San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu

Welcome to San Stefanos (NW Corfu) => Out and About => Topic started by: dimitris on February 11, 2012, 01:11:10 PM

Title: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: dimitris on February 11, 2012, 01:11:10 PM
First time I visited San Stefanos was when I was 6 or 7 years old,
It was a daytrip with our Arillas Local School . We walked down from the school all the way from Arillas Church and ended up outside waves Taverna. At this Year the schooll had about 60 children. my class was consisted by 7 kids. it was me, Noula, Aggelos from waves taverna, Thanassis from Tsaros, Klaudios the Brewmeister from Corfu Beer, Vasillis from Armourada in Arillas , Spiros and Spirodoula Kaloudis from Arillas.
This is my strory,... very simple as we have the privelege to have been born here.
What is yours?
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: YANNIS26 on February 11, 2012, 03:31:47 PM
I first visited Corfu in approx 1995 and spent 2 excellent holidays at the Costas Golden Beach in St. George North.It was during my 2nd trip we hired a car and toured the North of the island.This is how I first found San Stefanos.The following year we booked The Thomas Bay which in those days was bed & breakfast.Among the waiters were George (ex Mistral) & Vangelis (ex Nafsica).Both of whom I now believe are fisherman based in San Stefanos harbour.These were the days before Little Prince & Athina among others existed.In fact Spiros of Bar 38 was also a waiter in the Thomas Bay.
After 3 wonderful years at the Thomas Bay it went half board.It was now time to find somewhere else, as a major part of my holiday is to eat out in the evening at one of the many excellent Tavernas in the village.
One day I followed the path from the beach to the top of cardiac hill & discovered the Romanza. In those days Leo & Jenny now at the Mythica ran the Taverna.Katie in those days ran reception and when Leo and Jenny left,she along with her son Andreas took over the Taverna.I must say what a brilliant job they are doing but I could be biased as this years visit will be my 12th.To get back to the early years Demetra(ex Delfino Blu Pool bar) who now runs Sotto Zero ice cream parlour in the village ran the Romanza pool bar.Also from those days was Aris a young waiter who spoke very limited English.He is now at the Nafsika and his English has come on a ton & is now far better than my Greek will ever be.

Yammas
Yiannis
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: don on February 11, 2012, 11:19:05 PM
After 20+ years of holiday abroad I made my first visit to Corfu in 1999 after seeing the Thomas Bay Hotel advertised in Lunn Poly window. Lunn Poly the younger folks ask? Thomson bought them out. At this stage of my life I had stuck to my promise of never visiting the same resort twice.
I don't know what happened but as I arrived home on the friday night I recalled the great welcome that we'd had and the wonderful people that we'd met and by 9.00am next day I was in the travel agents booking up for 2000.
I have stayed in many places throughout the village and never felt at all disappointed in any that I've stayed at. June this year will see us making our 25th visit.
It is the welcome from all our Corfiot friends that we have made over the years and the multitude of characters that we have met there who have also made it a home from home.
Roll on june...
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: tonyco1 on February 12, 2012, 05:35:23 AM
We found it - - - - - Completely by accident!
Up to 1982 we had gone to holiday in the UK, once to Tenerife, & Majorca - we were not too impressed, the Brits were relatively poor compared to the Germans who could tip well, so the Spanish Waiters didn't give good service in those days.

Now a year later & it's 1983 - we just could not afford a holiday this year, money in those days was really tight, as we had started a mortgage on our house, 5 years before.
Inflation was rife and we struggled. I was doing a part time job as well, getting around 4-6 hours sleep in those days, Linda had gone back to work and mum-in-law looked after the kids. The Mortgage rate had gone through the roof - I'll never know how we survived some of those years!
All of a sudden, my company had negotiated the annual pay rise with the Trade Union, months after it was due -
we got an unbelievable 23% pay rise with the owed back pay thrown in as well. I was due to have 3 weeks holiday,
I arranged to work for my part-time job for the first 6 days, and was looking for a caravan holiday.

We suddenly had enough for a holiday for two abroad and mum-in-law was happy to look after the kids.

We bought the Sunday Mail, and saw a holiday cancellation advertised by Greek Connection Holidays, with a good discount, I phoned, booked it,
drove to Fleet and paid the next day, collected our tickets, and caught the night flight to some funny place in Corfu I had never heard of, called Agios Stefanos.
We arrived outside the Golden Beach Hotel at 05.00am. Katie the rep, (now Katie Mouzakitis via Michalis), showed us to the Apartment above the Old Harbour.

I looked at Linda - and said (tired and exhausted), we are going to have to make the best of it, nothing here, what can we do? It's a disaster!!
We got up hours later and spent a few hours lunch and drinks, at the Nafsika Pool, ate at Golden Beach in the evening (now Fantasea Restaurant),
Stefanos (Condor) and Nikos ran the bar and restaurant  and Stefanos said it's too late  - pay tomorrow!!
This was the start of a love affair with Agios (San) Stefanos (NW).

Next day we got up early, having shopped at Margarita's mini Market for Breakfast cereals and rolls etc, we saw a strange VW camper van drive down onto the beach.
It turned from a van into the Kantina, beach snacks and water sports, including wind surfing, run by Captain Nikos and his little son Leon!! Angelina sold the food and drink.

No beach beds in those days, but big beach and loads of fun.
Only the Church, the Golden Beach, Nafsika Hotels, Manthos Taverna, Margarita's Cafe' Bar & Mini Market, Barras and Sunset Taverna's were open there then,
plus a selection of Apartments and villas were there.
The people there were fantastic, friendly and like no one we had ever met before, so different to England and better than Spain.
We returned with the kids in '84 to be greeted like family, and we have been back every year since! We love it like no other place, it always feels like home.
This feeling and the local people, the new generations, has never changed, in spite of the growth.
Tony & Linda

Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: H A S on February 12, 2012, 01:03:20 PM
Hi 1986 we went to the parks hotel Guivia we got off the plane and had to walk to the shed as it was then  i think there was 1 carosel for cases.
Guivia then was smelly with open drains and rubish just left out in the roadway.
went out first night to a taverna  the man said you pay layter we were driking until time to go . went to pay bill only charged us a small amount of dracmas i thought it would be a lot more than it was .
Went in a shop next day picked somthink up to look at the shop keeper saide you take if you like come back and pay later.
We saide we would not come back to corfu at the time as it was not devoped then.
Thenn we found San Stef and have returned i dont no how many times and if i had my way would not go anywere else.
Harry
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Cerys on February 13, 2012, 02:12:40 PM
I have to be honest and admit that I didn't find San Stefanos, my parents did! It was our second holiday abroad (the first being a camping holiday in France, oh joy!) and we journeyed through the night to get here. Our coach collected us from the airport and drove us to our allocation on arrival accommodation. My parents exchanged worried looks as my brother and I slept through the winding, cliff top adventure! We arrived and dived straight into bed, no knowing what on earth to expect when we woke up. It was the sound of the lapping waves that woke us a few hours later. My parents opened the curtains and we all looked out from the balcony, completely dumb struck. From that moment we knew we had found our piece of paradise. We made our way down what is now known as cardiac hill from The Romanza and found Leos Pool (now Thomas Bay) and instantly made life long friends. I have so many fond memories from the past 20 years that followed from our first visit when I was only 3 years old!! The fact that I have now chosen to make a life here, as so many others have also done is testament to the warmth and friendliness of the area, as well as its overwhelming beauty. Where else on earth would I want to be!? 
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Gavlah1973 on February 13, 2012, 10:15:28 PM
We loved Greece and it was getting around to booking our annual holiday. My wife came back from work one day and said a lad who she worked with had recommended a place that his parents had just returned from. Corfu had never appealed as I didnt think it seemed exotic enough (anything described as green and lush usually means wet and akin to Yorkshire in my book!)
Anyway I went onto the computer and looked at the Romanza which was the hotel where this guys parents had just returned from.
Within an hour it was booked and countdown was on to hols around 6 months later!
Upon arrival we were struck by the chilled out atmosphere of the Romanza, being late at night on changeover day it was quiet. Andreas had just bought us a nightcap and we were ready for bed! It was then that the late flight arrived.....around 10 folk who all knew each other and were returning!!

