First Choice - (Tour Operators in Zante)

Dawn C  (25 August 2004)         


We booked last minute for allocation on arrival and paid extra for a night flight as the 7.20am one was going to be a nightmare to get to gatwick on time for. We also paid full price for both the children aged 4 and 8.Our flight was then at 23.55am which meant we only had thirteen nights but paid for fourteen, resulting in us being hastily removed from our rooms at 12 on the day before our departure at 3.45am, for which the coach was 20minutes late, no fun with two youngsters!The meals for which we were charged £40 each way for were awful and as we had late flights the childrens were wasted as they were asleep when both meals were served. We had asked for a childre friendly resort, i must admit you couldnt fault the apartments for decor, spaciousness etc, but they werent very clean, there is also no reception so we were dumped at the location by the rep, knowing nothing, no location of nearest shop, how far town, beach etc was. Consequently when we awoke after a few hours sleep we had to go and find water and food for the children, as it was so far to walk to and from the nearest shop we were late for the welcome meeting by 20 minutes, we did see the rep and asked what we missed, and were given a leaflet about the excursions, she never offered us any other information such as pre booking flights to leave Zante (another way to rip us off!)so consequently we were sat seperately on the flight home. The rep Lisa was truly inept, she knew we were tired having been told we werent on any lists when we arrived at Zante airport! We had a 3/4 hour anxious wait till they eventually found the relevent piece of paper with our details! The coach driver didnt want to take us as he was already chokka...we eventually got on with our cases! We knew Lisa made a point of meeting all her clients the day before departure to ensure they knew what time to vacate the apartments, time of bus etc! However, we found her two days before we were due to leave as we wanted to check our booze and cigs allowance. Something else she isnt clued up on! We were told our coach would be arriving at 3.45am and that we were just to leave our keys in the doors of our appartments when we left! Imagine our horror to be told (not too politely by Nikos the complex manager/owner) that we had to be out before 12 as the rooms needed to be cleaned for the new arrivals! We obviously argued this point as it meant we had nowhere to securely leave our possessions, we werent packed in any case! and had nowhere to shelter the children or shower them in the very hot climate....would you be happy keeping a 4 year old out for over 15 hours until 3.45 in the morning?? We were told if we didnt vacate the rooms, the police would be called by another inept rep whose name escapes me, needless to say he will know who I'm talking about! Thanks to the kindness of someother holiday makers, (Thanks so much to John and Tina) we were offered use of a room, shower, secure storage and somewhere to grab a quick nap. The coach was then 20 minutes late, after we were clearly told not to be late...another nail in First Choices coffin! Chaos at Zante airport with the fittest and childfree sprinting to front of queues and pushing in!! We then found out that we should have paid another £40 to secure seats next to each other!!! First choice???? No way....definitely LAST CHOICE All in All I would never ever recommend First Choice to anyone! We will never travel with them again...and judging by the comments of our fellow holiday makers at the agnanti appartments and the adjoining Sarakina Hotel the feeling is widespread!

Potters Bar - (Bars in Laganas)

Dawn C  (25 August 2004)         

We were dragged into this bar by the children to watch the 'blockbuster films'...we were pleasantly surprised, the lady behind the bar was very friendly and the prices have to be the best on the island. Anyone taking children who get bored easily, this is the place to go at 4pm to while away 90 minutes or more till dinner time. You get to see the movies of the moment everyday except weekends, then its footie. Cheap drinks, great service. By the way cant comment on whether there were hunks or babes there as the place was always very quiet when we went.