aBod
Well-Known Member
Managed to tear my way out of the office for a flotilla on May 20th in the Ionian Islands, can't wait to get back there, it's been 2 years too long!
Greek sailing holiday - the financial risks
- Thread starter dylanwinter
- Start date
FWB
N/A
This topic is due to be covered today in "You and Yours" on Radio 4. 1200-1300 today, Friday.
lefkasman
Well-Known Member
If the amount of money that Neilsons have spent on new yachts for the coming season is anything to go by ( must be astronomical ) then there can be no problems, apart from a slightly noticeable increase in the cost of living things will be business as usual here on the islands, so quit worrying book your sailing holidays come on out here and enjoy the sun and sea 
davidej
Well-Known Member
I have been flotilla sailing in Greece for the last three years. have booked Turkey for this one.
Mainly because of "been there - done that" but partly because of the cost of everything there.
They really need to leave the euro and allow their new currency to subside to a level where it will attract visitors.
Mainly because of "been there - done that" but partly because of the cost of everything there.
They really need to leave the euro and allow their new currency to subside to a level where it will attract visitors.
Sailfree
Well-Known Member
You bet a Greek Marina and I will raise you a Croatia marina. Prices there on our last charter made your eyes water!! Made the solent appear reasonable
dylanwinter
Well-Known Member
I ,love this
I love the optimism in this post.....
Y and Y.... covering a subject..... offering enlightenment... brilliant stuff
the other Dylan
I love the optimism in this post.....
Y and Y.... covering a subject..... offering enlightenment... brilliant stuff
the other Dylan
Last edited:
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, holidays in Greece will not be cheaper as taxation has gone up and many goods have to be imported. However, the Greek coast and islands provide excellent sailing and enormous variety; the Greeks are not bad either
Frankie-H
Well-Known Member
tedgorton
Active Member
Unfortunately, holidays in Greece will not be cheaper as taxation has gone up and many goods have to be imported. However, the Greek coast and islands provide excellent sailing and enormous variety; the Greeks are not bad either
I would say not only are the Greeks--at least in the islands I know well--"not bad", they are unbelievably hospitable to foreigners they know must be a lot richer than they are, and often swan noisily through their country without bothering to learn to say "yasou".
I feel I have been on the receiving end of a lot of kindness and good humour over the years, and would not stay away from Greece under any scenario except an Islamic Jihad takeover. they need us more than ever and now that times are tough (ask a native of Ithaka if his kids are finding jobs) for them, even if they don't make a show of it, the best thing we can do is go, spend, and try to make a bit of human contact while doing so.
fastjedi
Well-Known Member
We have a Sunsail Beachclub booked for June.
Shame .... I was hoping we might be able to buy a Discovery 55 for 10K euros whilst out there and sail home. Looks like I will have to fly home afterall!
Shame .... I was hoping we might be able to buy a Discovery 55 for 10K euros whilst out there and sail home. Looks like I will have to fly home afterall!
Alenka
New Member
What Risk?
If you are booking your hol through a reputable British company such as Neilson, Sunsail, Sailing holidays, I would suggest there are no risks what-so-ever if they are ATOL protected.
However, if you are one of those that scour the internet for the cheapest deal and buy your flights independently from someone such as Ryan Air then there are pitfalls.
For example, if your flight is cancelled a schedued carrier is under no obligation to offer you an alternative - It is down to you to re-book, if you can! A charter operator is legally bound to offer the complete package as booked.
Equally, if you are chartering through a non British registered company ask youself; Do I speak enough of 'their' language to resolve a dispute in location? The office where you booked might speak English but will their representative on the quayside?
There is a lot to be said for the great British package holiday. And there is just as much to be said for the Greek sailing scene. Your biggest problem this year will be finding a boat out there - they are selling fast. I was lucky to get a boat for the week I wanted.
North sea? Greece?? North Sea??? Greece.... No competition in my book
If you are booking your hol through a reputable British company such as Neilson, Sunsail, Sailing holidays, I would suggest there are no risks what-so-ever if they are ATOL protected.
However, if you are one of those that scour the internet for the cheapest deal and buy your flights independently from someone such as Ryan Air then there are pitfalls.