Over the next couple of weeks much fun was had around that pool!! The 9 Muses in Kefalonia will always hold a special place in our hearts as thats where we honeymooned and we will be returning there this summer but we hope to hopefully return to the Romanza in 2013 as the hotel and village were great
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Karen on February 14, 2012, 04:19:08 PM
My husband found it with a previous partner ??? back in early 90's. We got together in 1998 and used to holiday on a Greek island each summer.  Went to Zante, Kefalonia for honeymoon, Lesvos (twice) which we loved.  It was very much like Ag Stef at that time.  We then decided on Corfu and went to Sidari, which was not really our kind of place.  So the next year we went to Ag Stef on hubby's recommendation and I fell in love with it.  That was 2004 and we have returned every year ever since!  John saw quite a few changes since his earlier visit but still loved it! We always stay at Stamatis Apartments as Tom is very helpful and kind, as are most other people in the village.  Haven't booked for this year yet.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Richard/Jackie/Nathan on February 14, 2012, 04:52:39 PM
First went in 1991 with my ex wife when I had been working away for a couple of months and just went into the travel agent and booked a last minute deal. Went back most years with her and then when we split up I persuaded jackie to try it and fortunately she loves it and we have been most years since 2003.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Denise on February 14, 2012, 07:51:10 PM
We like quiet, friendly places and so late 2010 we booked our holiday in San Stef for 2011 for the first time.
We'd done quite a bit of research before booking and just hoped we'd got it right!!
I then found this forum and had lots of wonderful advice from all of you.
I couldn't resist booking Terezas even though we don't normally book anything up a hill, but after watching the video
for it, I just couldn't get away from those wonderful views. I'm so glad we found this wonderful place and we're going back again
on August 31st. We met Angela (Sunshine) and her husband last year and this year I'm looking to meeting Jules and her husband.
Once again, I can't wait to get there.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Tredegar Boy on February 16, 2012, 12:04:50 AM
Discovered San Stef by chance back in 2003 when looking to book a holiday for the summer of 2004. Went to a First Choice shop having found the Rose Gardens in their brochure. No one in the shop had heard of San Stef and they had never previously booked anyone into the Rose Gardens either. Not ideal circumstances but we decided to go for it anyway. Well I'm glad we did.

This year will be our 9th visit having stayed twice at the Rose Gardens, once at Delfino Blu (I think we were a bit flushed that year ;)) and every visit since to the fantastic Fedra Mare. San Stef - great place, people, food, sunshine, ambience, environment, beach, sea, taverna's, bar's and more than anything else it's always relaxing and chilling.

I hope we can afford it next year!   
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on February 17, 2012, 08:25:28 PM
I had always dreamed of Corfu, right from my secondary school days as our Head Mistress was related to the Durrells and filled my mind with visions of beauty - actually I think my Junior School head first used to teach us Greek Tales (boring to me then) and the idea of all those islands took place in my imagination.

I remember getting brochures before I was married and yearning to go the Hotel Paleokastrista - I don't know what happened - we travelled to many places but not to Corfu - lots of other Greek Islands (Kos, Crete, Zante, Rhodes, Cyprus, The Balearics etc but NOT Corfu. Then in 2002 my friend went to Ag Stef and stayed in the newly opened Hotel Athina - I asked her to look around for me and she bought me a little booklet that she had got from San Stef Travel (still got it).  She loved her holiday but said catergorically that a week was long enough as there was nothing much to do.  Bingo.  Just what we wanted.  We got a last minute peak season booking and was so lucky to be in the Hotel Nafsika.  We arrived at midnight, Speros made us a delicious sandwich, we went to bed and got up to the lovely view of the beach.  I wasn't totally wowed.................Ag Stef just slowly grew on us, every day we relaxed a little more.  We had a room facing the back, closed the doors, air con on and never stirred until the sound of the music after nine and the lovely Vangelis and his lovely jubbly awoke us.  As the days went by, the colours of the sea began to dazzle and mesmorise me - it was different every day - I couldn't believe it was all over after two weeks - I was so chilled out - I went back to school to a training day and had no memory of anything before -  My love affair with Ag Stef, it's beauty, it's friendliness, the space on the beach (even in school holidays), the food, had begun and it has never ceased.  It is hard to explain to others the hold Ag Stef has for me - have had friends who have gone and not really liked it!  How strange.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Rod on February 18, 2012, 01:38:39 AM
Debra,

That is beautiful.  Your descrption was so ....well... descriptive.  Your love of the place comes across just right.  My first time at San Stef was a long time ago, same time as Tony I think.  However, I always feel reluctant to elaborate about my first stay in San Stef as I was with a different lady then (well it was over 20 years ago).  But if the other forum members dont mind me elaborating, then........   ;D
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Denise on February 18, 2012, 01:58:49 PM
Debra , I really enjoyed your post. Last year was our first year and like you we had been to several  other Greek islands . Our favourite place up until last year was Potamia in the Vasilikos area of Zakynthos. We too fell in love with Agios Stefanos and booked again for this year as soon as we got home. Beautiful place and beautiful people.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: CHRIS NO 2 on February 18, 2012, 08:21:49 PM
I found san steph about the same time ish as tony.went with Ilios island hols stayed with Theo (up opp Manthos )Airport omg men with guns in the shade got your cases out the front from the carts.then on the coach got to san steph mid afternoon and thought what have we let our selfs in for its a ghost town.but after a night in Manthos green shack and pay me later and trying to pay the next day it was getting better.we had breakfast at the golden beach (egg on toast ) only place to get food am.we also had a choice where to eat at night it was Manthos Waves Naffisca or Barras all were good and still are.no pools just the sea oh and the white van on the beach and windsurfing (anyone rem tony )

well that was with the first wife.took a chance and took 2nd wife to Arillas as I love Corfu so much went for broke and walked over the hill to san steph after a 10 year gap it was like we had not been away 2nd wife said why arnt we staying here and we have been since

im not good at writing things down and have prob missed loads but im glad i found san steph (thanks bert )

Any one wanting a nice afternoon with a cold beer overlooking the sea Manthos has loads of pics from years back a young me and i have seen tony in one or two


