Sal, October 2021
Chris took my basic plans to travel to Greece as a solo traveler and turned it into the best vacation I have ever been on. I knew which islands I wanted to visit and discussed with Chris what my dream vacation would look like and within less than 24 hours he had a draft plan ready for me. It was so great, I only made minor modifications. What I appreciated about Chris is that he took the time to call me on the phone to get to know my personality and what I was looking to accomplish from this trip. He knew I was traveling alone and that I wanted the best experience ever, so he took my ideas and made them reality. I went sailing in Santorini with a small group, took a cooking class which accommodated my dietary restrictions, drank wine from the best winery in Crete, rented the most beautiful car, had the best tours in Athens, and went on an amazing hike. I saw a lot of history which was important to me and had the most educated tour guides. What was an added bonus is that Chris contacted each vendor to make sure they had my travel plans ready and that I was taken care of; I felt like I had an invisible body guard. I never felt unsafe in Greece. Greece is a beautiful country and I can't wait to plan my next trip.
I don't think I would do anything differently. Everything was perfect. Thank you again for everything, Chris. It was definitely a birthday that I will always remember.
Christopher, September 2021
Hey Chris,
I just wanted to let you know that we are so happy we choose you. Everything was great and went so smooth!
Thanks so much and you will be recommended to anyone I know who is going that way.
Thanks for everything
Chris
Ron, September 2021
Hi Chris, We had a great time in Greece. The hotel (Home and Poetry) was very nice. We especially liked the roof terrace. Believe it or not there is always something to watch on the Acropolis! We will definitely stay there again if we return to Athens. The airport transfers were perfect. They took all the stress out of dealing with Athens traffic. Thank you again for all your help.
Best, Ron and Margaret
Kim, September 2021
Words will not convey all positive aspects of our time in Greece. This trip designed by Chris was perfection!! We spoke by phone for a few moments, he sent me some suggestions for the trip, I chose the suggestion I liked, then everything was prepared in the most professional, the most optimal plan from professional, college graduates for our guides, friendly, warm inviting. We did something different every day (9 days)• We can not thank Chris enough for making 2 ordinary people feel like royalty. Everything was prepared in advance and everyone was expecting us
Our accommodations were absolutely amazing. All future holidays, I will use the Greek Travel Gurus again and I suggest everyone should!
Kim
Michael, September 2021
Late last year we spent weeks with Chris planning a trip to Greece - a nearly three week trip that recently ended. We spent 9 days on 'mainland' Greece, then three days each in Corfu, Naxos and Santorini. The entire trip from beginning to end was well planned and executed. Terrific driver in Greece, amazing guides at each site, in general wonderful hotels, and Chris was always available before and during the trip to answer our questions or address any concerns. I highly recommend the Greek Travel Gurus as a way to find a local travel planner, and also highly recommend Chris.
Brad, September 2021
Marcus the taxi driver in Santorini was HILARIOUS He taught us a lot about the country.
To Briki, Pirouni were the best restaurants in Fira
We felt the hotel room you picked WAS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! The pool the view the size. Wow!
Everyone was soooo nice and the food was great!!
I would highly recommend Ammoudi bay and the black beach so thank you for those recommendations
The hotel home and poetry was perfect! The breakfast was actually so fresh and delicious and HIGHLY recommended for other gluten free customers!
Jeff, August 2021
Chris and his team were great.
Many questions and issues came up during the trip (like needing to modify our travel plans) that they were instrumental in resolving. It was like having a personal concierge. Couldn't ask for a better experience.
Naomi, August 2021
I am a control freak and usually plan every detail of my trips. I have very high standards and want to make the most of every minute of my vacation. But this time I was just too busy to do the research and wanted the help of a local expert. I struck gold when I found Chris! He took the time to really understand what kind of accommodations and experiences I was looking for, and after a lengthy discussion, he put together a package that looked perfect. We just got back from our 11-day trip to Greece, and it was the best vacation of my life! Every hotel he chose was special - from the Acropolis view suite in Athens, to the luxurious terrace overlooking the Caldera in Santorini, I could not have asked for more. The guides and excursions he suggested were also excellent. Impressively, when I wanted to make a change mid-trip and go to Mykonos a day early, he had me on a new flight with everything arranged including hotel and transfers within a few hours. I would highly recommend Chris and the Greek Travel Gurus to anyone looking to plan a luxury vacation in Greece. He really knows his stuff!
RM, August 2021
Hello Chris,
I hope you and your family are well.
Thank you for everything in the planning of this trip. I know at times we had too many chiefs, but we all loved the trip and enjoyed Greece.
Margo, August 2021
We had an amazing trip! Chris and his team helped us put together an experience we will never forget. They were available to help us before the trip and the whole time we were there. Everything went so smoothly and our trip was incredible. Highly recommend!
Kris, July 2021
This is our second trip with the Greek Travel Gurus and it went just as smoothly as the first one.
Chris did a great job planning the trip again!
The cruise in the Cyclades was beautiful and fun for all the family and the crew was fantastic.
Thanks for an overall beautiful trip and experience,
Vanna, June 2021
Overall great experience!
We were very pleased with our travel and everything was perfect! We are so thankful we used the Greek Travel Gurus. Chris did a great job choosing hotels and excursions for us to do. It was everything we could have asked for! Kostas, our driver in Athens, was great! We loved getting to meet him and he provided excellent service. The staff at the Ammos Hotel went above and beyond to meet our needs. Loved every second of the trip!
Using the Greek Travel Gurus was definitely the best choice for us and we are so thankful for all the time and effort that Chris put in to make our vacation a once in a lifetime trip!
Lynn, June 2021
Chris was an amazing travel planner. He listened to what we were looking for in our trip to Greece and nailed it. We couldn’t have had a better time. The hotels were boutique and beautiful. Everything fell into place. Drivers were there and on time and courteous. Tours were set up for us by Chris and were outstanding! I can’t say enough about our experience. We had a blast. And I will definitely choose the Greek Travel Gurus for our next travel!! Lots of love to your team!!
Lynn
Dianne, November 2020
We enjoyed out Greek holiday in November. I spoke with Chris a couple of times in the early planning stages for the trip so that he could get a good overview of what we wished to see and in general, our preferences when we travel. From the very first contact, it became evident that Chris was not only a great planner but an excellent listener. Chris planned a loop starting in Athens and then driving north to Meteora, back to Delphi, then down to the Peloponnese to Olympia, across to Nafplio and back to the Athens airport. The driving worked out well as we found the roads to be in good condition and easy to navigate (Chris provided excellent GPS links).
We then flew to Santorini for a few days. The accommodations throughout were exactly what we desired and requested, not necessarily luxurious, but very clean and comfortable, and in ideal locations, offering great views and outstanding breakfasts with friendly staffs that went out of their way to satisfy us. We did kind of go overboard on Santorini as Chris insisted that we had to stay at the Alta Vista Suites. What a treat! We are still talking about our stay there and dining while sitting on out our balcony overlooking the sea and the cauldera, with the whitewashed and blue-domed churches and building all around us. It was iconic.
Chris set us up with private guides at each site we visited. They were all seasoned professionals who were friendly, knowledgeable, and immersed us in the history of the sites we visited. I would hesitate to rank any of them as to which was the best because they each excelled providing us with enough information that we could absorb and enough time to appreciate what we were visiting. Our planning guidebook also listed many places of interest and restaurants to occupy our time when not on tours. We traveled in a bit of off-season, however, the weather cooperated and we visited basically all of the locations suggested and quite a few of the restaurants listed and we dined well on Grecian delicacies including seafood and lamb. A highlight was lunch in Itea, where we met up with Chris. It was delightful. Of course, he followed us all along the trip, communicating with us regularly to make sure all was well.
We did suffer an early mishap when I tripped as we were leaving the Acropolis in Athens. We were forced to return to our hotel because I was injured. Our guide at the time, notified Chris who was already in contact with the hotel when we returned. The staff at the hotel sent us off to a hospital where I was treated. I was in almost constant contact with Chris. I was treated at the hospital and discharged feeling much better. By that time Chris had arranged transportation back to our accommodation where the staff was waiting for us.
So, what could have been a ruined vacation turned out to be a travel experience that we talk about and will remember. The Greek healthcare system worked for us and we experienced a bit of the Greek culture that a tourist would never go through.
C & S, October 2019
We just returned from a wonderful 2 and a half weeks in Greece. My wife and I have been passionate travelers starting with a Portuguese honeymoon followed by living in Paris 50 years ago. We’ve always enjoyed being in charge of planning and discovering on our own but thought that we’d try a different approach with Greece.
Finding Chris Leontopoulos was like having a close friend in Greece who got you to the right places, avoiding the crowds and gave you an insider’s experience. He was invaluable in listening to our interests and matching accommodations and experiences. He respected our travel budget but encouraged us splurge a bit when the experience was worth it.
Another benefit of Chris’s guidance is his wonderful network of hotel managers who provided excellent care at each location. Chris’s on-the-ground team guided us to the right restaurants, local sights as well as what to avoid.
Working with Chris was a great experience and our trip was significantly enhanced by his care and insight. We plan on returning to Greece soon to explore smaller towns and islands and will definitely call on Chris again.
C & S
Rhea and Gerry, October 2019
This was our first holiday in Greece and won’t be the last. The experience was so phenomenal that I am sure we will be back in the not too distant future. For us Greece and Chris are now inextricably linked so that when it happens it will be through Greek Travel Gurus.
I established the link with Chris via the internet and immediately formed a great relationship for the planning phase. He very quickly gathered the details of what we were looking for and created a spreadsheet which became the master plan. Changes were made as needed and the whole thing came together. He immediately responded by phone call or email to queries and suggestions. The method whereby he charges a fixed fee for his services makes it absolutely clear what the cost of each item really is and who you are paying. Before, we traveled to Greece, we received an itinerary of 60+ pages with maps, details of the hotels we were staying at, suggestions for additional places to visit, recommended restaurants, photographs and much more.
All the planned stages worked without a hitch from Athens to Thessaloniki via a tour of Peloponnese Delphi and Meteora. The boutique hotels we stayed at were amazing, for their location, quality and friendliness of the staff. Most of them already knew Chris and as a result I believe we received special treatment.
Greece for us was an eye opener. Chris arranged personal guides in the various historical locations. They were all of the highest quality. We felt we had a superb course in Greek history while we were physically in the places where the history and mythology occurred. The museums were of a very high standard but having a knowledgeable guide at our side avoided the feeling that you don’t really know where to start and was essential for making sense of the exhibits. For example, in the brilliant National Archeological Museum in Athens our guide, Nota guided us through the history of Greek sculpture from the second millennium B.C. to Roman times. Thus, we were able to follow and understand the evolution of this art form and pin it to different time periods. This process happened at all of the sites. In addition, Chris arranged a professional photographer to give us a tour of Anafiotika in the Plaka district of Athens since my hobby is photography. A great way to start and get orientated.
Finally, we had the great pleasure of having dinner with Chris in Galaxdi. It was a lovely and interesting evening.
Well done Chris!
Gerry
Rachel, October 2019
Chris
Our trip had come to an end.
We’d like to thank you for making this a memorable vacation. We loved all the hotels, places that you recommended, and the ease of traveling with all the arrangements made by you. Your knowledge comes through with hotel choices, always in happening places but extremely private. One of the things that we enjoy the most in affection to how attentive and efficient you were is the personal touch. All the hotel managers and personnel made us feel welcomed and they mentioned that you had sent all the info ahead of time.
Thanks for the best vacation ever. Several friends have already asked us for your contact info.
Cheers
Rachel and family
Melissa and Scott, October 2019
I highly recommend working with Chris and the Greek Travel Gurus.
My husband and I worked with Chris to plan our dream honeymoon to Athens, Crete and Santorini. My husband did the planning process and said Chris was so easy and fun to work with. Chris is a great communicator and was very respectful to our budget and all of our interests.
Unfortunately, our flight to Athens was extremely delayed and got cancelled. Chris made sure to contact our drivers and the Hotel. He stayed in communication with us to be sure we had transportation when we finally got to Athens, a day later. We enjoyed our short time in Athens- our tour included the The Acropolis and the museum. It was walking distance from the hotel that Chris recommended. Unfortunately again, our flight from Athens to Crete had issues and instead of landing around 11 AM, we landed around midnight. Once again, Chris was wonderful with staying in touch and canceling the rides and rescheduling them. Our hotel in Crete was gorgeous and right in Old Town aka the center of everything. We loved our olive oil and cheese tour. We ate a local restaurant where we were greeted with such warmth and love. Our experience in Crete was amazing. We ate our way through Crete. Followed by Crete we went to Santorini. No flight issues because we took a ferry. It was literally smooth sailing. In Santorini we stayed at THE most beautiful hotel the Vasilicos, and truly lived our best life. We were blown away with the location and hotel. The Hotel staff knows Chris and raved about him and said how organized he was and he’s one of their favorite agents to work with.
