Deals, Europe, Pilgrimage

Corphew go trekking in the Greek islands

Giorgios, Maria, Evi and all our Greek friends, and Dutch Frank, all tell us that the locals head for the islands when it heats up so Corphew… let’s go trekking in the Greek islands.

And put in the hard work we wimped out on the last time we were there.

On honeymoon, 32 years ago when it was more about sunset walks on the Corfiot beach.

In my defence it was toga-wearing hot when we were there in the September of 1994.

Good reason then for the grumpy Greek Orthodox monks to be wearing robes.

Going Solos

Stark beauty: Corfu

I have since got my walking shoes on on my travels out to the Attica region and Kythera, and continue to mither The Scary One to join me.

Although, of course, my notorious wayfaring is hardly a persuasive argument.

Which will be why she always suggests I go on my own… ‘take a long walk down a short pier.’

Solos are, of course, the go-to for, er solo, trips where you meet like-minded travellers.

Or those who have exhausted the patience of those at home and who you end up falling out with on holiday.

Come what May

Enchanting: Corfu town

And so Solos are marking this May, in celebration of National Walking Month, by sending us all out on a week of hiking and cultural discovery in Corfu.

You’ll be based at Aronda House in Dassia.

And the itinerary features moderate guided hikes through the hills, coastal paths and valleys on this most verdant of Greek islands.

Stretching out: Ready for your trek

Highlights include a coast to coat walk from Skripero, a forested trail past the heritage village of Agios Markos.

And a loop around the flamingo-dotted Korission Lagoon in the island’s quieter south.

With daily distances around 13kms and routes made up of gentle ascents, it’s ideal for all walkers.

Deal us in

Lie back: And think of Corfu

A seven-night Corfu Walking Tour departs on May 1 and is priced at £1,259pp.

This includes return flights, transfers, airport taxes, double room for solo use.

A welcome drink, daily breakfast, BBQ dinner at hotel, three picnic lunches.

Four exclusive fully guided walks and a Solos Tour Leader.

 

 

Countries

Holidaymakers from hell

They’re the holidaymakers from hell like the English OAP this week who complained about too much Greek food on Corfu.

Personally from experience we have always found a big Greek dinner epic in proportion, flavour, freshness and friendliness,

Now not every vacation or destination has ticked the box in six decades of globetrotting.

Or matched up to our honeymoon island Corfu.

With one hotel in Bulgaria where we stayed even making it onto the TV show Holidays From Hell.

With cows drinking from the pool, none of which Susan Edwards (nor us to be fair) had to contend with.

Now we should all prepare for anything and everything abroad.

And I’ve been caught out and short everywhere from the Moroccan Sahara Desert to Los Angeles.

Epic: Greek food

But I’m either not the moany sort, too lazy to follow it up, or just appreciative of the staff who actually put themselves out for us.

Much of the problem is when holidaymakers assume that abroad will be just like home but with sun, a bit like Ms Edwards.

Best then do your homework because as ABTA point out your holiday providers are good but not miracle workers.

Manana Mia

Do like Donald: And the senors and senoritas

Because as much as you might expect foreigners to have the same working hours one tourist spoke for many here:

‘It’s lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallartato to close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during ‘siesta’ time — this should be banned.”

And then there’s those who will always blame others for their lack of prep.

‘I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local convenience store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts.’

Geography lesson

Jammin’: Jamaica

Of course there’s always someone who has it better than you.

And Susan is said to have turned down €100 in TUI vouchers because she suspected others had applied and got more.

Good luck though if you use this excuse to try to get some compo.

‘It took us nine hours to fly home from Jamaica to England. It took the Americans only three hours to get home. This seems unfair.’

B&B bed and biscuits

Ole: Ginger nuts

And we reckon that these accidental tourists’ misadventures speak for themselves.

So double check what suite you’ve booked.

‘My fiancée and I requested twin-beds when we booked, but instead we were placed in a room with a king bed.

‘We now hold you responsible and want to be re-reimbursed for the fact that I became pregnant.’

And no less annoyed was this disgruntled traveller.

‘It should be explained in the brochure that the local store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts.”

We’re not in Kansas any more

Glass act: And not €5 knock-offs

And because of my many travels I know who to avoid and market traders always get the best of the deal.

