Olympic Holidays

Tour Operators in Zante

Sam M          1/10

Went to Zante with Olympic June 2013. I will not go into all of the details but will briefly outline the more major issues. So briefly, we were initially inconvenienced when our flight with Small Planet was cancelled the day before flying and we flew with a different company at an earlier time, resulting in us losing half of our first day in Zante. Then our return flight was cancelled the day before returning again and we were booked onto an earlier flight to a completely different airport, Manchester, and without any prior consultation. Then we were put on a minibus for over 5 hours to Gatwick. We were told the flight could not be changed as we were already booked on and that no alternative flight to our original airport, Gatwick, was available, even though Flybe had available seats the same day. So we had to leave 5 hours earlier than scheduled, resulting in losing half of the last day we had in Zante again (not to mention the 2nd to last day being lost through upset, phone calls, meetings etc and my mum spent most of that day crying as she was so distressed). She has severe arthritis, is registered disabled, has recently had a hip replacement and is waiting for the other hip to be done, and was not able to take a journey of that many hours we left the resort at 1.30 pm and arrived home at 2.30 am (ridiculous by anyone's standard), without severe discomfort for several days after, not to mention the distress it caused her at the mere thought of it. I am having physio on my back and also am suffering. It caused us all a lot of distress, my son had college at 8.30 the next morning and myself, my partner and my daughter all had to get up for work early the next morning and arriving home 2 hours later than scheduled which with work the next day, 10.30pm was already late to land considering we had a 2 hour journey home, let alone arriving home at 2.30am after 14 hours of travelling. The rep and Olympic provided terrible customer service with no compassion whatsoever. Avoid them like the plague :(

Peter H

Just returned from Zante after our fourth visit to the manousis apartments in Tzillivi, as usual had a great time meeting old friends. Many thanks toYanis sakis and Rula for the Geek night and free buffet quiz and sumba night, two crazy nights.Special thanks to Lauren are rep for the last few years she is a credit to company, good and knowledgeable at her job happy and cheerful even when stressed out. Must say we had a much better flight now Olympic are using Germania instead of Strtegic.Looking forward to booking again next year. Pam and Peter Preston.

Tim B          1/10

Had a very good holiday with Olympic Holidays to Paxos - their Paxos Rep was excellent - however their customer service department will one day bring this company down. Having paid upfront a supplement for my wife and I to sit together, I was wasn't too chuffed to find we weren't seated together on the return flight. My wife is not a good flier and this added even more to her stress and rather spoilt the end of the holiday. On principle I wrote to Olympic Holidays customer service and requested they refund the charge pro rata that I had paid for the seats together. The response from Ashmita Bhimji to my letter '45919' which rejected my complaint included the following; 'In regard to pre-bookable flight seating, we are careful to advise within out holiday Information brochure and web pages that some members of of your party may be seated in front, behind or across an aisle depending on party size, aircraft configuration and window seat requests.' As the 'members of my party' consisted of just myself and my wife I find Olympic Holidays' attitude rather disingenuous. I expect we will return to Paxos (it's a wonderful island)but it will not be with Olympic Holidays.

Richie F          1/10

Avoid this lot like the plague. 13 hours delay on the way out to Cyprus, 3 hour on the way back. No rep at the airport or resort. Now a protracted exchange trying to get any recompense. Useless  

Doug B          1/10

Will never use Olympic holidays again for a holiday there customer services are only interested in taking your money but not the slightest bit interested when you have a problem. Took deposits on holidays back in 2010 using monarch flights before they had sealed the deal with monarch and then proceeded to stick people on later flights with another company so you in effect lose a day of your holiday even though you had to pay extra when booking for the earlier flight but were still selling holidays with earlier flight times to the same resorts and apartments after they had done this. Which if you read the small print they are quite within the rights to do. Its a massive shame as the apartments I use is an Olympic resort, I will return to Tsilivi but will do it all independently it may cost more that way but if that means not dealing with Olympic it will be money well spent.

Brian & Edwina          5/10

Provided you don't have the misfortune to of booked the Alamis with Olympic and get the old block they are generally good, but as long as they use the old block without admitting the difference and charging the same. SHAME ON YOU

David J          10/10

 
Stayed inTsilivi for 2 week from the july10th-24th at DINOS APARTMENTS and had a brill time our Olympic rep JADE was very friendly and hlepful This was our first time with Olympic and would book with them next year. And would like to thank jade for making our stay a good one    
sally n dave

Zoe Y          10/10

Have just spent 2 weeks in Tsilivi at the Alamis Apartments, Steph our rep was at the hotel every day and was on hand for any questions or queries.

The girl deserves a promotion. . . she was on our coach on our departure and waited till everyone had checked in before going.
 
