Post by kathwebber on Aug 11, 2010 15:08:42 GMT 2
Firstly, I dont know how people get back from Roda and write a review the same day - it has taken me 5 days to get caught up at home (washing) and at work (cannot believe how many emails I had to go through).
Anyway, never done one of these before so here goes - hope its not too boring. We arrived in Corfu at 11pm on Friday 23rd July following a very comfortable and punctual flight from Manchester with Easyjet and were informed by the pilot that the temp was 38 degs! Phew! Fortunately up in Roda it was a little cooler and more bearable. However last Tuesday (3rd Aug) the temp was almost 40! I was either in the pool or in the apartment with the aircon on - scorchio!
We stayed in the Venus apartments for the first time having booked them independently. They are owned by Charlie who is a charming old man and is the uncle of Theo of the Theodoros.
We had booked 2 studios as my daughter Kelly and her fiance James wanted their own space not to mention that Brian and I would not have to clear up after them!!! On arrival, Charlie only had 1 studio but upgraded the other studio at no extra cost to an apartment so Kelly and James had an apartment to themselves - "very kind", I hear you say. On the Sunday at 8pm (2 nights into our holiday) having showered and being just about ready to go out for the evening Charlie came and explained that he was going to have problems accommodating new arrivals and would we mind moving into the apartment upstairs that Kelly and James were in. I wasnt happy as I had specifically wanted 2 studios but said that yes we would move tomorrow - only to be told that we needed to move right then - 8pm all showered and dressed to go out. Aaarrrgghhh! To cut a long story short we made several trips up 2 flights of stairs with all our clothes and general paraphernalia and moved into the mezzanine of our daughters apartment. We were not happy bunnies!
After further conversations with Charlie it became clear that half way through the season he had agreed for tour operator(s) to have access to some of his rooms as well as taking independent bookings and the rest is history as further people arrived to be told there were no rooms for them and they were shipped around Roda at various times of the day and night.
Dont get me wrong, Charlie was a lovely old man and we felt genuinely sorry for him as he was doing his best in very difficult circumstances. The apartments themselves were typical greek - basic but adequate and the pool area of the Venus is really lovely and in a very quiet and peaceful location. It is a short but pleasant walk into Roda and we would definitely go again - provided we could be guaranteed the accommodation we wanted.
We found Roda quiet particularly as this is the first time we have been in July/August for a long time (we usually go in June). However, Roda Park and Crusoes (2 of our favourites) were always busy. We found the cost of eating out and drinks were the same as the previous couple of years. We only bought water at the supermarket and had brunch and evening meal so couldnt tell you about supermarket prices for general day to day stuff.
We booked the Paxos/Parga boat trip with Rena at Nostos and it was cheaper than when we did it 2 years ago. The cost of fuel is where we noticed the biggest increase - I believe Brian said it was 1.60euro/litre.
We were getting 1.19 / 1.20 with our Nationwide card at the cashpoint so felt our money went a little further than last year when we were getting 1.16 /1.17
At the FGT's we met Andy64 who entertained us with his tale of his drive from UK to Roda in his whizzy ?Mazda 5? sorry if thats not right Andy - not very well up on cars! He and Steve gave us some brilliant information and we have well and truly got the bug and would love to drive down sometime. Andy I hope your mozzy bites have settled and that you enjoyed the rest of your holiday and that your return journey was safe and uneventful. I could have listened to Steve and Andy all afternoon - the tales of their journeys were excellent.
We also had the pleasure of meeting Graeme and his wife Chris and their son who had cut his foot on some glass - hope it cleared up ok and that you enjoyed the second week.
We spent a lot of time in Crusoes (a dirty job but someone has to do it) where Alex and George were on top form.
We went to Roda Park at least 5 times and also ate at Compass, Nikos Family Restaurant, Estrella, The Mexican and Drossia and for the first time at Maggies and Golden Sands (well worth the walk along the beach).
The new pavement down the main road to the beach is a huge improvement but still awaits lighting.
On the day we left (6th August) they were forecasting another heatwave so for once I was glad to be heading for the toon when we did.
Easyjet to Manchester arrived 20 mins early and our meet and greet service had our car outside the terminal within 5 mins so we had an uneventful drive back to geordieland.
Best stop now before you all nod off - sorry it was so long - cannot wait until next year to do it all again.
Pete, you will be pleased to know that I had my eyes firmly shut for the majority of the time so will not get any of the riddles - but I did know that the clock was in Maggies - didnt see it in "time"! Did you see what I did there?!
very kind regards, Kath, Brian, Kelly and James (the Yorkshire Terrier).