Chris no 2
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Jules on February 18, 2012, 09:46:26 PM
First found San Stef in 2000 when looking to book a Greek Island holiday. Something drew us to Belle Vue apartments and what a great choice they were overlooking the sea. We could hear the waves lapping below in the dark and we couldn't quiet believe what we had got when morning arrived and that view.Been back every year since and now always stay at Teresa. Belle Vue alas is no more but was being re developed last year . Looks terrific. The village people are a very good advert for Corfu and are as friendly today as the first time we arrived. Seen a few changes through the years but the same village heart is still there. :)
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: don on February 18, 2012, 11:18:15 PM
I found san steph about the same time ish as tony.went with Ilios island hols stayed with Theo (up opp Manthos )Airport omg men with guns in the shade got your cases out the front from the carts.then on the coach got to san steph mid afternoon and thought what have we let our selfs in for its a ghost town.but after a night in Manthos green shack and pay me later and trying to pay the next day it was getting better.we had breakfast at the golden beach (egg on toast ) only place to get food am.we also had a choice where to eat at night it was Manthos Waves Naffisca or Barras all were good and still are.no pools just the sea oh and the white van on the beach and windsurfing (anyone rem tony )

well that was with the first wife.took a chance and took 2nd wife to Arillas as I love Corfu so much went for broke and walked over the hill to san steph after a 10 year gap it was like we had not been away 2nd wife said why arnt we staying here and we have been since

im not good at writing things down and have prob missed loads but im glad i found san steph (thanks bert )

Any one wanting a nice afternoon with a cold beer overlooking the sea Manthos has loads of pics from years back a young me and i have seen tony in one or two


Chris no 2

I'm up for a beer Chris but MY shout!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Jimbo on February 19, 2012, 12:14:47 AM
We probably wouldn't have gone to Ag Stef were it not for the forum. We once went to Kavos (sold to us as a "quiet village" by a travel agent), and I took my son for a week to Sidari when he was about fifteen. As a result of these two experiences we had ruled Corfu out.

The demise of first Laskarina and later Kosmar made us look elsewhere. Gillie found the forum, and discovered a place that seemingly sensible people had been going back to for twenty year or more. It was dangerously close to Sidari - Clacton under a microwave - but over the top of a range of hills high enough to keep the worst of the grockles at bay. It seemed like a vote of confidence.

And so we braved it, going with Thomson for the first time, and fearing the worst. But, of course, we really enjoyed it. It's become like home. The place most like it we know is Paleochora on southern Crete. In fact Gillie said the other day that if we go to Greece this year she only wants to go to Ag Stef.

Big thanks to the forum. Not sure about the "seemingly sensible" bit, though. Frequently bonkers is maybe a better description; but bonkers in a warm, generous and human way, and that goes as well for the locals.

I think this true story proves the point that a zany forum may be a million times better at promoting a place than the usual stereotyped descriptions of agents.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on February 19, 2012, 01:20:27 AM
Brilliantly put Jimbo!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on February 19, 2012, 01:21:24 AM
Jules - you have me interested - where were the Belle Vue - and do you know what they are being revamped as?  Thank you!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Jules on February 19, 2012, 03:27:55 AM
Hi Debra, Belle Vue were virtually at the top of the steps from the beach near to what is now Delphino Blue. They were a block of just 8 apartments sold through Thomsons.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Gill C on February 19, 2012, 04:42:20 PM
Hi Jules, we too stayed several times at Belle Vue in the 90s recommended by my son.To sit on the balcony with drink in hand looking at the view was idyllic.We had many a laugh trying to go up and down the slope to the beach.....no steps in those days!!It was quite sad to see them go as they held lots of memories.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Denise on February 19, 2012, 05:19:15 PM
Really enjoyed reading all of these. :)
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: stressed0506 on February 19, 2012, 07:03:06 PM
We found San Stef 14 years ago. It was the first holiday with my new partner and my twins. Philip is very much a loner an does not do crowds or even cope well with a few humans in close proximity! We had been to a Thomsons Gold the year before in Yialiscari and had decided that it woyld be good to take the kids with us to Corfu. I did tons of research! I knew that we wanted a sandy beach and a quiet resort and eventually we (or rather I ) opted for two weeks at the Efi with Thomsons. (Free child place was the clincher!) The transfer coach went through Sidari.... I could see Philip's anxiety levels heighten every time the coach stopped at one of the complexes and names were called out. He remarked that if our names were called out at one of them he was on the next flight home!
We then did the hair raising coach trip through Avliotes where a boat on a trailer caused much reversing and breath holding (the coach the former, us the latter!)
As the coach went over the top of the bay we felt better. When we (being the last ones off!) eventually pulled up outside the Efi we were delighted! There was a lovely quiet pool and lots of space around it. Dimiti at the bar (there were two of them at the time; daytime Dimitri and night time Dimitri... Daytimemade better milk shakes but was very reserved as I recall.)
We spent our first two amazing weeks in San Stef. We ate at the Paradise a lot and met Glenn. We have been back every year since, bar one. This year I have five weeks and am already looking forward to it.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Jules on February 19, 2012, 07:16:56 PM
Hi Jules, we too stayed several times at Belle Vue in the 90s recommended by my son.To sit on the balcony with drink in hand looking at the view was idyllic.We had many a laugh trying to go up and down the slope to the beach.....no steps in those days!!It was quite sad to see them go as they held lots of memories.
I agree it was sad to see them go. I think if they maybe had expanded alittle and added a pool they would have been very popular still
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: don on February 19, 2012, 11:18:06 PM
Don't Delfino Blu have them now? Last year it looked like some work had been done on them.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on February 20, 2012, 12:52:13 AM
I know the ones you mean now, Thank you Jules.  Yes, I think Delfino have got them and added them as apartments - a brilliant spot!  My son Ben is determined to have his wedding at Delfino, so may stay one night - it is lovely but one night can almost be the cost of a week elsewhere - even though I love luxury - i prefer to stay longer at my favourite magical village!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Richard/Jackie/Nathan on February 20, 2012, 01:22:02 PM
Interesting to note that a few of us are no returning with different partners from our first visits. The fact that they all love the place too says a lot!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: loftyscot on February 25, 2012, 09:14:23 PM
Ever since we were married in 1990, I always wanted to go to Corfu. I was always fascinated by this little Greek island where they played cricket.

We wanted somewhere with a sandy beach and a small hotel with the personal touch. I'm sure we could have ended up at any where in the village but picked Olgas for our first trip in 2008 with Thomson. There are plenty reasons why we returned but the main ones were that my wife felt really safe wandering around and that she liked the way Aristoula ran Olgas. Also our son was 6 and he loved playing with the other young children in the pool. So we ended up going for 4 years on the trot booking her private apt that she kept out the grasp of Thomsons. My wife even does her own speed walk route in the morning - the loop which goes all the way up to Golden beach, along the sand, up to the headland, back to Havana and then a sprint up the stairs - nutcase!

In the subsequent years, like lots of returners, we made friends with many of the locals and the ex-pats. Last year the family who run Sotto Zero made such a fuss of us every day - it was just lovely, Demi, Sofia and Julia are just the best people you could get to know. By staying up at that end of the village we got to know Sam the Man in Aspa and his love of Muay Thai and of course his wife's Katy evolving kitchen story on Facebook. Small Nikos in Athina and tall Nikos now in Condor always make you welcome. And of course Shirley, we love her and can rely on her for the inside track on exactly what is happenning everywhere. What we love is how everyone is friendly but don't invade your space.