‘We bought Ray-Ban sunglasses for €5 from a street trader, only to find out they were fake.

While one cousin of mine who returned home from the Balearic Islands a week early because of the rain would chime with this.

‘The weather at home was nice while we were away so the whole holiday seemed a bit pointless.’

And finally

Eyes down: Beach frolics

While tour reps pledge to always be there for you they can’t be responsible for your partner’s peccadilloes.

‘Topless sunbathing on the beach should be banned.

‘The holiday was ruined because my husband spent all day looking at other women.’

TUI, our earliest and among the most trusted holidaymakers have our sympathies as do all travel companies.

After all who’d be a rep really with these holidaymakers from hell.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Our Corfu love getaway

I couldn’t blame Dimitrios the swimming pool keyboardist shooting longing looks over at us on our Corfu love getaway… only I discovered his gaze was for me as I went to the bar.

All of which I was only too quick to report back to my new wife on our honeymoon.

Love is in the air again as we check out the Easter offer from our friends at the Irish Travel Agents Association.

All of whom are gathered this weekend with travel boards around the globe for one of the highlights of the year, the Travel Extra Holiday World show at the RDS, Simmonscourt, in Dublin.

In the mix: Get the party started

Freedom Travel have dug out Daphnila Bay for its crystal-clear waters and lush greenery which in many places might be a sales pitch.

But Corfu is indeed the most verdant island in Greece because of its higher levels of winter rainfall.

Which even allows for the Corfiots who have close links back to the islands of Britain and Ireland to have its own cricket pitch.

In the centre of Corfu town.

Bay of plenty

Life’s a beach: So take it all in

Now if you’re concerned about the rain spoiling your holiday then don’t.

Because in the spring and summer the sun kisses the Ionian island and it bursts with vegetation.

Just as you are busy kissing and bursting your moves for the poolside entertainment Dimitrios and his friends put on for you.

Now if you’re the active types (stop it!) then Daphnila Bay offers a choice of biking and hiking, snorkelling, swimming with horses, a Jeep safari.

And all the fun on every water-carrying craft and around the island.

At home with the Durrells

Lie back: And think of Corfu

While if you want to follow in the footsteps of the madcap Murrell mob you saw on the telly.

Then treat yourself to a romantic sunset tour and the famous Durrell’s Tour.

A private half-day and full-day coast tour and a trip to Paxos and surrounding islands,

FT are offering seven nights all inclusive for two in Daphnila Bay from April 18 to 24 for €1,505pp.

With extras of €120 for 20kg luggage and €90 for insurance.

It’s our Corfu love getaway but you can make it yours too.

 

 

 

Countries

30 years with the Travel and Strife

You Pearler… 30 years with the Travel and Strife and time to look back and forward.

Our journey, in truth, started four years earlier in Herself’s Homestead, the Royal County of Berkshire.

With our first pitstop a city which for that reason, and its own, will always be magical to us, Amsterdam.

Off the beaten track

žCan I be trusted on a bike? In Amsterdam

Twenty-five years spanned our visits to the pride of the Netherlands and we ditched the ubiquitous bikes along the way.

We had taken the road less travelled on our first trip, going to Edam on its half day.

And then taking the wrong fork on the road back to Amsterdam.

We took a different tack when we were invited out to the Dylan.

And so it was canal boats and the luxury of the hotel George and Amal frequent in theirs, and now our, visits to Holland.

Wear slip-on shoes

Her own style: In Portugal

We all form attachments to those countries and cities we first go to as children and couples.

And Portugal holds a special place too in our hearts despite another cycling mishap in the Algarve.

But one we got to put right in Portugal Centro years later under the guidance of our own Special One Jose Madomis.

Malta would follow when in an unguarded moment I bent down at dinner to tie up my shoelace and she screamed ‘Yes’.

On two wheels again: Gozo/Malta

The Scot in me, I went back years later on my own to see if I could redeem on the bottle of Champagne we didn’t finish…

And so Corfu followed for our honeymoon when the handsome Greek waiter was most attentive to our table.

And my bride was blushing when it transpired he was eyeing me up.

