NONDAS Corfu Holidays

July 2008

... everything was smoothly done, from being picked up from the airport and having Nondas himself drive us back. Sally is a lovely lady who made us feel so welcome all week. The room was nice, clean with beautiful views but after seeing the more spacious downstairs apartments we think our next visit, especially with baby Freddie would be better served by the bigger apartment.

The restaurant was, and still is, serving the most beautiful food in the resort, we loved the salads and couldn't fault the service. We loved the way Nondas and Sally treat all guests as friends as we were a bit worried about baby being noisy and upsetting other guests. San Stefanos is still a fantastic place for a holiday but hope it does not get any bigger. We enjoyed the Elvis night at the Condor, think that guy's leg must shake 24 hours a day. I nearly forgot the pool which is absolutely beautiful, clean and a good size. it was baby's 1st swimming lessons so great memories for us. thanks again for a very special holiday.

... if I can manage to set aside another week off we will try and visit again as we all enjoyed it so much.

Steve, Norma, and Freddie

Hi Tracey

We had a great time with Nondas and his family again, the pool is great and the view from there over San Stef is one of the best. With the pool being oxygenated and not chlorine it's really refreshing and Nondas can vary the temp so it’s not too cold.

Looking forward to going back to Corfu as soon as funds allow.

Regards

Nick Hillerby

Hi Tracey

We did have a great time and the apartments were perfect - just what we were looking for. Sally couldn't have been nicer, or more helpful, and it was just such a good place to be - lovely view, next to the Bistro - which was a real find (we were only sorry we hadn't found it last year!) and Dimitri and co were all very friendly and welcoming when we first arrived and we felt at home right away. I'm sure we'll all go back again - with or without the kids (they may well go and stay there on their own with some of their friends).

Places to recommend - well, the Bistro obviously! Also had good meals at Manthos (by the beach) - lovely fresh fish there and beautiful sunsets, and Zorbas - good food and a great atmosphere with the friendly waiters and lively dancing! Also spent a lot of time at the Perros Hotel (at the far end of the village, on the road to Arilas) - knew it from last year and the lovely couple who run it, Stefano and Eleni - nice pool, and a great BBQ night when it gets busy enough (the first week was pretty quiet everywhere but livened up the second week, which pleased the kids!) - also has Greek dancing, with a lot of participation - a great family night out.

You're probably right about telling people about no cash machines - but we knew that from last year, and actually never found it a problem as so many places in the village will change money (at very little extra cost) - exchanged travellers' cheques at the travel agents/car hire places - and in the end got cash using our Switch card from one of the local shops!

Had a good boat trip to Ericousa (if that's how you spell it) - nice day out, just being on the water - and very relaxing place to spend a few hours. Did the shopping trip to Corfu with my daughter - nice to have a 'girls day out' although spent too much money - but it was fun and it's a lovely town to spend time in.

Well, don't know if that's any help - will let you know if I (or any of the family) have anything else to add!

Bye for now,

Fiona

Hi tracey

.... Nondas was ideal for what we required in accomodation, it was well managed (Sally was ace) and it was clean and well kept.

I do think that the 'hill' is a little understated in the website (thank God for that shortcut over the wall), it was fine for me but my mother in law does suffer a little with her lower back and she found it a little hard going but it didn't spoil her holiday. Everyone said they would certainly stay there again.

Places to eat, i have never had a bad meal in the 3 years of visiting, my fav places are, 2 Star - exellent value for money, fantastic swordfish fillet and the mixed grill is something to write home about, the Grill House, the Condor (best carbonara in the world), the Nafsika (very welcoming, especially for the children), we did eat at the Bistro which was lovely but I didnt think it had that feel of being in a restaurant and i did find that fact that they served food with no tops on a little on the unhygenic side but thats just one of my little niggles personally.

I knew there was no cash machines in San Stef so that wasn't a problem for me but as you say it would be a good point on the website to make. the Greek night at Teresa's is the best I have ever been to and I have been to quite a lot over my years of travelling to Greece, it was for all of us, the best 11 euro spent on a night out, her food is fantastic.

I have a friend who owns a bar there, its new this year, his name is Glenn and his wife Maria, its by the Athena hotel, he is from Yorkshire but Maria is Greek and lived in San Steph all her life, the bar is beautifully modern and his hospitality is second to none, he could do with a plug if you could do that. The bar is called Aquarius, it's not sign posted yet.