So why are we not going back this year? Simples. Our son is getting older and he loves hanging around with lots of young dudes his own age and what we notice about SS in July is that there isn't all that many in that age group. We will return, not sure when, but definitely will return.

In the meantime we will just enjoy the banter on this forum and the multi-cultural contributions from Hull to Albania to the Ukraine and of course to San Stef itself.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on February 26, 2012, 03:16:48 PM
Are the luxury Paralia Apartments the old Belle Vue apartments?
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Jules on February 26, 2012, 04:43:07 PM
Just looked at them on SS travel website. They look very very nice. Look as though they are in the right direction for the old Belle Vue
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on February 26, 2012, 06:32:58 PM
On holiday lettings site they list them as next door to a 5* boutique hotel and being Corfu owned, so thought that they may be the ones!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Gillywoo on March 06, 2012, 12:07:47 AM
Gill and I found San Steph by mistake.

In 2008 we wanted to go to kassiopi but it was full, then gill read about San Steph on the agni site.

She booked it with my sister and her husband for two weeks in August 2008 and the rest as they say is history, however, gill always reminds me about my first comment on San Steph stood on the beach outside waves when apparantly I said 'it looks like bloody woolacombe'!

That night we went to the little prince and have never looked back since.

Andy

Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: tonyco1 on March 19, 2012, 05:50:52 AM
The great thing about Ag. (San) Stefanos is the warm combination of the Locals & the visitors who become part of the "Family" as well !!
- that includes all of us who love it enough to write here about it!!

The feel-good factor spreads like no where else.
My Daughter has returned with her partner, and he loves it as well.

My son loved it as a child, as a teenager, he grew up getting to know a lot of the lads who now run businesses here & have families themselves,
they are still good friends now, (not many late-teens want to holiday with parents but when it was to SS - he asked to come as well),
he came so many times with us and now his two children have been as well - they love it just as much,
so that's three Generations of our Family now who keep returning.

We have also made so many good friends through S S and this forum as well - you just can't beat it!!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: katmc1 on May 15, 2012, 11:37:34 AM
I found san stefano 11years ago.My son and I are avid walkers the rest of the family have lost interest to a certain degree.So we got a Thomsons brochure on grece and I opened the page at just anywhere and it opened on the hotel romanza and it said it was ideal for walking so that was it.Eleven years later I still go on my own and now I dont work I can go for 3 weeks of utter peace and relaxation.I have a rest to start with then go walking all over and have even got lost and spent 9 hours walking!!!!!But I have not ever been scared whilst out walking and have been greeted with nothing but kindness and presents of grapes oranges and water.The greek people always say hello.I adore the place and wouldnt go anywhere else but corfu now.The food and mythos are just the icing on the cake.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: ann on May 15, 2012, 03:23:00 PM
debra, there was a wedding at the delphino when we where there one year, and the bride and groom just wanted to stay one night, delphino dont do one night, and they had there wedding breakfast there. xx
 
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on May 15, 2012, 09:57:13 PM
Hey Ann

Ben, my son has booked for his wedding for 1st August next year at the Delfino and they will stay there for 3 nights - the rest of us peasants will be staying somewhere a little cheaper!!!  Did the wedding look nice?
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: tonyco1 on May 18, 2012, 12:38:52 AM
I found san stefano 11years ago.My son and I are avid walkers the rest of the family have lost interest to a certain degree.So we got a Thomsons brochure on grece and I opened the page at just anywhere and it opened on the hotel romanza and it said it was ideal for walking so that was it.Eleven years later I still go on my own and now I dont work I can go for 3 weeks of utter peace and relaxation.I have a rest to start with then go walking all over and have even got lost and spent 9 hours walking!!!!!But I have not ever been scared whilst out walking and have been greeted with nothing but kindness and presents of grapes oranges and water.The greek people always say hello.I adore the place and wouldnt go anywhere else but corfu now.The food and mythos are just the icing on the cake.
Kat - so many of us feel the same as you on this subject - totally agree!!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on May 28, 2012, 12:18:23 AM
It's funny the hold Ag Stef has on some of us.  I've tried to analyse it. When I returned the first time (something I always said I would never do) I told everyone it was because I have to have school hols and the beach is big and it never feels crowded - do you know what I mean - when you are squashed like pilchards to each other on the beach? I told myself it was because I didn't get around to seeing everything. I want back the third time and I tried to be more objective.  What is it about this little resort?  That time we had been to Thassos eleven days before going to Corfu.  We really liked Thassos, but Corfu felt sunnier.  Not really sunnier in weather, I think the people are sunnier.  Happiness is infectious and by this time people remembered us and that made us feel 'sunnier' - a feeling of belonging began to creep up on us.  Each year, I say, I need to go to Parga or Skiathos or Halkidiki - but my heart says 'I need to go to the place where the sea twinkles and shimmers in the purest shades of turquoise - where beauty is all around me, green even in high season mixed with terracott roofs. Where the sand is easy to walk on and where the sea greets you like a warm bath after a busy day.  I need to watch the sun disappear in the warmest, most spectacuar shades of orange, I need to go to the supermarket where the young daughter says to me, 'I like your face when it smiles'. Smiles - I have a huge grin for all of the time I am there - this beguiling corner of Corfu, this little place that calls me back and back and back'.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Jimbo on May 28, 2012, 02:15:14 AM
debra - that's one of the most evocative and beautifully written postings I've seen on the forum, and it sums up so much.

We also ask "why?"

The village itself is not pretty, is it, in terms of little old buildings (none), narrow twisty streets (none), Hellenic ruins (none)? Parga has many of those, but the harbour stinks and it's lethally expensive. Lindos is very beautiful, or was until they surrounded the wonderful old centre with hectares of sweaty tourist dwellings. Tolon was quirky and close to Naphplion and Epidavros, but greed has killed the village by building new blocks along the edge of the beach.

Agios Stephanos has the great advantage of geography and geology. We all laugh at the triumphalism of the Romanza dwellers gazing down from their Olympian heights, but it's those hills that make the difference, I think. The village sits, being its own modest self, between the big ridge towards the north and Avliotes, and the dramatic headland that divides the village from Arillas. Wherever you are you can look up or down, get some perspective, enjoy the light. And the beach is so huge that, as you say, there is never a sense of being crowded.

It's only a few miles to Sidari, but when you're there on that flat plane it seems to me featureless, desert-like compared to Agios Stephanos, where there is always a green vista in the corner of your eye.

And then, of course, the people. Friendliness can be simulated, but after a few visits you get to know people, you get to hear things you wouldn't hear in Parga. I don't think we have an word for "lack of greed" but if there is one it would surely apply to the tavernas and apartment owners. I have never felt ripped-off in Agios Stephanos apart from the fruit and doughnut man on the beach.

Finally - I think this forum keeps us connected with the village all year round. A bit of gossip, how's the road going, who's had a baby, now much is a Mythos this year? I've hosted a few forums and I can tell you it is hard work with constant idiots and bots and crap, and takes a lot of hands-on to keep working.

