I didn't realize just how beautiful Greece is. It was a wonderful trip. A wonderful introduction to a variety of the highlights of Greece. After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own. Rick Steves provides all of the essential information needed by visitors to Greece. Having done all our traveling on our own, we were a little apprehensive about joining a tour. Looking back on the ruins from above, put the whole place in perspective.". Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. Although the temple was not so much the site was fascinating with the hospital and hotels for those who wanted to be healed.". I loved seeing the acropolis again, and Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae and Epidavros. With the exception of our tour being cut short due to Covid-19, everything was amazing! It was my ninth RS tour and my husband's fifth. Who could ask for more. What is there to say? We took our tour in May and afterward spent two additional weeks in Greece. Good hotels. When it came time to leave, my heart was heavy and I was already planning my return. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com . Added as a close second was Hydra, where I could have happily spent more time.". My cousin, who sat in the farthest upper row, told me she could hear every word. What we like about Rick Steves Tours is you are taken to the usual tourist sites, but also to less traveled areas where many tourists don't go. ", I thought the tour guide was outstanding. "I am a track & field fan and love the Olympics therefore going to Olympia and seeing where the Olympics flame is lit and the site of the original Olympics was a thrill.". I would love to return to Hydra. We loved running on the track and seeing where the Olympic torch ceremony starts.". Dafni leads Rick Steves tours in Greece and offers Greek language and cooking lessons. Join us for Athens & the Heart of Greece in 14 Days! Each one was outstanding and offered a good feeling of community in the small group. We saw some of the most important sites but also some of the less traveled but still fascinating places. Everything went off without a hitch, he was a wealth of information, and oozes the spirit and vitality of the Greek people -- his determination for us to experience that really made the trip great. Their proud history is astonishing. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. Oh yeah, his sense of humor was great and made the trip a lot of fun. I loved the fact that several times we just went with the flow and there was no stress, only positive attitudes and grateful hearts. Mountainous and rugged, turquoise blue waters and beautiful beaches, ancient, yet well-preserved historic sites, friendly people, incredible food. "Visiting Ancient Olympia and actually running on the same race track that athletes competed on thousands of years ago -- and realizing that the tradition of today's Olympic Games began here by an ancient civilization.". . You might swim at a nearby beach, hike across the island, or try to make friends with a donkey. Rick Steves has spent 100 days every year since 1973 exploring Europe. "Of course visiting the wonderful ruins of Greece was a big highlight. Personal time at each site was much appreciated. This is a very active tour! Hotels offered beautiful gardens/views, were family run, and offered convenient walks to towns. Set New Password. Maria, our guide, kept everyone on time with clear instructions. So my overall experience is jaded by Turkey. This is our third and favorite tour with Rick Steves. We never felt rushed at the sights and the guides provided excellent information about what we were seeing. I look forward to finishing the Greece tour and booking other tours through Rick Steves Europe! It was fun to see our fellow guests join in an have a marvelous time. Sort of knew what to expect for Athens, but the rest of Greece was a complete surprise. The pictures I took, over the course of almost an hour, were unbelievable. Our tour guide there (Penny) was excellent and made the experience all the more outstanding. Daniela Wedel: Photography and Trip Planning. ", As always, the tour was very well organized and David was a wonderful guide. The trip was well organized and everything ran smoothly. "This was our first Rick Steves tour and our first WOW moment was at the rooftop restaurant of our tour hotel. The tour itself did not disappoint in any way but requests for help in planning our additional two days around Athens were futile. The usual excellence we've come to expect from A Rick Steves tour. The country side and villages of Greece were beautiful and I enjoyed our tours of the ruins. I enjoyed seeing all the ruins, but especially appreciated the different experiences we had, such as the wine and ouzo tasting, dancing along with the Greek Dancers, and learning how to make my favorite Greek food. Also seeing sea turtles swimming if front of our