It's been many moons since I had a sweet escape to a land far away where sun and sea are easily accessed and fruits and salads carry flavours embedded by the sunny climate ~ so much tastier than ours at home.
For the first time in ten years myself and my husband jetted off to a holiday of sweet relaxation, to sleep, chill and do nothing and recharge our drained batteries. Our destination was the Greek island of Zante for a 10 night break away. Granted we have been to Amsterdam for a city break and other weekend mini breaks in the UK over the past few years, along with our 6 year stint owning a static caravan in Filey, but nothing like this holiday.
For the first time in ten years myself and my husband jetted off to a holiday of sweet relaxation, to sleep, chill and do nothing and recharge our drained batteries. Our destination was the Greek island of Zante for a 10 night break away. Granted we have been to Amsterdam for a city break and other weekend mini breaks in the UK over the past few years, along with our 6 year stint owning a static caravan in Filey, but nothing like this holiday.
Our holiday was booked with TUI but our flights were with Thomas Cook! Thankfully our outward bound journey from East Midlands Airport was uneventful, as at this time although the future was uncertain, Thomas Cook were still going. On arrival we were met by a rep and bundled into a taxi to our hotel.
The ride was terrifying! The taxi driver spoke no English and drove at full speed regardless of whether he was on a straight road or navigating tight corners. It also would appear that the Greek drivers take over the entire road and don't believe sticking to one side of it!
Once safely at our destination it was getting late and so the reception took our bags into a safe room and told us to go to the restaurant and grab something to eat whilst they checked us in. As we walked across the poolside towards the restaurant a band was playing, people were eating and drinking and the lights were twinkling and reflecting across the pools water.
The restaurant was enormous with several areas for various types of food ~ a hot servery, pre~made salad servery, salad bar, bread area with numerous selections of breads and rolls, soup and croutons, hot and cold drinks servery and then a huge island holding a selection of delicious sweets and a freezer offering various flavours of ice~cream. Wine and beer were also in another self serve area ~ other drinks could be accessed via the bar next to it.
Starving we filled our boots whilst enjoying the rather cheesy tunes being played by the band. We took the opportunity to down several glasses of water and wine whilst we were at it too.
Finally replete we returned to the reception and picked up our room keys, we were situated in rooms not in the hotel itself but in a building adjacent to it. Our room was spacious with air conditioning and a good sized balcony.
The staff in the resort were exceptionally friendly and obliging, the hotel was quite small and so it wasn't too overwhelming with just small groups of people here and there. The outside area was tiered, to access the bar and restaurant you had to exit the hotel via the back towards the pool areas ~ down some stairs you came across the largest pool and to its right was the restaurant and bar area. The next tier down held some seated private cubby areas, more sunbeds and an infinity pool overlooking the sea and a further two tiers. The tier below the infinity pool held a few sunbeds on a grassy ledge, below that was a man made beach area to the right and a sandy ledge holding more sunbeds with steps down to the sea, buoys either side led you along a sandy sea bed path ~ the sea bed either side of the buoys was rocky and uneven. The sea was shallow for a long way out and exceptionally clear and warm. It was fabulous!
The ride was terrifying! The taxi driver spoke no English and drove at full speed regardless of whether he was on a straight road or navigating tight corners. It also would appear that the Greek drivers take over the entire road and don't believe sticking to one side of it!
Once safely at our destination it was getting late and so the reception took our bags into a safe room and told us to go to the restaurant and grab something to eat whilst they checked us in. As we walked across the poolside towards the restaurant a band was playing, people were eating and drinking and the lights were twinkling and reflecting across the pools water.
The restaurant was enormous with several areas for various types of food ~ a hot servery, pre~made salad servery, salad bar, bread area with numerous selections of breads and rolls, soup and croutons, hot and cold drinks servery and then a huge island holding a selection of delicious sweets and a freezer offering various flavours of ice~cream. Wine and beer were also in another self serve area ~ other drinks could be accessed via the bar next to it.
Starving we filled our boots whilst enjoying the rather cheesy tunes being played by the band. We took the opportunity to down several glasses of water and wine whilst we were at it too.
Finally replete we returned to the reception and picked up our room keys, we were situated in rooms not in the hotel itself but in a building adjacent to it. Our room was spacious with air conditioning and a good sized balcony.
The staff in the resort were exceptionally friendly and obliging, the hotel was quite small and so it wasn't too overwhelming with just small groups of people here and there. The outside area was tiered, to access the bar and restaurant you had to exit the hotel via the back towards the pool areas ~ down some stairs you came across the largest pool and to its right was the restaurant and bar area. The next tier down held some seated private cubby areas, more sunbeds and an infinity pool overlooking the sea and a further two tiers. The tier below the infinity pool held a few sunbeds on a grassy ledge, below that was a man made beach area to the right and a sandy ledge holding more sunbeds with steps down to the sea, buoys either side led you along a sandy sea bed path ~ the sea bed either side of the buoys was rocky and uneven. The sea was shallow for a long way out and exceptionally clear and warm. It was fabulous!