It was the first time that i'd bookd through Olympic but others from my party have before and it  was a top class service, will definately be using them next year.
 
Well done Steph xx

Sarah H           

i have worked as a rep and i know that it can be very hard top get information out of the airport in regards to delays.  it is not our fault but i know that as soon as the reps have any info then they tell the guests.  also i also amazed that they are able to keep their cool when they are been shouted at and sweared at.!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucy            

 We suffered an 19hour delay  on a return flight to Gatwick. Asked reps what was going on, was told they didnt know however other passengers rang Monarch in England (who olympic holidays flew with) and were given more information than the Reps were telling us! Asked monarch why the reps didnt know, were told that they had informed the reps of the situation!  We thought the reps were great and the company as a whole were good however we felt let down at the end of the hoilday. Wish they could of had better communication skills when dealing with situations like a delay instead they were trying to avoid us! Just tell us the truth next time insead of lying to us!

Julian M           

click to enlarge Olympic holidays have always been very good , great value,and they have the best and most appartments and studios, I have been a holiday rep for around 8 years and had to leave due to the stress from moronic penny piching loser familys who spend there holiday screaming at each other and then take out there misery on the rep,,,these people are normally from yorkshire by the way ,,but every town has its idiot,,,,and as reported by another person on this site it is allways the scum that pay 99 quid for a holiday and expect the earth ,,,such a sad society we live in im afraid,,weak minded people indoctrinated by the media.I am going to laganas again with olympic tomorrow ,,,I wished I had worked for them and not all the other tin pot money hungry companies like Kosmar,First Choice, JMC ,I am afraid my patience ran out a long time ago to be a rep or in that case ,work in any job where you have to cater to the needs of the british general public. Fortunately I now own a debt management company so I make money now clearing up peoples financial mess.

Sarah L           

whole experience very good. tickets arrived well in advance of holiday. hotel was as described in brochure. were given a pool/sea view room although itinery states inland view. still find it very annoying having to pay under occupancy supplement when the sleeps four room is occupied by 2 adults and 2 children (boy 10 and girl 12). all i can say is if four adults share they need to be VERY FRIENDLY!!! trips bookable with rep too much geared to 18-30 group and expensive compared to local companies. rep at our hotel Victoria helpful and pleasant, always there when she said she would be. transfers okay although at 3.30am i didn,t think we needed to be told that outside waiting at the airport was undercover in the shade!! flights with monarch on time. great holiday thanks

Lisa M           

Not impressed with Olympic

Apartments basic and staff unfriendly,  on more than one occasion we asked for repairs and where told tomorrow, well tomorrow never comes!
 
I felt that the rep in our apartments just couldn't be bothered, and was too worried about upsetting the staff at the apartments than to actually help us.
 
I don't think that I would use Olympic again.
 

Matt W           

This is just a short message for Mr. Victor Sharman who posted his long list of complaints about olympic holidays in July 2006, i would suggest that if it was myself in your shoes and travelling with a young family i would when booking my holiday be firstly using the the tongue in my head and asking the tour operator exactly where i was staying and secondly realising that allocation on arrival means exactly that, if you pay cheap and last minute what are you exactly expecting!!!!!  I would strongly advise that if you are going abroard again in the future you book your holiday more that 2 hours before departure time, i am 30 years old and travelling abroard with my girlfriend for the first time in a few weeks and i would never dream of booking my holiday that late you must be insane!!! I would suggest that if you go abroard next year and you still find something trivial to moan about then you maybe more suited to a holiday in blackpool or self catering in a caravan.!!!!

Irene            

We travelled with Olympic for the first time in May (although we have been to Zante 6 times before) and didn't have any complaints.  Admittedly our flight was changed just after we booked it, to fly 5 hours later in the day, but at least we knew before the day of departure (approximately 2 weeks before).  The reason was probably for the same reason that most operators do this but don't tell you, that it's because they can't get a full flight and they combine 2 - easy to understand in low season. 

 
I think it is true that most people pay for a "cheap" holiday and expect the best.  Allocation on arrival is just that!  We have never had to ask what it means!!  If people with particular needs, i.e. disabled, children, etc want specific things on their holiday then why do they not specify this when they book - fed up listening to all these people that moan about things they could avoid!! 
 
We paid "cheap" and ended up with better than expected when we were there in May.  We have paid "cheap" again for September (different apartments from May) and although we know where these apartments are as we have actually booked them, we don't expect 5 star! 
 
People want to lower their expectations in relation to what they pay and they might even enjoy a holiday - if not why bother!!!!

