Message posted by gazzer1 on 27 July 2004 at 5:38pm - IP Logged
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gazzer1
Hi Everyone....
Just got back from Gouvia, and it's a great place! I just wanted to say how impressed I was with the Airport at Corfu. It gets such a bad press, I think I need to defend it a little and put a few Corfu newbies minds at rest.
The landing at Corfu is superb! A real exciting start to your holiday. The views are fantastic especially if you come in over Corfu Town. It's a short runway so you will hear a very loud backwards thrust when you land, drawing a few surprising looks from some passangers (and a few shreiks!), but it's great!
When you get off the plane, you will feel the heat hit you like Mike Tyson.....Hooray! Then a short bus ride to the Terminal where you will be met by very relaxed guards who smile and wave you through to the baggage department. Go get a trolley and take it easy. Have a wander around, get used to the atmosphere. This year our bags came to us in 20 minutes! Superb! (a record for any airport, I reckon)
The Airport is clean and well run. There is plenty of parking and a real relaxed air of friendliness. I noticed how ALL the taxi drivers were welcoming and happy to help. I hired a car from Top Cars, who were already waiting for me. Very good service indeed.
I stayed at the Spiti Prifti apartments in Gouvia, where everyone was so welcoming and Friendly. The apartments were spotless. The food Great, and the Swimming pool superb.
The Airport on the way back was again faultless, everything going to plan. With everyone doing there job without a hitch.
So take heart all you newbies, The Airport is superb, I have never had a problem in the 7 times I've been there. It's all about being positive, don't go there to be negative.....you're on holiday for goodness sake!
Enjoy!
Gaz
Message posted by Sailor on 27 July 2004 at 5:44pm - IP Logged
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Sailor
Hi Gazzer,
Welcome home. It is so good to hear a positive report on the Corfu Airport. It is obvious you have either read the previous comments before you went, or you have the same frame of mind as a few of us. Take it easy, relax, no need to rush, regardless of what transport transfer you have. I have found the same, it certainly starts the holiday off well seeing the greetings everyone gets on arrival.
Look forward to a report on your stay in Gouvia, etc, and any photograpsh when ready.
Best Wishes.
Message posted by Sue H on 27 July 2004 at 6:03pm - IP Logged
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Yes I was impressed by Corfu Airport this year. I arrived early afternoon, on a Monday - the busiest time possible. I had my luggage within 30 mins, the best yet! On the way home, yes it was busy, but so much better organised this year. There is now a big electronic board telling you which desk to check in at.
All together a vast improvement on previous years
Sue
Message posted by birmingham on 27 July 2004 at 6:47pm - IP Logged
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I will be landing in corfu on monday and by the sound of things not much to worried about, i bet it chance alot since the last time i was there(1988)
oh well all good friends i won't have time to pop on the sit after today too many things to catch up op before my welcome departure to corfu(oh boy do we plan to enjoy yourselfs...)
thank you all for the info(nice sailor!)
Brum.....
Message posted by Sailor on 27 July 2004 at 9:05pm - IP Logged
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Sailor
Hi Brum,
Just in case you do pop in for a looksee before your departure on Monday, do have a great time, and I look forward to hearing all about it on your return.
We know how to handle the airports don't we. Relax, keep calm, and let it all happen without strain.
If you do come on site, please see my PM.
Have a great one Brum and Family. Best wishes.
Message posted by planetolivewood on 27 July 2004 at 9:20pm - IP Logged
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planetolivewood
Gaz - thanks for a great report.
When I left Corfu for the UK in June, I spent around 7 hours in the upstairs restaurant area observing before I flew. Lots of flights checked in and the queueing for check-in vas VERY efficient compared to years past.
The reps were organising via a queueing system keeping the number of people at the check-in desks to a minimum. I think congrats are in order to the efficient reps making check-in a better place and stopping impatient people making a fuss.
Arrivals: Corfu airport (with the odd exception) has a relatively efficient arrival/baggage reclaim system for a small airport.
Let's face it - even if the airport was a tin shed (quite the contrary) - it would still be worth enduring to visit such a lovely island.
Message posted by Phil(Hellene) on 27 July 2004 at 9:36pm - IP Logged
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Phil(Hellene)
It's so good to read a report that is not only positive but shows the sort of positive approach to the whole concept, nice one Gaz. While it is difficult to see it this way when everything is not going the way you'd like a positive view is the only way to go, in my humble opinion.