I suspect we've all fantasised about having a little house on the edge of a beautiful Greek bay. Why do we go back? Because we're so much at home it almost feels as though we have. 
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Rod on May 28, 2012, 04:07:51 PM
Debra and Jimbo,

That was spot on.  I also feel that you have to be a special/different kind of person to truly appreciate what San Stef is all about.  When I explain to others what the wife and I do on our San Stef holiday, most of them just look blank.  When I go over in my head what I have explained then I understand their blank expressions, because quite frankly it must come across as rather boring.  Walking, reading, relaxing, eating & drinking etc.  I think that is why it is a friendly resort, as you always meet like minded people.  That's why I like this forum.  You really need to experience the whole San Stef thing to "get it".
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Gordonc on May 28, 2012, 06:31:16 PM
We found San Stef in 2007. Our son was off to Australia on a school rugby trip and after years of family holidays in France we thought what now? We were struggling to come up with something but two friends of ours had both been to SS the year before. both had stayed at the Athina but we didn't want half board so looked at the self catering options. They both said that the Little Prince looked really good with a good restaurant. We booked, we came, we fell in love with the place!

Our welcome from Dimitri, Mike and Pippina had a lot to do with this but we both truly relaxed that first time and the island itself is so beautiful. On Friday, we make our fifth visit in six years which kind of says it all. We are looking forward to seeing our friends in the village, to catching up on the local gossip, to enjoying the walks around the area, to some geat food and of course the Mythos!

We have already said that we'll go somewhere else next year but the other night, we both said that once we're there, the very special ambience will get to us and we'll be promising to return again next year. we can't properly express the full attraction of the village either but it all works so well for us. there must really be something in the air!

A very special place with very special people.

Gordon and Beryl
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: don on May 28, 2012, 10:43:43 PM
We too struggle to explain the allure of San Stef. I know we've discussed this question with various people while holidaying but have never heard anything that makes me say "that's it!"

One of my security people from work is on a first ever visit sataying at Margarita's this week. I look forward to hearing what he has to say.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Jimbo on May 29, 2012, 12:22:54 AM
Quote
sataying at Margarita's

Does that mean we've got an Indonesian restaurant as well as a Chinese?
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on May 29, 2012, 12:53:54 AM
Jimbo you are SO funny - I liked your words too and your description of Parga gave me food for thought!  Stinky harbours - not thanks!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Jimbo on May 29, 2012, 01:29:02 AM
debra - I really liked our stay in Parga, but it's true. When one walked down to the entrance to the promenade the smell from the harbour there was really vomit-inducing. To our amazement, people were actually eating at tavernas there - presumably a new Weight Watchers' strategy (get it down, bring it up!)

That region of Epirus is so rich - Dodoni (the oldest theatre in Greece) - the lovely town of Ioannina by its lake and with the cave system that has signs of human habitation dating back 38,000 years. It's worth the stink!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: IrisG on May 29, 2012, 10:49:23 AM
We found San Stefanos completely by accident.
Having had two consecutive years with atrocious flight times, we'd made an executive decision that
wherever we went, we didn't want to arrive in the wee small hours, or be hanging around until midnight for the flight home.
I checked the Glasgow Airport website and found the Thomas Cook Corfu flights were 9.00 out and 15.45 return, which was perfect.
The resort was decided on as it was the smallest and quietest we could find (same reason we stay at the Vicky).
Then I found this forum and knew we'd made the right choice.
We go elsewhere for short breaks now, but I can't see us going anywhere different for our main three weeks for a while, yet!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: DuncanG on May 29, 2012, 03:15:21 PM
I completely agree.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: mike30542 on May 29, 2012, 10:47:46 PM
We found San Stefanos because Thomson stopped using the  accommodation in Gouvia which we had booked in December 2011 for our June 2012 holiday. They offered us Little Prince as an alternative & a quick search & subsequent discovery of these forums indicated San Stefanos should suit us nicely. We'll know for sure in 10 days time but the more I read about it the happier I become.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on May 29, 2012, 10:50:16 PM
Hey Mike - fingers crossed!  Am very optimistic!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: don on May 29, 2012, 11:30:11 PM
Does that mean we've got an Indonesian restaurant as well as a Chinese?

Peanuts Jimbo  ;D
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: tonyco1 on May 31, 2012, 05:19:46 PM
Debra and Jimbo - that was lovely on the previous page - it puts into words what is felt by so many.
We wouldn't dream of returning here year after year for so many years,
if it was not for the invisible feel good factor that infects everyone -
you just don't know it until you get back home or go elsewhere on holiday.

We have been to prettier beaches, or quieter, or busier towns and villages, met lovely people, all over the world,
however, we often remark - - "it's brilliant here - - - - but - - - - it's not San Stefanos" - "something in the mix is missing"!!

Agios Stefanos has a certain magic that makes it very special, lovely local people, a good beach and everything you need to chill out and relax.
It's almost an addiction - - an addiction to relaxing enjoyment  - - - in a place where everyone talks to each other  - - - and loves the place!!
Have a great 2012 holiday everyone!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on June 01, 2012, 12:10:34 AM
What year did you first go Tony?
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: tonyco1 on June 01, 2012, 02:00:11 AM
By accident in 1983, with Greek Connection Holidays, now bust!! & When I was young and very fit! Lol
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on June 01, 2012, 10:36:46 PM
I wish I had gone then - I nearly went in the early 1990's and changed my mind at the last minute!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: tonyco1 on June 02, 2012, 10:56:28 PM
I think in some ways it was better, but on the flip side  - - there is more to do now and it's grown quite nicely!
The feeling you get is still the same, but I miss walking along the road to Arillas and people giving me eggs, tomatoes etc from their gardens,
now it's a lot more apartments, etc..
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: CHRIS NO 2 on June 02, 2012, 11:23:59 PM
Hi tony
you are spot on,my first trip was with ilos island holidays stayed with Theo up the hill
fresh fruit every day and the morning we left it was a breakfast no charge
where did you stay on your first visit?

