overall - everything was great. the few issu...

Greece | Sep 21 - Oct 4, 2024

overall - everything was great. the few issues we encountered were minor in the overall picture but i wanted you to be aware of them as you plan more great trips for other travelers.
Athens
Sweet Home and tours were good.
Bike excursion with the kids worked out well - they did not have a bike small enough to fit the mom and attach kiddie bike to the back so the guide (Maria) took the 5 year old and all went well
Pick up van - it was an 8 person van which only allows for 7 passengers plus the driver so we were always short a seat - that is illegal in Canada but not sure of the details of the Greek laws

Naxos
Panos Studios were great - location near the beach, lovely proprietress. lots of inconsistency with the room cleaning but the proprietress was happy to correct.
Tours were good. I think we probably erred on the tipping re the farmhouse dinner when we gave it all to the "driver" and probably should have given most of it directly to the "cook". My apologies if that reflects on you.
We went to the same olive oil tasting on both the Once Upon a Time in Naxos and on the farmhouse dinner which was disappointing
2 nights of cooking with the private cook were excellent - they were so very good with the little girls
Catamaran cruise was a perfect length for us, nice snacks and staff

Tinos
Accommodation at Coocono Villas was amazing
Village tour was excellent and guide was very enjoyable and informative

Athens
Dolce accommodation was very disappointing - noone at reception when we arrived for ~5 minutes, the rooms are quite run down, one family member has issues with mold and their room had significant mold build on the floors around the bathroom, broken shelves and towel racks, the only option for dining was the noisy buffet as the restaurant was being used by a private party
You are aware of the challenges with the van driver on arrival however he was prompt on our trip to the airport although he did not know how to get to the airport from Dolce and was continually looking at his cell phone on his lap (he did not use the dash mounted hardware in the van)
We had a fabulous family vacation and appreciate all that you did it to make it what it was
Donna