Our hotel was very remote with very little surrounding it which was a deliberate choice ~ we wanted peace and rest and not partying and socialising. Across the road was a dog rescue which gave up the music of dogs barking day and night, this was surprisingly soothing and didn't bother us at all because we are so used to the noises from our dogs. I can imagine though that some folk may have found it disturbing.
Aside from staying at the hotel and moving between sea and pools we also had a little explore along the roads leading from the hotel. To one side was farmland and a small bay with a few small boats. Along another was a new hotel and another small beach area. Along yet another olive groves and many cats as well as the dog rescue centre.
The captain made a decision as we approached calmer waters after about an hour to not return back the way we had come ~ and as a bonus for us he decided to navigate the full circumference of the island instead.
The first swim stop was aborted as the sea was too rough and so we continued forward. We stopped at the shipwreck cove for a swim and enjoyed the sight of the wreck on the sand, backed by the cliffs and marvelled at the clear blue waters. Luckily for us no other boats were to be seen and we had the cove to ourselves. The BBQ was ready after the swimming had finished and we ate kebabs with salad, bread and tzatziki, it was delicious! It wasn't until we were moving out of the cove that we saw three boats all heading towards us to visit where we had just been.
We stopped twice more for swim stops and one was by caves with a small beach area. The captain took the boat as far as he could into one of the caves first before retreating back out a little way to allow the boat then to be anchored.
Our trip also took us around Turtle Island but we didn't see any turtles as the season had finished and the eggs had all hatched. We did see dolphins though.
The Greek dancers then entertained us during the last leg of the 8 hour boat trip before a small lull until we reached the harbour once more. The water was still a little chopping around this area but nothing like it had been earlier.
I felt awful for those who had been debilitated by sea sickness because I know first hand how awful it can be. I was very nervous about being on the boat because I have a long history of sea sickness, however I think for me personally it was sitting on the top deck which was open to the elements and having a strong breeze on my face that was my saving grace. I also made sure to focus on the land as we sailed by and not out into the sea, which I later found is a top tip to try and stop sickness as is sipping coke.
Sadly, before our return Thomas Cook went bust and we wondered how we would be returning home. Our rep was amazing and told us to enjoy the rest of our holiday and not to worry, they would get us home and it was their worry not ours on how.
So, departure day saw us being collected by a fabulously friendly taxi driver who spoke pretty impressive English and chatted to us the entire journey because he liked to practice using it. He gave us a running commentary on the scenery and what was where as well as telling us about his fiance and impending wedding.
Once at the airport we were guided by Civil Aviation Authority staff who gave us a bottle of water and guided us to the correct check in counter. Sadly when we tried to check in the flight we were meant to be on was already full. After a little negotiating we were ushered to a table at a nearby cafe and told to wait whilst they found us seats on another flight. At this point we were told it would most likely be to either Cardiff or Newcastle as no more flights were leaving for East Midlands Airport that day.
We waited for an hour and after nothing happening we were suddenly guided to the check in desk to get boarding tickets for the already boarding Cardiff flight, we were lucky to be amongst the 8 people getting the last seats available for Cardiff and we were very grateful to the CAA staff for working so hard to get us on it. It was a frantic few minutes getting through security and to the right departure area but we arrived in time to get on the bus to the aircraft.
The aircraft was being staffed by a Manchester Thomas Cook crew and it was to be their last flight. They were incredible, friendly, emotional and attentive. Each seat had a cup ready with sachets of milk and sugar for a complimentary tea or coffee, a twix bar and a bottle of water. The flight took off without delay and the flight was filled with laughter and folk making the best of a bad situation. The plane contained people who were bound for Luton, Brighton, Gatwick and just us for East Midlands Airports.
When we arrived at Cardiff the CAA staff ushered us to the luggage carousel and told us to meet us once we had our bags in the arrivals area. We gathered our bags and left the baggage area and entered arrivals. We were greeted by the CAA team and they purchased lunch for us from a kiosk and then took us to a waiting taxi that would drive us to East Midlands Airport where we could collect our car and go home. The whole thing was run like clockwork and all the staff were amazingly calm, collected, friendly and courteous.
The welsh taxi driver was very friendly and chatty, giving us a verbal tour of the area as he drove. We made good time and arrived at EMA without a hitch. Thankfully the last leg of our journey was not long as we live not too far from the airport and we were soon home, shoes off and hugging the girls and fussing the dogs.
I think, for me personally, ten days is perfect for a chill out holiday, 7 days is too short, 14 too long but 10 is just right!
Now back home and laundry done and put away, body and mind rested I am ready to get back to it tomorrow. The girls had cleaned the entire house and cooked, so we literally had nothing to do when we came home other than unpack.
I now feel that warm holidays are definitely a "do if we can afford it" priority because the warmth of the sun on my joints gave me so much relief and eased my pain. The gentle movements supported by the water in the pool also helped ~ I love England too much to move but can understand why people with chronic pain and illness do move to warmer climates because it truly does help relieve the pain.
As an added bonus we not also had a fantastic recuperative holiday but also returned to news that our planning permission for downstairs bedroom, wet room and garden room have been approved ~ which is awesome!
Til next time
~ Blessings ~
x~X~x
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