Chris
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on June 02, 2012, 11:45:48 PM
tony - it sounds fab, we went to Cyprus in 1985 and it was just like that - We went to Ayia Napa and it was just simple, people inviting us into their homes - have never been back - It was such a magical holiday I couldn't bear to spoil it!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: tonyco1 on June 03, 2012, 04:36:40 PM
1983 and 1984 was in Nikos Apartments as they were then, belonging to The Golden beach, just behind the Church, above the old Harbour, they were nice then and now all refurbished are fantastic! 1985 / 86 / 87 was in Michalis's Apartments (Mike and Katie). Then many and various what ever was available for our booking, Nondas Villas, Leonidas Villas, one I can't remember the name of one up above / left of, the Golden Beach, the one next to Vasillas & Margaritas Mum,  - - etc  etc - all over the resort, then some Thomsons various Hotels and Apt's, Noula's various apt's, loads of different ones!
(Mind you still some we haven't tried yet!).
Yes and it was great - staying in different places helped to keep it all fresh to us in a way - but we are just pleased to go there now!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: rilo57 on June 04, 2012, 03:00:10 PM
  Hi.my first time in agios stefanos was in 1991.came with Thompsons.stayed up at old Romanza.The hotel as it is now was an apartment for 6 persons, with the owners living below, old mr costas and nina.Thats when we fell in love with the resort.We have had so many happy holidays here.From making local wine the old way, in the barrel treading the grapes, to the festivals in Avliotis and all the friends we have made over the years.Dont stay at Romanza now, hill is a bit to much and definatley dont use Thompsons, always make our own plans.this year its Pelie&marias, our first time with them.the last 3 years has been with Spiros at Nafsika, thassilis and the Athens bar, before their new apartments.cant wait for july.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: YANNIS26 on June 04, 2012, 03:56:44 PM
 Hi.my first time in agios stefanos was in 1991.came with Thompsons.stayed up at old Romanza.The hotel as it is now was an apartment for 6 persons, with the owners living below, old mr costas and nina.Thats when we fell in love with the resort.We have had so many happy holidays here.From making local wine the old way, in the barrel treading the grapes, to the festivals in Avliotis and all the friends we have made over the years.Dont stay at Romanza now, hill is a bit to much and definatley dont use Thompsons, always make our own plans.this year its Pelie&marias, our first time with them.the last 3 years has been with Spiros at Nafsika, thassilis and the Athens bar, before their new apartments.cant wait for july.
Hi Rilo57
Welcome to the forum.I am afraid old Mr Costas is no longer with us. His wife Nina (Katerina) is now living with her daughter Nitsa (Helen) and her husband Costas in Corfu Town in the winter. She is staying with them at the Romanza for the season.
Yammas
Yiannis
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: rilo57 on June 04, 2012, 04:15:57 PM
 Hi Yiannis.

        How sad to hear about mr costas, spent so many wonderfull hours with him.i spoke no greek, and him no english but a pen and paper and a beer or too and we was friends for life.was looking forward to call in and see him in Avliotis.anyway i shall give my regards to the family at Romanza when i visit.can you tell me when he passed away?
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: YANNIS26 on June 04, 2012, 04:39:03 PM
Hi Yiannis.

        How sad to hear about mr costas, spent so many wonderfull hours with him.i spoke no greek, and him no english but a pen and paper and a beer or too and we was friends for life.was looking forward to call in and see him in Avliotis.anyway i shall give my regards to the family at Romanza when i visit.can you tell me when he passed away?
Hi Rilo
Not certain of the exact date but it was early this year.Had the pleasure of meeting Katerina for the first time in early May.We will be back to renew our wonderful friendships with family & staff later this month.This will be our 12th year at the Romanza.They say good things get better with age.How right they are.
Yammas
Yiannis
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Waspman on June 04, 2012, 10:06:27 PM
Costas passed away early in February following a lung infection.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: rilo57 on June 04, 2012, 11:15:16 PM
thanks for the info.yep Romanza has got bigger over the years.family as friendly as ever.nothing too much trouble.in the early years it was difficult Thompson was playing dirty with them after investing so much money.They lost the trade from them for a couple of years, so i agreed to sell the rooms privatley from england, put comercials out at work and left brochures in various places.it was helpfull for them and got over a bad patch.Thats why i never  use Thompson after that.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: YANNIS26 on June 05, 2012, 12:09:32 PM
This thread is on the subject of (How I Found San Stefanos).I apologise for going off thread but I would have to agree with Rilo.
(How I found Thomsons in 1984) was I thought a company who cared.In 2012 I know as you will have noticed from my various posts on the subject, this is no longer true.I like Rilo book independent and hope I will be able to do so for many years to come.
Yammas
Yiannis  
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Papapetros on June 07, 2012, 09:02:56 PM
Have viewed the forum on a number of occasions over the last couple of years and normally find the topics discussed interesting and informative,so i thought join and possibly share a few "little gems" over the coming months and hopefully years ahead.so,here goes;
           Like many others,we found Agios Stefanos via Greek Connection and our first visit was in August 1986,when for £199 we stayed at the Theodoras for 2 weeks after flying Danair from Gatwick.The Theodoras were then virtually in the Olive groves down the lane towards Arillas, now the Tennis courts have been laid opposite them.
              To say we became "hooked" would be an understatement,as we have been back every year since,sometimes twice,sometimes thrice and one year four times to take in a December Wedding.In all our visits total in excess of 60,but,we are not sure exactly how many and too old to work it out!
   We have stayed in a number of different apartments and after Sunmed etc,started to make our ownway and stayed regularly with Manthos and Michalis at Anatoli.However,we have stayed with the Koutivis for at least the last 12 years and return to them on Monday next for another 4 week stint
     I will further update our C.V. in the morning.

                                                  Petros and Wife
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Sellsy on June 07, 2012, 09:22:51 PM
Welcome to the forum Papapetros, wow! With a history of 6o+ visits I am sure you will be a major source of information and advice as well as providing reminiscence therapy to the old guard on here! I look forward to your posts, I  am sure many will be intrigued by your history , expect many welcomes with questions to follow! Enjoy.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: YANNIS26 on June 07, 2012, 09:25:28 PM
Hi Petros
Welcome to the forum.I am certain you will have a lot of wonderful memories of your many visits to San Stefanos and god willing many more to come.
Yammas
Yiannis
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: SANDY on June 07, 2012, 09:59:42 PM
So sorry to hear about Costas he was a gentleman.
Our first visit to San Stef was at the Romanza in the early nineties.
We were there when they started leveling the ground for the new rooms,
Helena"s husband Costas dug the foundations with a pick ax whilst wearing flip flops.
Although we have not stayed there since we always go and see Costas and Helena and we are
welcomed like family,all lovely people as are all the locals.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Gavlah1973 on June 07, 2012, 11:20:33 PM
Sad news about old Costas......nice bloke
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: dibully on June 08, 2012, 12:40:37 AM
Welcome Petros can't wait to hear some of your recollections of all your visits bet you have seen some changes since your first visit my Husband says it's like putting on your favourite pair of slippers and settling down for the night you relax as soon as you get there
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Papapetros on June 10, 2012, 11:17:55 PM
Thanks for the welcoming messages,very much appreciated.Been a little too busy to add to my original  post yet.Ruddy work and football.Wow.Ireland just equalised-Great!!.Picking the car up at the Airport midday tomorrow,straight to Lidls for initial impoortant supplies,Gin and Tonic,enough to last 4 weeks in Agios Stefanos .Manthos is open and we will spend our first evening there and wonder at the beauty of the views and the sunset.Lucky old us.P
                       Petro and Susannah
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Caz on June 11, 2012, 03:21:48 PM
We found San Stef about 10 or 12yrs or so ago, not sure when exactly.  We knew a couple who lived in SS 6 months of the year Pat & Joe and they told us we were missing a real gem of a place. Thanassis had just built 2 apartments now enlarged to Tsaros apartments and we stayed there. The hill killed us though and the next time we asked them to recommend somewhere a little flatter. They came up with Anatoli and we've gone there ever since.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: emjon on June 15, 2012, 11:50:04 PM
We found SMS in 1996 we wanted a quiet resort as I was pregnant with our 1st child and husband had been to roda several years before. Due to finances we didn't return until 2002 with 2 children, who both love ss, think it is the best place. We now are now coming back for 5th visit in 8 weeks. We tried arrivals one year but came to ss most days. Cannot wait to come back, never done independent travel have used Thomas cook for last few trips. Had to book the Vicky apts more than 1 year in advance before they got booked, so had a long countdown for this one, but we all know it is worth it
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: tonyco1 on June 19, 2012, 03:23:57 AM
Hi Petros and Susannah, a big welcome to the forum, and I must say I am enjoying this forum thread as a few members with long term experiences are cropping up.