Message posted by peggy on 27 July 2004 at 10:06pm - IP Logged
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Yes I must also agree that this year reclaiming your luggage did seem very fast,...I think we also only waited about 20 mins on a Fri evening in late June,...We have waited over an hour before now,....By the time Bazil had paid for and and retrieved the hire car from Mr Makris of Top Cars I was waiting for him outside,
Peggy
Message posted by Nigelthetram on 27 July 2004 at 10:36pm - IP Logged
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We travelled with Manos no rep on coach to/from airport. On your return DO check the MAIN departure board inside the terminal. Just because there are queues outside the terminal don`t assume your check-in desk has not been allocated.These queues caused some flight delays on Monday, by people thinking they had to `wait in line`.
Message posted by birmingham on 27 July 2004 at 10:44pm - IP Logged
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I flew back last Friday and agree with everyone's comments so far, but a word of warning, there is increased security at the airport at the moment (probably something to do with the Olympics) and when you enter departures you now have to lift your case onto a conveyer belt so that it can be scanned and you then have to pass through a detector (exactly the same as going through customs) Next you go to the check in desk and everything proceeds as normal. Obviously this extra baggage check is causing some delays at check in.
Sam
Message posted by Denis on 28 July 2004 at 9:54pm - IP Logged
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Denis
The only problem I've ever known at the airport was a couple of years ago when there were several flights late for departure which made the departure lounge very crowded.
Apart from that its always been plain sailing (so to speak lol)
Message posted by geoff and gail on 28 July 2004 at 10:15pm - IP Logged
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geoff and gail
cant believe how quick we got of the plane coached to airport walked up the slope and within 8 minutes both cases in my hand still in shock time of this event 10.35 am local time 12th july
Message posted by angela_h on 28 July 2004 at 10:28pm - IP Logged
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I agree with above comments I have never had any problems in the 6 years of holidaying in Corfu at the airport. I have been laughed at on the message boards before for saying how I have found the airport troublefree, well not anymore than any other airport. Perhaps I have just been lucky. This year was especially quick I noticed too .
Angela
Message posted by BoltonLynda on 29 July 2004 at 12:17am - IP Logged
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Well Id like to add my two pennorth. We have had problems in the past in Corfu airport, but these were due to delays beyond the control of the airport itself. But this time - amazing. We arrived on 5th July at 15.10, picked up our taxi outside and were in Kalami Bay less than an hour and a half later. Fantastic!!!!
But - has anyone else noticed this strange thing? And this doesnt just happen in Corfu - go to any holiday airport in the world and you will observe this strange phenomenon. People have spent two weeks chilling, relaxing and generally being as laid back as possible, yet the minute they walk back into the airport, they immediately get into what I call "pushing and shoving mode". Are they practising for when they get back to the UK - or what??
Message posted by gil on 29 July 2004 at 12:38am - IP Logged
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my wife and myself have been going to corfu since 1978 when the daparture lounge was a balcony outside (absolutely fab) a few more rays of sunshine before departure, although it has changed for the better of the hol maker i have never had to complain of the frustrated waiting for luggage syndrome as i just love airports, it is fascinating to watch the body language of certain people who get frustrated and openly vent thier frustration bacause they put thier cases on first so why and they here yet .
i just wait and chuckle and think -- i wonder what sort of job they do at home and does it always go to plan for their customers and are they going to moan throughout their holidays because the food could take as long to arrive as thier suit cases
come on guys your on holiday CHILL Tessara days to go
yes i'm in holiday mode already
Message posted by sidarigirl on 29 July 2004 at 10:11am - IP Logged
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sidarigirl
I have noticed that too. Pushing and shoving to get to the check-in first. What is the point. The cases get loaded on to the plane and whether you are first or last they don't come off in any particular order!
I have watched them load cases onto the plane when we were actually on it and it was quite interesting. There were two baggage handlers with two different trolleys, alternating between the two, so you see there is no guarantee if you are first or last when your cases will get on that conveyor belt.Just chill when you get there and chill when you get back.
LOL
Caroline
Message posted by jen8 on 29 July 2004 at 10:42am - IP Logged
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jen8
While I'm pleased you all had a good experience in the airport I have to say this, I am a very patient and laid back kinda person, but Corfu airport was an absolute nightmare for us, I think we might of been a bit unlucky on arrival and return journey but it WILL NOT stop me going to this beautiful island again. IT WAS WELL WORTH ALL THE HASSLE.