The mosquitos this year where the worst i have ever witnessed. My tip to sort the nasty bleeders out is 1 drop of 100% tea tree oil (it must be pure - not synthetic products that say they contain it) on the crown of your head, wrists and ankles (avoid perfume) and they will not bite, you can smell it at first but it soon dies away but it keeps them of for 5-8hours, i have done this for me and my little one for years and we dont have a problem. I told all who travelled with me, they ignored my advice and got eaten alive to the point that they needed antihistamines to take away the swelling and itching.

any way I hope you find this info useful, have a lovely lovely time, safe journey, say hi to Sally and if you get to Aquarius please let Glenn know I told you about him and I look forward to travelling to San Steph again next year.

Alison, Ed & Joe

xxx

Subject: Wonderful holiday

Hi Tracey,

It's taken me a while to sit down and write to you, but I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful holiday we have had. We have already recommended Nondas to our friends and we hope to go back again. When talking about the holiday, it turned out that some of my colleagues at work visited Nondas about 17 years ago! They said there were only two apartments then, and no bar or bistro.

We had great weather (although there was rain and some thunderstorms but these were all at times that didn't matter and very short lived - there was brilliant sunshine every day). Tsaros pool bar was great for breakfast, but for lunches or dinners we especially liked The Olive Press, Waves, Nafsika and of course - Elpidas (which we rated the best eating establishment in San Stef. Not only for the food which was out of this world, but for the fantastic views, and of course, the relaxed atmosphere, great music and excellent company).

Sally, Nondas, Dimitris and Leo were great hosts. So relaxed, so helpful - just great.

San Stef is in a really beautiful part of Corfu. It is definitely a resort, but it is a small one and it feels Greek (unlike the neighbouring Sidari, which reminded us of Blackpool)! San Stefanos Travel knew us well by the time we left, as we enjoyed boat trips (Paleokastritsa is amazing and should not be missed), horseriding (I definitely recommend it, but wear long trousers) and we hired a beach buggy and a car.

The number of people we met, who returned year on year to San Stef was the best advert for the resort there is. The holiday makers are really made to feel welcome and everyone was happy and chilled out. Two weeks after the holiday, I still feel relaxed!

It would be useful to let people know about the lack of cashpoints in the resort when they book, or maybe on the website. We didn't take travellers cheques, opting to take some cash and then use cards / cashpoints, but this didn't work out, and we ended up having to travel to Sidari to get cash. If I had known this, I would have taken travellers cheques with me, as these were easily changed at San Stef Travel.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you to you and Sally for making sure our holiday was perfect.

Thanks again and hopefully we will be in contact again one day when we book our next holiday!

Emily and Bryan

Hi Tracey,

We just got back today and I promised I would send you some feedback.

Well what can I say; it was just the best holiday we've ever had. San Stefanos is a beautiful place, exactly what we needed, and after a couple of drinks with Dimitri on our second night we were like the advert when they came back from Jamaica "chilled to the core". Nondas apartments are lovely, the view from them is brilliant, the hill is a bit steep but I've got the best toned calf muscles in Sunderland.

We've told everybody we'll be back, possibly in September it was so nice. Sally was really helpful and we even got some bread made by Dimitri's mum. I would definitely recommend them to anybody and the same goes for San Stefanos. If given the chance I would move out there tomorrow. I had the best ever birthday while I was there, Dimitri organised an ice cream birthday cake and champagne. It's a birthday I'll never forget, even with the hangover.

Just wanted to say thanks as well for all the help to get us there and have a brilliant time.

Thanks Jan, Wayne & Kris

Dear Tracey,

Hi! I've just got back from a week in San Stefanos. Whilst there, we discovered Elpida's. Wow! It has blown my breath away. I have never known anywhere make me want to go back so much.

We spent our evening warmly welcomed by Dimitri, Leo, Nicki & Billy. They looked after us so well and were truly thoughtful. The food was AMAZING, the wine flowed, the music had us dancing then drifting, the view of the bay is spectacular from the hills. So good, in fact, we ate there a second time and revelled in the beautiful, friendly ambience of the place all over again. Elpida's touched all my senses - I feel honoured to have known such warmth and generosity of spirit. We are all hooked! I have no doubt I'll be returning to San Stefanos and I'll be staying at Nondas the whole week - I can't get enough of the place.

Which leads me onto my enquiry.....

Thanks very much and keep up the good work. I have been telling everyone I know about San Stef and Elpida's (although partly I want to keep this little gem all to myself - hee hee!)

Best wishes,
Sarah