On our Travails

Boat comes in: On the Amstel

We made the most of those intimate moments then, knowing holidays would never be the same when Him and Her came along.

And waited until we could take off again together, to the Soll slopes in Austria.

That road trip around Portugal Centro.

To George and Amal’s gaffe in Amsterdam.

And up the fjords of Norway and around the Rieperbahn of Hamburg.

Still stumbling along the way and trying to get back on track.

And all the time still following Her lead.

Even when that meant us getting on the bus to Berlin instead of Keil.

The Mother of all Dragons

Breakfast of champions: Monaghan

Or turning up in Monaghan a weekend early and turning that Irish Midlands town upside down.

There have been travails aplenty and pleasures like poppy seeds in Rome and Venice and travels to come.

With an anniversary Loveholidays trip to Dubrovnik to come next month with my very own Mother of Dragons.

Just another marker in 30 years with the Travel and Strife.

Bring on the next 30.

MEET YOU ON THE ROAD

 

America, Countries, Europe

Turk holidays in Turkiye

Sorry senor but Brits now prefer to Turk holidays in Turkiye than Spain.

Bizarre right? Well, no, it’s a Costa living thing and our friends at the crossroads of Europe and Asia have got the jump on everyone else there.

Leading online travel agency Superescapes.co.uk have boiled down the figures and found Turkey is our fave so far this year.

Now, every tourist country has its attractions and for Brits sunseekers well it’s the big yellow ball in the sky that’s at the top of our lists.

And to be fair, all of them on the top ten from Superescapes boasts a hot experience.

While, and it may be just us, but we’ve found a friendly welcome in each of the countries picked out.

With particularly fond memories of Bodrum.

Where our son Ally would be feted over by market stallholders on account of his name sounding the same as Turkish favourite Ali.

Price is right

Hamam bam: Istanbul

But it’s on price that Turkey scores highest.

With Jason Waldron spokesperson for Superescapes.co.uk commenting: ‘Turkey offers exceptional value and its prime position in Southern Europe creates an incredibly appealing climate for those wishing to escape the dreary UK weather.

‘We’re finding, this year, whilst consumers won’t give up their annual break, they are more price conscious than ever before.

‘With prices for Turkey and Istanbul starting from as little as £129pp for three nights it’s not surprising that bookings are booming’.

Hot list

Please Miss: Miss America meets Mr Scotland in Vegas

Spain remains popular at position two but that’s being driven by growth in the Balearic Islands, with both market share and booking volume on the rise.’

Corfu and Rhodes are also performing very well for Greece, according to Waldron.

Long-haul tourists continue to favour the United States and again ranks within the top 5 countries booked, surpassing traditional mainstream winter destinations.

With Las Vegas is the most popular US destination, accounting for over 30% of the total US bookings.

‘Las Vegas is hugely popular with Brits, with the tourism board stating Britain is one of its biggest feeder markets,’ he added.

“Sin City” is like an adult playground with a huge allure for those looking for fine dining, glitz, glam and a bit of fun.

The first XV

Sky high: Dubai

Among the areas that have shown remarkable growth in terms of booking volumes and market share are Morocco.

Particularly driven by Marrakech, Croatia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Our habits

Drink it up: With what you save

Waldron goes on to discuss how Brits are booking their breaks post-Covid.

‘Prior to the pandemic, there were distinct booking peaks particularly in January and June,’ he said.

‘Since the outbreak of Covid, these significant trading periods have ceased to exist.’

And holidaymaker booking patterns have become less predictable.

‘For instance, we have observed strong bookings for holidays departing between March and June this year.

‘But our summer holiday bookings are down.

‘This could be attributed to fewer individuals taking summer breaks.’Or people holding off on booking their summer holiday until nearer the time.’

Book early

Boss Bosphorus: Istanbul waterway

Historically, Brits would book their holidays 7 to 9 months in advance.

But Superescapes.co.uk has found that 38% of the sales so far this year have been late bookings.

Departing within two months of the booking being made.

Waldron advises travellers ‘Whilst Brits may be booking late in a bid to secure the best prices it’s generally better to book well in advance.’

As airline costs tend to be lower and there’s generally better choices available.’

All good advice… and here’s even better. Turk holidays in Turkiye.