Message posted by planetolivewood on 29 July 2004 at 10:44am - IP Logged
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planetolivewood
Jen
It seems to be that they have the odd "off" day (well we all do I guess!!!!). This explains why we get many good reports followed by a bad one like yours.
It's great to see that it hasn't put you off though. Better luck next time.
Kind regards
Message posted by falcon on 29 July 2004 at 11:49am - IP Logged
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falcon
Must agree with all the points written about Corfu Airport.
We arrive late May for a fortnight and found the wait for our cases not excessive as three flights landed within minutes of each other.
On the way home check in was handled very efficiently and once through to the departure lounce we found it clean and very comfortable with plenty of seats.
Cost of snacks was reasonable.
However isn't it a bit off-putting when airports such as Corfu have improved greatly when the standards of UK airports appears to be in decline.
JimB
Message posted by Sailor on 29 July 2004 at 6:37pm - IP Logged
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Sailor
I to am a fan of airports. I love watching the way people move about, rush around, their mannerisms, etc. I am still fairly amazed as to how far air travel as come in 100 years or there abouts.
Corfu Airport is like watching a Benny Hill Spectacular, some rushing around, pushing and shoving as has already been said. Trying to get cases on first, trying to get cases off loaded and on the carousel first, rushing for coaches, taxis, and hire cars, etc, and then find, in regards to coaches they moan because they have been sat on a hot coach at the stand for half an hour or more.
Us, get off the plane, stroll/amble into arrivals, flash the passport, big smile, smile back from the staff (have a smoke/drink), get the cases that have been merrily going round the carousel, but the rush artists have gone, so again we amble forward, pick up the cases, and meander through to find our rep if with a Tour Op, and our coach. Oh lets have another smoke and a drink of water. The driver shuts down the holds then we get on the coach, because we know then that the air conditioning will run up to full power. Then off to the hotel.
No sweat, no distress, NO PROBLEM.
Happy Holidays.
Message posted by gil on 29 July 2004 at 7:35pm - IP Logged
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from the comments regarding this threads it's obviously the minority apposed to the majority that have had cause to complain - so all in all
NO PROBLEM
Message posted by sidarigirl on 30 July 2004 at 10:06am - IP Logged
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sidarigirl
Hi Sailor
I couldnt agree with you more
Our sentiments exactly. I always try to take the view that:
It's not the end of the world if you are the last off the plane Make the most of it because you've still got to wait for the cases.
Its not the end of the world if your cases are the last ones.
It has to happen to somebody
LOL
Caroline
Message posted by planetolivewood on 30 July 2004 at 10:28am - IP Logged
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planetolivewood
LOL
One of the funniest things for me during flying is how everyone stands up the minute the seatbelt lights go off when you arrive at the gate.
On some occasions there have been problems getting the doors open and they have been standing for anywhere up to 15 minutes - all hot and bothered and tutting. Me - I'm okay in my comfy seat reading my book watching everyone else rushing to "wait" at the carousel.
The funniest experience was flying from Dubai to Bangladesh on a Boeing 777. The plane was still in reverse thrust and a handful of Bangladesh folk STOOD UP and tried to get their hand luggage. I have never heard a stewardess SCREAM "SIT DOWN NOW" before !
Message posted by Dave666 on 30 July 2004 at 10:39pm - IP Logged
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Sailor got it right specially if you have a bus waiting.........let every one else get stressed its something to laugh about while you have a smoke/drink 8*)
Message posted by frantoniamama on 31 July 2004 at 5:22pm - IP Logged
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It's been said time and time and time again!!!! just take it easy and slowly, that way you won't turn into a stress head before your holiday has begun, chill out people!!
jo
Message posted by MartynG on 31 July 2004 at 9:18pm - IP Logged
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Has anyone ever watched how they actually deal with the luggage/planes at Corfu airport?
If I remember the sequence correctly, the tractor and baggage trolleys arrive on te stand shortly after the plane has parked. Your luggage will then almost immediately be offloaded. However, the tractor has disappeared (very Thomas like) to be busy elsewhere, so your luggage just sits and sits until - a tractor delivers the outgoing baggage load to the aircraft, at whch point your luggage will be towed towards the terminal! Of course, it will then be behind the load from an aircraft that landed 20 minutes after yours but has taken a stand nearer the terminal
I may not have remebered the sequence exactly, but this is the essence of the situation
Enjoy
Martyn
Message posted by dogbones on 31 July 2004 at 9:51pm - IP Logged
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How come this phenomina does not happen to the one that landed 20 minutes after yours?
