.00) ---------- = £30.00-
Taxi transfers -------------------------- = £207.00
Total cost -------------------------- = £1801.00
So, by booking privately I could have 2 x two week holidays throughout next summer for less than the 1 x two weeks with Thomson, and I'd have £259.00 spending money to spare, lots of Mythos!!!
Which horse for which course would you choose?
-
Look my my reply below Jonny Rebel, I think you will see that booking privately is the way to go.
"Can't fault Thomson", I think many others will disagree!!
-
Excellent feedback everyone, thanks for sharing it all.
This is Loftyscot reporting from a part of the country that doesn't do low cost carriers to Corfu. Everybody say awwwww!
Now, if I want to go to the Canaries, that's a different story.
Happy New Year.
-
Hi Waspman
Thinking back to last year at the Romanza....the cost was around £1100 for 2 of us for 2 weeks on a B&B basis. That was for the last week in August/1st week Sept
You do seem to have got it at a great price
-
Yes indeed, we book directly too but unfortuantely need to fly from either Glasgow, Edinburgh or Newcastle.
We booked our Thomson flights for this year on the 1st Aug 2010 and paid about £950 for three people. We had a nosy at the Manchester easyjet flight for the same dates when they first come out for curiousity and were surprised that that it was still going to cost about £700. Therefore the trade-off for us is whether to do the 400 mile return journey to save £250. We have done it before to when flying to other destinations but it does take the polish of the holiday feeling especially when you are coming home. On the plus side the Thomson flight times from Glasgow and Edinburgh are perfect being in the early morning whereas early morning from Manchester means leaving the night before.
The point I'm making about Thomson is that it is an easy target for criticism (and believe me I have criticised them in the past) but when it's published accounts show it makes c£400m profit from roughly 20m customers then even if it adopted charitable status and refunded the profits we would only receive on average £20 each! As I say that's on average, however there will be winners like Waspman and others like myself where the saving is marginal.
And unbelievably we've met people in SS and other resorts where it is cheaper for them to book with the tour operator - usually larger families jumping on the free child places which as we know don't appear with the budget carriers. In fact it happened to us when we went to Fuerteventura last October.
So as we all agree, you do your own research and then you pick the horse for your course
Yammas, preggo, slanje etc ;)
-
Waspman, I have no doubt that you are doing the right thing for you!
Re horses and courses, Johnny Rebel is looking good as well?
Once again, enjoy your holiday and Mythos!
-
Hi guys
Thomson's prices are going higher each time I check now, and the difference between this and last year is considerable.
Thomson has also been re-organising this year, shedding thousands of staff and paying out redundancies,
closing call centres and getting existing First Choice and Thomson shops to deal with phone call sales.
Therefore a lot of profit was spent shedding staff, but watch next years profits go up.
Less tourists - yes, but a slimmed down Thomson is earning well, 400 million is not small change, unless you are microsoft!
Anyway - not a lot we can do I suppose, except vote with our feet if we don't like it.
I had to book Thomson's this year for many reasons, but the price shocked me a touch.
Never mind - See you Guys in August in S S.
-
Just been looking at 11 nights in Egypt again for April. I've won the holiday raffle at work so thanks to the closeness of the bank hols and the royal wedding I only need 3 days hols from work!!
Now the hotel we were looking at is one of the best in Sharm, rated at number 4 on Trip Advisor.....however the price through Thomsons comes out circa £3300 for 2 of us for 11 nights!! I might have to set my sights lower! I do believe that foreign holidays are fast becoming a luxury that few can afford! I get paid a good wage, have a company expensed vehicle and I can only afford nice hols when I earn a decent yearly bonus!
-
I don't know about The Reef Oasis Blue Bay Resort but my wife and I went to the sister hotel Reef Oasis Beach Resort with Thomas Cook in November 2010 and it was fantastic.
One of the best things was the snorkelling but 4 weeks after we returned the shark attacks took place so Sharm would still be on our list but the snorkelling would be definitely off. By the way the fatal shark attack took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the hotel next to The Reef Oasis Blue Bay Resort
So if you go Gav, stay out of the water!!
-
Yeah it was the blue bay we were looking at. I'll check out the other one you suggest. Last year we went with a company called Red Sea Holidays. We stayed at Ghazala Gardens in a suite and it cost £1200. The only problem is they only do 7/14 nights.
I only went for a paddle last time and I was put off by seeing a massive sea snake lurking in the shallows......I did a double check to make sure it wasn't wearing Tonys wristband!!