In Santorini we had an amazing wine tour. I have a new appreciation for wine. It included a dinner which was fabulous. We also did a sailing tour, which included lunch— also fabulous. All of our tickets, rides and everything in between was set up to us thanks to Chris. He checked in on us to make sure everything was good especially after our 2 delays.
Since our honeymoon I’ve had the pleasure of emailing with Chris and I can say firsthand how wonderful he is. If you are thinking of planning a trip to Greece you absolutely need to and you need to book with Chris.
Chris, thank you for making our honeymoon a dream come true. We cannot wait to book our next trip to Greece and explore more of the beautiful islands.
A million more thanks,
Melissa and Scott
S & J, September 2019
Hello Chris
Our trip went extremely well. Thanks to your professional help in planning it and even more by helping us with small details once we were in the country on a very expeditious manner.
Greece was an extremely rewarding destination (in relation to many many places we have visited in the past). The reputation is very well deserved because of the very warm people, good food and many many attractions satisfying a variety of interest, from water to mountains, seafood to salads, antiquaries to beaches, and of course shopping, and all this at, what we thought, a very reasonable price.
My problem is that I cannot select one highlight from all the places we visited. They were all great!. From the ruins and neighborhoods of Athens, to the monasteries of Meteora, to one of the best little hotels in the town of Galaxidi (wish we had another day there), the ruins of Delphi, the Cyclades islands and a fabulous ferry ride from Mykonos to Santorini visiting the other islands along the way and ending up in Crete.
We don't know when but we will try very hard to visit again.
Thank you so much and good luck.
S & J
Ted and Kristi, September 2019
Ted and I wish to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation for the itinerary you arranged for our recent visit to Greece.
We loved the easy mix of history, mountain and seaside excursions, FOOD, guides-comfortable vehicles-capable drivers, excellent accommodation and adequate downtime. We returned home relaxed and happy.
Greece is scenic plus diverse in its crops and cultivation techniques and how we loved swimming in the gorgeous sea waters. We found everyone so welcoming and warm and absolutely loved every meal we were served.
Personally I believe my favourite was Galaxidi. Our hosts at Hotel Miramare were so gracious. We made friends, and shared some food, with the resident cat population, enjoyed the village and wharf area complete with taverns each evening and the catamaran tour with Costas. Our visit to Delphi was very moving and we appreciated having lunch with you and your beautiful wife and also having the opportunity to meet your children.
Again, please accept our thanks for all the attention to detail. I overheard Ted telling a good friend "it was the best vacation I have ever taken".
Sincerely,
Kristi
Kathryn, September 2019
A friend used Greek Travel Gurus last year, and recommended Chris to us for our trip. My husband and I were celebrating our 60th birthdays! Chris was great right from the start. He was organized and very prompt about answering my questions. He had several options for tours and really knew what we would like! Our hotel in Naxos was amazing!!! Great food and a beautiful view of the sea. We did a food tour and a "walking in paradise" tour and both were very memorable. All our transfers were very well organized too. In Santorini our hotel was small and personal and we were very well taken care of!!! Our view was stunning! We did a kayak trip that was outstanding!
Thank you Chris for all the beautiful memories!
Kathryn and Stephen
Harohalli, September 2019
We had traveled a lot in Europe when we were newlyweds but somehow missed Greece.
I always wanted to go there. Many decades later, we had the time time to visit Greece. But just reading about places to visit, stay and eat at makes it all the more confusing sometimes. There is too much information out there. This is where Chris and the Greek Travel Gurus came in. He listened to all our requirements and then made suggestions on what to do. After we came up with a plan, he then went ahead and made excellent arrangements - the cute boutique hotel in the Plaka area of Athens, the beautiful resort place in Santorini, taxi rides, tours and a personalized trip to Delhpi! In the 6 days that we had, he managed the time perfectly so we got to do quite a lot, at the same time enjoying our vacation immensely.
We will definitely call him again if we decide to go to Greece again
Pictures attached
Thanks Chris!
Michael, August 2019
This review is long over due.
I don't usually write reviews of services and products. But this time it's different.
I have traveled most of Europe and I've usually consulted the larger agencies, but when it comes to Greece things are tricky. Getting from one place to the next without wasting time is essential, especially when your time is limited and you are also trying to mix business and pleasure like I was.
Chris thought of and coordinated everything, and made our trip perfect. Pick ups, drop offs, all perfectly timed. Guides on time and very friendly and thoughtful. The hotels all as advertised and in terrific locations.
Just perfect.
World class service, Chris.
Bravo!
Michael
Rachim, August 2019
We loved Greece and we loved planning our trip with Chris and the Greek Travel Gurus!
Right from the start, he gave us all the information we needed. Ideas for islands, hotels, tours. The prices, the inclusions, everything. He also gave us alternative ideas for hotels which were just as lovely!
Everything was planned perfectly, and from our first meeting with the driver Kostas at the airport, to our last transfer with George on Santorini, everything was flawless! Great people, and very passionate about their history and culture. Our guides made all the sites come to life, and they never made us feel rushed. They were also happy to give us more information on the area. Many thanks to Nota in Athens for walking us back to our hotel and making the time to have a coffee with us after the tour!
The hotels were just what we were looking for, it’s as if Chris had read our minds! Small, family run, very clean, very colorful, and with amazing staff. After a few days, we started feeling like family! We will always remember Stella at the Veneto on Crete, and Maria on Santorini.
We live on the other side of the world, but we promise to come back again soon.
Thank you Chris for making this trip so special for me and my family!
Rachim
Amy and Marylou, July 2019
Greece is THE most fantastic place in the world!!
Everything we dreamed of came true thanks to Chris and the Greek Travel Gurus.
Two girlfriends looking for fun and relaxation, with a little mix of culture, and we got just what we wanted!
What can I say about Mykonos? The water is so cool, so blue, you never want to leave!
The food and wine tour we did on Santorini was a definite highlight, and the view from our balcony, to die for!
I wish we were still sipping wine on the cliffs!
Thank you Chris for taking such good care of us, and checking in to see about our flights, made it home safely and back to work.
Maybe one day....
Amy
Thomas, July 2019
I had promised my daughter a trip to Greece after her high school graduation. She has been in love with mythology and history since she was a little pup. The time came and I contacted several agencies where we live in Canada and I also looked into a few online travel sites.
Everything I found came out just about the same. Same tours, same hotels, nothing too special or interesting, and a lot of vague replies when I had questions or wanted to make modifications.
I came across the Greek Travel Gurus brochure in a local restaurant and thought I'd give them a try.
Am I glad that I did!
Chris actually lives in Greece, year round, and knows the ins and outs. He arranged for the best hotels for us, in the best locations! My daughter is still craving the breakfasts at the Grotta on Naxos!
The tours that he suggested were not off the rack. He actually listened to what we were interested in and designed special tours that we both enjoyed and arranged for very engaging guides.
Unfortunately we did not have time to see more of your amazing country, but now that we know where to find you, we will be back!
Thank you Greek Travel Gurus!
Jim and Martha, July 2019
I never thought that planning such an exciting and complicated trip could be so easy! But Chris made it all so simple for us! We wanted to cram all the important sites on the mainland into a road trip, but with limited days, and with even less time to plan. Chris took care of everything. Hotels, rented car, tour guides, suggestions for interesting detours, even dinner reservations at amazing restaurants that we could never find on our own!
When we began planning this trip we thought that it would be a nightmare, but after we found the Greek Travel Gurus, it turned out to be the trip of a life time!
All the best, we will return, we still want to see the islands!
Jim and Martha
Sophie July 2019
Like many people, I grew up fascinated with Greek mythology. As an adult, I dug deeper into philosophy and ancient literature where I ended up falling in love with the Iliad and the story of the Trojan War. I have been wanting to go for many years, but I had no idea where to even start planning a trip. With extensive knowledge, helpful connections, and a great amount of patience and care, Chris helped my husband and I make the most of our time there.
Chris knew the Iliad well and was able to suggest many places that we could go to learn more about the time period and see archaeological sites directly connected to the legendary figures from the stories I loved. He connected us with expert private tour guides that would answer all of my questions and let us move at our own pace. It was an incredible experience being able to go and see the places that I had read about and hear the tour guides speak with so much passion about the characters that I love as well. The guides gave us up to date information on the sites that are still being searched and examined- giving us our first peak into the mysterious, and on-going search for the past.
There were so many places that I loved, it’s hard to only talk about a few. Particularly, I was awed to the point of tears by seeing the view from Odysseus’ castle in Ithaca, knowing that his wife must have spent so many painful nights watching the same waves as she waited for her husband’s return. I was also inspired by the rolling hills of Delphi- especially when I found the spot where the statues depicting the warriors from the Epigoni once stood so proudly. I was even able to stop by a memorial created by Alexander the Great’s father to honor the Sacred Band of Thebes after their defeat (there may have been more crying).
The country itself was also breathtakingly beautiful. Both the Ionian Sea and the Aegean Sea are so blue the sky pales in comparison, and the hills are covered with olive trees that seem to gleam silver in the sunlight. Then there are all the pink and white flowers that line the roads! While at first I had been nervous about renting a car, I was so glad that we did because we were truly able to enjoy the views as we traveled around at our own pace.
Besides that, Chris also made sure our stay was smooth and comfortable. Every hotel we stayed at was beautiful, extraordinarily welcoming, and came with a fantastic view! In all the countries I’ve traveled, I’ve never had such wonderful hospitality. There was always such a personal touch and genuine care shown. Plus, whenever we had trouble, Chris was just a phone call away, and he was always ready to help- even when we needed to reschedule certain plans last minute.
Thanks to Chris, we were able to relax and enjoy the beauty and comfort of Greece while learning more about its ancient heritage. I still have so much to see, and though it may take some time before I can go back, I already know that I will ask Chris to help plan that trip as well.
Sophie
Janelle, June 2019
We loved our trip to Greece planned by Chris, especially our sea view hotels in both Naxos and Santorini and our hotel in Athens. We really appreciated having a driver to pick us up and drop us off at the airports, they were all exceptional, professional, efficient, and well dressed. The Greek Travel Gurus team was quick, professional, and responsive when we had questions and or concerns. There were only a couple of hiccups: we were promised double beds in each hotel, this only happened at Athens Gate, but Chris was expedient in correcting the situation though and was able to reach the hotel and straighten it out. All and all in was a great trip, and for the most part smooth sailing. We are happy with the Greek Travel Gurus and services provided and would travel with them again! Many Thanks, and warm Regards,
Janelle
Cynthia, June 2019
We had an exceptional experience in Greece! We were a group of 11, arriving in Athens and excursions to Mykonos and Santorini. Our travel to and from these islands was thoroughly enjoyable. Our hotels were exquisite, as well as our catamaran trip in Mykonos and wine tour in Santorini. Chris gave us the most memorable experience we could have imagined! Bravo to the Greek Travel Gurus!
Cynthia
Chris, June 2019
IWe had a wonderful time, and everything went like clockwork. I don’t think we could have asked for anything better. We especially enjoyed the tours in Athens and the cooking class at Avli in Crete. We just had a great time. Thanks for all the arrangements!
Chris
Joel, June 2019
Chris did a great job and the trip to Greece was one of our best vacations. Everything was handled and all the staff were professional and wonderful to deal with.
I would definitely recommend the Greek Travel Gurus to handle your travel needs.
Patrick, May 2019
I always use local guides and drivers when I travel. This is the first time I used a service online without using a travel agent from where I live. I was skeptical and a bit nervous at first. It turned out to be one of the best decisions. The best things about the Greek Travel Gurus is that they are living in the places that you want to travel so they have the most up-to-date info of where and when to go. My local agent, Chris is very knowledgeable of Greece. He listened to my unique requirements and custom built an itinerary for four people in my group. We all loved the schedule and places that we visited. We visited the must see archaeological sites and enjoyed the peaceful Naxos island. Chris was able to find me rooms where I had a direct view of the sunset in Santorini and Aegean Sea from my room in Naxos. Local guides for the "Taste of Athens" walking tour and Acropolis were very friendly and accommodating. Eva, the local guide for the "Taste of Athens" tour changed the itinerary throughout the day to accommodate our needs. She is the best. Chris was always in contact with us to make sure everything was ok. Although there were problems in transportation, Chris resolved the problem to my satisfaction. Overall, I am very satisfied with the services provided by Chris and the Greek Travel Gurus.
Margaret, May 2019
Our holiday in Greece was remarkable. Chris planned an interesting and outstanding itinerary and arranged great hotel accommodations as well. I especially enjoyed our suites in Athens, Rethymno, and Mykonos Town!