Isn't it amazing how the years fly past - -but I can remember my first trip as if it were last week!
I had forgotten DanAir - that airline was a gem!

emjon from '96 is a long time but some of us go way back.
I do miss the old Ag.Stef, but still have a great affection with the new one as well.

Who remembers Waves Taverna had the only international phone? no mobiles here then.
We used to queue up to use it - in a tiny kiosk type space inside - - but fun times!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: rilo57 on June 20, 2012, 10:42:07 PM
 not to mention freddie laker..your inflight meal came in a shirt box...
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: tonyco1 on June 21, 2012, 03:14:03 AM
Good old freddie!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Silverstar on August 30, 2012, 06:32:01 PM
First time in Corfu was at the age of 6 at the Yaliscari Palace in Paleokastritsa and like it alot.  The year after that and mum got a cheapy to San Stefanos and apparently Dad looked at her as they arrived in 1980 (and there wasnt much there then to be fair) and said 'where the hell have you bought us?'.

We have laughed a lot over his first words in the years since as dad absolutely loves it there and its hard to describe how the place and the people get under your skin and make you feel 'part of something'.  Its the only place in the world that I can truly relax and feel at peace and although our first stay was at the Nafsika, we have stayed loads of other places since but my mum and dad especially have made firm friends in Spiros and Aris M, Spiros K, Leo and Nikos, Stefanos, Vagelis, George and of course Theodora :)

It really is a life long love affair  ;D
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on August 30, 2012, 11:39:13 PM
How lovely, Silverstar
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Ioanna on September 01, 2012, 08:24:23 PM
Hi Papapetros, we so very nearly met when you were first in SS because we were out in the September with Greek Connection ( Teresa has a lot to answer for ) we flew Danair as I worked for them at the time .
Our paths have crossed so very many times over the years and yet we tried so hard to avoid you ! I shall be back out there on 23rd September watched over by Sophocles , so unless you are getting ready to pack your cases we will have to wait until next June to 'duck and dive' . xxx Ioanna
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: tonyco1 on September 05, 2012, 04:04:45 AM
Silverstar - you landed 3 years before we did - - we first arrived in '83 after a night flight, and guess what I said???

What the hell is this - - this is awful - - - I'm going to hate this holiday - - - nothing here!!

- - - it was actually - one of the best ever holidays
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Silverstar on September 05, 2012, 12:56:54 PM
I know Tony! -  my dad was absolutely horrified and started berating my mum for booking somewhere 'in the arse end of nowhere' and what a terrible holiday it was going to be.

32 years later, they got back last week from their 25th visit to SS and over the years have made solid friendships with the locals and they have been invited back to weddings and christenings which they have gone to.   I feel like I 'grew up' with Spiros (bikes) and Leo (Teresa) because we are the same age (Spiros is only a couple of months younger than me) and as we went out every year when I was growing up we all became very close.   

My younger sister hasnt been back since she was 17 though (she is 35 now) and so she will see some big changes when we go over for our big family holiday next August - can't wait - am on here every day now just to feel a bit closer to SS and everyone who loves it as much as me :)

Really hoping to meet up with some forum members whilst I'm there as well - going from 5-19th August 2013 so let me know if anyone going to be there around the same time!   ;D
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: tonyco1 on September 09, 2012, 11:17:08 PM
Just like you - our son grew up going to San Stefanos with us, and made friends with & played with the Greek kids on the beach.
We also went to quite a few weddings & Christenings, (Kostas from The Golden Beach was the first one in 1984).
Our son Mark later moved on to hanging out with all the local lads, including Spiros (bikes), and many others, going clubbing in Sidari and Corfu Town, etc......
and now - just like our son, many of the the local lads, married and have families, & are all still firm friends - - that's San Stefanos for you!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Westward on April 19, 2014, 01:34:20 PM
Resurrecting this post. :-)

We found San Stef whilst in bed one May Sat morning, poss 1992 reading papers. Noticed a Daily Mirror £99 offer, one week self catering Corfu, we flew the following Tuesday. (Allocated on arrival). We ended up in Mythos? apts. They were brand new then. Stewart had to screw on the drawer handles and unwrap the new cutlery.  We bought coat hangers from the shop and was reimbursed from the Thomson rep.  Loved it .
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: BarbaraG on April 19, 2014, 07:11:16 PM
We love Greece and over the years have tried to visit as many islands as possible. We went to Corfu on a day trip from Parga in 2002 but obviously only had a few hours in Corfu town. Then a couple of years ago we were wondering which island to spend our holiday on, and saw the TV programme "A tale of 2 islands", thought SS looked nice and went last year. Booked again for this year!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Ioanna on April 21, 2014, 01:30:39 PM
We love Greece and over the years have tried to visit as many islands as possible. We went to Corfu on a day trip from Parga in 2002 but obviously only had a few hours in Corfu town. Then a couple of years ago we were wondering which island to spend our holiday on, and saw the TV programme "A tale of 2 islands", thought SS looked nice and went last year. Booked again for this year!
That's it you will be smitten now !
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Achandler on June 13, 2014, 02:23:13 PM
Went when I was 4 with mum when the Athens Bar was being rennovated for the first time. Have been going whenever I can afford to ever since, heading there for 3 weeks on the 23rd :) cannot wait absolutely love the place!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: rilo57 on June 16, 2014, 01:39:02 AM
  Yep,i was in athens bar apartments in 93,located over the bar in those days...was only a small place,with a pool table.noola would give my son tokens for the table.very nice family,and nikos finally getting married...
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Jacksi on June 17, 2014, 12:55:03 AM
We first went to SS in (I think it was) 2007.  We had already booked to go to Rhodes as our main holiday in the summer but I just fancied a week away at other half's end of May shutdown week.  I was bored at work (no chance of that happening now!) and just started looking on the Thomson's web site and saw, what seemed too good to be true, a perfect holiday!!  Afternoon flights from Doncaster (was gonna be a bit tight time wise as he didn't leave work until lunchtime) adult only (in school holidays) and half board and cheap!!!  It sounded perfect took a lot of persuading other half we could afford two holidays but I won, and off we went to the Thomas Bay!  We had the most amazing week, met some brilliant people and vowed we would be back! Ironically a girl I work with had booked the Terezas for the two weeks prior to us without each of us knowing - they went home on the plane we arrived on!!  They went back the following year too. 

The following year we went long haul, which we did for a few years as well as visiting other Greek Islands but always still talking about San Stefanos.  After looking at other places in Corfu we decided to go back last year but after feeling we missed out on all the gorgeous restaurants by staying half board the first time we decided to stay at Terezas bed and breakfast.  We again had a brilliant time and couldn't believe that the staff in Thomas Bay had remembered us when we called in after all that time!  As soon as we got home there was no discussion we booked again to go to Terezas and 8 weeks as now we will just be arriving. 