I think you are having a go.
Message posted by Morgan00 on 01 August 2004 at 2:14am - IP Logged
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Morgan00
Its the greek way of life to be relaxed (you only have to look at their buildings they started 6 years ago and are far from finishing years later)
It seriously depends on the day you travel. You can often get multiple flights arriving at similar times. There are only two conveyors, if my memory serves me correctly, so they can only process two flights at a time. We've often waited for up to 4 flights to pass before our luggage has arrived. Other times we're the only arrivals and yet still there's always a multitude of problems (conveyor not working) (trolley guy loaded onto the wrong conveyor) ... not that any of this is a big deal.
Departure time used to be very stressful but seems to have improved along with the quality of the depature lounge. We often arrive at the airport and move straight into the checkout counters whilst the people who haven't independantly booked are queued up outside, (this often gives the impression of the queues leading outside the building - whilst more often or not they aren't.)
I guess it's all dependant on your level of patience... anyway touchwood this year will be stress free during the airport sections.
Message posted by MartynG on 01 August 2004 at 12:11pm - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by MartynG on 01 August 2004
Dogbones
But it does! It's just that the second plane is nearer to the terminal! Te he
Martyn
Message posted by bubby on 19 August 2004 at 10:02pm - IP Logged
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bubby
I'm glad you all had good experiences at Corfu airport, however ours was pretty awful, when we flew back this Monday. On arrival at the airport the holiday rep told us to join the queue outside, which we did. The queue didn't move at all. Eventually, having seen several coaches arrive and offload people straight into the airport we got fed up and went to the front of the queue and pushed in. In my opinion it's a terrible set-up. If you're going to x-ray everyone's bags then you should have enough staff and x-ray machines to cater for the demand. the bags were x-rayed again anyway going into departures. If we hadn't pushed in we'd still be standing there. Once we had checked in, we found out our flight was delayed 2 hours - owing to a problem at Manchester, not Corfu - but this and several other delays meant there were no seats in the departure lounge. Not much fun with kids and a baby in tow, particularly considering we'd had to check out of the hotel at 12 noon and the flight wasn't now departing until 5.30am the following morning.
Message posted by gil on 19 August 2004 at 11:17pm - IP Logged
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we also flew back on monday and to be honest we arrived at 2.00pm for a 4.30 flight to bristol we joined the queue inside and were through to check in in 30 mins and our flight was on time admittedly the departure lounge was full but people were leaving there seats for there flights and seats were becoming available- i'm sorry to here you had a bad experience but over the years of going to corfu i leave the wife with the cases and have a look at the best option as there are 2 entrances to check in but we arrive by car so no rep to advise to stay put, but at the end of the day i suppose they have to have some sort of system as they have many poeple to deal with - me i go my own way and hever had a problem at corfu (famous last words) i hope your next visit to corfu airport will be more pleasant
Message posted by Catkin on 19 August 2004 at 11:20pm - IP Logged
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Catkin
We had chaos when we landed back in Manchester. They forgot to unload the luggage, so we all ended up waiting for 1 1/2 hours. After flying from Corfu at 4.55 am needless to say we were not amused!!
The excuse was "due to a technical error". That's not what I'd call it
Catkin
Message posted by jasmine on 20 August 2004 at 12:24am - IP Logged
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jasmine
Hi everyone
We fly on the 30th august Bank holiday!
We have been to corfu many times! We didnt have a problem outside! But did have a delay inside for 2hrs with 3 young children.
However we are hoping and praying the BA STRIKE dosnt go ahead next week! How it willl affect us. Just hope we dont get cancelled. Do you think it will be settled? Praying for the best?
Jasmine
Message posted by falcon on 22 August 2004 at 5:59pm - IP Logged
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falcon
I afraid like most of the replys on this subject Corfu airport caught us by surprise this year on both our arrival and departure, we found it very efficient and quick - The down side is because of the improvements this has taken away the only thing we could moan about Corfu.
JimB
Message posted by birmingham on 22 August 2004 at 8:28pm - IP Logged
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we had to wait outside on the grass for 1.10 mins airport packed with young kids and no shade great fun(they will need to sort this out for the further..!).. scaning all bags did slow things down big time once though all ok..flight delayed 30mins because of this..