The Catamaran Cruise in Santorini was delightful and so much fun. Made friends with several other travelers. Also wanted you to know that our private drivers were all wonderful! They were attentive to your needs and polite, and extremely knowledgeable which made our travel time with then educational and allowed for interesting discourse with then. My son, Kenny and I will continue to relive our fabulous holiday that Chris planned for us in such detail to assure we were able to visit all the historic places I wanted my son to see. We have many happy memories which we’ll cherish forever. Thanks again, for an exciting and wonderful experience in Greece!!!
Suzanne May 2019
I found the Greek Travel Gurus on the internet when I was looking at going to Greece for a holiday.
I dealt with Chris and he listened to what I wanted to visit and as a woman travelling on her own, safety was top of this list.
Not only did Chris put together a fantastic itinerary, he sent draft copy to me first to peruse, along with some excellent comments on due to his knowledge of the area.
From start to finish everything rang like clockwork, the best was having someone there to pick me up at airport or cruise port do deliver me to my hotel or pick me up at hotel to take me somewhere else. Everyone was so accommodating and lovely.
I started in NZ ..Auckland 10 hour stop over at Dubai then onto Athens. From there to Crete for 4 days, awesome beaches outside my door. Then onto Santorini for 6 days, went on day cruise to other sights around island.
On to 4 days on Naxos, such beautiful beaches, ideal to relax. Back to Athens then home.
Once again a huge thank you to Chris and the Greek Travel Gurus.
Will be referring them to all my friends and will use them.
Gigi, May 2019
Hi Chris,
I just wanted to thank you for all the arrangements you made - everything went smoothly and MaryAnn and I both had an amazing vacation! The only glitch was the hotel on Santorini - which was the hotel WE chose! Next time we’ll go with your recommendation! =)
MaryAnn and I both loved the food tour in Athens, and the wine tour and sailing - all three events were spectacular and we couldn’t have had a better time!
We had the most wonderful time and both of us fell in love with Greece!
Thanks again! If anyone I know plans to visit Greece I will definitely refer you! =)
Gigi
George, May 2019
We have just come from an unforgettable trip to Greece! Loved it!
We got in touch with Chris " Greek Travel Gurus" and received an immediate call back where we discussed our expectations and interests.
The first part of the trip (1 Week) was spent in Greek islands: Mykonos and Santorini. From Mykonos we were able to take a boat ride to Delos. The second part of the trip (2 weeks) was spent driving from Athens to Thessaloniki making stops in beautiful places and nice hotels. We were able to see Athens, Nafplion, Olympia, Delphi, Galaxidi, Meteora, Larissa, Palais Panteleiomon, Pozar, Fort Roupel, Thessaloniki, and everything in between!
Chris has prepared a step-by-step itinerary for us, which was very helpful as we could use the links provided for google maps and we didn't have any problems with driving in the unknown place. Besides that we had a very thorough description of what to expect from this or that area with all the highlights and optional sights we could visit while in that area! All that info is easily saved in files on the phone and links to hotels, sites, etc worked really well for us. We felt we knew where we were going !
Chris took into account all our likes and dislikes which had been discussed on the phone and I think we have taken maximum possible out of the trip, enjoyed hospitality from all the people we met on our trip, and at all hotels we stayed.
From the very beginning when we started talking on the phone and exchanging emails Chris has demonstrated high professionalism, great knowledge of the country and history. His detailed preparation and concern during the trip exceeded our expectations. We travel a lot but the best-organized trip out of all was the one arranged by Greek Travel Gurus! We are so glad that we felt that trust to Chris from our first conversation and decided to go with his proposal.
Thank you for making our trip to Greece comfortable and unforgettable.
Diana, October 2018
Dear Gurus,
Thank you so much for your patience working with us. We had an absolutely incredible vacation. Everything was better than we expected. We enjoyed our accommodations in Athens (right in the Plaka and the only room with a balcony) and on Kythera. We loved our Food Tour with George! He was so much fun and knowledgeable and was willing to also show us the Street Art which he was very familiar with. The Acropolis Tour was great as well. It was a long day and involved lots of walking, but that day was one of the highlights of our trip.
The cruise was excellent. Our captain, Andreas, was so personable and professional. He had to alter the itinerary because of the bad winds, so we never made it to Mykonos, but we weren’t terribly disappointed about that. The cruise staff was wonderful and went above and beyond to help us. I actually had to visit a pharmacy and then a doctor because of a bad herpes outbreak, and Nadia, the cruise director, accompanied me and translated for me.
Of course, the best part was our trip to Kythera. Kevin and I both fell in love with the old world simple charm of the island. We have many stories of all our attempts to find living relatives, which we were unable to do, although we found two cemeteries and numerous geneaological links, including the grave of my grandfather’s parents and sister and brothers. But there were many interesting coincidences, and people were all so kind and tried to be helpful. The most surprising thing was finding that in Melopotomas (where all the Stratigos’ are from) there is actually an area called Stratigradika! (Which we now refer to “Stratigos Town.”) Unfortunately, (or maybe it is a good thing?) many places were closed for the season, and all the Australians had gone back home. Kapsali looked much the same as I remember it from 1971.
Everything about our trip was wonderful, and it makes me proud to be Greek! Kevin and I both want to go back to again, although I think I would just go to Kythera and stay there. Thanks for all you did to make our vacation so memorable.
Diana
John, October 2018
The return of my phone in Athens was perfect as was every thing else on my wonderful trip to Greece! Every guide, every bit of transportation, every needed document was delivered on time at the right place, it was all seamless. The entire trip was great in every respect! I am home safely now and bragging to all my friends about the Greek Travel Gurus and recommending they give you a call first then visit your beautiful, delightful country. I'll be in touch with you again sometime in the future to arrange a trip to Rome and southern Italy.
Thanks again for everything!
John
Carla, October 2018
The most amazing trip we have taken. Everything was taken care of down to our airline tickets being delivered to our room. First class throughout the entire trip. Will definitely use again. Crete was amazing. Wish we had another day in Crete
Eric, October 2018
Thanks Gurus!
We found the open-air cinema for our last evening here, and are waiting for the movie to start shortly. Alas, we’ve begun packing, so will be ready for the boarding passes in the morning.
We will get back to you with our thoughts after we get home (95% raves, I expect), but we have had a great time, and we really appreciate your choices, your recommendations, and all the people at the places we’ve stayed.
Thanks again!
Eric
Josh, October 2018
The planning and execution of our trip was handled perfectly by our travel agent from the Greek Travel Gurus. Every flight, excursion, and car service was on time and got us to our destination exactly when we needed to. He took my uncertainty and worry about planning a trip in a foreign place by myself and laid it to rest by delivering a trip of a lifetime for us!
My wife and I really loved Santorini! We were told by a few locals that we would enjoy the party atmosphere of Mykonos more being that we’re a younger married couple. However, it turned out to be much the opposite. Astra Suites in Santorini was one of the most incredible places we’ve ever been. From the stunning views off of our private terrace complete with our own personal pool, to the friendly and excellent staff, Astra Suites is the only place we’ll ever stay when returning to Santorini.
We also enjoyed a few of our excursions while in Greece. Nota was the perfect host while showing us around The Acropolis in Athens. It was a very rainy cold day and she never complained once. She seemed just as excited as we were to be there and was extremely knowledgeable. Our Catamaran Cruise with Blue Lagoon was incredible. The Captain took us up close to the cliff side where we were able to take some great pictures, and the food was absolutely delicious. One of the best meals we had in Greece which was a pleasant surprise. Lastly, our guide Kara who toured us around Acrotiri did a fantastic job. This was such a fun and educating experience that it made us want to continue to research this lost city upon returning home.
Next time we return to Greece we’ll most likely skip Athens and Mykonos. While these were great to experience, we enjoyed Santorini a great deal more. We will probably return to Santorini and then also explore some of the other islands. Overall we loved the trip and will return to Greece and use the Greek travel Gurus again.
Susan, October 2018
My husband, my sister-in-law, and I recently returned from an amazing vacation in Greece planned by the Greek Travel Gurus. We visited Athens, Naxos, and Santorini. The Gurus planned just the right number of outings for us - and they were spectacular. From a fabulous food tour in Athens (with fun Panos) to a day trip to Delphi, which is not to be missed. Our great driver, Yannis, took us to an olive farm and olive oil tasting outside Delphi which was a highlight of this beautiful mainland for us. Our tour guide, Penny, in Delphi, was also a highlight. She was so passionate and joyful that it brought the place alive for us. Our accommodations right at the foot of the Acropolis were lovely.
Then on to Naxos, which we loved. It is very laid back and the staff at Naxian on the Beach (Vasso and Kostas) could not have been lovelier. We loved the town of Chora (close by) which is so fun to roam around!
Then onto Santorini where the views are spectacular. Again, our outings were wonderful - a particular highlight was the archaeological site at Akrotiri (not to be missed). Also, our small group catamaran sailing with Santorini sailing was great. We also loved Nektaria, who was our tour guide for a full day in Santorini.
One recommendation for future travelers to Santorini: We stayed at Agali Houses and our suite was beautiful with unbelievable private patios and views. However, because it was on the cliff side, it was 186 steps down to our room, which meant 186 steps up whenever we left the room (and I mean literally 186 stairs - more steps because some stairs take two steps to climb). If we were to go again, we would definitely stay somewhere with fewer steps.
Oh also, the food was so wonderful in Greece that in hindsight, I would take a cooking class! So, I guess we will need to return for that.
Thank You Greek Travel Gurus for the great trip. Greece is an amazing country and you provided us with a great experience.
Megan, September 2018
Our trip to Greece was wonderful! The Greek Travel Gurus were great and very knowledgeable about the country, and set up incredible experiences for us. Everything went smoothly, the locations were perfect, and everywhere we stayed was beautiful, well located, and friendly.
We especially enjoyed our private guided tour of Athens, the cooking class on Naxos, and the sunset cruise on Santorini.
We would visit some different islands. There are so many. Other than that, there's nothing we would do differently.
Abbye, September 2018
The itinerary and all transfers and lodging went above and beyond all expectations.
All of my visits to the ruins and the awesome guides. The trip to Delphi and my day catamaran trip.
I would forgoe Athens so I may visit another island or spend more time on Crete.
Wendy, September 2018
The Gurus did a great job of arranging our tour of Greece. They listened to my requests and arranged everything perfectly. All our hotels were in great locations and had welcoming staff. Our driver/guide (Vasilis) while on the mainland was wonderful; we really enjoyed his company. All our guides were very knowledgeable and seemed to love sharing their knowledge. I would highly recommend the Greek Travel Gurus for anyone who wants an easy, high-end vacation in Greece.
Peter and Maria – Stefania, September 2018
Hello Gurus
How are you? We hope you enjoyed your little holiday!
We had a wonderful time overall! We came back sick and jet lagged but all worth it :) The flight home was actually delayed believe it or not (the one going to Toronto) because of a few people who were having issues - it was a long day!
THANK YOU again for outdoing yourself in helping us book this wonderful holiday that we will remember forever. We tell everyone about you and how awesome it's been working with you lol
When the time comes that you do visit, you know how to reach us! It would be nice to meet face to face!
All the best and I'm sure our paths will cross again in the future :)
MS&P
Mark, September 2018
The Greek Travel Gurus think of everything!
The sunset cruise in Santorini was amazing!
Next time, I would definitely stay longer!
Pete, September 2018
Hi Gurus!
I just wanted to thank you. Again. We had a trip of a lifetime, and it was in large part due to you. You listened to what we wanted, asked questions, and found amazing experiences for us in all three locations. I need to go back! Hopefully with the kids. And we hope to also one day go to Turkey!! So we will be in touch. We are also recommending you (and Greece! Of course) to everyone who will listen.
Thank you
Pete
This was a trip of a lifetime- and my husband and I couldn’t be more thankful for the wonderful job the Greek Travel Gurus did. In planning our 10 year anniversary trip they took great care in listening to us and the trip we had invisioned. Every single detail was amazing - his recommendations were fantastic, every excursion, hotel, and transfer. They made sure to check in during the trip to make sure that we were happy. I would absolutely use them again and have already told all my friends that he was amazing and they should use him!
Diane, September 2018
Hi Gurus, We all had a fabulous time. Everything ran smoothly. All the tours were excellent. The guides were helpful and knowledgeable. I will highly recommend the Greek Travel Gurus to our friends. Thanks for helping make the experience memorable. We will be seeing Joel on Saturday to share with him and Karen our pictures and experiences.
Regards, Diane
Charles, September 2018
Arrived safely back in MN.
Thanks for arranging a great trip
Chuck
Kim, September 2018
The Greek Travel Gurus developed an itinerary to provide extraordinary experiences that will last a lifetime. If you wan a customizable trip for a group with wide-ranging interests that incorporates the best of Greece's history, culture, food and lifestyle, then the Greek Travel Gurus is the perfect travel company to work with.