-
Hi All. We travelled independently last year to San Stef and were going to do the same again this year but unfortunatly Thomsons flight prices from Cardiff are ridiculous over £700 for the 2 of us then accomadation and transfers so looked up thomsons package hols and booked 2 wks at the Barras for under £1,000 in August.
-
Hi all - haven't posted for a while. as i posted a couple of months ago we're not going to SS this year - off to Fueterventura for a week in June with the lad and his girlfriend, plus the grandson. Booked a villa privately for £350, plus 4 Ejet flights from BTL for £75 each.
However, looking at Teresas prices for 2012 quite steep for SS for 2 weeks - 600 euros s.c. We paid a lot less at Fedra Mare in June 2010 that's for sure. we're lucky in that we can fly Ejet to Corfu from BTL, paid £175 each last year.
I think the trick with Thomsons, and a number have mentioned on here before, you have to try and book in July/August when the following year's hols come out. We paid about £850 for 2 weeks B&B at Teresas in 2009 with Thomsons incl. flights and transfers, so if you take Teresas price of 600 euros + flights with Ejet from BTL, plus taxi fare in Corfu it don't seem that cheap to me.
Cheers
-
waspman - that's not a fair comparison because:
Thomson's luggage allocation for packages is 20KG, not 15
Transfers are included for packages and you've made them separate
This is not the best time of the year to book. Middle of May the prices drop significantly. For late holidays, end of August.
A lot depends upon where you live. If you live near a low-cost airline airport it's an easy equation - but it's harder if you have to drive or train one or two hundred miles, and possibly have to pay for an overnight hotel. I'd actually like to support Thomson flying from Doncaster because it's an easy 45 minutes on the motorway. Before, we've had to go to Manchester or Gatwick - add at least 3 hours travel time and maybe a hotel plus supper etc. Extra travel time depletes the relaxation of the holiday. It's great to be home within an hour.
I have had the lecture on the "give the money to the locals" subject from various people, and I accept that. However, the locals would not be in the position they are without the promotion of the travel companies. That's a simple fact of life. If Thomson pulled out of SS the place would be a ghost village within a couple of years. So, in my view, a balanced scenario is good. Let those who want to go it alone do that, and those who will pay a couple of hundred quid more to let the tour operator take the strain do that.
-
I’m surprised that you haven’t done your homework on this Jimbo.
If you check Thomson website (I compared today) you’ll find that of the eleven accommodations listed, four have a standard allowance of 20Kg luggage (including the one that you use) whilst the other seven have a standard luggage allowance of only 15Kg (including the accommodation that I used in my comparison).
Accommodation with 20 Kg luggage allowance = Nafsika, Little Prince, Barras and Stamatis.
Accommodation with only 15Kg luggage allowance = Athina, Teresa, Romanza, Thomas Bay, Olga, Tsaros and Voula.
The Thomson brochure shows 20Kg for all accommodation.
Another advantage of EasyJet over Thomson is that hand luggage weight is unrestricted (but you have to be able the lift it into the overhead lockers) whereas Thomson limit is 5Kg. Therefore I’ll have more room for my jars of Kumquat Jam (don’t tell me, I know that jam is classed as a liquid and is not permissible in hand luggage).
Your statement that “Transfers are included for packages and you've made them separate” is correct but to have a true comparison you have to compare like for like and as EasyJet don’t offer a coach transfer I opted for the taxi transfer which is common to both Thomson and a private booking.
I could, if I wish, arrive by EasyJet and transfer to San Stefanos by public service vehicle (local bus) and then would have an additional saving on taxi fares of an extra £85-£90 making it even better value than booking with Thomson and as the Thomson transfer takes up to four and a half hours (see previous postings) I could be in resort drinking my Mythos far earlier than the Thomson guests!!
So, in contrast to you, I believe that this is a totally fair comparison.
As for “the locals not being in the position they are without the promotion of the travel companies”, this would be the case for almost all resorts worldwide and “If Thomson pulled out of SS the place would be a ghost village within a couple of years”, I very much doubt it as another tour operators would be quick to exploit such a beautiful place without the monopoly of Thomson.
You’re correct in saying that “if you live near a low-cost airline airport it's an easy equation” and I’m one of the lucky ones that live close enough to Gatwick (still 100 miles away though).
You’re also correct in saying that “this is not the best time of the year to book”, I’ve noticed how prices have fluctuated throughout the last few months and even over the last couple of days. As you suggest others who cannot fly with a budget carrier have little option than to go with Thomson, but they need to ensure they book at the best (and cheapest) time of year.
If those living close to low cost airline airports wish to continue to line Thomsons golden pockets that’s up to them but I would prefer to give my money to the hard working hoteliers (who, on average, receive about 8-9 Euros per day, per guest (for b&b) from Thomson) and I would also be contributing far more to the Greek economy.