After finally reading all the posts on this section I feel very envious of all of you who have been going for years and so wish we had brought our children here whilst they were young so that they could have fallen in love with the place as we have done! 
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: ianlivi on June 18, 2014, 11:10:13 AM
Having stayed in Arillas a couple of times and always walking to SS for a meal at least one night we decided to book a holiday there the following year this will now  be our third year in the village. Although we have holidays in other Greek Islands we  try to make it back to SS for at least one week. We like to eat out each night and try as many restaurants as possible so self catering suits us and where we stay has only 4 apartments and 2 studios so not busy a "real chill out" place. I think it's the peace and quiet, good food and the friendly villagers that brings us back.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: crsfaz on May 03, 2015, 12:49:23 PM
Having stayed in Arillas a couple of times and always walking to SS for a meal at least one night we decided to book a holiday there the following year this will now  be our third year in the village. Although we have holidays in other Greek Islands we  try to make it back to SS for at least one week. We like to eat out each night and try as many restaurants as possible so self catering suits us and where we stay has only 4 apartments and 2 studios so not busy a "real chill out" place. I think it's the peace and quiet, good food and the friendly villagers that brings us back.
couldn't of put it better myself!
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: maggiesaes on March 17, 2018, 11:33:59 AM
We found San Stef in 1999 by accident really.
We had booked to go somewhere quite different but the travel agent was messing about changing all sorts until it bore no resemblance to the original holiday and when they changed the date I cancelled.
I popped into our local Travel House and told them when we wanted to fly and said 'Greek Islands' and they found us San Stef and flying form Cardiff too which was a bonus as we had just moved to Wales.
We came over on the last two weeks of October when places (though there were fewer) stayed open till the end of October.
Since then we have been coming over twice a year and have many friends here and elsewhere on the island.This year we will be coming for three weeks and for the first time staying at Little Prince which of course wasn't here when we first came. 
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Jimbo on March 17, 2018, 04:08:41 PM
Little Prince is a great place to stay. That was our first visit, and we've been back many, many times.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: maggiesaes on March 19, 2018, 01:27:55 PM
We often eat at Little Prince and usually go and have a drink with Lakis,Demetri's father at some stage  while we're there and we have always stayed at the Thomas Bay but we wanted to have three weeks this year in May and couldn't get it at all.
We have problems with only one flight a week from Cardiff so we'll be coming from Bristol again.

Amazing the number of people we meet who come here the pre-admission nurse at one of our hospitals comes every year and stays in the Vickie and the boiler engineer comes and stay at Romanza and last September I met my GP at the airport on the way home to Cardiff.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: simonE on April 24, 2018, 01:15:22 AM
My first visit was in May 1999 following a last minute deal my wife had seen in our local independent travel agent. If memory serves, we paid less than £600 for the fortnight (which included the Whitsun school holiday week) for a self catering apartment at the Perros Hotel for the four of us - me, my wife and our two daughters, then aged 5 and 3.
 
We arrived at some unearthly hour ( wasn't it always the case back then with package holiday flights to Greece?) and were housed overnight in a very basic apartment from which we were promptly moved the following day for something more suitable. Again, this thing seemed to happen a lot in those days!

What then followed was one of our favourite ever family holidays. The first thing I remember is being a little shocked at the general appearance of the surrounding neighbourhood - our foreign holiday experience up until that point had been based on visits to the more manicured resorts of Spain, and San Stefanos was most definitely not manicured! Half finished buildings with great lengths of steel pointing out of the concrete towards the blue sky, a fair bit of roadside litter, grassy scrub land forming the gaps between one taverna and the next, no discernable pavements and of course the inevitable " we do WHAT with the toilet paper???!!!", were all something of a culture shock.

But, ( and all you forum folk will now know what's coming) as the first days turned into the first week, we slowly just "got" it. We got the warmth and genuine welcome of every "kalimera" from everyone we met. We got the fuss made of two very small, very blonde girls at every shop and taverna often resulting in a free sweet or two, we got the unbelievable light of the endless sunny days, the smells (not all of them pleasant!) that are unique to Greece, the parades of giant ants, the fireflies on our evening walks back to the hotel. We were hooked. 

However, here is the twist. This didn't then result in return visits year on year. We were never ones to go back to the same resort -
not even just twice. So what followed instead was visits to other Greeks islands and indeed, many other European countries. And many great holidays.Now fast forward to 2015. As an obsessive Tripadvisor advocate, on a whim I searched for the Perros, mainly just to see if it was still up and running and, finding that it most definitely was, suggested to my less than convinced wife that we should return. We duly did, now minus our grown up daughters, and had a wonderful time.

We were both surprised at the very little change we could perceive  - other than the closure of the restaurant opposite to the Perros ( whose name escapes me I'm afraid ) which had been a favourite of ours on Greek night. Peli and Maria were still there ( we reminisced to them of how they bestowed gifts of Tic-Tacs on our daughters) and so too was Stelios at The Olympia ( but minus his ponytail....). Neither of us banked on the wave of nostalgia that hit us as we contemplated our previous visit which on one hand seemed like yesterday and on the other seemed like a lifetime ago. As Captain Corelli muses in Antoine de Bernieres' novel, " Time is a complete b******...."

Now nostalgia is a Greek word ( obviously - they have all the best ones !) meaning, literally "nostos" ( return home) "algos" (pain). So, in a way, it defines a sort of homesickness - a longing to return. I think that this is what we felt. A homesickness for somewhere that wasn't even our home, but in some way felt like a place we belonged. Does this make sense to anyone else?

Just why this little resort, with its hotch potch development, its untidy corners and its randomness now has such a hold on us is really quite a mystery. We've visited prettier places, places with more to see and do, with better beaches, better infrastructure......but nowhere that has the same grip on our hearts as little old San Stefanos. Friends of ours ask about this little place we revisit but I find I'm always reluctant to recommend it too highly. I find I'm being a little guarded, a little protective. "What if they just don't "get" it like we do?". Is this just me?

So there we are. How I found San Stefanos. And why we are back again next month.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: maggiesaes on April 24, 2018, 08:37:43 PM
Simon it is not just you it gets us every year we just think of it as a second home.
We too have done Spain and the Spanish Islands,Canary Islands,North Africa,West Africa,East Africa,India,Israel,Acapulco,Belgium,Germany several Greek islands but nowhere in the world comes close to Corfu and San Steph it has an extra something which you just can’t name you just feel it.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Kernowfox on April 25, 2018, 09:54:21 PM
Nicely summarised Simon.
Given your liking for Trip Adviser reviews I would be interested to see your inputs relating to your many holidays. I wonder if you would divulge a review you’ve completed so that I can take a look?
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: simonE on April 26, 2018, 01:10:56 AM
Thanks for the kind words. My ID on Tripadvisor is sim0n 1967. My most recent reviews are for our recent holiday in St. Spyridon. If you search Neptune Sea House Cottage you should find my review dated April 16th for the property in which we stayed. Cheers.
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Teamnickos on April 26, 2018, 10:58:02 AM
Lovely story Simon (and totally agree)
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: Gavlah1973 on August 05, 2018, 12:07:12 PM
Brilliant that Simon

The taverna opp Perros was Paradise

Closed about 2011
Title: Re: How I found San Stefanos.!!!
Post by: debra on August 12, 2018, 01:15:47 AM
Loved your memories Simon.  It is a funny little place and how it beguiles you and entices you and makes you miss it.