Stephen S           

 

i just want to put things right about what this victor bloke had to say.i was there when he was.first of all he paid 240 pound for him and his young family and he expected a five star hotel he then complained about anything and everything he could.he even went to an indian restaurant then complained the food was not up to his standard so they gave him discount then he had the cheek to go back the next night but they asked him to leave.then at the maria apartments he tried leaving without paying his tab.he told me that people said the water park was expensive and rubbish but he has never been there and i had just come back from there so u cant believe anything this guy says.i had a great time and olympic reps made me feel very welcome

M K           

We returned yesterday from Zakynthos where we had a wonderful holiday based in Alykes.  We travelled for the first time with Olympic Holidays and would have absolutely no hesitation travelling with them again. The staff  were totally efficient and professional, from check in at Glasgow to arrival at Zakynthos, luggage collection was very quick and mini coach transfer to resort also fast, allowing for the roads!   Our rep Louisa was just so sweet, our son (11) said she made the world a better place!   On our return home, again total efficient and friendly.  The rep took us straight into the airport,  in front of queues of people already waiting, for whatever reason, we were checked in and waiting in departures (another story!) within 20 minutes of arriving at airport, can't ask for better than that.      Some people do obviously have the misfortune of having unhappy holidays, but there are others who are so caught up in the claim culture that they seek every single problem and elaborate, these persons then slag off perfectly good tour reps!  Families with very young children should have enough responsibility not to book allocation on arrival holidays but have the common sense to check out the brochure for appropriate holidays instead of trying to save 10 quid.........
 
Don't hesitate to book with Olympic, great company.

Sim F           

forgot to rate itso here we go!

Sim F           

Me & my boyfriend booked with Olympic and flew with Aestreus (however you spell it) airlines. We were delayed an hour on the way but everything was fine and we even set off early on the way back. The plane was like a coach and had no entertainment but i wasnt complaining, it was fine. 

Only problem was selfish people infront putting their seats right back to have a sleep, which meant me and my boyfriend had no room whatsoever. I would never do that to anyone, they know we have no room to start with! Then they had the cheek to go mad at us for moving and accidently hitting the back of their chair! ERM excuse me but it wouldnt have happened if your seat wasnt in our laps!!!!!!!
 
Anyway, overall all was v good, especially for the price we paid! Can't complain!

Daniel O           

  this holiday was far the best ive ever had! All 8 of us loved it, the holiday reps made us all have the best holiday we could. the reps jenna n kristy were wicked.

 
for the amount of money you pay, the accommodation was excellent, i would go there again tomorrow if i could.

David I           

Myself, my wife Rachel, my 6 year old daughter Phoebe, my one year old son Max and our 6month old baby daughter Daisy have had a horrendous struggle of survival under the care of Olympic Holidays.
 
We were placed in Lagnas resort, (18 -30) party aninimal town, in an apartment with smashed windows, mould covered with bacteria infested utensils. Whilst asleep somebody entered and stole the cot.
 
Our rep Jenna fobbed us off by suggesting head office was in Cyprus, therefore no alternative accomm was available.
 
Due to the smashed glass, louts hanging off balconies and 24hour loud music we were forcrd to move, at our own expense as forced by OlympicTravel.
 
We were told we were upgraded to 3star, but the current accomm is a serious health &safety risk, with no fire alams and extingushers provided after the whole hotel complained, 1week later.
 
We have had to hire a car at our own expense due to the ouf of the way location and now my children are suffering ear infections and colds due to the mould comtamination.
 
 I will complete this report when I have more time but advise all
 
TO TAKE YOUR MONEY ELSEWHERE AS OLYMPIC TRAVEL ARE PIRATES AND SCAMMERS!
 
BE WARNED YOUNG, DISABLED AND MATURE BEINGS!

Victor S           



Here are our concerns about crappy olympic, who have also destroyed the holiday of a disabled lady, 2 oap's another young family, just to mention!

 
DONT BOOK WITH THIS OPERATOR, YOU'LL REGRET IT!!!!!!!!!

