Greece is more than just the beach!
Greece | Nov 12 - Nov 23, 2023

Steve
Steve G.
Passaic, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 25, 2023

Wonderful trip to Greece in November. We were initially concerned about visiting Greece outside of the main tourist season, but November is the only month our schedules permit visiting. Our Kim Kim local specialist Angela immediately put our concerns to rest and crafted the perfect trip. The weather cooperated with sunny and warm days and temperate evenings. Our itinerary included Athens, Crete, and Santorini.

Athens was alive with people, but not overcrowded. Angela picked great accommodations that were clean, comfortable, and perfectly situated. We did the Mythology tour including the Acropolis, with Alternative Athens that was astonishing. The Plaka Sunset tour with Greek Cocktails was a particularly interesting as not only was our guide Vanessa charming and informative, she took us to areas with fascinating history and breathtaking views at sunset. Not to mention the cocktails she selected were unique and delicious!

If we had to pick a highlight of the trip it was Crete. We stayed in Rethymno which is a near perfectly preserved medieval town with an abundance of history and ancient alleyways lined with restaurants and shops. Angela arranged two tours highlighting the history of the island and civilization, combined with local experiences to gain an understanding of the historical significance of the island we barely knew existed. Our tour guides Joanna and Ioanna in company with Nikos our driver, are wonderful people who provided an abundance of fascinating history. We visited small villages, traveled winding roadways with panoramic vistas, and ate fabulous meals of local delicacies all at the recommendation of our incredible guides. We made memories that will last our lifetimes.

Our final stop was Santorini, which was the only destination where it was noticeable that it was not high season. However quiet, it did not detract from the natural beauty of the island. Our stay at Blue Dolphins was as comfortable as every other accommodation Angela booked us into. It was an absolute pleasure to take the All Time Classic Santorini tour with Elena without having to contend with summertime crowds. We visited the Akrotiri archeological site, red beach, black beach where we had a seaside lunch, wine tasting, then ending the day viewing a stunning sunset.

We travel frequently, and this is the first time we used a travel agency faced with the complexity of a visit to Greece. It was a great value and all we had to do was relax and enjoy not having been belabored with planning. We are tremendously satisfied customers and it will certainly not be our last experience with Kim Kim!

Hotel Reviews
Blend Hotel Athens
Athens

Now Bob W, the hotel was clean, roomy, and comfortable hotel in a terrific location. Unique in that there is no on site reception, the process worked flawlessly and the virtual staff was always available to help. Breakfast in the cafe was wonderful!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Restaurants and Cafe's just outside on a largely pedestrian only street leading to Monastiraki square
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cressa Suites - Adults Only Rethymno
Rethymno

Beautifully restored hotel in the medieval neighborhood of Rethymno. Just be forewarned that the rooms are up a spiral staircase and there is no staff to offer assistance with luggage. We found this aspect quite challenging.

Authenticity & Character
Location
A short walk from the main roadway nestled in the midst of the historic city.
Staff
The staff was kind, friendly and delivered a scrumptious breakfast to enjoy privately on out terrace.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room featured a hot tub that was basically just an outdoor bathtub which was kind of gross and unusable. As I mentioned above getting luggage up a winding staircase is difficult.
Niche Hotel Athens
Athens

Everything was in line with a top quality hotel. Perfect location, large well appointed rooms, amazing breakfast in the restaurant with amazing views of the Acropolis.

Authenticity & Character
I would describe it as a luxury property.
Location
A block from the Plaka neighborhood in the shadow of the Acropolis.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bedding was very comfortable and they even offered a pillow selection!
Blue Dolphins Apartments & Suites
Firostefani, Santorini

Nicely maintained, clans and roomy hotel with absolutely astonishing views! The breakfast was incredible and delivered directly to your room each morning by a friendly staff member.

Authenticity & Character
Postcard hotel nestled in the hillside of iconic Santorini.
Location
Not only is the view amazing, it's situated just a short walk to Fira along charming walkways.
Staff
John was great and went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The entire property was spotlessly clean and the bed comfortable.
Activity Reviews
Plaka Sunset Tour with Greek Cocktails
Plaka Sunset Tour with Greek Cocktails
Athens

The Plaka Sunset tour with Greek Cocktails was a particularly interesting as not only was our guide Vanessa charming and informative, she took us to areas with fascinating history and breathtaking views at sunset. Not to mention the cocktails she selected were unique and delicious!

Quality of Experience
Visiting "hidden" areas of Plaka with fascinating origins.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Vanessa was a great guide and lovely person.
Transport
It was a walking tour, but we were met at our hotel right on time.
Knossos Palace & Authentic Crete with Local Experiences from East P9
Knossos Palace & Authentic Crete with Local Experiences from East P9
Greece

We learned so much about the history of Crete, the Minoan civilization, the Venetian and subsequent Ottoman occupations that were richly informative. We visited a small village occupied by generations of locals. We had a sumptuous lunch topped off with a wine tasting that all together made for a perfect day.

Quality of Experience
Every stop and every minute in between was filled with interesting detail.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Joanna our guide and Nikos our driver were passionate about Crete and genuinely interested in spending the day with us.
Transport
Nikos was like a guide himself and made the time spent richly rewarding. Plus he makes the best Raki on the island!
Luxuries of Mirabello with Spinalonga  and Agios Nikolaos from East P7
Luxuries of Mirabello with Spinalonga and Agios Nikolaos from East P7
Greece

Ioanna our tour guide is a true historian and kept us fully engaged with fascinating historical details as well as present day facts about Crete and its culture. We deviated a bit from the scheduled itinerary based upon her recommendation which turned into a truly memorable day. We learned about the history of Rethymno (where we were staying) which is a near perfectly preserved medieval town. Ioana brought the history of Crete and its civilizations to life with her extensive knowledge as we visited a bustling local village and traveled winding roadways with panoramic vistas. We toured a olive oil factory and enjoyed fabulous meals of local delicacies all at the recommendation of our incredible guide. Nikos was our driver again and brought even more charm (and Raki) to the experience than he did the day before.

Quality of Experience
The passion about the history of Crete combined with the knowledge of our guide made this a truly special day.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide Ioanna and driver Nikos are genuinely caring and thoughtful people that were a pleasure to know.
Transport
Nikos was knowledgeable, funny, and an overall engaging individual.
Athens Highlights Mythology Tour
Athens Highlights Mythology Tour
Greece

The tour was astonishing. We gently ascended the Acropolis until we reached the Parthenon while being entertained by stories of Greek gods and ancient history.

Quality of Experience
It was the Acropolis! What more needs to be said?
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was wonderful and caring.
All time classic Santorini 2023
All time classic Santorini 2023
Greece

Amazing day. We visited the Akrotiri archeological site, red beach, black beach where we had a seaside lunch, wine tasting, then ending the day viewing a stunning sunset.

Quality of Experience
Every aspect was great.
Food
Lunch was included and it was amazing!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Elena was great. She was passionate about us having a great experience.
Transport
Punctual and enjoyable ride in a luxury van.
Local specialist: Angela (Aggeliki) Giannioti
Angela (Aggeliki)
Angela (Aggeliki) Giannioti
Local specialist in Greece | Replied on Nov 25, 2023

Steve and Donna,

I am honestly thrilled to read your feedback and to know that you had a wonderful time here in Greece with us.
"We made memories that will last our lifetimes", this sentence puts a huge smile on my face. This is exactly what my team, KimKim, and I strive to offer to all travelers!

Thank you for trusting us with your trip to Greece.

My team and I would love to see you coming back. 🙂

Safe travels!
Angela