Part of our group's flight was delayed and they made arrangements to pick them up later to rejoin the group. The tour guides for the historical sites were excellent; they were knowledgeable, used visual aids to help understand ruins and artifacts as they were in their original eras and were enthusiastic and energetic about their topics. Were skirted long lines and tours were perfectly timed to when the crowds were thinner or the weather the most comfortable. The selection of hotels could not have been better; smaller, local, boutique, excellent service and unique for the town or area.
I have traveled extensively and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved the portion of Greece that I was able to see. I really enjoyed the people I met there; they were warm, funny, interesting, and effusive about their love of their country.
I unreservedly recommend travel to Greece and the Greek Travel Gurus to plan your trip. I am already thinking about my next visit!
I surveyed our group of 8 people and here were our top, favorite memories and places from our trip:
Athens Acropolis
Olympia
Meteora
Klio's Bee Keeping & Honey Farm
Olive Oil Tasting in Crete
Catamaran Sunset Cruise
I would reduce the number of monasteries we visited in Meteora. However, I requested the original number and it was not the result of our travel specialist's recommendations.
Of course, I would have visited more of the Greek islands, if I had more time. My next visit will include a return trip to Crete and new visits to Naxos, Rhodes, and Hydra.
Dear Gurus,
The majority of our group has arrived home and we are in the process of readjusting to our time zones and schedules.
I wanted to express our group's appreciation for the wonderful itinerary and coordination for our group. We loved everything! We especially liked all your choices of hotels, the tours, and the tour guides. Several of us have dreams of returning to Greece to see more. When we do, we will contact you to help us plan our next trip.
I have a couple of photos, which I wanted to share with Iliana, who was our tour host on the mainland tour. I have her phone number, but I couldn't get my photos to go through. Could I ask you to forward them to her?
I also included a photo of all of us. Perhaps next time we come to Greece, we will meet. Enjoy the rest of the summer and fall.
Thanks again for everything!
We have fabulous memories to last a lifetime!
Kind Regards,
Kim
Scott and Jamie, September 2018
We had an AMAZING trip. Everything went so smoothly and the accommodations and tours were simply first rate. I will be making time this weekend to write reviews and I suspect that I will have several friends who want your contact info to have when they plan their dream trips to Greece.
Thank you so much for everything you did to make this trip a reality for us, it was truly magical.
Warmest Regards,
Jamie
Our trip to Greece was everything we dreamed and more thanks to the amazing itinerary that the Greek Travel Gurus put together for us. From the accommodations to the transfers and the excursions everything was top notch. We loved every minute, just wished we had stayed longer! We will definitely use them again for our next trip to Greece!
I did also want to let you know that our tour guides were simply amazing.
Pantelis was our guide for the Athens tour- he was very knowledgable and engaging and we felt he did an excellent job of showcasing all the important historical sites and stories. He also returned to our hotel the next morning to drop off one of the items from our welcome bag that had fallen out in his bag during our tour- way above and beyond for sure!
On Santorini, Foutis was our tour guide for the Wine and Cooking tour. He too was fun, engaging and knowledgeable. We had a great time and loved the cooking location (Safron Restaurant)
The catamaran tour was also excellent- they took such good care of us with homemade snacks and lunch- and lots of wine :)
Thanks again for everything!
Jamie
Abbie, August 2018
The Greek Travel Gurus, and our planner were fabulous! They listened to me about what what we were looking for (we planned a trip for my husband and I and my parents) and designed an itinerary that fit. We asked lots of questions and changed the itinerary a few times before we got to a final version but he was patient and thoroughly answered every question and email. From the moment we arrived in Athens through transitions to Naxos and Santorini, everything went smoothly and was just as we had expected. The tours our travel planner recommended were perfect and we had just the right balance of leisure time and structured tours and activities.
The cooking class in Naxos was our favorite experience. It was small, just us and another family, and at a beautiful restaurant owned by a Greek family. They fed us food they had grown and cheese they made that morning and talked with us, and even gave us an impromptu tour of their farm, all while sharing in the experience of preparing a traditional meal together.
I would not change a thing!
Dawn, August 2018
Hello Gurus,
The trip was incredible. More than I could have ever imagined. Thank you for suggesting Naxos what a beautiful island and hotel Grotta felt like home. Each hotel and location was perfect. Your country is incredible!
Dawn
John, August 2018
For the most part the trip went well. The tour guides were excellent. Julie and I really liked the hotel accommodations. The drivers in Rome and Tuscany did a good job as well. Unfortunately the drivers on the Amalfi coast did not speak English and drove rather fast on the curves. Julie is prone to motion sickness, and it was hard to ask them to slowdown. She survived though.
Besides the driver being late in Positano, we also failed to receive our train tickets on time departing Rome. There was nothing in the itinerary indicating when we should have received them, and we had checked with the hotel, so we assumed the driver that morning would have them. He did not have them and it took several panicked phone calls to Maria to finally receive them via email. All this 45 minutes before our train was to depart. After blaming the hotel she told us we just needed the "pnr code". We had no idea what this was and what to do with it so I insisted upon her emailing the tickets. Having never taken a train in Rome/Italy (the last train we took in Europe was in 1980), being unfamiliar with the train station, and so little time it was extremely frustrating and upsetting. It all could've have been avoided if she had indicated in the itinerary where and when we would receive the tickets or emailed us the tickets in advance. Fortunately, we were able to make the train.
Overall the trip was great. We probably would have picked a different town on the Amalfi coast. Positano was a bit too congested and trendy for our tastes but we still enjoyed it.
Thanks for all your help.
John
Konstantin, August 2018
Hello Gurus
Elizabeth and I had a great time in Crete too…. I wanted to say Thank You for the great organization of our trip!! We really appreciate it!
All the pick-ups, transfers and events were right on time and well organized. We will definitely recommend you and the Greek travel Gurus to our friends and family….
Thank you!
Konstantin
Sejal, August 2018
The trip was fantastic. Everything was smooth and seamless.
We enjoyed best fishing and boating around Santorini. In Crete, Vamos and the food experience was amazing. Didn’t like Rethymno. Chania walking around was wonderful. Athens, the food tour and Sounion were best.
The kids absolutely loved Canaves Oia Epitome. I would say that was the best part of the whole trip for them. It had everything - view, pool, sunset, food..
The tours were exhausting and frankly Acropolis, Epidaurus, Mycenae were enough. Naflion was great with lunch. Knossos and Akrotiri wasn't needed.
I wish the cars were a bit more smaller - like a SUV so kids could sit still together. The bus was too large and informal.
So a great trip overall. But times very tiring. I was really blown away with the food in Crete! And the food tour in Athens - the guide was amazing. The woman running our fishing boat was amazing too!! And the woman guide for Vamos. I think the Santorini tour was tiring even though the views were amazing. That could have been just a drive around and wine tasting.
I will reach out if we decide Turkey for next year. Thanks!!!
Sejal
Amar, August 2018
Hello Gurus,
Yes, we had a great time. Thank you for planning this trip.
Next year we are planning three countries in Europe. I will reach out once plan is finalized.
Thanks,
Dan, August 2018
The Greek Travel Gurus did a great job planning our family’s trip to Greece. The itinerary was well organized and the transportation was seamless. The guides and the outings he planned were of excellent quality. Really appreciate the effort! Great trip!
Jennifer, August 2018
Excellent company! The Greek Travel Gurus were a delight to work with, and we actually got to meet our specialist in Greece. All places, tours, drivers were top notch.
So many enjoyable parts. We especially loved our tour with a pottery class and the boys loved going fishing. Sunsets on Santorini were amazing. Want to go back when it is cooler to trek in Crete. I would do much of the same, but would go at a different time of year. Would also add a few extra days for free exploration. Would love to do a graffiti tour of Athens also.
Crystal, August 2018
Overall, the Greek Travel Gurus created one of the most memorable vacations of our lives. My husband and I really wanted to do something special for our ten-year anniversary trip and Greece did not disappoint! While I do believe we would have had an amazing trip either way (because it's Greece, of course!), but our specialist really helped us create an itinerary that was perfect for us. Also, throughout the process he was extremely helpful, even having our boarding passes for flights printed and delivered to us in our hotel room. Those little personal touches set them apart from other travel agencies. They are top notch and I would absolutely use their services again!
In Athens, he set up a private tour. This was my first private tour ever and I cannot recommend it enough! We had a phd candidate with degrees in archaeology lead our tour throughout the city. It was unforgettable! Naxos was breathtaking and Villa Marandi was perfect. The entire trip was so memorable, but the beaches are amazing!! Overall, I was so impressed. Everyone was so welcoming. We will be back to Greece for sure!
Nick, August 2018
We made it home safely. I want to thank you again for such a well organized trip. Everything was well thought out and all the personnel were very professional. I will highly recommend you and the Greek Travel Gurus to anyone traveling to Greece,
Nick
Mitchell, August 2018
We are just returned from our trip today - quite exhausted but wanted to thank you for all of your assistance with the arrangements. We all really enjoyed everything. Fishing yesterday was a lot of fun - it was nice to be out on a family boat and hear Anthi’s history of fishing and the new business she has started taking out tours. Definitely not what I was expecting and was pleasantly surprised. I’m glad we spent the majority of our time on Naxos - it was relaxing and enjoyable - easy to get around and less touristy than Santorini for sure. I hope to get back to Greece again soon - and I will certainly come back to you for help with the arrangements!
Thanks again - Mitch
We had a fantastic trip - it was built around exactly our pace and specific things we wanted to do. We achieved the best mix of down time, private tours, and unique experiences. It was a great help to have people so knowledgeable about the best local hotels, restaurants and guides.
We had several free days on Naxos with nothing scheduled and a car at our disposal to explore the local villages and more remote parts of the island. Through recommendations we got from our specialist and our guides that we met in Athens we filled up those days with plenty of things to save for our next trip (the hotel manager in Athens was from Naxos and gave great recommendations of places to eat and beaches to visit).
We wish we had another week!
Paige, July 2018
Our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus asked a lot of questions on our initial call to come up with the best itinerary for (our 3 generation) family. We had a great mix of sightseeing and down-time. He was very responsive and helped to track down a bag when the airline lost one of ours. All of our tour guides and drivers were on-time and great. He made our trip so easy! We didn't have to worry about a thing.
Athens is a must-do. Delphi was very interesting and worth the drive. Santorini is stunning, even with the crowds. We loved Akrotiri, the wine tasting, and a private catamaran cruise at sunset. Crete was an amazing island. We loved everything we did there. Naxos was also a nice island to visit with great beaches and some interesting sites.
If we could've avoided the peak season (particularly an issue at the Acropolis and on Santorini) we would have. But we had to travel in August based on the kids' schedules. Having said that, we stayed in the best possible part of Santorini for minimizing crowds, so that was good.
Joyce, July 2018
Hi Gurus!
Cherishing the memory of Greece is an understatement. I wish I was there!
I apologize for not reaching out sooner. I came back from my honeymoon and had to get back in the swing of things. We had the most amazing time. Everything was more than we could have asked for, from the hotels, to the tours to the food and restaurant recommendations. We could not have planned a seamless trip like this without you! We will be forever grateful for everything that you put together for us. It was a trip of a lifetime!
Also, here are some wedding photos! I will attach them below! We are looking into Italy next, so I will definitely be in touch again!
Thank you again,
Joyce
I cannot say enough great things about the Greek Travel Gurus and our travel specialist. He was persistent, easy to work with and extremely personable. He really listened to our interests and most importantly, budget. He planned the most amazing honeymoon and our first trip to Greece. We went to Mykonos and Santorini. All the transfers, events, pick-ups and tours were on-time and very well organized. All of his suggestions were great and very much appreciated. Highly recommend!!!!!
Cynthia, July 2018
Our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus asked a lot of questions on our initial call to come up with the best itinerary for (our 3 generation) family. We had a great mix of sightseeing and down-time. He was very responsive and helped to track down a bag when the airline lost one of ours. All of our tour guides and drivers were on-time and great. He made our trip so easy! We didn't have to worry about a thing.
Athens is a must-do. Delphi was very interesting and worth the drive. Santorini is stunning, even with the crowds. We loved Akrotiri, the wine tasting, and a private catamaran cruise at sunset. Crete was an amazing island. We loved everything we did there. Naxos was also a nice island to visit with great beaches and some interesting sites.
If we could've avoided the peak season (particularly an issue at the Acropolis and on Santorini) we would have. But we had to travel in August based on the kids' schedules. Having said that, we stayed in the best possible part of Santorini for minimizing crowds, so that was good.