> Sir, Madam,
> My young family & I are currently suffering as a result of a late booking,
> which was arranged and paid a few hours before departure.
>  
> I've been forced to try to resolve our issues, (2days into 2week holiday),
> with your Zante H/O, liasing with rep Louisa, Manager Nikki & office worker
> Gary.
>  
> Neither are they willing to help us return to UK, we have to pay for
> additional flights, or put us in suitable accommadation without the need for
> me to pay in addition.
>  
> We have had a horrendous experience from the onset, not being informed of
> allocation on arrival, although we were assured and even offered apartments
> of choice, perhaps due to our 6month child.
>  
> When we arrived here in Zante nobody knew we were coming, we have no
> information, even about the welcome meeting the next day or how to contact
> our rep in an emergency.
>  
> I'm very concerned about the several issues which your staff seem to think
> nothing of and we are left in a very vunreable and isolated situation, to
> resolve these issues without the help or support of Olympic Holidays.
>  
> Due to the several mistakes and serious health and safety issues I have no
> choice but to begin to expose this to the press, watchdog and via internet so
> future young families wont have to suffer and experience the continued
> problems that we have had so far.
>  
> I would like to point out that it is of no help when your staff inform us
> that Allocation on Arrival is within your terms and conditions, as we were
> not informed this at the time of booking but rather assured of an excellent
> holiday with your reputable company.
>  
> Im very distressed about the whole experience, particulary the way in which
> your staff have responded and the lack of co-operation or compensation so
> far.
>  
> Therefore i'm writing directly in the hope that you can investigate our
> claims and offer an ammicable solution immediately, before im forced to
 to begin legal action and expose the flaws that your
> organisation so effeciently deny.
>  
> A very disatisfied and upset client who is awaitnig an immediate response
> before actioning the above mentioned
>  
> V.Sharma & Family.
>

Lesley S           

This was a late booking "cheapie", and the price offered by Olympic was excellent, with brilliant day time flights out of Manchester flying with Monarch. Check in at terminal one was a nightmare, took us half an hour to find that check in desks are upstairs, no signs over any of the desks to inform you which desk to use. Eventually checked in, went for a drink in departures, Monarch flight showing on board but no gate number identified. Continued to check board regularly, then 35 minutes before departure time the flight was showing "now boarding". In the time it took us to walk round to the gate an announcement was made "final call for flight MON 1216", at no point had any other call been made !! Good flight out, met by Olympic rep, Karen, for transfer, very informative during the journey. Karen was our rep for the duration of our stay, welcome meeting continued to provide good and useful info for the area and the island as a whole. At no point was there any attempt to coerce you into buying trips, for this we thank the company. Karen was a very good ambassador for Olympic, always present at our apartments when she was due to be there, and a pleasant and polite attitude. We would book with Olympic again, and if Karen reads this, thanks, and all the best for next summer, even if you go to Halkidiki!!!

?            

 
I am a travel agent and travelled with olympic this summer and stayed at the Two Brothers, Olympic were very very good and i would definatley travel with them again and our rep Karen was very pleansent and helpful the accommodation was very very basic but thats expected for Greece rroms were always kept clean
. All the moans on this site is about night flights im a travel agents so this is the rules on night flight olympic have done nothig wrong
 
ALL customer that arent made aware by their travel agents if you book a night flight (regardless what tour operator you travel with first choice , thompsons, my travel etc...) the room is held  from the day you leave the UK so if you check in on a Sunday and you arrive in resort on a monday that is classed as your first night so you do have to vacate your room the day before at 12 noon because it is classed as seven nights (international check in check out time) ...... all this is stated in all tour operators brochures in the booking conditions and when  you signed  for your holiday you are signing to agree to these terms and conditions. Not all accommodatin have curtosy rooms and room exstensions available, this is perfecly normal and is not the tour operators or reps fault you've agreed to the night flight conditions your lucky if you have an accom with these facilities.
If you want to keep your room for the day of your departure you need to be day flights. Nights flights are always the cheaper option from day flight as they carry a less flight supplement

Clare W           

I WENT TO ZANTE FOR THE 4TH TIME IN JULY AND WE STAYED IN THE ZANTE DORO STUDIOS WITH OLYMPIC FOR 2 WEEKS.  HAD A FAB TIME WE HAD JESS AS OUR REP AND WE FOUND HER SO SWEET. SHE WAS NEW SO WAS VERY NERVOUS BUT WE SAW HER MOST DAYS AND SHE HAD A SMILE AND WAS VERY NICE OUR FLIGHT HOME WAS AT 7AM AND WE DID NOT HAVE TO BE OUT OF OUR APPARTMENT TILL THE PICK UP SO NOT SURE WHAT WENT WRONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE.  WENT TO PALMA WITH THOMSON A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THEY ARE CRAP NO REP TILL YOU GET TO HOTEL LUCKY WE WENT FREESTYLE AS OTHER PEOPLE DID NOT SEE REP FOR WEEK ONLY HAD A 24 HOUR HELP LINE NUMBER.  SO I THINK OLYMPIC ARE COOL THEY ARE KEEPING IT REAL.  DID A FEW EXCURSIONS WHICH WERE VERY GOOD.  VERY IMPRESSED WITH OLYMPIC WE HAVE BOOKED TO GO TO KOS WITH THEM NEXT AUGUST JUST HOPE THEY ARE AS GOOD AS THIS YEAR.  THANKS FOR A GREAT TIME.

CLARE, PETE AND DEE.X

 

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