No's are well down this year.. a quote from Bongos pub... thse no's we get in October..... not good.....
brum...(full report coming soon...!)
Message posted by clarebear86 on 24 August 2004 at 6:34pm - IP Logged
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clarebear86
i have just got back from corfu today and the airport is the worst one ive ever seen. Had to wait 3 hours for our cases on arrival they were putting about 10 cases on at a time then stopping for ages n so on and had to queue outside for over an hour n half to check in this morning then when we finally got through check in there was hundreds of people all lay on the floor or stood infront of people sat on chairs as there was no where near enough room for the amount of people that were actually in the airport and finding out information on your flight is a joke the departure screen for our flight just said checking in they didnt even bother to put up the delay we had so you just have to sit there waiting for an annoucement to board which finally came 2 hours later.
Message posted by Sailor on 24 August 2004 at 6:54pm - IP Logged
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Sailor
Unfortunately, as said on this site many times, Monday is one of, if not the busiest day of the week at Corfu Airport, both arrival and departure. We treat this, as also as been said as part and parcel of the holiday. Because we know what to expect we are prepared, ie, lots of water, keeping calm, wonder off and have a ciggy (if you smoke), etc, etc. In my opinion, it is those who lounge around on the floors and seat at check in are causing the problem by not taking notice of their reps or airport staff. Thus causing the blockage, and delays. As for security measures, where would be without them. Perhaps once the Olympics are over, this ease up somewhat.
Best Wishes.
Message posted by claire 2 on 24 August 2004 at 9:06pm - IP Logged
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We also arrived back from corfu yesterday it was our first time going there and i must say we had no problems there or back our flight was at 5.30pm yesterday but we only had to wait about 10 minutes to get our cases scanned and then about the same time for check in and passport control. Our problem was flying out to corfu from birmingham two weeks ago we boarded our plane only to be told we had sit on it for 2 hours whilst they had to wait for a brake part to be flown from manchester and they had to turn the air condintioning off whilst they fixed it so all in all 5hours on a plane it was a nightmare. Sorry to hear that others didnt find corfu airport stress free like we did.
Claire
Message posted by acharavi.com on 24 August 2004 at 9:39pm - IP Logged
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acharavi.com
One of the joys of independant travel is that you get to pick your flight times, so I arrive mid-day Friday and leave on a Sunday afternoon / evening.
Neither of those times are very busy (fri mid-day is busier than sunday) so things tend to run more smoothly. On my return a couple of Sunday's ago I was flight delayed by 3 1/2 hours, but even this wasn't a huge problem. On check in we received meal vouchers and spent a few extra hours outside in the sun.
After our check-in there were no more check-ins for a few hours so the departure hall was empty, in fact a woman & her children were playing football right in the middle of it!
Aside from good timing planning plays it's part, I always try to have some spare clothes, washing things and a small sports towel in my hand luggage and you will never see me in departures until I need to be there.
Far too many people rush through to departures way in advance of their flight, then when delays kick in the small departures area can get very over crowded & uncomfortable.
Corfu airport has come on leaps & bounds in recent years, I remember spending eight hours overnight in departures about 17 years ago, in those days all departures were written up on a board in the check-in area, with none of the high tech information systems that we see today.
Message posted by jedi (Avatar Admin) on 29 August 2004 at 11:45am - IP Logged
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jedi
Just got back and Corfu airport was better organised than Birmingham and a lot less hassle.
From the moment the plane came to a halt on the tarmac to us driving out of the airport exit in a taxi - took exactly 16 minutes.
The staff at Corfu airport were a great deal more friendly than some of the morons at Birmingham - I've never met a grumpier lot in my life, and most seemed to think that air passengers were an inconvenience they could well do without.
Message posted by purrypuss (Moderator) on 04 September 2004 at 11:22pm - IP Logged
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was at Corfu airport last night, they are still scanning all luggage for security reasons and there were long queues, yes it was very hot, but everyone was in good spirits and the reps kept us well informed of what was happening.
Landing at Corfu at lunchtime was fab, the views were amazing, just fab to put you in your holiday mood, I could not wait to get in the pool looking at all the little blue pools as we flew over and the gorgeous sea views. The best part of the flight was flying over Venice, it was awesome.
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when you get back. 
I think we might of been a bit unlucky on arrival and return journey but it WILL NOT stop me going to this beautiful island again. IT WAS WELL WORTH ALL THE HASSLE.