For example, if your flight is cancelled a schedued carrier is under no obligation to offer you an alternative - It is down to you to re-book, if you can! A charter operator is legally bound to offer the complete package as booked.
Equally, if you are chartering through a non British registered company ask youself; Do I speak enough of 'their' language to resolve a dispute in location? The office where you booked might speak English but will their representative on the quayside?
There is a lot to be said for the great British package holiday. And there is just as much to be said for the Greek sailing scene. Your biggest problem this year will be finding a boat out there - they are selling fast. I was lucky to get a boat for the week I wanted.
North sea? Greece?? North Sea??? Greece.... No competition in my book
seagypsywoman
Well-Known Member
Spring in the Ionian
We've been having sunny weather in the Ionian and temperatures in the 20s for the past couple of weeks. Panos Taverna in Aktio opened yesterday and every day more and more people are arriving at the boat yards to work on their yachts in preparation for launching. The boat repair and maintenance people are very busy, so good luck if you haven't booked them ahead. Several boats are launched each day. The charter boats are being prepared as well.
Even though charter flights from UK to Aktio haven't started yet, there are great deals on ferry sailings from Italy and many people bring their cars over. Friends drove down through Albania and loved it. And you can fly to Corfu with Easy Jet and Ryan Air for as low as 50 Euros one way.
The waterfront cafes are open and filling up with locals and visitors. Everyone is getting ready for Easter - and the mood over all is positive, upbeat and hopeful with most of us relieved that one of the coldest winters in Greece is over.
We've been having sunny weather in the Ionian and temperatures in the 20s for the past couple of weeks. Panos Taverna in Aktio opened yesterday and every day more and more people are arriving at the boat yards to work on their yachts in preparation for launching. The boat repair and maintenance people are very busy, so good luck if you haven't booked them ahead. Several boats are launched each day. The charter boats are being prepared as well.
Even though charter flights from UK to Aktio haven't started yet, there are great deals on ferry sailings from Italy and many people bring their cars over. Friends drove down through Albania and loved it. And you can fly to Corfu with Easy Jet and Ryan Air for as low as 50 Euros one way.
The waterfront cafes are open and filling up with locals and visitors. Everyone is getting ready for Easter - and the mood over all is positive, upbeat and hopeful with most of us relieved that one of the coldest winters in Greece is over.
little_roundtop
Well-Known Member
Same here on Crete. It's been sunny and fairly warm for the last couple of weeks and the locals are busy making "improvements" to many tourist bars and tavernas. EasyJet's direct (summer) service from London to Herkalion has already started and the boatyard here (Agios Nikolaos) is full and very busy.
gfere40
New Member
Hi there,
why do u have such an experience in Greek airport? I am asking this because same thing happens to foreigners all over the world.
why do u have such an experience in Greek airport? I am asking this because same thing happens to foreigners all over the world.
gfere40
New Member
Hi there,
and what about Paxos & Antipaxos, hopefully this year will be a fantastic year for all islands in Ionian Sea.
Also there will be some major events regarding Paxos & Antipaxos
and what about Paxos & Antipaxos, hopefully this year will be a fantastic year for all islands in Ionian Sea.
Also there will be some major events regarding Paxos & Antipaxos
Retired in Crete
Well-Known Member
Somebody mentioned the airport customs officers.
Angela Merkel arrived in Greece
Customs Officer: Name?
Reply: Angela Merkel
Customs Officer: Occupation?
Angela Merkel: No, just here on holiday!
Having been accused of giving a sensible answer (not allowed apparently) I thought you might like the current Greek joke
John
Angela Merkel arrived in Greece
Customs Officer: Name?
Reply: Angela Merkel
Customs Officer: Occupation?
Angela Merkel: No, just here on holiday!
Having been accused of giving a sensible answer (not allowed apparently) I thought you might like the current Greek joke
John
tedgorton
Active Member
I have booked 3 weeks on my boat (which lives at Vlykho with Sail Ionian) beginning June, another 3 in September, and am not concerned at all for myself, boat or holiday. Bringing a small stash of Euros inc ase the ATMs run dry, but that is about the worst that can happen.