Mark, July 2018
Wonderful trip Gurus. Your country is absolutely beautiful. Hopefully another trip soon!
Everything was represented totally as planned. The only difficulty was with the Olympic FLT to Santorini..an astute ticket agent stepped in and got us our passes and handled luggage fast as to not have us miss our flight.
Such a beautiful country..hope to visit again.
Wish we had more time!
Thank you again,
Mark
Patrick, July 2018
Thank you so much Gurus! We made it back home safe and sound after an amazing trip. Thank you for all of your hard work in helping craft such an amazing honeymoon. Everything went smoothly and we are so happy about how it all turned out. We'll definitely be recommending you if we have any family or friends looking to travel to Greece :)
Best,
Patrick
Cindy, July 2018
The trip was amazing and we really liked the recommendations provided... not mainstream and fun excursions matched to our tastes. Challenge was communication with our specialist leading up to the trip. I would highly recommend the Greek Travel Gurus to others looking for a unique trip to Greece.
We loved the excursions and the boutique hotels recommended. Private tours were top notch! They were well worth the money and the guides were fantastic. Favorite excursion was the cooking tour in Naxos at Mrs Vuelos... couldn’t have been better and the whole family rated this as #1 highlight.
Rhonda, July 2018
I was waiting till the end to give you feedback and no news is excellent news as I must tell you the Enigma and the staff are wonderful. Completely enjoyed the location, the room and everyone that works at the hotel. We did Oia and Akortiri and the beaches so were quite busy but relaxed a lot as well on the terrace in the dipping pool.
Overall you did a terrific job!
As to Port Mykonos we very much enjoyed it and the staff was great. We also enjoyed a couple beaches and water sports and going into town every night.
Transportation was great and you were truly excellent. Responsive, thorough and really appreciated your quick response to the false alarm on our HELP of the ring :).
I will certainly recommend you and curious do you do travel itineraries outside of Greece or Greece exclusive?
Thank you again,
Rhonda
Kristen, July 2018
Our family’s first trip to Greece was fabulous thanks to our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus. He patiently helped us optimize the week we had by focusing on our interests and planning family tours which would keep our 10 year old daughter engaged. He answered our questions quickly through email and even spoke with us on the phone to make sure he understood exactly what we wanted.
The guided family-focused tours of the Acropolis, Delphi, and Knossos were highlights. We also loved watching the spectacle of the Presidential Guard changing in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, walking around Athens at night, exploring Rethymnon Old Town, and relaxing on different beaches. The citizens of Greece are so warm and welcoming.
Kyna, July 2018
We would like to express our deep appreciation for the magnificent trip which you organized for both my daughter and myself. Our beautiful experiences were above and beyond anything we could have ever imagined. Each day and night brought us endless pleasures, from outstanding hotel accommodations, to perfectly selected cultural excursions. We were especially impressed with the knowledge and kindness of every tour guide as well as the promptness and courtesy of all the drivers. The trip was flawless! It made our discovering Greece, a country with spectacular beauty and rich history, made of the warmest and most kind people, the very best and most unforgettable experience of our lives! And special thanks to our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus ,for his outstanding job!
Catherine, July 2018
We loved out trip. Our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus lined up an itinerary that spoke to everything we were looking for, a mix of fun kids stuff, history, culture, and good food! He was on top of everything from the minute we arrived to the minute we left and made sure everything went smoothly. We felt like we were in good hands. He was also really awesome when planning the entire trip. He really listened to the things we enjoyed and tried to match it up perfectly. He was also willing to make many changes for us if we didn't like something.
Our visit to Crete was the best part. Our specialist recommended a hotel that we just loved and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Crete. They took such amazing care for us. They really bent over backwards for us and worked with our schedule even if if their restaurant hours didn't encompass our time frame. It was really amazing how they were willing to help up and take care of us. the hotel in Athens was also awesome!
Honestly, there's not much that I would've changed. I thought it was perfect. I preferred Crete over Santorini. I thought Santorini was pretty but I really liked Crete. The people in Crete were so wonderful and down to earth!
Larry, June 2018
Our family of 10 recently returned from a remarkable 3-week trip to Greece – Athens, Naxos, Santorini, Crete -- expertly planned and executed by the Greek Travel Gurus.
My wife and I are experienced travelers and enjoy researching, planning an itinerary and making our own arrangements. But since we had to make this trip work for 10 people, consisting of three generations, we sought assistance – and were put in touch with our specialist. He asked about our interests and expectations and proceeded to plan our ideal trip. No detail was overlooked. Transfers, flight and ferry reservations, car rentals, beautiful accommodations, tours, excellent guides – all arranged and delivered without a glitch.
Additionally, our specialist provided sightseeing, dining and shopping recommendations.
In summary, our memorable 3-week trip to Greece went perfectly and we enthusiastically recommend the Greek Travel Gurus.
Gloria, June 2018
Hi Gurus!,
We enjoyed our final evening in Crete as well as every moment on our memorable trip to Greece.
Again, we want to thank you for everything you did to help make this an unforgettable experience for our family. As we mentioned before, all went perfectly as planned and other than the Santorini catamaran excursion, we didn’t need to change a thing.
We hope we have the opportunity to recommend you to others.
Best regards,
Gloria
Alisha, June 2018
The Greek Travel Gurus planned the most magical trip for my husband and me to Greece. It was truly wonderful! From the hotel accommodations to the day trips - it was a vacation of a lifetime and we couldn't be more than thrilled about how the whole trip turned out! Every person we encountered - the drivers, the hotel concierge and the tour guides - were friendly, knowledgeable people.
Our vacation started out in Athens. We weren't that excited about the food tour (we aren't huge foodies), but it was the best! The tour guide picked seeds from the branches to explain what they were, took us to hidden gems around the city, and fed us the best local fare. It was definitely a highlight of the trip.
We opted to take a day trip out of Athens to Delphi - roughly a two-hour drive, to and fro. At the end of it, our sides hurt from laughing so much with the driver and the tour guide. It made the time fly and we enjoyed every minute of it.
After Athens, we headed to Naxos - an island recommended by our specialist. It was everything he said and more - it was more secluded than Santorini, beautiful beaches surrounded by juniper trees, and mountains made of marble. It was sensational - the perfect stay for the two of us. We laid on our own beach, sipping cocktails.
The last leg of the trip ended in wonderful Santorini. The accommodations that our specialist booked were spectacular. The hotel was beyond anything we've ever dreamed of. The view - amazing! The staff - super sweet and always asking us how we are enjoying our stay. The sunset view from our room made us stay in, more than venture out. There was no need to - we had everything there. And don't get me started on the food and the chef! Delicious.
The Greek Travel Gurus really worked with us to understand what we wanted, and which experiences/islands/hotels would make the perfect fit, all within our budget. If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, definitely. You won't be disappointed!
Dipak, June 2018
Our trip to Greece was absolutely perfect and we cannot even imagine a more perfect vacation destination. The process was great because of the insightful advice and planning assistance we received from our specialist. He was absolutely great to work with, and he really took the time to listen to what we wanted to do, and our likes and dislikes. He planned out a perfect itinerary for us, and it went without a hitch! Greece is a great destination and the people are so friendly!
We really enjoyed the history of Athens, the crystal pear waters of Naxos, and the beautiful views of Santorini. The whole trip was magical!
We would not change anything at all! The trip was just what we needed after having a baby last year. This was our first getaway and included everything we had hoped for!
Karen, June 2018
Our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus planned an amazing trip for our group of 4 adults to Greece in June 2018. He listened to our preferences and suggested lodging and tours that were perfect for our group. He arranged all transfers and all were seamless. I highly recommend.
Too many highlights to list, and I would definitely stay longer!
Cynthia, June 2018
We had such a wonderful vacation, everything we did went perfectly. We can't express our gratitude to our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus, for helping us plan our perfect trip to Greece. Everyone was so helpful and knowledgeable. We had our dream vacation come true with no problems at all.
For me going to Rhodes and meeting relatives l have only heard about was very special. What a beautiful island and such sweet kind people to help make this reunion happen. We loved each island for different reasons. But the tours we did on each island helped us understand the beginning of each. Athens was very busy but staying in the Plaka made it much easier to get around. Thanks to the Gurus for knowing where to put us on each island. We enjoyed the food, the scenery, the ancient ruins.
Juna, June 2018
Our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus was great at communicating with me and arranging the tours that were interesting to us. He took good care of finding our missing luggage when we first arrived in Athens so we could enjoy our tour. He also made sure our scheduled time for pick-up for tours were confirmed everyday. We were happy with the choices he made regarding hotels and tours.
We started our 11 nights trip (12 days) at Athens (3 nights), and then to Naxas (4 nights), and to Santorini (4 nights), and back home .
We liked the tour to Delphi. The tour driver+guide, was great. He transported us safely and guided us throughout the day of travel. We appreciated the way he arranged the meals and little detour here and there to be able to see more. He definitely knows his tour route and the towns/places we visited. The restaurant and the olive oil company/grove he recommended during the tour enhanced our tour. We enjoyed it. My children liked him very much. At the end of tour we received a gift bag filled with local products which was a nice surprise!
We also like the relaxing catamaran cruise of Naxos. The weather was perfect and the water was calm and in such a unique blue. The captain's homemade lunch was delicious. Naxos is a good choice that our specialist selected for us. The cruise on Santorini was similar to this with even better food!
The most memorable part for me was Santorini's archaeological site--Akrotiri. It's impressive and fully of history and wonder. I wish we could stay there a little longer.
My children also enjoyed the wine tour at Santorini where we had delicious meal/snack with wine tasting. They have very good wines.
All the staff in everyone hotel were nice, helpful, and always with big smiles.
Heidi, June 2018
I am back home in Tucson and just wanted to touch base with you regarding our trip.
Everything went well and I thank you for all of your suggestions that made it a success. Our hotel in Athens was in a great location, central to everything that we wanted to do.
Naxos was lovely, especially after the chaos of Athens. It felt like an oasis and like staying with family. I would highly recommend this hotel!
I started planning this trip for my 17 year old daughter and I to celebrate her graduation from high school. Her destination choice was Greece. I spent numerous hours online researching the different islands and options. It was all a bit overwhelming, so I reached out to several different travel companies based on past experience, and online reviews. I ended up choosing the Greek Travel Gurus.
Our specialist was fantastic. After an initial contact by email, we arranged for a phone call. He asked many questions regarding our likes and wishes, and sent me an initial itinerary to review. After numerous emails, and phone calls, we finally settled on a plan that perfectly suited us. He was very patient and attentive to our requests.
His service was invaluable in the ease of the trip. All transfers, vouchers, and accommodations were pre-arranged and seamless.
While very well traveled, I so appreciated the services that the Greek Travel Gurus provided. I highly recommend them, and wouldn't hesitate to use them again in the future.
We loved the Athens food tour that they arranged. Our specialist warned us not to eat much of a breakfast first and rightly so. For nearly 5 hours we walked the streets of Athens stopping every now and then to sample the local food and drink. When we finally concluded with a sit down lunch, we were almost too full to eat. Our guide Maria was lovely, and it was a great start to our trip.
It was when we moved on to the island of Naxos though that we found the highlight of our trip in our accommodations. A lovely gem of a hotel, a little oasis after the hustle and bustle of Athens. We would most likely not have found this place without the suggestion of our specialist. It is a family run establishment, and our room, food, and service by friendly staff was perfection.
I would do nothing differently, I only wish that we had more time to enjoy the Greek islands and friendly people there. We will be back!!
Brian, May 2018
Thank you for planning an absolutely amazing trip. Sarah and I had a great time and everything was planned perfectly.
Thank you, Brian
Kim, May 2018
Hi Gurus
Thank you so much for the email and boarding passes. And more importantly, thank you so much for your kindness and checking in on us. Yes things are much calmer! Thank goodness! Even with our brief detour to the hospital we have enjoyed our trip to Greece immensely! Thank you and please thank the owner of the hotel as well for coming to check on us at the hospital. It meant a great deal to us.
I will check in with you when we get back to the states. Thank you again for all of your hard work and going above and beyond to help us.
Thanks
Kim
Janice, May 2018
Our Guru was very helpful and responsive.
Walking down 200+ steps to enjoy dinner and sunset, right on the water. And the food was excellent! Restaurant was recommended by our specialist- a hit!
Kathy, May 2018
Our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus was great. Handled all our Hotels for Athens and helped us find a great charter and crew to sail for a week. Also knew the Santorini Hotels well and got us the best value and views!
Very good communication, follow up, and support before and during the trip!
Our sailing week on Highjinx II was the best...wonderful crew (captain, cook and mate) and very knowledgeable about the entire area.
Nothing to change really...for a first time trip to Greece...Athens, Island Sailing and then Santorini was perfect!