Anyway, never done one of these before so here goes - hope its not too boring. We arrived in Corfu at 11pm on Friday 23rd July following a very comfortable and punctual flight from Manchester with Easyjet and were informed by the pilot that the temp was 38 degs! Phew! Fortunately up in Roda it was a little cooler and more bearable. However last Tuesday (3rd Aug) the temp was almost 40! I was either in the pool or in the apartment with the aircon on - scorchio!
We stayed in the Venus apartments for the first time having booked them independently. They are owned by Charlie who is a charming old man and is the uncle of Theo of the Theodoros.
We had booked 2 studios as my daughter Kelly and her fiance James wanted their own space not to mention that Brian and I would not have to clear up after them!!! On arrival, Charlie only had 1 studio but upgraded the other studio at no extra cost to an apartment so Kelly and James had an apartment to themselves - "very kind", I hear you say. On the Sunday at 8pm (2 nights into our holiday) having showered and being just about ready to go out for the evening Charlie came and explained that he was going to have problems accommodating new arrivals and would we mind moving into the apartment upstairs that Kelly and James were in. I wasnt happy as I had specifically wanted 2 studios but said that yes we would move tomorrow - only to be told that we needed to move right then - 8pm all showered and dressed to go out. Aaarrrgghhh! To cut a long story short we made several trips up 2 flights of stairs with all our clothes and general paraphernalia and moved into the mezzanine of our daughters apartment. We were not happy bunnies!
After further conversations with Charlie it became clear that half way through the season he had agreed for tour operator(s) to have access to some of his rooms as well as taking independent bookings and the rest is history as further people arrived to be told there were no rooms for them and they were shipped around Roda at various times of the day and night.
Dont get me wrong, Charlie was a lovely old man and we felt genuinely sorry for him as he was doing his best in very difficult circumstances. The apartments themselves were typical greek - basic but adequate and the pool area of the Venus is really lovely and in a very quiet and peaceful location. It is a short but pleasant walk into Roda and we would definitely go again - provided we could be guaranteed the accommodation we wanted.
We found Roda quiet particularly as this is the first time we have been in July/August for a long time (we usually go in June). However, Roda Park and Crusoes (2 of our favourites) were always busy. We found the cost of eating out and drinks were the same as the previous couple of years. We only bought water at the supermarket and had brunch and evening meal so couldnt tell you about supermarket prices for general day to day stuff.
We booked the Paxos/Parga boat trip with Rena at Nostos and it was cheaper than when we did it 2 years ago. The cost of fuel is where we noticed the biggest increase - I believe Brian said it was 1.60euro/litre.
We were getting 1.19 / 1.20 with our Nationwide card at the cashpoint so felt our money went a little further than last year when we were getting 1.16 /1.17
At the FGT's we met Andy64 who entertained us with his tale of his drive from UK to Roda in his whizzy ?Mazda 5? sorry if thats not right Andy - not very well up on cars! He and Steve gave us some brilliant information and we have well and truly got the bug and would love to drive down sometime. Andy I hope your mozzy bites have settled and that you enjoyed the rest of your holiday and that your return journey was safe and uneventful. I could have listened to Steve and Andy all afternoon - the tales of their journeys were excellent.
We also had the pleasure of meeting Graeme and his wife Chris and their son who had cut his foot on some glass - hope it cleared up ok and that you enjoyed the second week.
We spent a lot of time in Crusoes (a dirty job but someone has to do it) where Alex and George were on top form.
We went to Roda Park at least 5 times and also ate at Compass, Nikos Family Restaurant, Estrella, The Mexican and Drossia and for the first time at Maggies and Golden Sands (well worth the walk along the beach).
The new pavement down the main road to the beach is a huge improvement but still awaits lighting.
On the day we left (6th August) they were forecasting another heatwave so for once I was glad to be heading for the toon when we did.
Easyjet to Manchester arrived 20 mins early and our meet and greet service had our car outside the terminal within 5 mins so we had an uneventful drive back to geordieland.
Best stop now before you all nod off - sorry it was so long - cannot wait until next year to do it all again.
Pete, you will be pleased to know that I had my eyes firmly shut for the majority of the time so will not get any of the riddles - but I did know that the clock was in Maggies - didnt see it in "time"! Did you see what I did there?!
very kind regards, Kath, Brian, Kelly and James (the Yorkshire Terrier).