Chania curated by our specialist, Aggeliki: a winning combination!
Greece
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Sep 24 - Oct 1, 2024
From the start, our specialist, Aggeliki, was excellent to work with. First she advised me what time of year would be best for travel to Crete (a very important thing to start off with). She modified the "pre-packaged" Crete tour to accommodate our specific interests (which were less hiking, more beaches, and food!). She answered questions about the tours offered so we could select what we liked, and also managed to fit in one final desired excursion on the day of our return flight to Athens. The excursions were fantastic: 3 were private --via Land Rover or sailboat-- and two were as part of a group of 10-12. All of the trips included beautiful countryside en route to their destinations. The sailboat to Gramvousa and Balos was the MOST amazing experience: cobalt blue waters turning into crystal clear turquoise blue as we approached the islands.
The best thing about working with Aggeliki was her immediate availability. We ran into a couple of minor snags (missed communication with one of our drivers; incomplete pass code information provided by one hotel to gain entrance to our suite) and she was there, literally in seconds (via text) facilitating their solution. It was so reassuring to know we had the kimkim team, and specifically Aggeliki there to manage any concerns we had (which as I will reiterate, were very few for an 8-day/7 night trip to Chania, Crete, from Athens)
I cannot overstate how pleased we were with the whole experience. I had always been the personal planner for my family and friends' excursions, but after a disappointing Jamaican holiday last December I decided to try a travel agency. I am so glad I did. My friend, my sister-in-law, and I agree this was the trip of a lifetime, perfect, and well worth the price!!!
Hotel Reviews
Friendly staff, lovely suite, excellent location in Plaka district.
The suites are ideally located in the town, one can walk across a street and be in the bustling Venetian Harbor section of shops and restaurants. The suites are modern, clean, comfortable and the soundproofing provided by the balcony doors was amazing. As noted, the Suites are in the center of a bustling area of town, but shutting the balcony doors brought quiet to the rooms. The breakfasts were huge: 5 or 6 choices of prepackaged meals were delivered in a picnic basket to our door every morning.
Very nice suite, we arrived late, so were only in it to sleep on our way to the airport the next AM
Activity Reviews
Omigod!!! Take this trip! We modified our stops to exchange Balos for a small, uninhabited island called (phonetically) Eye-You-Sostisee. Skipper Andreas and first mate Kelly were fantastic.
We liked Elafonisi so well we declined to go to Falasarna, and spent the whole day at the first stop.
Our driver, Christos, was very knowledgeable. He took us through the vineyards and showed us some beautiful views of the mountains and the sea in the process. The winery was pleasant, the meal was also fine. I didn't much care for the wines they made, which is the only reason I didn't give 5 stars. The excursion was very enjoyable.
Our tour guide, Alex, really made this experience something special. He shared so much cultural, historical, and anecodotal information driving to the villa? estate? where we had the cooking class that the travel time flew by. The site for the class was a gorgeous complex with the fanciest "portapotty" I've ever seen. We fed mulberry leaves to some sheep, we made stuff vegetables and hand pies, and then we ate a luscious meal of meat, potatoes, sald and our stuffed vegetables and pies. I'm sure there was some delicious dessert but after all the wine and raki....I'm not sure. It was a late night returning about 11PM.
visits to two winereis, one of which is also an oil oil production facility, and a visit to the olive tree that has been the source of Olymic Games olive wreathes since, well, forever.
Yeia sou, Susan!
Thank you so much for your time to share your feedback.
I'm super happy to know that this was considered from all 3 of you a trip if a lifetime! That's amazing.
I would love to see you coming back soon and show you more of our amazing country. 😀
Until our paths meet again, take care and safe travels!
Greeting from Greece,
Angela and the GA Trips team