Why would anyone pull out of chartering because of the Euro crisis? they are going to need tourists in a serious way if things go belly-up, and after all the years of kindness received in Greece I would not dream of staying away now. And that ain't charity, I am convinced everything will be fine and anyway, there is only one Greece and it isn't going away, thank Zeus.
Why would anyone pull out of chartering because of the Euro crisis? they are going to need tourists in a serious way if things go belly-up, and after all the years of kindness received in Greece I would not dream of staying away now. And that ain't charity, I am convinced everything will be fine and anyway, there is only one Greece and it isn't going away, thank Zeus.
Portofino
Well-Known Member
Things have escallated over this W/E , Germany the Greek bank has signalled the end of the bailout, along with Greek people getting fed up with the " German " imposed austerity measures.
€ in Greece is over!
So how will this be effected? ----- people will start to withdraw from the banks it's allready started it will just escalate cause panick as people try to move any € they have into a " safe " place eg french/ German bank , or keep hold ( in the medium term to exchange into Drachmas ) later?..
The government s all of them, inc ours will all deny the end to avoid a run/ panick . Meanwhile the Greek G will set a date ( try to keep this secret? ) . You will wake up to be told € no longer the tender , the G has issued Drachmas ,
Immediate civil unrest on the streets , looting and armed gangs for awhile until the G using army/ police restore order hyperinflation as the rest of the world looks on , the curreny will devalue every day/ month until it stabilises , this will cause ." issues" for holidaymakers - insomuch as public sector breaking down , airlines paying bills etc - cancelations ,powercuts .Assets seized if demed valuable as cash will in free fall .
And of course you will need to access some Drachmas to carry on when you step ashore, shops will empty etc .
Of course 12 months later we will benefit as tourist in the usual way , dead cheap , sunny, blue sky, warm water etc.
I would not volunteer to in Greece on the morning the € ends .
Look at Argentina they did a similar thing , sorry to seem to prick the bubble!
€ in Greece is over!
So how will this be effected? ----- people will start to withdraw from the banks it's allready started it will just escalate cause panick as people try to move any € they have into a " safe " place eg french/ German bank , or keep hold ( in the medium term to exchange into Drachmas ) later?..
The government s all of them, inc ours will all deny the end to avoid a run/ panick . Meanwhile the Greek G will set a date ( try to keep this secret? ) . You will wake up to be told € no longer the tender , the G has issued Drachmas ,
Immediate civil unrest on the streets , looting and armed gangs for awhile until the G using army/ police restore order hyperinflation as the rest of the world looks on , the curreny will devalue every day/ month until it stabilises , this will cause ." issues" for holidaymakers - insomuch as public sector breaking down , airlines paying bills etc - cancelations ,powercuts .Assets seized if demed valuable as cash will in free fall .
And of course you will need to access some Drachmas to carry on when you step ashore, shops will empty etc .
Of course 12 months later we will benefit as tourist in the usual way , dead cheap , sunny, blue sky, warm water etc.
I would not volunteer to in Greece on the morning the € ends .
Look at Argentina they did a similar thing , sorry to seem to prick the bubble!
nimbusgb
Well-Known Member
oooh yippee. I'll be there next weekend.
Think I might take US dollars with me. They always get a good reception in third world countries.
Think I might take US dollars with me. They always get a good reception in third world countries.
grafozz
Well-Known Member
fictional twaddle
Immediate civil unrest on the streets , looting and armed gangs for awhile until the G using army/ police restore order hyperinflation as the rest of the world looks on , the curreny will devalue every day/ month until it stabilises , this will cause ." issues" for holidaymakers - insomuch as public sector breaking down , airlines paying bills etc - cancelations ,powercuts .Assets seized if demed valuable as cash will in free fall .
hey sounds like a great book you are writing, do you write for the Mail ?
Immediate civil unrest on the streets , looting and armed gangs for awhile until the G using army/ police restore order hyperinflation as the rest of the world looks on , the curreny will devalue every day/ month until it stabilises , this will cause ." issues" for holidaymakers - insomuch as public sector breaking down , airlines paying bills etc - cancelations ,powercuts .Assets seized if demed valuable as cash will in free fall .
hey sounds like a great book you are writing, do you write for the Mail ?