At the end of the day you pay your money and take your choice, my opinion only!!
-
Fair enough on some points.
The "up to four and half hours" is ludicrous. A taxi transfer could be up to 48 hours if there were to be a major fire or crash on the road. The longest we've had is one hour fifty minutes. "Up to" is a very dangerous and misleading term, and should be avoided.
The 15KG limit on some apartments (the cheaper ones) may be a "catch-up" or an error. The central problem is that the Thomson website is very flaky. For example, it won't let you book for 21 days now, though we managed that last year.
I maintain that quoting a transfer charge when that is included is not "fair." I also think that all you need on a plane is a book, so who gives a stuff if you can have 97 kilos of locker space?
Do not get the impression that I'm working for the Thomson PR department. Over the last decade we've seen the demolition of some excellent operators like Laskarina and Kosmar. I really mourn those little companies with a careful choice of venues. For work purposes I've flown over quite a lot of the world, but to "take the strain" for holidays I've always liked to book a package and have somebody else to blame or sort it out.
It's a complicated set of choices. Local airport is a major plus. You can't really sort the world out into those who are close to Easyjet and those who aren't and then assume that you are, because there are additional costs. I few years ago I wouldn't have even looked at Thomson as a choice. But, as it happens, they are currently the best option for us, even if the reps in SS are a bit challenged in the charm area.
You're costings are extremely valuable, and I'm grateful for all effort. Thanks!
-
You’re getting a bit desperate now Jimbo, clutching at straws to try to redeem yourself with fictitious and derisory statements such as “97 kilos of locker space, transfers up to 48 hours, major fires and crashes on the road”
As you posted on September 4th 2010 “The thing is - before pointing fingers it's wise to do a bit of research”, which clearly you didn’t on the luggage allowance issue.
Over four hours on a Thomson transfer from Corfu to Archaravi (which is a lesser distance than San Stefanos) was quoted by Swedebasher on August 9th 2010, so not as ludicrous as you suggest, so your words of “up to is a very dangerous and misleading term and should be avoided” are not relevant in this instance.
Are you also suggesting that the cheaper hotels/apartments (with the 15Kg luggage allowance) are The Athina and The Thomas Bay and the dearer hotels/apartments, (with the 20 Kg allowance) are Barras and Stamatis? I don’t think that you will endear yourself to some hotel guests with remarks like that!
My reference of unlimited weight restrictions on hand luggage with EasyJet was not suggesting that you only take items for use on the aircraft, you can also take heavier items for use on holiday i.e. cameras, chargers, lap top, beard trimmer etc, but if you want to take “just a book” then as you say “who gives a stuff?”
By the way, I’m not the sure it’s the Thomson website that’s “very flaky, playing catch up and making errors”
I have given what I believe to be a fair and honest like for like comparison between a package holiday and a private booking, if you don’t accept it that’s fine by me.
-
I'm not clutching at straws. You mention ONE example of a four hour delay as a result of a fight, and then extrapolate that into implying that it's some kind of norm, which it isn't.
In 2009 1464 Easyjet flights were delayed by more than 3 hours. Using your logic, we should say "Don't fly Easyjet - you can have up to more than 3 hours delay."
I dislike intensely this use of "up to" - it's common to see "Up to 90% discount" - which means nothing. An average time is much better. For example, in 2009 76.29% of Easyjet flights arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, which sounds a lot more flattering.
I would guess that on average a taxi from Corfu Airport to SS takes one hour, and the Thomson or any other coach two hours. That's the advice I would give.
As you rightly say, prices are fluctuating on a daily basis. This is a peak time for booking, and I guess that it's a bit like sugar futures or stocks.
Personally, having been in two emergency landings and other scary events (NEVER Fly internally in India if you can avoid it!), I would severely restrict what goes in overhead lockers. On average, planes do not drop several hundred feet, but I'm here (fortunately or not) to tell you that when they do those lockers can spring open and drop a load of stuff into the cabin. Not nice. I can quite happily fit a couple of cameras and a laptop into a flight-bag and still be within a reasonable weight restriction - not that I can remember the last time anybody weighed my hand baggage.
-
My twopennyworth for what it's worth - i'll keep it simple
Bristol to Corfu Friday 10 June 2011 for 14 nights
Thomsons - staying at Teresas on a B&B basis for 2 people, coach transfer included (could be upto 2hrs 30 mins) a price of £966 currently showing on Thomsons website
Ejet + Fedra Mare = £300 flights, approx £90 return taxi (took us 50 minutes in 2010, complimentary can of Mythos for the journey), accomodation approx £400 on a s/c basis = total say £800. Charge for Brekkie everyday for 2 at FM would be approx £6 = £84 for two weeks.
