Travel in 2021

Thodoris House, Paxos

We have just returned from a fortnight in Thodoris House on Paxos and it has been an absolute delight. My husband booked this trip in December 2020 and Simpson have been so good at keeping communication going as travel restrictions have ebbed, flowed and performed the various convolutions they’ve undertaken over the past six months. We were offered a full refund or the opportunity to re-schedule but chose to hang on and I cannot stress how thrilled we are that we did! Paxos is beautiful. Thodoris House is absolutely lovely, slap bang in the centre of the island so no distance from anywhere and so well appointed we wanted for nothing. Even the bed was really comfortable, not always a given in a rental property. All the tests and form filling are a bit of a faff but that’s all, it’s not difficult or painful (except on the wallet) and it’s necessary to keep everybody safe and the island’s economy functioning. The Paxiots rely quite heavily on British tourism so, if we can, we need to go so they can weather the COVID storm. Thank you, Simpson Travel, for setting the bar stratospherically high as far as Christmas presents go!

Caroline Woods – June 2021

The Saints, Corfu

We have just come back from our third villa holiday in Greece with Simpson Travel. Have found them absolutely faultless especially this latest holiday given the impact of Covid on the travel industry over the past 15 months. Our trip to Corfu had to be held over from last May/June and I think they fully expected us to postpone again, but we decided to go even though it was still classified as amber and there was a lot of paperwork and isolating to come back to. Everything was seamless despite BA cancelling our original flights (sorted immediately), excellent advice and information about Covid protocols, links to test providers, and info about the passenger locator form. Whilst we were there our contact, Jackie Maude, could not have been more helpful, giving us an alternative option should there be a problem with our online tests, driving over with printed copies of our test certificates the day we flew home, advice on interesting things to do that we hadn’t done previously etc, it was a pleasure to see her each time. We were so happy to be there and to be able to help support the local businesses and restaurants. I would say that the level of client care and special touches that Simpson Travel offers is unsurpassed. We will be travelling with them again and would recommend this company to anyone.

Claire – June 2021

St Stephanos, Corfu

We stayed in a Simpson villa in St Stephanos in north-east Corfu recently and as on previous occasions we had a great time and were very well supported by the Simpson team. I would like to add that, contrary to government scaremongering, the travelling experience - both there and back, was easier than normal. And, apart from having to go through the necessary expense and some administrative hassle, the testing process should not be a deterrent to travelling.

Jane – July 2021

Meganissi

We have just returned from two weeks on Meganissi which Simpson rearranged for us and extended it by a week while we were there. The local support by Rania Mazi was really great – sorting any little issues out without any fuss as well as extending our stay. Rania arranged our pre-return COVID testing in a very clear organised manner and before we travelled the office support was great – all made simple with clear advice on managing flights and all the COVID administration. We look forward to returning to Meganissi with Simpson in August with family and grandchildren that had to be deferred from last year.

David Cummings – July 2021

Loutsa Villa, Ithaca

We have recently returned from a fabulous holiday on the beautiful island of Ithaca, staying in Loutsa Villa. We are so pleased that we decided to go, now feeling the benefits of a wonderful relaxing holiday. There were obviously a few hoops to go through, but with Simpson in charge of all the travel arrangements, it was stress free. Wonderful Judith, our Simpson representative in Ithaca, couldn’t have been more helpful, explaining before we had even arrived how safe the island was, with no Covid cases and 82% of the adult population fully vaccinated. She bought in extra food so that we could eat in on our first night; she explained everything about the island and villa, also providing an excellent map. She arranged our PCR tests for the return journey, bringing the results to our villa. She even printed out hard copies of our PLFs required for the UK. For all the above, we can’t praise Simpson Travel highly enough! Their professionalism, transparency and flexibility throughout this awful pandemic has been exemplary. We have already booked with Simpson for next June!!

Diana Warren – July 2021

Simpson Secret, Corfu

What can we say about Simpson Travel, nothing except praise for sure. The customer care we experienced has been second to none and we are already looking at where to go next! Covid has obviously had a massive impact on us all but not in comparison to the travel industry, despite this Simpson continued to put their customers first. We have just returned from a 2-week pre-wedding stay at Simpson Secret Corfu. The villa was beautiful and you couldn’t have wanted for more. All the mod cons but in the most secluded and private location. Once you get used to the Greek ‘road’ up you’re away! Thank you Jackie for being so wonderful and checking in with us throughout, the welcome wine and bits were also wonderful and a lovely touch. We wouldn’t hesitate to use and recommend Simpson again. Our two weeks really was worth the quarantine on the return home! Thank you, Simpson.

Lucy Twyman – July 2021

The Cliff House, Paxos

We’ve just come back from yet another wonderful stay at a Simpson property in Greece. We’re a Greek/British family and visit Greece every year, often with Simpson, and Paxos is our favourite island. There is nowhere else that combines so perfectly the beauty and unique charm of Greece with just enough sophistication to satisfy the experienced traveller. This year we stayed at The Cliff House and it is the best villa we’ve stayed in anywhere. The space and breathtaking sunset views from the house are hard to leave behind, and we will certainly return if we can. The Simpson personnel on the island, and indeed everyone we encountered, from the car hire company to the water taxi service, were excellent as always, and did all they could to make our stay easy and comfortable. Last year we stayed at Purple Apricot – another property we would recommend very highly.

Maggie Regan – July 2021

The Saints & Bella Mare, Corfu

My friend and I have just come back from 10 days in Corfu with Simpson Travel, a week at The Saints and three days at The Bella Mare Hotel. Both were absolutely fabulous, we had an amazing time and it was all very straightforward Covid-wise. I cannot praise Simpson Travel highly enough, they have been amazing throughout the last 16 months. We changed our date for this trip once and then our location from Kalkan to Corfu and it was all so easy. Special shout out to Briana in London who is outstanding, and to the lovely Jackie and Jo who looked after us so well in Corfu.

Viv Belcher – July 2021

Villa Vereniki & GK Beach, Crete

Two weeks in Crete were the perfect antidote to six months of restrictions in the UK. The airport experience was one of the best we’ve ever known (quick and quiet) and made all the better by the timing of the government announcement as we boarded the plane, stating that, from 19 July, fully vaccinated adults and children under 18 would no longer be required to quarantine. We had decided to go anyway, but since our family of four fitted the new criteria it was the icing on the cake – and a considerable saving on testing requirements too! Our villa was immaculate and we were superbly looked after by the Simpson team throughout our holiday. Moving to GK Beach Hotel for a few nights at the end added a wonderful extra dimension to the trip - the beachfront location is fabulous and western Crete has captured our hearts. We’ll be back!

The Watson family – July 2021

Joanna's House, Paxos

When Turkey looked like it was off the travel map Simpson proved more than helpful changing our holiday to Paxos. We stayed at Joanna’s House and had a fabulous two weeks. They say the best things come in small parcels and this was certainly true of Joanna’s House. The villa was well equipped and very comfortable. It isn’t often you find a bed more comfortable than the one you sleep in at home but this one was. The views from the terrace were spectacular; we spent many an evening with a glass of wine watching the sun set. After a morning visiting parts of the island it was perfect bliss to return and spend the afternoon in and around the pool and could often be found, elbows on the edge of the infinity pool, taking in the view. The property was exceedingly well looked after by the lady who came in and cleaned several times a week and the gardener and pool man. All staff, from airport meet and greet to David in resort, looked after us well. We loved Joanna’s House and Paxos and hope it isn’t too long before we return.

Lynne Hartmann – July 2021

HOLIDAYS IN GREECE