Michelle, May 2018
It was a great trip overall. The tour guides were excellent and it was so nice that everything down to the transfers were preorganized
The most enjoyable part of the trip was the excursions that were arranged. So knowledgeable and just socialable people to be around.
Next time, I’ll definitely Make it longer like our specialist suggested!
Lisa, May 2018
Our trip to Greece was awesome! Working with the Greek Travel Gurus was the best! Our specialist arranged a wonderful travel package for us and we couldn't have asked for a better travel experience. Everything went so smoothly, our accommodations were great and in excellent locations. The tours and service we received were excellent. We truly enjoyed working with him and will definitely work with the Greek Travel Gurus again for another trip in the future!!
The food was fantastic! The beauty of the Greek isles and the wonderful people will always be cherish memories for us.
Next time we would probably spend less time in Athens and more time in Crete and the other islands.
Lidia, May 2018
Our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus was super responsive and when we needed to make a change or had a question he would respond within 3 hours. He was also very knowledgeable and our hotels were located in the best areas. We were centrally located but could never hear the busy streets below and it seemed that all the hotels were new or recently renovated. It was also really reassuring to have multiple local points of contacts in case we needed anything although we never did. We also had the best experience with the tours that we chose to do which was great because we had a variety of ages on the trip so we needed to accommodate the abilities of some without the others being bored and the trip exceeded our families expectations.
The experience from booking to while we were even in Greece was unbelievable. The Greek Travel Gurus true professionals who listens to your needs, make suggestions and then execute the trip to run smoother than one could imagine, all while providing 5 star transportation, guides and hotels.
We asked to go somewhere that was less touristy and our specialist suggested the island Naxos. It was by far an amazing experience. We had a catamaran tour that was so much fun and the town had so many great restaurants and things to do. It is definitely somewhere that we want to go back to and explore! In Athens the tour company that we had that provided tours and transportation were like no other. We got such great insight from locals on their perspective and shared a meal with them because we had a great time. We really bonded with our guide and he was patient and answered all of our questions, provided us with anything we needed. The attention to detail blew us away.
If we could, we would stay longer in Naxos (Chris- recommended) over Santorini but other than that nothing. We will definitely book again with the Greek Travel Gurus and I will recommend them to my friends for sure. We would love to see the other half of Greece in the future!
Hi Gurus
I just wanted to THANK YOU for all of your hard work on our trip. My family had an incredible time and we could not be more thankful. Everything was awesome, the tour company in Athens was unbelievable, the hotels exceeded our expectations and Greece is just a beautiful country with great people and food. We were sad that we didn't get to meet you but we drove by your town on our visit back from Delphi and we waved. Naxos was our favorite and the hotel we stayed in was unbelievable. I will definitely recommend you to everyone and we hope to do another trip to Greece in the future.
Thank you again,
Lidia
Joycelyn, April 2018
Hi Gurus,
I wanted to thank you so much for planning an amazing vacation for us. We had a wonderful time - everything was absolutely perfect. From the moment we landed to the flight home we were completely taken care of. Our accommodations were fantastic, the tours were amazing and we got to enjoy a lot of free time to explore things for ourselves which we really enjoy.
We loved Greece and can't say enough great things about your country. We met some wonderful people and hope one day to return to a few places that we would like to explore more.
I attached one of my favorite photos from our time in Santorini.
Thank you again
Jocelyn
Gisell, April 2018
This has been the best vacation I've had in a long time!
Did a multi city 10 day trip through London and Greece and everything was perfect (hard to believe but true). Our planner from the Greek Travel Gurus was a pleasure to work with. My friend and I told him what we wanted to do (relax and do some sight seeing) and the budget we had to work with and he absolutely nailed it! spend a day in London, 1 1/2 day in Greece, 3 days in Mykonos and 3 days is Santorini. The accommodations were fabulous with amazing views, the airport hotel transfers where all in time, excursions where great, tkts waiting for us when we arrived at the different hotels and the staff in all the hotels (specially in the Greek islands) was very friendly and attentive. no problems with any of our flight and ferry itineraries.
I travel A LOT for business and can be a harsh critic, so when I say that this trip was prefect, its no exaggeration. THANK YOU Gurus!
I would recommend their services to everyone and will definitely use them in the future.
Touring Athens (acropolis), Mykonos and Santorini. the hotel accommodations and catamaran excursion in Santorini where just the icing on the cake! breath taking views, amazing hotel staff. My stress just melted away!
Hi Gurus,
Hope this message finds you well.
I just wanted to write to thank you for all your help with our vacation trip. I had the best vacation I have had in a very long time.I needed the break so much and thanks to you Every thing was just PERFECT!!!
The hotel and the views where amazing, all the staff at the hotels where super polite and friendly. The location of every hotel was prime I am still day dreaming of all the views!
My favorite experiences where visiting acropolis and the museum in Athens, the views from our hotel and the catamaran excursion in Santorini.
Our hostess in Santorini Maria was so gracious and OMG those views!!!!!
I had seen pictures but to experience everything in person was amazing. I will never forget this trip. :-)
I have mentioned you and your company to everyone I have told about my vacation (like everyone) I hope you can get some referrals from us .
THANK YOU SOO MUCH and God bless and prospers you always.
Here is a little video I put together to share with my friends.
Parul, April 2018
We were very happy with hotels, tours and itinerary organized by the Greek Travel Gurus. They spent a lot of time listening to what we want to do and provided great suggestions and insights. They also took care of last minute travel arrangements as a boat trip had to be canceled and replaced by flights. Highly recommend!
The tour guides made our trip most memorable, both in Athens on on Crete
Rajashree, April 2018
The Greek Travel Gurus did a phenomenal job planning our trip to Greece (Athens, Crete and Santorini) given the start of the season and it was still a little bit cold. Our specialist went out of his way to accommodate our needs for accessibility, vegan food options and planning the types of activity we enjoyed
He also went out of their way locating some ipads we lost at Crete airport and helped ship them back to our home, one day before their major holiday of Easter
The hotel selection and choice of private tour operator for an Acropolis and Gastronomical delights of Athens tour was really good. We walked through some amazing neighborhoods of Athens which we wouldn't have otherwise gone to and tried dishes we wouldn't have known about!
In Crete, we stayed at the most amazing hotel which has some of the nicest staff and the cooking class there was a very enjoyable experience.
In Santorini, the hotel room was phenomenal and we had plenty of room and a great view from the highest point in the caldera.
Leah, November 2017
We worked with the Greek Travel Gurus for our trip to Greece and couldn't be happier. They were extremely knowledgeable, a pleasure to work with, and took all of our needs and interests into consideration. Our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus planned a seamless trip for us that was exactly what we were looking for in terms of sights, comfort level, and budget. He found us fabulous hotels right on the ocean in the islands, and within spitting distance of the Acropolis in Athens; and all within our budget.
He definitely went above and beyond in being available for questions before and during our trip, and provided us with fantastic guides and information about each place. Most of all, he made the details of the travel like transportation, rental cars, check in/check out absolutely seamless for us, which I could not have done on my own and it saved us a lot of time and hassle on the trip. Working with him made such a difference in our experience, and I would highly recommend him to anyone.
Our trip focused on historical sites and we enjoyed it thoroughly. We also enjoyed seeing so many different sites and coming home to relax in beautiful hotels in each city.
John, October 2017
Flawless! That is what comes to mind when describing our trip to Greece. To celebrate our 40th anniversary we wanted a trip where we could learn about a new country and its history, learn to cook native dishes and sample local wines, and completely relax. That is exactly what the Greek Travel Gurus provided.
It started with a telephone call with our specialist, where he asked me what would be our perfect trip. After describing the above and giving him a budget he provided us with a detailed trip itinerary that met our every need.
It started with a pickup at the Athens airport, transporting us to our hotel at the foot of the Acropolis. We had a private tour of the Acropolis, and the Agora with a local archaeologist and finished with a driving tour of the city. That night, his representative met with us providing a detailed itinerary and a pre-programmed GPS for a five day driving tour of the Peloponnese.
Finally, three relaxing days in Santorini complete with an island tour and local wine tasting. Our trip couldn’t have gone better with our every need and desire met. As an older couple we really appreciated how easy it was to navigate a new country and still have the privacy we wanted. I’d recommend the Greek Travel Gurus for anyone wanting to visit Greece.
Jamie, September 2017
We contacted several agencies about planning our Grecian Honeymoon last fall. We were referred to the Greek Travel Gurus who specialize in travel to Greece. Everything was wonderful! Our specialist listened to our budget, what kinds of activities we wanted during our vacation and our hotel preferences. He even made us a dinner reservation at a wonderful restaurant in Athens- we had the best view of the acropolis in the entire place! I have never had such a carefree international trip!! Thank you for everything, it was 10 days we will never forget!
The food tour in Athens, the Delos trip in Mykonos, and our 7 hour tour of the island of Santorini- including Acrotiri we all amazing!
Chris, September 2017
The Greek Travel Gurus and our specialist put together a great itinerary for our trip to Athens, Crete and Santorini. When I needed to speak to him before, during and after the trip, he was always available and willing to intervene, if necessary. The hotels, tours and general schedule was very fitting, and we spent a good deal of time prior to the trip planning every phase, while leaving room for personal exploration.
Thank you Greek Travel Gurus!
Sid, September 2017
Superb! Can't say one negative thing about the trip. Everything was well thought out, suited us and our interests and all tour guides and drivers were very professional, accommodating and friendly. The Greek Travel Gurus and our travel specialist was top notch and available for questions at any time. He was very knowledgeable and did such a great job! We'd highly recommend them! It's the way to see and experience Greece!
We wouldn't change a thing!
Michelle, September 2017
THANK YOU SO MUCH for planning our trip! We had an amazing honeymoon thanks to your help! Everything went really well with the road trip portion! The google map route you sent us was so helpful once I figured out how to download it for offline use! We did have a GPS but ended up not using it cause the map was so much more convenient! Even though I think we did spend a little more than if we were to have gone with a bus tour (we were a little shocked at gas prices), we are so happy that we went with our own road trip and got to explore on our own time. Thank you for making it so simple for us to do! We definitely got to experience so much more being on our schedule! The guides you arranged for us in Olympia and Athens were so awesome too. And we absolutely loved the restaurant recommendations you gave us! Our favorite was the one in Delphi and in Olympia!! The islands portion of the trip was a dream too! Santorini was my favorite and we were very happy with the location of our hotel. Everywhere in Santorini has such beautiful views but I think we had the best! It was perfect and we definitely want to return to explore more of the islands! Thank you for all your timely and excellent communication in helping us plan the honeymoon of our dreams!!
Aloha,
Michelle and Josh
Leslie, August 2017
My husband and I just returned from a 3 week trip to Greece. We chose to use the Greek Travel Gurus as our in country travel specialists and we were very pleased with the result. From the first moment we arrived we had a professional driver pick us up in a very nice car and take us to our hotel. We had gorgeous views of the Acropolis both from our nicely appointed room and from the rooftop restaurant where we had a bountiful Greek buffet each morning. We started with an orientation on foot tour with a guide around the Plaka area and other hip areas. Then we had a food tour with a different guide on the following day. The following day we went with a guide to the Acropolis. The guide dropped us off afterwards for an upscale prepaid 3 course lunch at a restaurant we never could have found on our own, with a view of the Acropolis. Afterwards the guide and a driver picked us up for a driving tour of sights in Athens in a comfortable car with much appreciated air conditioning. One of the highlights of our 3 week trip was a cooking class on the island of Kea, a ferry ride away from a town an hour out of Athens, with a Greek cookbook author in her outdoor kitchen. The class of 6 included a chef and restaurateur from Turkey. I learned to "roll the dough" for phyllo. This class included wines and a many course fabulous meal. The class included a tour of the husband, Costas' herb garden.
We toured the Pelopenesian peninsula for a few days with a young driver, who gave us great insight into the area in absolutely flawless English, took us to prepaid lunches at fabulous restaurants and was extremely helpful in every way including with our luggage. At each archaeological site (like Olympia or Delphi--on the mainland) we had a monument guide who was infectiously enthusiastic about his or her historical knowledge. We also had wine tastings and an olive tasting. We went to 3 islands--Crete, Santorini and Mykonos. Each was wonderful in its own unique way. For the last 4 days in Mykonos we only went to different beaches. The hotels on all 3 islands were gorgeous and the staff treated us like royalty and almost like adored family members. Our specialist arranged a wonderful seamless vacation for us, that we could not have done on our own.