restaurant.". Rick Steve's pays attention to the details, "There were so many I cannot choose just one!!!". After watching RS shows on PBS for years we had great expectations about our first trip. Hydra--the beautiful beaches.". The entire tour, from beginning to end, is my favorite "wow" moment!! "There were so many, probably hiking up to the stadium at Delphi anf realizing all the history of this beautiful location". The vistas, the donkeys, the fresh food from the sea, the overall beauty, and the warmth of the locals was unforgettable!". We keep coming back because the experience is seamless and we are never disappointed. it was a great experience Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. I loved the variety--large city, small towns, and the different types of food representing each area. Very relaxing, with enough activity to burn off those extra calories. "Swimming in Monenvasia and Hydra. Tour Account › Travel Forum › Home / Travel Forum / To the East / Greece Itinerary; Please sign in to post. Chanting with our guide George in one of the churches in Mistras. There was a lot of strenuous walking but we survived. Maria ensured the experience was the best experience we could have! I can't praise her enough. Other guides were very good. And we stayed in four scenic and charming towns that I had never even heard of prior to the trip. Hotels were super. "There was something new and educational every day, so it is difficult to point to just one thing.". If you'd rather get around by bus, you'll see less in the same amount of time (or you can add more days to your itinerary to see it all). It just kept getting better everyday!". There we'll take a vivid walking tour of Olympia's ancient athletic venues, temples, and museum, followed by lunch together. Our group was kind and compatible. I have traveled independently and with other tour groups, and while I always have preferred to travel on my own, this tour took me to more places than I could have found by myself. I may have said it a few more times than usual, however, after setting foot on the island of Hydra. I don't know the back story of his relationship with his son, but it touched us deeply.". My favorite day was our free day on Hydra were I hiked to the Monastary and up to Mount Eros then lounged sea side for the afternoon.". This was overall an excellent tour for those who enjoy visiting ruins and museums and learning the history behind the sites. This tour was absolutely amazing. Senset swim in Kardamyli. All aspects (except one local guide session explained below) were wonderful: the country and its history, culture and friendly people; accommodations and food; our group and local guides, driver and transport; perfect weather. Entering the original Olympic Stadium under the 300 B.C. Another amazing tour from Rick Steves Tours! Our meeting with one of his acquaintances in his backyard was very heartwarming and made the trip very special. Thank you Fillipos for keeping it real!". Sleep in Nafplio. "Food and music in the non-tourist restaurant in Nafplio.". Had a wonderful time. "There were too many 'wow's to single out just one. Or was it climbing Monemvasia?". To purchase Rick's ebooks, please visit your favorite digital bookseller and search for "Rick Steves." Each location on this tour was better than the previous, and each location was great. Rick Steves' Europe. I had studied about Sparta and Athens games and battles in 4th and 8th grade. The staff and the professional dancers at Pseiras restaurant went out of their way to make the evening special. It definitely exceeded my expectations. The view from Agia Sophia in Kardamyli. Supplement $675. We'd love to do another tour with him. I loved the little "apartment" we had and it was a break from all the museums and churches we were visiting.". Maria is a wonderful tour guide. "It's hard to say. The ancient sites are interesting and the local guides quite good. Also unexpected wows - viewing the frescoes hidden away in small churches on the Mani Peninsula, and touring the Archaeological Museum on the last day and realizing I had learned a great deal on the tour!". Overall a 10! Tour Account — View and manage tour details. Our only regret was the tour having to end early due to Covid-19. "I really enjoyed the group dinner in Nafplion at Demitria's restaurant. I would say the bus ride from the Corinthian Gulf up the narrow winding road to mountainous Kalavrita with all the spectacular views took everyone's breath away. Given my liberal arts background, I was prepared for the visits to ancient time. It was incredible to see the history of Greece and how it all impacted the world. It is beyond incredible to visit the Acropolis, Delphi, Ancient Olympia, and all of the rest of the sites on this tour. "I can't choose just one! I really enjoyed the town of Kardamyli on the beautiful Mani Peninsula, very relaxing and scenic area.". We found this tour to be a perfect mix of