Holidays 2020

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
Having just come back from a winter break, we’ve now been planning the year which is unusual for us, we quite often just do things spontaneously.

I shall be popping over to Spain by myself for about 5 days early spring.

Husband and I are having a week in Skiathos, and later in the summer 10 days in Spain.

Then we’re going back to America/Canada in “The Fall”

All I want to do is travel really, and be on holiday.
It’s life that gets in the way.
 
Last edited:

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
Hold on tight.

Its ok, we’ve done our homework.
We’re going early season when it’s quieter and we’re not staying in Skiathos town.
We’ve booked a resort hotel in Koukounaries.
We plan to visit churches and monasteries, walk inland through pine forests and olive groves, catch local buses and visit out of the way places, perhaps catch a water ferry to Skiathos town one day and mooch through the alleyways, visit the clock tower, lunch at a taverna.
One day we’ll hire a jeep and drive all over the island and try and reach the Kastro ruins.
We’ll spend a day or two reading, relaxing, trying out local bars and restaurants.
Another day we’ll get a boat to Skopelos and meander through the town and explore the island.

We’re both really looking forward to it.
 
Last edited:

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
Normally got our whole year booked by now, but had to wait to see what holidays hubby could take with his new company . So now various hotels and flights we originally fancied no longer have availabilty.

With nothing booked at all yet, going to read back through this thread to see if I can come up with new ideas this afternoon . Need to get something booked to look forwards to !
 

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
Its ok, we’ve done our homework.
We’re going early season when it’s quieter and we’re not staying in Skiathos town.
We’ve booked a resort hotel in Koukounaries.
We plan to visit churches and monasteries, walk inland through pine forests and olive groves, catch local buses and visit out of the way places, perhaps catch a water ferry to Skiathos town one day and mooch through the alleyways, visit the clock tower, lunch at a taverna.
One day we’ll hire a jeep and drive all over the island and try and reach the Kastro ruins.
We’ll spend a day or two reading, relaxing, trying out local bars and restaurants.
Another day we’ll get a boat to Skopelos and meander through the town and explore the island.

We’re both really looking forward to it.
I meant for the heavy braking on the very short runway.
 

Mikinton

Well-Known Forumite
I meant for the heavy braking on the very short runway.
(I knew what you meant. :up:)

I've a friend who reckons the runway is on reclaimed land between the main island of Skiathos and a smaller island to the east, but though I've looked at a few old maps, I've never been able to see it. Maybe it's always been a causeway.

@Carole - We've been to Skopelos a few times, and the town itself is worth a visit. Not sure about the rest of the island if it's just a flying visit. There's some nice beaches and the "Mama Mia" church is good, but I'm not sure you'd have time to go there as well.

I've spent more time than I really want to in Skiathos Town as we're either waiting for the ferry on the way out or waiting for the plane on the way back. One time we did catch the bus down to Koukounaries Beach, had a wander round and something to drink, then caught the water taxi back to town. All very efficient.
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
I meant for the heavy braking on the very short runway.

Oh! I thought that you meant something to do with young people partying, although I don’t know why I thought that, there was nothing in your post to indicate that. Sorry!

@Mikinton

We will get an early ferry over to Skopelos and try and have a full day there so we’re hoping to have time to see the Mamma Mia church.
Any other things on Skiathos that we shouldn’t miss?

We do love exploring and investigating. We couldn’t sit on a sun lounger for two weeks that’s for sure.
 

Mikinton

Well-Known Forumite
We will get an early ferry over to Skopelos and try and have a full day there so we’re hoping to have time to see the Mamma Mia church.
Any other things on Skiathos that we shouldn’t miss?

We do love exploring and investigating. We couldn’t sit on a sun lounger for two weeks that’s for sure.
Can't really help with Skiathos as we've never stayed there more than 4 or 5 hours at a time. But I hear the bus service is good and I imagine there are plenty of boat trips as well. Obviously Skopelos, but also Alonissos and its Marine Park.

Make sure you pick up the SkyMap map of Skiathos, probably free at the airport (I usually grab one when I'm waiting near the carousal for the bags to come through.) - http://www.skymap.gr/apps/site/explore/

In the meantime, here's the interactive version. - http://www.skymap.gr/apps/site/viewmap/?mapid=53&cid=0
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
Can't really help with Skiathos as we've never stayed there more than 4 or 5 hours at a time. But I hear the bus service is good and I imagine there are plenty of boat trips as well. Obviously Skopelos, but also Alonissos and its Marine Park.

Make sure you pick up the SkyMap map of Skiathos, probably free at the airport (I usually grab one when I'm waiting near the carousal for the bags to come through.) - http://www.skymap.gr/apps/site/explore/

In the meantime, here's the interactive version. - http://www.skymap.gr/apps/site/viewmap/?mapid=53&cid=0

Those maps are brilliant, Skiathos town and Skiathos island.
I do love a good map, I’ve just spent a very pleasant 30 minutes zooming in and having a good explore round.
Thank you!
 

Mikinton

Well-Known Forumite
Heard from Jet2 yesterday that, suprise, surprise, our holiday in May is cancelled. They're going to phone us with the options.

And I've just contacted the company we book our car parking with to cancel/amend the booking. Hopefully we'll get something back, even if it is only a credit note (which I'm sure we'll use), though I can't help thinking that's £50 down the swanee.
 

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
Heard from Jet2 yesterday that, suprise, surprise, our holiday in May is cancelled. They're going to phone us with the options.

And I've just contacted the company we book our car parking with to cancel/amend the booking. Hopefully we'll get something back, even if it is only a credit note (which I'm sure we'll use), though I can't help thinking that's £50 down the swanee.
We cancelled ours for end of May with Jet2 when the balance was due, so just lost the deposit ( wasn't going to pay another £1800 at the risk it wasn't cancelled by them)

We just lost £9.50 on East Midlands parking and got the rest back.
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
They're going to phone us with the options...
If i ever need to give myself a bit of a larf, i remind myself of the time my Attorney was due to go to Egypt at the time of the shooting of the tourist bus in Luxor.

Given 'the options' he elected the one to Goa.

My Attorney is a tall man, the kind that requires plenty of leg room, but was packed onto a cattle bus for 10 hours, and spent the entire time in Goa so fearing the flight home that he couldn't think of anything but the flight home once he was there.

Choose wisely.
 

PeterD

ST16 Represent.
Due to go to Vegas in June. My hope currently is the flight ban is still in place so we get a refund and go at a quieter and safer time. Also that in June the UK is open so we have a week in my motorhome instead.
 

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
Should have been in a holiday home in Poole this week . Would have been first time down there having nice weather....oh well, hubby has been able to cancel this weeks holiday and carry it over to next spring time . Hopefully by then it's all blown over and we can find somewhere nice and warm abroad to book.
 

Mikinton

Well-Known Forumite
Heard from Jet2 yesterday that, suprise, surprise, our holiday in May is cancelled. They're going to phone us with the options.

And I've just contacted the company we book our car parking with to cancel/amend the booking. Hopefully we'll get something back, even if it is only a credit note (which I'm sure we'll use), though I can't help thinking that's £50 down the swanee.
The refund from Jet2 came through today. We went for the full refund rather than the rearrange-for-next-year or credit note options. We were quite surprised they didn't try to persuade us to take one of these other options either.

And we got a credit note for the parking for a few quid more than we'd paid.

Not sure what we'll be doing for a holiday this year. Possibly some time in the West Country at my brother-in-law's second home when they lift the restrictions. And maybe a Christmas market if the Germans will let us in.
 
Top