Acharavi Corfu

I cant see much wrong with Acharavi at the moment, nor Roda for that matter. Yes, there are not many jobs and Greece has serious money problems but to say there is no investment and the place is looking rundown is seriously untrue. The main problem is that it is quiet,more so than normal for early season, but there are new and revamped businesses recently opened awaiting the arrival of holidaymakers. That arrival is key. Prices are the same as last year despite tax increases and rising costs, and eating out or a taverna visit is relatively cheap.  There is no civil unrest on the island and you can feel as safe as you ever did. People are skint,yes, but the hospitality and friendliness has never wavered.   

Has anyone been out to Acharavi yet??  If so, any updates on what is open etc etc

The Euro is at a really good price just now. I'm not going to Corfu until September and am a bit sceptical about buying them as who knows what could happen with Greece and the Euro. Anyone have any advice???[/QUOTE]

Deedee

Hello All

Can anyone confirm if there is a launderette in Roda please? Also; where abouts are they? Opening times? Prices? & Do they do a service wash (with ironing).

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Well, how did it go?

The short answer is "absolutely brilliant" - a whole holiday in a day!  The more detailed version is what follows.....

So, I'm just about the first person off the bus (from the plane) up the ramp and through the terminal to meet Lynn, of whom there is no sign.  Just as I get my phone out, she rolls up in the hire car, so we head off into the airport car park to get me added to the insurance.  "Yannis The Car" (Value Plus) is wearing a frown - he says to Lynn "you are flying out tonight?"  "Yes" we say " but Martyn has just arrived but is going back tonight" - he can't believe it (he's not the only one) but sorts out the paperwork and we head off for Porta, along the east coast - it really is great to be back. It's amazing just how much like "home" it feels.

As we pass through Nissaki, I spot Nathan walking along the road, but can't stop for a chat as we have a boot full of impatient taxi - sorry Nathan - but I did wave furiously.

We take the sharp left turn in Kendroma and take the back road up to Porta - it is a riot of wild flowers; the colours are so vibrant at this time of year, before the hot summer sun has had the chance to dessicate them.  The views to the right, across towards Albania are stunning, particularly as it is so clear - none of the haze that we associate with summer.

Lynn has done a wonderful job of opening up the house for the summer and all is now back in place, with new beds purchased just yesterday - they look very comfortable, but I'm not going to find out this trip!   We have a quick coffee, sit in the garden and relax before heading off to lunch.

However, before that, we drop down into San Stephanos to have a look around to see what's going on - it's very busy as businesses start to get ready for the season.  We bump into Damianos and have a quick chat before heading for lunch with friends at their house in the hills behind Acharavi (this being a change of plan).  On the way, we drive along Avlaki beach, just to have a look.

Lunch is wonderful, a crab pasta made with local spider crabs, but is over all too quickly and we head off for a look around Kassiopi, which is very, very quiet - just like English Sunday afternoons used to be.  That said, the sun is warm, the sea is very clear and blue - and the wave bar is open, so we wander round for a frappe -  I make friends with Max (the cocker spaniel) and we while away an hour or so.

All too soon, it's time to head back to the house, pack what few things we are taking back to the UK and lock up.  We conclude that a quick drink (and perhaps a little something to eat) is called for, so we drop into Roumelli on the way to the airport and receive a very warm welcome and hear all about the new baby.  The tsigari, chips and Mythos are all fantastic.

Back at the airport, we hand the car back to Yannis (who is still shaking his head in disbelief) and check in.  Time for a last Corfu drink in the upstairs cafeteria and as we watch the sun slowly sink below the hills to the west, our plane back to the UK touches down.

I have to say, it was really nice of Easy Jet to lay on a private plane for our trip back to the UK, it made leaving after such a short visit so much easier! (Actually, it wasn't really a private plane, but as this was the first flight out of Luton, there were only 12 of us on board, so it was very relaxed!).

Martyn

Going out to our apartment in Acharavi for 3 lovely weeks on 3rd August.

Can't wait!