A wonderful trip in Greece

Greece | Jul 15 - Jul 24, 2023

This was our first trip to Greece and everything was amazing! We spent 3 nights in Athens (with a day trip to Delphi), 3 nights in Naxos (with a guided walking tour in the hills), and 3 nights in Santorini (with a catamaran cruise around the caldera). Harris put together the perfect itinerary for our trip, with a nice balance between private and group tours and self-guided tours.

In Athens we did the Mythology Tour and learned about the history and mythology associated with the Olympian Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Gate, and the historical sites at the Acropolis and the Agora. Our tour guide Vicky was excellent. She took very good care of us in the heat and was very knowledgeable, bringing the Greek myths to life at each historical site.

The day trip to Delphi was fantastic. Our driver Konstantinos was a great companion and provided many insights about the history of the oracle and the region. Georgia, our tour guide at Delphi, was also excellent. She took us on a private tour of the ruins at Delphi. We stopped for an olive oil tasting and lunch at a local olive orchard (Mer des Oliviers de Delphi). Vasilis was a most gracious host.

The hotel in Athens (Sweet Home) was very comfortable and conveniently located in the Plaka district, which was great for shopping and eating out. The staff at the hotel were very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed the Blue Star ferry ride from Athens to Naxos. It was nice to sit on the deck and take in the views of the Aegean Sea.

Our 3 days in Naxos were very relaxing and enjoyable. The Hotel Galaxy, where we stayed, was beautiful, located only a few minutes from the beach near Naxos Town. The beach was beautiful and it was fun to explore the narrow alleyways of the old town and to visit the castle at the center. The Temple of Apollo at sunset was just incredible! The real highlight in Naxos was the walk in the hills with our hiking guide Georgios. He was great fun to be with and we learned a lot from him about plants and trees, as well as the history and culture of Naxos.

Our final destination was Santorini (Thira). We stayed at Makris Beach Hotel in Kamari. Maria, who runs the hotel, was very friendly and helpful, and she made us laugh a lot! We went on a group tour of the island with Theo, another excellent guide. He took us to three different representative towns on the volcanic island: Oia, a cliff town; Megalohori, a “river” town; and Pirgos, a castle town. The tour ended with a wine tasting, which gave us the opportunity to sample some of Santorini’s finest wines. On our final day in Santorini we went on a catamaran cruise with Vista Cruises. We went snorkeling at different locations in the caldera. What an experience!

All in all, it was a fantastic trip. We were lucky not to have been affected by the fires and our hearts go out to those who were. We love Greece and hope to return again some day.

Hotel Reviews

Sweet Home Hotel

Athens

Sweet Home Boutique Hotel is conveniently located in the Plaka district of Athens, which is great for shopping and eating out. The hotel staff were kind and helpful and the rooms were very clean. We particularly enjoyed the breakfast buffet each morning. On our last morning when we had to check out early to catch the ferry, they packed a breakfast box for us to take away. Very nice!

Authenticity & Character

The elevator was convenient when we had a lot of bags, but we found the staircase a more elegant way of getting up and down.

Location

The hotel is within walking distance to the street markets and many great restaurants in the Plaka district.

Staff

The staff were very helpful in pointing us in the right direction.

Cleanliness & Comfort

We really liked the olive oil soap and shampoo. The morning breakfast buffet was also the best we had during our stay in Greece.

Galaxy Hotel Naxos

Naxos

Galaxy Hotel Naxos was a comfortable and convenient place to stay in Naxos. The rooms were spacious, the pool area was a great place to relax, and it was a short walk to Naxos beach. The staff were very kind and helpful. On checking in, we were given a map and a briefing on all the best things to see and do in Naxos town, including a few tips on some of the best places to eat.

Authenticity & Character

The layout of the hotel and the landscaping were very beautiful.

Location

You can hang out at the pool or take a short walk down the road to the beach for a dip in the sea. We did a bit of both. The 15-minute walk into town along the beaches was also very nice.

Staff

The staff were very kind and helpful. They gave us good recommendations on what to see and where to eat.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were clean and comfortable and the whole hotel was very well maintained.

Makris Beach Hotel Santorini

Kamari

Makris Beach Hotel was a comfortable and convenient place to stay in Santorini. Maria was a fantastic host. She was very helpful and had a great sense of humor! She encouraged us to visit some of the lesser known towns in Santorini like Megalohori and Pyrgos, and we’re glad we did.

Authenticity & Character

We stayed in a room that had a lot of character. The decor was very unique.

Location

The hotel is a short walk to the beachside restaurants in Kamari. If you eat at any of the restaurants, you can use their beach chairs and umbrellas for as long as you like. How nice! There are buses in Makris that go to Fira, and from Fira there are buses to Oia. We enjoyed using the buses to get around in our free time. It was only 1.6 euros per ride and it was a nice way to see the island.

Staff

Maria was wonderful. She made us laugh a lot!

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was quite comfortable, but we had to be careful not to get the bathroom floor all wet when taking a shower due to its unique design (no shower curtains). Minor detail. Overall the room was great.

Activity Reviews

Private Delphi Day-trip

Athens

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking Naxos Paths

Naxos

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Santorini Highlights with Wine

Greece

Quality of Experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transport

Morning Catamaran Caldera Cruise

Santorini

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Acropolis & Athens Mythology Tour

Athens

Vicky was a fantastic tour guide. She took good care of us in the heat and brought the historical sites to life through the myths and stories associated with each site. I highly recommend this tour!

Quality of Experience

Listening to the Greek myths and the history behind the different sites we visited at the Olympian Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Gate, the Acropolis and the Agora.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Vicky was very attentive to the needs of our group. It was a very hot day and some people in the group fell behind in the long line into the Acropolis. Vicky managed the situation very well and adjusted the tour slightly so that we could rest and get some water at the water fountain near the Parthenon before seeing the Old Temple of Athena. She was also very knowledgeable and the myths she told at each site kept us all engaged despite the heat of the day.

Transport

Our hotel was close enough to the Olympian Temple of Zeus where the tour began, so we did not need any transport. It was a walking tour and everything was accessible on foot.