organized and free time. Excellent, comprehensive "survey" of southern Greece, giving me a very thorough perception of the country. The Lion Gate and the Beehive Tomb were very impressive but what really got to me was standing on the top of the city looking across the plain to Argos on a hilltop in the distance. We spent a wonderful day enjoying the beautiful sea views, perusing the quaint little shops, and leisurely enjoying a coffee house and restaurant. No bus. It will stay in my memory as a wonderful experience. I can honestly say that many of the best days of my life have occurred on these tours, and I have loved them all! ", "standing in front of the Parthenon on top of the acropolis". It was also especially nice to see our bus driver singing and clapping with the music.". As always our Rick Steve's tour guide, Apostolos Douras, was excellent. On the way down from the church, we took an alternate trail back, began to wonder whether we could get back the way we were going, and then ran into the bull coming right at us at a sharp turn in the trail; we backed down the trail a way until we could get off the path and let the determined cows go where they clearly wanted to go. The antiquities and history are outstanding. I should have known better with one of your tours. This morning's winding mountain drive will take us to Olympia, site of the world's first Olympics over 2,700 years ago. The Komboloi(worry beads) Museum in Nafplio. We were lucky to have a very experienced bus driver, George, who helped make this better than it could have been. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. Well planned and packed with much to see and do. This is the most picturesque archaeological site I have ever seen, and our guide was excellent.". Accommodations and food were top notch. Outside of Athens, this region is best visited by car. With knowledge and a nudge from your Rick Steves guide, you'll walk among marble monuments where Plato pondered, splash in the turquoise Aegean where Odysseus sailed, gaze up at god-dwelling mountains, sample family-crafted olives and wines — and maybe learn to play backgammon at a whitewashed taverna on the island of Hydra. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. What looks like a giant rock on an island contains a charming medieval town and a scenic hike to the top of the rock offers amazing ruins of a old fortified town. It is an incredible structure that is a tribute to Grecian engineering and mathematics.". I enjoyed visiting the National Archaelogical Museum in Athens at the end of the tour. Our second tour. The itinerary is excellent. ... Athens & the Heart of Greece in 14 Days Tour . The countryside, from mountain to vineyard to seaside as outstandingly beautiful. It was fun to return to Monemvasia, Nafpilion and Hydra after visiting them in the summer. Our guide Apostolos, was superb; his knowledge and pride in Greek culture was clearly evident, and his ability to inform the group was amazing. "So many. The people he introduced us to enabled us to connect with the area in a way that we never would have otherwise. It is an amazing structure and makes the whole trip worth the 10 hour flight.". I've been recommending Rick Steves to everyone I talk to about my trip. "Kardamyli - the water was stunningly clear and blue. Everything I expected and more. A great tour. Prior to our trip I was looking forward to seeing the famous ruins and tranquil islands but afterwards my memories are mostly of the people. "It is difficult to choose from among so many great experiences, but the greatest wow moment for me was the night after the tour, when we saw YoYo Ma perform in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. He also provides an inside look into the life of a travel writer and … Your entire day is free to soak up the whitewashed architecture as you wander Hydra's narrow streets and harbor promenade. From standing on the Acropolis looking down on Athens, to walking through the ruins of Delphi, and standing at the start line in the ancient Olympic stadium, or sitting in the ancient theatre of Epidavros one is truly overwhelmed. "My favorite wow moment was our arrival in Kardymili. Enjoyed all of the historical sites in Greece on the mainland and the Peloponese. Along with lots of walking and hiking, there was ample free time to rest and explore on our own. ", "For some reason, I really liked the time we spent in Kardimyli. I loved Monemvasia and this is one of the places I would go back to in addition to Nafplio and Hydra. I guess the first night-time view of the Acropolis when I arrived at 10 pm two days before the tour. And back roads of Greece in 14 days tour from 7000BC bus was top notch, George the she... Is late spring ( May ) and fall ( Sept-Oct ) on an organized trip like Rick! And time on our own and excursions that provided us with 4 Euros each to put together products. 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