It's hard to say what the best part was, as we enjoyed so many activities. We loved going to the Acropolis, Delphi, Olympia. Also, when in Nafplio (in Pelopenesia) there was a free outdoor performance of Cretan dancers in costume. We loved the two cooking classes we took, one in Kea and one in Crete. We enjoyed the wine tasting and tour at Skouras winery. We loved the olive oil tasting in Crete at a camp sight. We enjoyed seeing Knossos palace in Crete and learning about the seriously advanced Minoan culture. We also visited a restored synagogue called Etz Chaim, in Chania, Crete and learning about the Greek Jewish man who undertook this project and about the sad history of the pre World War II Jewish members. We enjoyed swimming in the Black Beach in Santorini and Super Paradise Beach in Mykonos. We also loved a catamaran sunset cruise in Santorini with swimming off the boat (with snorkel) and a feast of a dinner with wine.
Carlo, August 2017
My wife and I decided to put our faith and booked with the Greek Travel Gurus based on the reviews we saw, and we are so happy we did. We went to Greece for our honeymoon for 10 days and they came up with an excellent itinerary. From the planning stages to the finalization of our trip, our specialist was easy to contact, prompt to respond and always enthusiastic when planning our dream honeymoon. We went to Athens, Naxos and Santorini and had zero issues with the hotels, transfers and plane/ferry tickets. This made everything stress-free and made the trip even more enjoyable.
He was very instrumental in choosing the places we visited and suggested we visit Naxos, which turned out to be our favorite destination. He also suggested a sunset catamaran cruise in Santorini which was the highlight of the island for us. In addition, we also had a personal travel guide in Athens for a walking tour of the Acropolis and the Plaka area, which was all included in the package. Our specialist was also very mindful of the budget we set out and adjusted the itinerary accordingly.
We would 100% recommend using the Greek Travel Gurus and would definitely use them again for any of our future travels. Big thanks to the Greek Travel Gurus for making this one of the most amazing trips we have ever been on.
Alice, August 2017
I just wanted to let you know we are back home, and to thank you so much for helping plan the trip of a lifetime! Everything was so wonderful, it exceeded our very high expectations!
Every guide, every location, every service down to the housekeeping was wonderful.
In fact the housekeeper at the villa was so helpful, even letting us know where to go when my daughter caught an ear infection on Naxos!
Even though there was a wide age and interest range, everyone left saying it was the best vacation they've ever had.
Thanks again!
Looking at your reviews is definitely how we decided to use you, so we will respond in kind!
Yes- mom loved the food, we can honestly say we never had a bad meal. Yes! The kids had a great time, learned a lot, and we all had some great fun relaxing time as a family.
Once again- thanks for caring about every detail.
Beatriz, August 2017
I would like to give the highest possible rating to the Greek Travel Gurus. We worked with them and they designed the trip of a lifetime. We traveled to Greece with my mother, my husband and our two kids. So there was a wide age and interest level range. Our specialist helped us put together a trip that pleased everyone! He was thorough and so detail oriented, we didn't have to stress or worry about a thing other than being on time for our flights.
The guides that were organized were incredible. They were flexible, knowledgeable, and made our journey so special. All of the locations chosen, and hotels we stayed in were wonderful.
If you are planning a trip to Greece and want the highest quality service and experience, the Greek Travel Gurus is the way to go.
Katie, August 2017
Dear Greek Travel Gurus,
Now that I’ve had a chance to get home and catch up on the laundry, I wanted to take the time to sincerely thank you for planning such a memorable vacation for my family. From the pick up at the airport in Athens, to our departure for the long journey home from Crete, we had a fantastic time. Greece is a beautiful country with delicious food, great scenery and friendly people.
Our guide first and foremost, was an outstanding driver. You all are pretty crazy drivers and he was exceptional in handling our van. He was always alert, aware and focused on the road and getting us safely to our next destination. He quickly became part of our family and we didn’t want to have to say good-bye to him at the end. He was very easy to talk with; he was very accommodating in taking us to additional events, adjusting the schedule, or making dinner reservations. He offered great insight to Greece and its people. He had a nice rapport with all our local guides, hoteliers and restaurateurs.
All our guides were excellent. They were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and represented your country extremely well. If there was one day I would change, it would be the second day in Delphi. I didn’t realize how challenging the hike would be in combination with the heat. I would have moved the ruin tour to the following morning. Instead, we moved the olive oil tasting –a highlight. We felt we didn’t give our guide, Penny, the attention she deserved due to our exhaustion and hunger. On Crete, the mix-up with our guide turned out to be a blessing in disguise. While there were crowds at the ruins in the morning, the line was greater as we were leaving and we also were in the air conditioning during the heat of the afternoon. Your recommendation of the taverna for lunch was a wonderful suggestion. My daughter and I realized we were better of sharing plates, so the portions were perfect. Another favorite event was the hike in Imbros Gorge, our guide, was exceptional. She was a great conversationalist, knowledgeable about the area, and patient with my husband’s slow walking. Please share my email address with her as she took some photos and I forgot to give my address to her when we were together.
You were fantastic helping us in the planning stage as well as when we had our “hiccups” and changes. Those situations were handled professionally and quickly. I must admit now, that I was slightly skeptical in planning a trip with an unknown travel agent over the internet. I’m thankful that my concerns were unwarranted. We all enjoyed the food, wine, scenery, beaches, and ruins of your beautiful country. Thankfully it is vast so, we hope to return on another trip.
Thank you for our arrival gift bag and parting goody bag; when we use the products we will remember fondly of our special vacation in Greece.
Thank you for helping me create wonderful memories for my family.
Most Sincerely,
Katie
Katie, August 2017
Our family trip to Greece met and exceeded our expectations. Our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus was thorough and available through out the entire process, both in planning and during the vacation, when needed. All of our guides and drivers were informative, professional, and wonderful people. We had a variety of activities, hikes, tours of ruins, wine tasting and beach time. I have to admit, when planning a trip blindly over the internet, with someone I didn't know, I had some initial reservations. Thankfully, my skepticism was completely unnecessary. I'd use the Greek Travel Gurus again. When traveling abroad, having a "local" a specialist, makes so much sense.
Cynthia, August 2017
We are finally getting our feet on the ground after our trip. I wanted to report back on the highs and lows. We had a fabulous time, and I really appreciated how things went according to plan or got back on track very quickly when there was any deviation. You did an excellent job making arrangements. Having your guide step in and guide us around Santorini spoke volumes for your level of customer service.
As a general note, nothing you could do anything about, the crowds and heat were more of a factor than I anticipated. We found ourselves getting sapped more than I imagined. If I weren't locked into a school schedule, I would come in a shoulder season or I would cut out a few of the activities. As it was, Holden was not able to rally for the scavenger hunt on our first day after the Acropolis and museum. Also, we maybe should have skipped the Samaria Gorge hike. We felt a great sense of accomplishment but were zapped by the 37 degree heat. And we live near the mountains here, so maybe not the most unique thing we did. Holden would have also probably done well with another day or two of free time/beach time.
That said, we had such an amazing trip and came home with fabulous memories.
High points: Everyone we dealt with was top notch, very customer focused. I really appreciated how knowledgeable the guides were, and they did a great job of giving us the important historical context in a very short amount of time. People showed up on time and really made a big difference in our ability to get a lot of our visit. Our favorite days were Delphi (it was early on in our tour of historical sites and Holden had not overloaded on them yet, plus we loved the lunch, both guides, the olive oil tasting and swim at the campground) and the Santorini day we spent with Dmitry and the day we did the sunset cruise.
Ok that's the full recap. I'd love to go back. Once again, I so appreciate your hard work and the effort you all extended to make our stay in your country so wonderful. Five stars to you!
Cynthia
Arianna, August 2017
As a group of six we cannot rave enough about our two weeks spent in Greece! We were connected with the Greek Travel Gurus who planned such an amazing trip for us. I would recommend this travel company to anyone looking to go to Greece. Our specialist planned such a wonderful vacation that had us feeling like the 1% on a blue collar budget. Truly do not know how he did it but we are so thankful that he could arrange such a fulfilling vacation for the six of us!
We all greatly enjoyed the history and archaeological sites we visited. We really liked that we had private tours with such knowledgeable guides that were so nice. We absolutely loved everything about Santorini from the private island tour to the awesome catamaran to the fantastic views from our superb hotel. My boyfriend and I loved the Samaria Gorge hike on Crete. All the hotels were great. Overall, we loved seeing what each island had to offer and everything our specialist planned was so perfect for what we were looking for!
Emmanuel, July 2017
The trip was amazing! Everything went smoothly and there were not any issues. Our travel specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus gave me a walk through of everything that was to occur and ideas of what to see. He was a huge help in planning our trip and without him it would not have been as perfect as it was! The hotels he chose were beautiful with amazing views and the travel suggestions were exactly what we wanted to do!
Mykonos was our favorite island. Spectacular views/food/ and beaches.
Anne, July 2017
Hi Gurus, thank you for your follow up on our behalf. All of the transfers and flights went to schedule. The villa was lovely although a little challenging for Mary with so many steps. We all enjoyed our time in Santorini and in fact every facet of our trip was amazing.
Thanking you and to the Greek Travel Gurus sincerely for all you have done for us.
Yours Truly
Anne
Katey, July 2017
When I began my search for a vacation to Greece, I came across various online agencies as a way to find a good match with a travel agency/travel guide that could help with our unique needs. I was thrilled with the result. We were matched with 2 travel agents which both had a full list of exciting tours and special ideas. We decided to book with the Greek Travel Gurus. Our specialist was simply the very best! He was creative, attentive, knowledgeable, flexible and very patient with my family from the moment we met through the final days of our adventure.
Our vacation came together after a few hours of discussion with our specialist. We have 3 boys (ages 8-12) that are very active and love to swim. We were also traveling with my mother-in-law, a beautiful active 60+ inexperienced traveler. So we had a wide list of things we wanted to do but also knew we couldn't take the boys on a 10 hour history tour. He helped us pull together a perfect mix of ancient Greece and activities for my boys.
Our trip was a dream come true. We would highly recommend working with the Greek Travel Gurus every time you want to plan the perfect Greece Adventure!
Our time in Athens was on the top of everyone's list - we stayed in a terrific downtown hotel which had a roof top pool and restaurant looking out at the Acropolis / Parthenon. It was breathtaking. We then had a Food Tour of Athens, where our guide took us around Athens trying figs, spanakopita, greek coffee, greek pastries, cheeses, olives, olive oil, breed and proper souvlaki! We had a break and then met a new guide that walked us around the Acropolis and Parthenon. What a great day!
Our second favorite was our private catamaran boat tour of Santorini - let me just say WOW! The boys were able to jump off the boat to swim and dive all afternoon. The personal chef made some of the best food we had experienced in Greece and the team were friendly and engaging with our boys. We felt like family and wanted the trip to last forever. The views of the sunset from the sea ... were unreal. It was so memorable for our family.
Finally, our family loved our time on the island of Naxos. We stayed at the most beautiful hotel that had a private villa and pool for our family. While had no plans during our 5 days, we enjoyed every moment driving around seeing different ancient ruins, taking wind-surfing lessons, eating on the beach at the hotels' sister resort and being able to absorb the culture. We would return to Naxos in a heartbeat and only stay at the same hotel- the staff treated us like we were long lost relatives and we could not have felt more at home.
The only downturn to our amazing trip was our choice for hotels in Santorini. The hotel was gorgeous and had the most spectacular views of the Caldera - it felt like were on a movie set! In addition, the staff was just incredibly welcoming and friendly. So for no fault of the hotel - I would have selected a more family friendly location. Our 3 boys were too much for the guests ... they are energetic boys that want to swim and play. Our choice was very quiet and more geared for honeymooners. I would happily return to our hotel with my husband (just the 2 of us) but I would suggest a different location for traveling families.
Hans, July 2017
I had a 2 weeks holiday in Greece with my mom in July 2017, and it was an unforgettable trip. We planned with the Greek Travel Gurus and I would love to do this again in other countries. We visited Athens, Corinth, Nafplio, Delphi, Meteora, and Santorini. We had our own 9 seats Mercedes with an excellent driver, and our own guides whom we met at the sights. All speak perfect English and are very friendly.
We visited the archeology of Delphi early in the morning and it was still very quiet, so we enjoyed the sun light through the Apollo temple, and the mountain surrounded us, breathed in the fresh air while looking at what used to be the most religious place in the region.
Maria, July 2017
Hi Gurus!!
I hope this email finds you well and I hope things are going great!
Firstly, let me apologize for how long it took us to write this email. We've had a busy year between our wedding and then one of my sisters. Nevertheless, it doesn't excuse the fact that we never reached out at some point to say THANK YOU!!!!!!!
I cannot begin to explain how thankful we are for your hard work and patience in making our honeymoon one we will never forget. Everything was perfect between the hotels, locations, and of course food recommendations.
We had a hard time coming home and we continually talk about our trip to others and among ourselves reminiscing about what a great time we had. It was Peter's first time in Europe and it was an amazing way to experience it. Greece is somewhere we would love to visit again - there are so many places still left unseen.
