FALIRAKI, as most
regular visitors (and there are many who visit year after year) will
tell you, is a wonderful holiday destination.
Irresponsible,
sensationalist and largely inaccurate reporting by UK television
(mainly SKY & ITV) in the early naughties (still regularly
repeated, and so perpetuating the lies) nearly decimated the local
economy.
Yes, Faliraki does have
a vibrant night-life, but it is centred in a small central area,
popularly known as "Bar Street" and "Club Street".
The over-exuberance of a small minority years ago has been well and
truly sorted out and placed into history. Even at it's height, the
"18-30" boom did not spoil family holidays for those of us
who continued to choose the resort... not quite the impression the TV
people gave the British population! (The trouble, and it is
relatively rare compared to most British towns and cities, is usually
perpetuated by and upon British "men". Sad, but true).
By day, and evening,
even this vibrant centre is a relaxed place for people of all ages to
enjoy a stroll... there are cafés, pubs (serving "British"
food and showing UK TV channels for those who only come for the sun),
a wide variety of shops selling everything from trinkets to designer
clothing, fur coats and fine jewellery. There is Luna Park, a
funfair for young and old, Skypark 10 pin bowling (air-conditioned),
and even a pitch and putt course. For daytime excitement, there is a
small stretch of the main beach populated by music bars...
Beyond these areas,
tranquillity and Greekness rule! There are too many
restaurants/tavernas to mention, serving fayre ranging from the
simple internationally recognised Greek dishes and "International"
dishes, through to some superb Tavernas serving the finest fresh fish
and traditional foods - something for everyone! Take your pick,
choose a freshly-made Gyro from one of the many excellent Greek
"fast-foods", McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut or Subway for the
unadventurous... or one of the many excellent restaurants. As well
as a wide choice of Greek establishments - including some on the
shoreline, near the harbour, or at the monastery nestling under the
trees in the foothills a 20 minute to the south of the centre - where
you can eat an excellent meze of Greek food, served under the stars
whilst being serenaded by peacocks (from here you can look down and
see, but not hear, the Faliraki night-life). There are also a couple
of excellent Chinese restaurants (Well, one superb restaurant (look
for the Chinse Dragon at the door), and a fantastic sit-in takeaway
on Club Street/Kallithea Road (I highly recommend their Hot Soup) and
and the ever-popular Faliraki Raj Indian Restaurant.
Faliraki has not been
abandoned by our European friends who do not watch trashy British TV
programmes! Thankfully, our new eastern European neighbours are also
discovering the charms of the island and it's people in
ever-increasing numbers.
However, the British
families and holidaymakers of all ages are missed! Their preference
for simple clean accommodation - and the freedom to eat when and
where they please is an important part of the local economy... and we
want to welcome them back in greater numbers!
The "big"
package holiday firms have exacerbated the decline in British
numbers, by withdrawing flights and reducing the beds they reserve
here... shortening the "package" season from it's former 7+ sunny
months, to just 4 months. They prefer to direct their clients to
destinations such as Turkey and Romania where they obtain
significantly cheaper prices and pass on a very small saving to their
customers - pocketing the difference to make bigger profits!
Faliraki is very
important to us in the Municipality of Kalithies... the village has a
population of 3500 - and relies heavily on tourists for it's economic
survival.
We KNOW we offer good
value-for-money holidays here... with the sunniest climate in the
Med, the finest sandy "Blue Flag" beaches; with history,
culture and fabulous scenery all around us! We're ideally situated
for day trips by car, bus or boat into historic Rhodes Town with it's
beautiful Mandraki Harbour, and to Lindos, one of the three ancient
capitals of the island - with it's cliff-top acropolis surrounded by
a Crusader fortress. So we're working hard with the many family
businesses to bring Faliraki and the British visitor back together
again...
Watch this space...
If you can't wait to
find out more, whether you're interested in visiting, or are a
reputable local business wanting to join us in our mission, please
email:
