This trip was with Solos and one of the reasons i chose them was that I could fly from a northern airport (Manchester) with very little extra cost instead of large flight supplements that some companies charge. I hadn't realised until i spoke with others is that you could fly from virtually any regional airport if you phone up although you would be responsible for paying for your own transfers if not from Gatwick or Manchester. As this was only a short transfer wasn't a big issue and spoke to a chap that had flown from Leeds/Bradford and it actually worked out cheaper and he had better flight times (you live and learn).
Anyway I arrived at Manchester airport in good time after parking my car (got good deal through my AA card) and was soon through security. It was then for a Boots Meal deal (£1-75) and with time to kill a couple of beers before boarding my Thomsons flight. Did look around at the gate for others that may be on the holiday but unlike other companies Solos dont give you tags for your bag so its difficult to spot anyone.
I ended up with a aisle seat for the flight sat with 3 ladies from Liverpool (mother and two daughters) who were friendly and chatty. The youngest was terrified of flying and spent most of the flight with her nails stuck in her sisters arm (i declined when she offered to swop seats, lol). Did meet them again at Kos airport before bording to come home a week later.
I did order a cheese and ham toasted sandwich on the flight as i knew we were arriving late and it was unlikely i would get anything else to eat. It took an eternity to come and lets just say it wasn't the nicest i ever tasted.
We eventually arrived at around 10-45pm and security didn't seem too interested in checking passports, hardly opened their eyes for mine. Luggage seemed ages but mine was one of the first out which at the time was pleasing, i walked out to find a taxi driver holding up a Solos sign. He had my name and one other (i wasn't alone) so we waited, then we waited, then we waited a bit more. Eventually Dean from Sheffield appeared his luggage came through 40 minutes after mine.
Didn't take long to get to the hotel and when we arrived (midnight) Chris the tour manager was waiting outside reception. He arranged for our luggage to be taken to our rooms and took us in the bar where 5 others where and introduced us (4 had been there the previous week plus Mave who had flown in earlier from east midlands). We learnt that only four of us were on the 2nd week only (Dean, Mave, myself and another lady called Trish). Some of the others we met were on a 11 day break and would only be with us until saturday while only 3 people were there for a fortnight meaning only 7 of us between sat and tues, seemed a little disjointed to me.
The Aegeon Village Hotel is built on a hill with numerous apartment blocks with mini-buses provided to take you to and from your rooms. After a couple of drinks despite us been on the 1st level Chris suggested we use the bus to get to find our rooms, was hilarious when we got on went no more than 50 yards and were at Deans room, not quite as embarrasing for me as mine was a little further.
The rooms were excellent and spotless clean in fact the hotel had many good points. Certainly cant complain about the food although it was a buffet there was plenty of choice and the quality was good. Its a big place with well over 600 people sharing the massive dining room.As a lovely swimming pool and many other facilities with activities going on, did enter the hotel table tennis competition a couple of times and of course won (even when the Germans entered).
On the downside the charges at the hotel were a bit over the top and if you like a couple of beers (or cocktails) after your meal i'd suggest you go into town (Kardamania) its only a 10 minute walk and a taxi back only 7 euros so 2 euros each if you can drag others along. Loads of nice bars around the main square and along the harbour front. Drinks are around 1 to 2 euros each in town so a couple of drinks easily covers the taxi back.
First morning Chris walked us into town and pointed out a few of his favorite bars but dont just do them try a few they were all good, a few hidden gems.In fact thought the hotel did everything to get your money one bloke in our group lost his room key card and they charged 20 euro for another, I'm convinced he only got his origional back that somebody had handed in.
Another money making scheme was beach towells, you paid a 15euro deposit but when handing back in at end of the week only got 12 euros back.
Did meet Kathryn about my 3rd day, was a Irish lady who was on the same holiday in Crete last year, apparently she had tried book the solos holiday but first week was fully booked so she had gone independant. Had a laugh and saw het about the place a few times (usually in the bar just before dinner).
Did I mention there was a naturist beach a short walk rom the hotel for those that way inclined, we actually had one person in the group who came regular for that reason, not for me though.
I ended up doing 3 excurrsions would have liked to have done more but such a small number of us it was hard to get others interested. One was a beach day at Paradise Beach was advertised as Bubble Beach but we failed to find any bubbles (supposed to be volcanic activity).A few of us got some beds (3 euro) but a group near us decided to start playing irritating music, you know the type they play in night clubs hen everyone is wrecked.
So we sent Anne to go ask the man if we could move, think he fancied her because he shared his lunch with her because she came back with a boiled egg and bread roll.
We did move and it was much better, decent beach aswell.
Talking volcanos another excurrsion was to a active volcano Nisyros, it was a decent boat trip to get there, then a bus into the volcano. Chris knew the guide and arranged for us to get the front seats for the scenic drive, did also arrange for us to arrange the collection (think it was part of the seating deal.Didn't stay in the volcano crater long, sulpher smell was a bit sickly.
While on Nisyros visited nice village in the hills for ice creamand views then finished with 2 hours free time in the main town.I say 2 hours free time but Chris insisted on dragging us off to a restaurant in a alley somewhere despite us saying we only wanted a sandwich and passed lots of nice little cafes where we culd have sat overlooking the sea.
Obviously its a place he takes groups on a regular basis (was like long lost family with the owners) but really should give it a miss, I had spaggetti bolognaise and lets just say i've had better, in fact possibly the woest i've had.
The other trip was to Kos Town, enjoyed that was a nice place with a old castle (ruins) and plenty of historical sites. Also plenty of shops and a market if thats what rocks your boat, one of the ladys n our group put a deposit on a handbag and had to go back a couple of days later. Reckon a night trip there would be good fun shame it wasn't organised.
Despite the meals at the hotel been good four of us did go out to eat on our last night, found nice restaurant near the harbour then on to another bar for cocktails to say goodbye to Kos.
Was there during the world cup, more accuately for the England Italy match, was 1am kick off Kos time but didn't stop four of us going to watch it in the main square. Despite the defeat was good fun with virtually all the bars full of English and George Crosses flying everywhere. I say virtually all the bars because we managed to get sat in the one full of Italians, was good banter though.
Did have to buy a George Cross when Germans in the room next but one to me hung their flag outside their room, just had to be done.
As the title says, ok for sunbathers and naturists bt although i enjoyed the holiday i wont be going back.
