I got chills climbing up the Acropolis to the Parthenon. He was personable, witty and maintained a professional demeanor at all times. The tour was demanding, but worth every step. Go for a dip in the crystal-clear, bathwater-warm Aegean. I didn't want to leave. The Parthenon, Delphi, the Peloponnese Mountains, Olympia, the Mani Peninsula, Mystras.....were all great. The Mani is an ideal place to enjoy a "vacation from your vacation." She has the perfect delivery and personality to spend two weeks with a group of diverse travelers. Of course, experiencing the ancient sites in person, is incredible. "Hydra was my favorite wow moment. And that's not even mentioning the "wow" art moments: the Lion's gate, the Charioteer and Zeus bronzes, etc.". We have used Rick Steves' tour books for other trips we have taken. "Swimming in Monenvasia and Hydra. Sleep on the Mani Peninsula. I loved the mix of ancient sites, medieval places, natural beauty (mountains, cliffs, and beaches), quaint villages, and modern cities and museums. I looked forward to Sparta. Tour guide Colin was excellent: very knowledgeable on Greek and Eastern Mediterranean history as well as current events, kind, thoughtful, and very skilled at handling our crowd. Our group was terrific and our guide was the simply the best. What more could you ask for?". I expected the tour to be great fun and a real learning experience. Our guide,Colin, was extremely knowledgeable of the historical and cultural time periods. ", "For some reason, I really liked the time we spent in Kardimyli. My favorite day was our free day on Hydra were I hiked to the Monastary and up to Mount Eros then lounged sea side for the afternoon.". I also enjoyed trying to speak Greek to say good morning, ordering coffee, and asking for the check. No matter what town or hotel we stayed in, we were always greeted with friendly and enthusiastic residents. Very good hotels throughout tour. "At lunch in a local restaurant in Nafpilion, our guide had arranged for local musicians to play. We LOVED our guide Danae and our bus driver Christos. "Food and music in the non-tourist restaurant in Nafplio.". There has been far more communication between tour members following the trip than I experienced on previous trips. Good choice of ruins etc. The amphitheaters gave me another connection. "I have several! "Delphi museum, and the site were exceptional. Nice pace. Monday Night Travel. "I don't know if this qualifies as my favorite 'wow' moment, but Maria was continually informative, energetic and impressive. The vistas, the donkeys, the fresh food from the sea, the overall beauty, and the warmth of the locals was unforgettable!". Very good tour site locations chosen. 6 avr. It lived up to and exceeded our expectations. Experiencing the energy of Olympia. The overall Greek experience was far more then we expected!! As we are riding on the bus she would describe baptisms weddings and funerals so you get a real feel for the Greek people. Greece was a fascinating place to visit, and in true Rick Steve's style this "back door" approach will show you the real Greece (not just the tourist infested sites). Especially liked the varied, beautiful and interesting itinerary of the trip. Nafplio - was excellent - great shopping and people watching and food The seaside town offered beaches and hills; shops and restaurants; beautiful views. The bus driver was also amazing; navigating tight spaces, windy roads and always getting us to our destinations with skill & on time. Saved by A. Donze. I think the tour thoroughly covered a very wide breath of historical and contemporary Greece. And as a native Greek provided valuable insight about the current politics, economics and culture. The bus was great as was the driver George who handeled the bus beautifully as well as loading and unloading our luggage. I have been very fortunate because I did the same exact tour in 2016. Greece is beautiful and much more varied than we thought it would be. What a team! The first part was highly educational and more rigorous physically while touring ancient sites that came alive with explanations by outstanding local guides. We were impressed by the hotels, the organized meals, the incredibly knowledgeable guides and the range of activities. Accommodations and food were top notch. I was in awe of the beauty and felt so lucky to be such a magical place. Truly a trip of a lifetime. "That is tough to say, but I would pick the views from Delphi. Several interactions with the locals gave me a whole new perspective on the heart of the Greek people.". We have traveled a bit in Europe but not on an organized trip like the Rick Steve's Greece trip. My husband and I are very busy with our demanding careers. Delphi was so much more than I imagined! Went on an earlier excursion to the "IN" islands of Santorini and Samos and Patmos. Passionate insights from a Greek citizen perspective missing from tour dialogue. I wish I had done this tour years ago so I could return again and again. Loved it! This was our first Rick Steves tour and we joined on recommendation from our neighbors (who also attended this tour). Each hotel was immaculate. Once again I was impressed with the ease of transition from one beautiful location to another. The Greek people were wonderfully hospitable and so helpful. I am in good physical condition but it was a mistake to book two extreme history tours back to back. Rick Steves' Europe is an American travel documentary television series created and hosted by Rick Steves.In each episode, he travels to the continent of Europe, documenting his experiences along the way.. 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