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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2009 12:57:47 GMT 2
One year, Elaine and I were all booked up and ready for the off to a holiday in Majorca. I got made redundant about 4 weeks before, followed closely by the company folding. As you can imagine, I had no chance of getting any money from them for some time, if at all.
Elaine was working for a Pharmacy, but had only just started so was on low pay. Our holiday was a room only holiday in Santa Ponsa, flying with Palmair from Bournemouth. I went into Bath Travel (Palmair) to see about cancelling the holiday. Even after explaining my reasons, they could not accommodate my request, which I understood.
Elaine got paid on the Friday, we were flying out from Bournemouth on the Saturday. Elaine was paid just over £600. We draw the lot out in Pesetas as it was then. Thankfully we got lifts to the airport and pickups in two weeks time.
On arrival at our hotel we decided to go for a walk and check out the back streets of Santa Ponsa, find out where the Majorcans ate and drank. We found loads, and ate out every night at one of these restaurants where we had great food, lots to drink, at a fraction of what was being charged in the tourist restaurants.
The ironic thing was, even with buying fruit, taking some rolls, cheese and meat from the hotel restaurant which they did not mind if breakfast was nearing the end. We managed to buy some wines, cigarettes (we smoked then) to bring home. Even more so, it was one of best holidays.
Ever since then, where ever we go, whether it is in Greece, Spain, France, we always search out the local trade for eating out, drinking, shops, groceries, etc etc. You will be surprised at how much further ones money goes.
Yeiamas, Chris
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2009 13:06:05 GMT 2
Regarding the issues of Package or Independent Travel is down to each individuals decision, financial bearing, and where they fly from. In some cases a package from a local airport will work out far cheaper than say a flight only from a London Airport. Then again as we have seen with Easyjet, some local airports are offering good flight onlys.
I noticed with the Easyjet bookings. Not only could you book flight only which you were given a price, but one could then go onto choosing accommodation, which when added to your flight tickets, in some cases worked out cheaper than most package deals.
It is the old swings and round abouts. Also a few years ago this subject came up as it does every year. Sadly it is the tour operator monopoly who has the hold on accommodation. They charge so much, yet give so little in return to the owners, and this is why a number have chose to go it alone. Some make it, some do not sadly. It would be great if we could all ensure the owners that we would use their accommodation annually or more, and that their rooms are full all year round, they would benefit, as we would as well.
Something needs to be done. I do not know how it stands now, but I can remember someone saying sometime ago that out of all the money charged by tour operators for a room on a per person basis, the owner only got something like €8 to €12 per room.
Yeiamas, Chris
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Post by artisans on Jan 7, 2009 13:41:37 GMT 2
Hi Chris - many accommodation owners would be delighted with £8-12 per room - two or three years ago there were many getting between 1-3 euros, and that at a time when the euro was about 1.5 to the GBP. Even now, there are many, even with aircon, TV and all the trappings, only getting 6-9 euros.
Steve
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Post by artisans on Jan 7, 2009 13:50:02 GMT 2
There are two grill room/takeaways in Roda - Roda Bar.Be.Que and the one by the crossroads. Both offer incredible value for money and are widely supported by local people - as we have reported before, last February, we had two gyros pittas and a bottle of retsina for 4.60 euros. Why not adopt the Greek 'breakfast' habit of calling in at 'The Corner' or 'Nancy's Corner' for a cheese pie. Don't forget the great value lunchtime snacks at 'Crusoes' and many others and the popular 'Big Ben Beer' at 1.50 euros per pint. There is lots of scope for bargains in Roda - maybe you can tell us of your 'best value' favourite.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2009 18:08:19 GMT 2
I was not far out then Steve, I did say €8 - €12, (not pounds) and you said €6 - €9. Friends of ours in Kontokali were under a Tour Operator and I know in 2004, their last year with them, they were then only getting about €8 per room. They had three accommodation buildings. First year they let 2 to the TO and kept back one themselves. There daughter and son in law took over the business with all three on independent, but for some reason last year they went with a Dutch Company (Something like Vee). Why I do not know. I know that our friends are not happy.
With flights costs as being shown by Easyjet now, I would still venture for the independent holiday. There are a number of places where we stay on the east coast that are independent. We have our friends in Peraloudes, and of course maybe a new venture to Roda.
Yeiamas, Chris
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Post by jacanste on Jan 7, 2009 23:43:52 GMT 2
What do you mean Steve, freeze left-overs? My husband is a 'fridge hoover' so I never have any!! JackieM
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Post by artisans on Jan 8, 2009 0:13:44 GMT 2
You need a bigger pot and a padlock, Jackie.
Steve
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