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Alec Bean

Originally from Scotland, but now living permanently in the sunnier climate of Greece to live the Mediterranean lifestyle. Here I have fallen in love with the country, culture, cuisine and people, and it is now my aim to help you do the same.
I have always found exploring new cultures a rich and rewarding experience. There is no better way to learn about a new location than travelling through the country, gathering authentic experiences as you go.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in Greece and Italy, with a real passion for outdoor pursuits, road trips & hands-on authentic cultural experiences. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"I have always been involved in travel to some degree, from family road trips as a child to designing plans & traveling through Europe, North America and South Asia as an adult. Traveling has always been a huge part of what I do and has truly shaped who I am as a person."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"My longest lasting and biggest standout memory from my travels comes from my very first venture to Asia, where I spent 3 weeks over Christmas and New Year exploring Thailand. Experiencing such a different culture and way of life compared to what I was used to was hugely eye opening and the memory of sea-kayaking around a secluded island on Christmas day something that I will remember for a long long time.

Since then, I have been fortunate enough to have a variety of unique traveling experiences throughout the years, from seeing the Orangutans of Borneo to the Whales of Vancouver, from Bike Packing through remote Scottish Islands to getting married on the Amalfi Coast! "

Alec is part of the following groups: Greece Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent trip reviews for Alec

Kimkim should be everyone’s GO TO travel agent !
Greece | Jun 26 - Jul 4, 2024

R
Rupal S.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 05, 2024
We had an amazing trip with great recommendations from our planner!
Kimkim was very attentive to our asks and preferences and they were so helpful when certain things in our itinerary got canceled due to weather!
Read more

We had an amazing trip with great recommendations from our planner!
Kimkim was very attentive to our asks and preferences and they were so helpful when certain things in our itinerary got canceled due to weather!

Hotel Reviews
Galaxy Hotel Naxos
Naxos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kastro Suites Santorini
Santorini

Absolutely the most perfect location.. amazing views .. the actual rooms were dated tho. The bathroom showers didn’t stay up (needed to hold the shower head w one hand while washing hair w the other). They have very limited staff. One guy practically did everything!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
They could have more staff. Only had one main guy!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Athens Cypria Hotel
Athens
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Photo shoot in Santorini
Photo shoot in Santorini
Santorini

Great must do!!! They take you to the most amazing locations that you would never find on your own

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santorini Highlights with Wine
Santorini Highlights with Wine
Greece
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Alec Bean

From the initial planning to the actual holid...
Italy | Apr 20 - May 18, 2024

Michael
Michael W.
Australia | Reviewed on May 22, 2024

From the initial planning to the actual holiday I cannot fault the effort put into our trip. Alec was a pleasure to deal with and organized our trip extremely well offering recommendations and advise throughout. Everything went to plan without one hitch. Hotel chosen were excellent, transportation great and excursions fantastic.

Local specialist: Alec Bean
Alec
Alec Bean
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on May 22, 2024

Hi Michael, thank you very much for your kind words it was my pleasure to arrange this once in a lifetime trip for you and Anne. I am very happy to hear that you both had such a great time in Italy and Greece and that you created wonderful memories together.

Thanks again
Alec

Alex was extremely responsive and came up wit...
Greece | Mar 21 - Mar 30, 2024

E
Eric H.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2024
Alex was extremely responsive and came up with solutions to cancellations that occurred with our initial plan. Great job! Read more

Alex was extremely responsive and came up with solutions to cancellations that occurred with our initial plan. Great job!

Hotel Reviews
NLH Monastiraki
Athens

Absolutely gorgeous and so conveniently located to all the historical sites.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cyano Suites
Naxos

I wish I could add another star. The room was beautiful and perfectly located. There was nothing like watching the sunset from our room over Apollo’s gate and be within a five minute walk from all the restaurants and shops. The hotel has been in the same family for generations and they are always there to meet your every need. The owner’s wife and grandmother still make every Greek breakfast dish by hand which were all phenomenal. A must stay!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kastro Suites Santorini
Santorini

So.. the location of the hotel was very good but there were some issues. You are on the cliff looking over the crater and coast and a short walk down the hill to the Fila city center but the hotel desperately needs a makeover. The rooms were stuck in the 1970s in terms of fixtures and bed accompaniments. The bedspread seemed dirty and thin, the old shower head kept falling, the bathroom door knob almost fell off, and the closet dresser was missing handles. There were other issues as well such as the hot water tank capacity. Our room had a small hot water tank under the bathroom sink that seemed to only be able to hold five minutes of hot water capacity. Our master bed which was really the size of a full sized bed was extremely hard because it had no cushion and padding. Again, great potential but there are nicer hotels in the immediate area that are more updated.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Acropolis & Athens Mythology Tour
Acropolis & Athens Mythology Tour
Athens
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Athens City and Sea Bike Tour
Private Athens City and Sea Bike Tour
Athens

This was by far my daughter’s favorite experience in Athens. A great time. The electric bikes absolutely make a difference on the hills!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Useful Information
Greece

Although this as a last minute tour it was very disorganized where the guide kept asking us what we were supposed to be doing… she was very knowledgeable and passionate but needed a better plan.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Naxos Food & Culture Tour
Private Naxos Food & Culture Tour
Naxos

Our guide was amazing and extremely knowledgeable about Naxos. Although we couldn’t do the olive press because they were not ready, the guide quickly flexed for a visit to the oldest pottery shop on Naxos where we got a first hand demonstration on how they made their products for centuries. Dry, very cool. Although it was characterized as a “food tour”, we only stopped at one restaurant. We did try multiple dishes and the food was amazing but it was more of a site and culture tour with a lunch in the middle than a “food tour”.

Quality of Experience
Food
The restaurant was amazing. Believe it or not, the best pizza I’ve ever had. Sorry Italy….
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santorini Highlights with Wine
Santorini Highlights with Wine
Greece

This tour was the highlight of our entire Greek vacation. The guide was so knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate and he took the extra time to make sure we truly understood all aspects of the Greek history, culture, and even wine making. He took time out of his off time to help construct a self- tour for us the day after the tour and even offered to come along and help us no charge if he wasn’t busy. Amazing service.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Car Rental Pick-up and Drop-off
Greece

This was shady.. a couple of dudes picked me up in a car on the side of the street and were smoking heavily and arguing with eachother. When I dropped the car off in the giant parking lot where they instructed me to go they refused to come to the location and meet me and merely told me to “leave the keys in the car”…. This made me extremely uncomfortable as this made me financially vulnerable. Needless to say I took a ton of pics….

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Alec Bean