2010 Flights

[Biglaughs]

Anyone know when the like of thomas cooks start to offer flights for may next year. Last year we were booked with XL ( and we all know what happened to them!) in June and re booked with thomas cook the day of the failure of XL but what we don't know is when they start to offer the flights?
Anyone know or can help.
Thanks

[That Darn Cat]

airflights have released details of flights for 2010 now

You can see them here http://www.flykefalonia.com An interesting fact is Luton is back on the list of airports flying to Kefalonia.

TDC

[john g]

I have been checking the flight only prices for next year and at the moment they are SCARY! We desperately want to come back to Kefalonia next year but we can get a package for only £35 more than the cost of the flight!
We are looking to fly from Newcastle on 13th June next year and the flight is £340 but you then have to add on the cost of taking your luggage which is £16 (who goes on holiday with no luggage? )
So there you have a total of £356 for a flight only!! I cann get a package for just under £395!
I'm starting to wonder about the feasability of Easyjet to Athens and then bus to Killini and then ferry. I could use the trip to take in a couple of days in Athens, something i have wanted to do for a while.
These ridiculous prices may be one reason why there are not so many independant travellers about this year? There are some excellent late deals available on flights but if it is your main holiday you just can't afford to hang around for something that may not be there!

[That Darn Cat]

We found cheaper flights of around £250 but, prices will come down November/December this year and January/February next year.

Keep strong John, besides the package accommodation is never a patch on ours, and I am sure the same applies to other independent companies.

Maybe you should look at DTG's studio with a view to booking it, the price is fantastical cheapness.

TDC

[Dave the Greek]

Keep strong John, besides the package accommodation is never a patch on ours, and I am sure the same applies to other independent companies.

Hi John, Myself Hugh and TDC all have our windups on here thats life, all in the best possible taste of course!
However what Paul has said is Very true, take a cheapo package and you get what you pay for ie, dissapearing reps when things go wrong, when XL went pearshaped it was the independants who offered the most help to these unfortunate holidaymakers who did not know who to turn to for help, also, the independants try their hardest not to remove guests at 10 am in the morning, even though their flights are not until 10 in the evening, you sometimes DO get what you pay for.
For a lot of peeps on the island, provided we could get reasonable flight prices, most would like to see the big companies go to the wall, the price they have offered local Greeks for their accommodation is nothing short of exploitation. This does the reputation of the island no good at all, most of us are here for the longterm future, not just rip a tourist off in the short term, these tourists simply do not return, give a good service at a fair price, I do not think anyone expects any less!
Rant over.

[That Darn Cat]

Hi John, Myself Hugh and TDC all have our windups on here that's life, all in the best possible taste of course!
However what Paul has said is Very true, take a cheapo package and you get what you pay for ie, disappearing reps when things go wrong, when XL went pearshaped it was the independents who offered the most help to these unfortunate holidaymakers who did not know who to turn to for help

John had you been in Fior D'Amour (Athena's) a few days after XL went pop you would have died with laughter as the Olympic rep went to DTG's table to ask if they were with Olympic. DTG immediately adopted a lost and desperate look and said in a pathetic little voice "No we are with XL and can't get home!" The rep instantly turned away and asked the whole bar "Err... is anyone else with Olympic?" She could not leave the area fast enough nor could she look DTG in the eyes!

Classic!

TDC

[john g]

As you probably know, i have been coming independantly to Kefalonia since 2003 staying down in Poros. This is the first year since 2001 that we will not be on the island and it is a strange feeling!
I totally agree with what you say about being given a far superior service by independant accommodation providers. In June last year, we were allowed to kep our room until we left for the airport at 7pm. No way would we have been allowed to do this if we were with an operator.
We will be back on the island next year come hell or high water and i reckon my other half will win next time around and finally tear me away from Poros and in to Aghia Efima.
Watch this space guys, you could well see a booking coming in from us!
I would have loved to have been there when that rep walked in................classic!

[That Darn Cat]

Then if this is the case John I suggest you start talking to DTG ASAP! It will not be a move you will regret! Happy to talk car hire, a special board members deal on offer next year! (did the deal today for next year)

TDC

[john g]

I've had a look at his place and it looks great. Obviously a car is essential to stay there and i'll have to train my missus to negotiate those roads up to his village when i'm under the influence!!
I'll have a word and get back to you all soon.

(edit by TDC)

[Biglaughs]

Many thanks for flights info - BUT NOTHING out of Birmingham!!!!!!!
Note to all who are thinking of a package deal to kefalonia - FORGET IT!!!
We have done olympic and manos and yes they were ok ish but this year went with astro holidays in a fabulous apartment all arranged with Judi and Paul who we were so lucky to meet in the village the year before. The standard of apartment was fantastic and Judi's eye for detail gave us the comfort to enjoy our holiday in this wonderful location even more. They found us the jewel in our crowns and now we are having a job to top it anywhere else. They are truly wonderful people!!!!
Don't mind telling you about the apartment as we booked it for early May 2010 before we left it this year!!!!!So you can't all book it anyway!!! After that, your all fine - enjoy!!

[That Darn Cat]

Soooo embarrassed But thank you Biglaughs for the vote of confidence.

However......

Better yet, for those who like total peace and quiet and want to be very, very alone.........Ahem!.... Kef gardens looks nice at the moment

TDC

[chighla]

Better yet, for those who like total peace and quiet and want to be very, very alone.........Ahem!.... Kef gardens looks nice at the moment

If I remember correctly didn't you try to book/asked for dates as if you wanted to book? Did they ever come back to you regarding your request for this swish establishment?

[That Darn Cat]

Nope, not a dickie bird have I heard..........I offered to book and everything.

I also believe there has been or is about to be another court case over the place.

TDC

[Biglaughs]

Flights now up for birmingham - they must have heard my rant! But now we have to pay £8 each way for them to take our suitcases!!!! l KNEW we should have left all our summer clothes with athina!!!!!!

[That Darn Cat]

How about we do the paperwork about November then?...................please!!!!!!! I'm off for a fag then a snooze!...

TDC

[Biglaughs]

Do you mean our paper work for that fantastic apartment in Ag Ef for 2010? ( Shame on you all if you go with anyone else- you know it makes sense to go with astro holidays). If so paperwork can wait until your not sooooo busy and Judi is back. How are things? Saw a John Lewis van today - perhaps they are having extra deliveries!!!

[That Darn Cat]

Actually all I have to do is use this year's and change the 2009 to 2010! Everything else is exactly the same! Mind you I think the rate has improved a bit.

TDC

[Biglaughs]

But that all your customers were so easy with their bookings!And so quick!

[Biglaughs]

Oh forgot to ask, have you seen the £14 your seat your choice thing that thomas cook are now charging for?That added to the £8 per suitacase (each way) adds up to a tidy sum. I've yet to find out exactly what this Your seat Your choice is really for as when l went to book my seat number on the web site it said my booking number wasn't for that service!

[Biglaughs]

Just had a phone call today from Thomas Cook and would you believe it the "Your seat Your choice" option that we had to have on our booking on sunday was a fault in their system. It should not have automatically added the £56 to our booking . They have refunded the money to us.This was worth the wait of 3 days as l couldn't get onto the system to book the seats anyway! Feeling a little chuffed with them - which doesn't happen very often with big travel companies.