So around £80 cheaper at FM with Ejet
Thomson flights are better times though.
I'd prob go for Ejet + Fedra Mare again if we were visiting in 2011 and Dimi's brekkie is better than Teresas IMO
Having said that the Thomson price seems fair enough to me
-
i think you might be losing this one jimbo
-
Yeah. I'm up to 600% sure of that!
BUT - I have emailed Thomson asking for an explanation of their baggage allocation anomalies. In the unlikely event I get a reply I'll let you know!
-
This thread is getting very complicated so I thought I would attempt to get it down to basics.I hope this will clarify the merits or otherwise of booking direct or via Thomsons.
When I book I weigh up the following.
Cost
Convenience
Can both I and the hotel owner benefit from my decision.
I live nearest to Newcasle or Leeds airports but chose to fly from Manchester because the cost was a major factor in my decision.From a convenience point of view Manchester added 1hr each way to my transfer time plus an extra 15 pound in diesel costs.
I have priced Thomsons prices as of today and my holiday cost on what I paid when Easy Jet flights for summer 2011 came out.I have used basic costs plus luggage in all cases which I believe gives a truer comparison.The costs are based on 2 people.
All costs are based on 14 nights holiday commencing 17th June 2011 at the Romanza Hotel.
Direct booking flying from Manchester with Easy Jet.
Total cost including taxi transfer,hotel and 15 pounds of extra diesel 700 Pounds
Leeds package tour with Thomsons with free transfer by coach 1230 Pounds
Newcastle package tour with Thomsons with free coach transfer 1348 Pounds
I know these prices will change dramatically thoughout the next few months but it is my honest opinion they will be hard pushed to match my deal.Do not forget the prices quoted are Thomsons so called sale prices.
As a matter of interest the hotel charge was 350 pounds a great improvement to the hotelier on what Thomson pay him.
In conclusion if you have access to a low cost airport booking direct at the right time is difficult to beat.It is a case of everyone wins but Thomson.
Yammas
Yannis
-
Thank you Yiannis, it’s nice to see someone else who researches and explains the facts. It appears that your private booking is remarkably similar to mine. I think you told me that your flight times are not so good, whereas, I think I told you that mine are great, day flights to arrive at San Stefanos at lunchtime, and return flights leaving in the early afternoon, having said that, Thomson’s flights would have also been great.
I know that in previous years you’ve always gone with Thomson whereas I usually go private so I’m glad that we can now both enjoy the many extra glasses of Mythos (with our kumquat marmalade on toast) with the money we’ve saved.
We’ve both got fantastic deals as will many others, but as I've suggested before it won’t suit everybody!!
By the way, I’ll be staying in one of the “cheaper” hotels too.
Hopefully I won’t have to post on this thread again, but who knows??
-
We've done both independant and via tour operator in the past few years to various places, both hols last year were with tour operators, Egypt and Corfu
I'd say 8/10 it's cheaper to do it independantly HOWEVER I also feel that if you're not talking much difference then I'd still go with the tour op as it's hassle free.
Also in this climate I like the safety of booking everything through the tour operator as at least you know you're covered if it all goes belly up!
-
then I'd still go with the tour op as it's hassle free.
Also in this climate I like the safety of booking everything through the tour operator as at least you know you're covered if it all goes belly up!
I'd agree with the "in this climate" sentiment - but i would defo feel safe with Ejet - what i wouldn't do is use a small-time specialist package operator.
As for the cover if things go belly up - AXA do a travel insurance policy with an independent traveller's clause for a little extra premium - well worth a look for all those booking independently and not using a Thomson or Thomas Cook.
-
I really miss the "small-time specialist package operator." Way in the past, John Morgan and Jenny May, then a bit later Laskarina, offered a wonderful experience because they really knew the places and the people. I spent many years going to Lindos and knowing Jenny (Mamma Lindos) and lots of people in what was then relatively small. Those days are over.
What's has happened is the steady absorption of these small companies by the monoliths like Thomson and Thomas Cook. Kosmar sat nicely in the middle until the directors sold the company and then the parent went bust. I think those small companies did a great job. I'd really like Lindos to be as it was, but it isn't. It's probably still one of the most beautiful villages in Greece but it's been surrounded by vast concrete swathes of studios. Very sad.
It would be sad if waspman didn't post here again. I'm sorry if my research wasn't up to scratch. I have severe back pain at the moment.
-
Ahh, we went to Ornos in Mykonos in 2001 with a small operator - can't remember which one. We stayed in a white sugar cube apt with the blue door on a hill. Night time involved a walk down the dusty path to the bar by the bus terminus where my pregnant wife and I watch the immaculately groomed men hop on the bus to Mykonos Town for the nightlife.
Lazy village where the delight of sipping a warm red wine from a heavy tumbler at the bus stop bar was enlivened by the roll of the dice on the worn backgammon boards. Then out to the headland cafe for a bowl of hot food and some pitta to wipe up the sauce.
No reps in the village - it was magic! In fact even writing this makes me want to go back, but no direct flights from God's own country.
-
Ahh, we went to Ornos in Mykonos in 2001 with a small operator - can't remember which one. We stayed in a white sugar cube apt with the blue door on a hill. Night time involved a walk down the dusty path to the bar by the bus terminus where my pregnant wife and I watch the immaculately groomed men hop on the bus to Mykonos Town for the nightlife.
Lazy village where the delight of sipping a warm red wine from a heavy tumbler at the bus stop bar was enlivened by the roll of the dice on the worn backgammon boards. Then out to the headland cafe for a bowl of hot food and some pitta to wipe up the sauce.
No reps in the village - it was magic! In fact even writing this makes me want to go back, but no direct flights from God's own country.
We stayed right at the top of the hill looking down on Ornos to the left and the beach where Shirley Valentine ate to the right. Some 5* palace immediately across the road. Apart from the Polish family who managed the apartments we were the "only straights in the village." A non-stop laugh of a holiday. Absolutely brilliant as were the people we met. Since seen one of the couples at Thomas Bay. They did listen then.
-
We're going to Teresa's in August with Thomson and we've got 20kg each.
-
Doubtful whether you'd get 20 Kg if you booked now Denise, Check it out and let us know.
-
20kg available with Thomson. No problem.
-
You'll be amazed to hear that Thomson have not replied to my logged request for clarification on baggage!
The current distribution on the website is:
15kg - Thomas Bay, Athina, Therese, Romanza, Tsaros
20kg - Stamatis, Little Prince, Barras, Olgfa, Voula
This is for June - ex Doncaster - same flight. You may notice that there's an exact 50/50 split on the distribution which raises suspicion of an automated system designed to grab a few extra quid here and there.
There is no significant correlation with price, and I'm grateful to the Right Honourable Waspman for pointing that out. The following list is ranked by price and allowance shown:
Athina 15
Little Prince 20
Stamatis 20
Tsaros 15
Romanza 15
Theresa 15
Thomas Bay 15 (note: slightly flattering price - 10 days only available)
Barras 20
Olga 20
Voula 20
Could it be that there's a secret agenda here? As the Thomson reps appear to have little else to do, are they taking photographs of clients at various apartments and assessing their weight factor? This could have some impact on fuel costs. Obviously, if you're poor you can't afford to eat so much, which explains the cluster of 20kg allowances at the bottom of the table. I have not seen the clientèle at Stamatis, but it was clear over the five weeks we spent at Little Prince last year that the guests were, like me, sylph-like and economically scaled.
All paranoid suggestions welcome!
-
20kg available with Thomson. No problem.
We booked in mid-November, and got 20Kg included, when I re-checked after Xmas it's now 15Kg (checked again tonight).
Dodgy Thomson Gits'!!
I have an inkling to phone them and check this has not been changed without telling me!
-
Ours was also 20kg each when we booked last September for this September and it now says 15kg. I assume that this will be only for people booking now or am I wrong to think that way? I think an email or phone call will have to be made
-
All San Stef came up with 20kg in Co-op travel this morning. It pays to do research!
-
have just looked at our booking confirmation for tsaros in may 20kg
-
I just did an interesting bit of "research". If you look at First Choice web booking things get clearer:
Olga on First Choice clearly shows the baggage allowance as 15kg, but has the £30 charge for adding 5kg checked by default. With that included the prices are:
Thomson £978 (20kg)
First Choice £968 (20kg) or £938 (15kg)
So the "real" prices for the Thomson packages showing 15kg should have £30 added for normalisation. Very strange. Why they don't do this across the board I really can't see - but it does make the headline price look lower. Cheeky sods!
-
You're right waspman.
It's not standard now but I've checked my paperwork and I've definately got 20kg.
The price has also gone up since we booked.
We paid £1307.99 for 2 weeks on 19/8/11 leaving Gatwick at 6.40am. We've also booked seats with extra leg room.
If we were to book it today it would be £1,430.
Glad we booked early now!!!