Thank you again for everything, really. You were the perfect guide to help bring our vision of a memorable trip to life.
Hope all is well.
Take care
Sonny, July 2017
Our wonderful specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus set up a memorable trip for us to Athens and the Greek Islands. He spent time talking with us and listening to what we were hoping for. He got back to us a few days later with a suggested itinerary based on our preferences. Every detail went smoothly and all of his recommendations were spot on.
The tours were truly outstanding, because the guides were terrific - intelligent, knowledgeable, and personable.
He suggested that we visit the island of Naxos rather than a more famous tourist spot, and that was the best part of our trip. The hotel on Naxos, which he also recommended, was the nicest hotel we have ever stayed at - a lovely, family owned resort with beautiful rooms and suites and an excellent chef.
Ken, July 2017
An absolutely fantastic experience. Our trip was planned with professionalism and a lot of thought was given to detail. Our specialist from the Greek Travek Gurus did a great job of understanding our needs and likes and made this 15 day trip a lifetime souvenir. We highly recommend him to anyone who wants an exhilarating experience of Greece in quietude and security. The Greek Travel Gurus are your people who will tailor your trip according to your tastes. We will certainly travel with him again.
Kudos Gurus!
Jennifer, July 2017
The Greek Travel Gurus planned an amazing trip to Greece for my husband and I. We loved working with an expert in the area instead of a Travel Agent who relies on another travel agent for their information. We went directly to the source and he was able to answer all of our questions. Our trip was extremely well organized and the one time we needed to get in touch with our specialist, he was immediately available via cell phone. He took the time to get to know us and our travel style which helped for a seamless, amazing Greek vacation. I would recommend him to everyone!
Kim, June 2017
Hello Gurus,
We are safely back in the US and a little sad. Woke up at 3:30 this am ready to take on the day!
I am getting your email now on my laptop because I decided to make a sacrifice to God Poseidon by making an offering by dropping my phone into the Aegean! Ugh - not the best thing to happen on the last day, but we were truly grateful for the spectacular sea and all of its beauty!
We had a great trip - completely over exceeded our expectations all the way around. We had just the right mix of cultural experiences and time to relax. We so enjoyed learning about your beautiful country and it has struck a cord for us to delve deeper in learning more. We made many friends along the way, some of whom we invited to stay with us at our home when they travel to the United States.
LOVE Aglaia and Kostas! They and two other of their friends on Kea were trying to convince us to buy property over there, which is truly not out of the question.
Greece simply put is beautiful! We were welcomed by all whom we encountered, felt completely safe and loved that the locals wanted to share their own personal experiences and lives with us. We found Greeks to be extremely open in sharing their souls, passions and pride with us and for that we are truly grateful.
All of our accommodation bookings, tours and dining experiences were not only very comfortable but exceeded our expectations. We have a great deal of homework to do in giving good reviews to many on TripAdvisor.
LOVED the food. Bought three cookbooks and all of our souvenirs were food based. I wish we had access to fresh fava beans and those fantastic larger sardines here in the US. We bought so much tomato paste on Santorini that it tipped the scales on our suitcases coming home. Can not wait to make my own mystic and try to duplicate many of the dishes that we tasted.
Can't thank you enough! I am keeping your contact information and the names of all of the tour companies and guides that you use to share with friends.
I am going back and maybe we will be making our trips to Greece longer or even get ourselves a little piece of land in that end of the world.
Hope to meet you personally one day, you created an experience for our family that we will never forget! I feel as though I know you personally already!
ευχαριστώ,
Kim
Working with our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus was a pure pleasure! This man has an incredible sense of detail and works tireless hours. Even though he was 7 hours ahead of us, he was working into the wee hours of the night answering questions for me, changing our itinerary, securing hotels, tours, sailing trips and dinner reservations. Every hotel, tour, tour guide, and dining experience exceeded our expectations by a factor. He also took the time to explain every detail of our itinerary so we knew what to expect as first time travelers in Greece, and he provided extensive information about the varying cultures and climates for each location that we visited. When we were in Greece he was available for us at all times - just an added bonus! We felt exceptionally well taken care of and it allowed us to fully enjoy our trip! We made friends who will be coming to the States to visit us, we embraced the culture with every tour guide, and we learned about their own personal stories. We felt fully welcomed as US citizens everywhere we went. He single handedly made our first family trip to Greece not only one to remember, but provided an experience that will be bringing us back many times in the future! Thank you to the Greek Travel Gurus!
Lauren, June 2017
Our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus was incredibly helpful to me in planning an amazing family vacation. His knowledge and experience were invaluable. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and the special touches that our travel specialist and the Gurus provided. They were responsive to our every need. Highly recommend.
We particularly enjoyed our tour guides/drivers. They were fun, engaging and informative. They made our tours unique and customized to our needs. We enjoyed our time with them completely.
The taverna we ate at on Santorini was charming and was among the best meals we ate the entire time we were in Greece. Simple, fresh and delightful.
Not much that I would change. Perhaps plan a little more down time because the heat of the day did affect us. And maybe a little buffer time especially at the front end of our trip. We had unexpected delays (which seem common) which necessitated the canceling and adjusting of some of our tours.
Lauren, June 2017
The Greek Travel Gurus went above and beyond to make sure that our first trip to Greece was a memorable one.
Not only were the sites breathtaking but so was the food!
Charlene, June 2017
After a couple of failed attempts with other travel agents to deliver our vision, we were connected to the Greek Travel Gurus. Our travel specialist arranged the most memorable holiday in Greece for us. We told him what we were thinking and he delivered exactly what we pictured. We flew in to Athens then on to the islands of Rhodes, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos. His knowledge of Greece, the hotels and the time we would need was spot on and the order in which to enjoy the islands was perfectly planned. He booked all of our hotels and transfers within Greece. All we had to do was show up. It was 100% worry-free allowing us to enjoy ourselves to the fullest. We cannot say enough good things about the Greek Travel Gurus and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a truly amazing trip to Greece.
We fully enjoyed all of the places we visited. The Acropolis and area in Athens was historically spellbinding. Each island (Rhodes, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos) offered us a different perspective of Greek life. Rhodes was an overall favorite for us. We stayed at the beautiful hotel inside the walls of Old Town where we were treated like royalty. A family run business, Alex and his family go above and beyond to welcome you and make you feel like a part of their family. Rethymnon and Heraklion in Crete provided wonderful history and ruins. Santorini was as beautiful as all the pictures portray. And Mykonos provided not only the glorious history of Delos but the absolute bliss of beach relaxation that we needed at the end of our 2 1/2 weeks in Greece.
I would change absolutely nothing. It was perfect
Meagan, June 2017
Our trip to Greece was truly an amazing and unforgettable experience. I would highly recommend the Greek Travel Gurus to anyone looking to book a trip to Greece or elsewhere as they not only put together a custom and detailed itinerary but were able to put together such an incredible trip upon very late notice. Our travel specialist was extremely helpful in customizing our trip based on our likes and was readily available (even during the trip!) to answer any questions we had. We are very thankful for the services we received.
While Mykonos and Santorini are both unbelievable islands, I would have to say Santorini was truly one of the best places I've ever visited. No matter where you are in Santorini, the views are phenomenal. Truly a beautiful island with lots of great sights to visit (loved the walk to Oia and renting ATVs to explor the island), friendly people all around and delicious food!
Robin, June 2017
The Greek Travel Gurus provided our family with a fabulous vacation that we will remember forever. After listening to my wish list, he put together an itinerary that included a tour of the many ancient historical sites, as well as a sailing trip through the Cyclades ending in Santorini. We had guides at the sites who were incredibly knowledgeable, a host to cater to our needs and introduce us to incredible food on the mainland, an enjoyable crew for our trip on the Sophia Star 1, and a great guide in Santorini. We were able to experience the rich history of Greece, as well as the kind people, and the wonderful food and the delightful wines. We were so well taken care of that even in close quarters, there was no stress around our travel itinerary, and so all we needed to do was relax and enjoy the experience. I cannot thank our travel specialist and the Greek Travel Gurus enough for their efforts to make our trip the experience of a lifetime. Thank you!
There are so many! The Acropolis and Athens walking tour; the hike at Corykeion Cave and down to Delphi; the tours of Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, and Mycenea; the sail on our private yacht with a wonderful crew; a tour of Santorini and a winery there. And the food . . . the incredible food!!
William, May 2017
To begin, we owe a lot to the Greek Travel Gurus and our specialist who went to great lengths to design a trip tailored specifically for our needs. We wanted to have an 18 day photographic trip in Greece - half on land and half visiting several islands by sailboat and that is what Chris delivered. It was an excursion we will remember always.
Our specialist drew upon the services of his local guides who delivered excellent services for private tours for the two of us - some led by professional photographers who knew where we should go to get the best photo opportunities.
1. Nafplio - a most beautiful Greek city combined with a trip down to Cape Sounion to ferry over to the island of Hydra and lunch on this most delightful place.
2. The mountains around Vytina and Dimitsana with beautiful villages and fabulous vistas. And...
3. The great Sea of Olives below Delphi where ancient olive trees appear to be a great green sea from high up.
As for the sailing through the islands - we docked at Mykonos, Siros, Sifnos, Milos, Folegandros, Ios and Santorini.
1. We dropped anchor at a breathtaking little bay on Kimonos (on the way to Milos) where swimming was perfect.
2. Little Folegandros was pure Greece with its leafy town square filled with diners at several outdoor restaurants.
3. Our sailboat skipper and first mate entertained an entire outdoor restaurant playing Greek folk songs on their bouzoukis (which led to several free rounds from the restaurant).
4. Santorini is hands down the most beautiful island we visited - especially the northern point of Oia.
This trip was all we had hoped for thanks to the Greek Travel Gurus who delivered a wonderful experience at a reasonable cost.
Alyssa, May 2017
TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
THANK YOU, to our travel specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus! Our trip to Greece (Athens, Crete, and Santorini) was amazing from the moment we got off the plane in Athens to the moment we boarded to come home. Everything was done top notch! I can't say enough what a huge help the transfer were from place to place - not having to think about that was really helpful.
I never used any other travel agency other than a local one near my home, and when I went to plan my trip to Greece, the agent had never been there before. I didn't really want to plan a trip with someone who never went to the place I'm traveling to! After some Google searches to figure out what/how I can plan a memorable trip to Greece, I came across the Greek Travel Gurus! They helped set up an itinerary for everyday, whether we had a private walking tour in Athens to check out the food and then the Acropolis (with a chef, which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND doing privately) or had a day planned to drive up the coast to find/hike Balos beach!
Everything was professionally done. Every single person was on time and we were always taken to places in style. I already recommended the Greek Travel Gurus to everyone who asked me about my trip and definitely plan on booking with them again! Thank you SO much for making it such a wonderful and memorable experience!
Steven, May 2017
The entire trip went off without a hitch, from the planning stage to our last transfer to the airport. My wife and I have traveled extensively over the last several years and we know the value of having a first class travel specialist make the arrangements. This was our first such experience and the guidance was excellent. We selected the Greek Travel Gurus after speaking with our specialist and receiving proposals from two other companies. He offered good advice at every point, reflecting his careful listening. We had been wanting to go to Greece for several years and had a pretty good idea of both what we wanted and what we didn't want. The trip turned out wonderfully for us and we felt that the choice of destinations, the sophistication level of the guides, and the comfort of the vehicles and hotels all met or exceeded our expectations.
Since this was our first trip to Greece, we felt that some things were mandatory, like visiting the Parthenon. But even this experience was made more enjoyable because we went early in the day to avoid the crowds and heat and we were furnished with interactive tablets that provided an excellent augmented reality, supplementing our guide's spoken words. Little things like that can make a big difference. Later, in Crete, we had a guide who walked us through her small hometown. We stopped at the grocery store where her sister was the proprietor and bought picnic supplies to take to the beach. As we walked the town's back streets, people would greet her and banter a bit. This helped us absorb meaningful impressions about the culture we were dropping in on. On Naxos, our specialist had encouraged us to rent a car and explore on our own, dispensing with guides and drivers. This turned out to be a wonderful part of the trip as we set our own pace and were able to simply enjoy the natural beauty of the island. A short swim off an incredibly beautiful beach in the clear blue-green Aegean waters, followed by a tasty lunch in the beach's single taverna has printed itself indelibly on my memory.
We have to accept the fact that life presents infinite choices and it is impossible to experience or know everything. This was a wonderful trip and I can't think of anything that would have made it better.
Rea, May 2017
Our honeymoon to Greece was perfectly planned. When we first talked to our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus on the phone, he asked about our interests and offered a few ideas of things we would like to do. He put together an excellent itinerary for 7 days, split between Athens and Santorini. The activities were unique, interesting, and memorable. The trip was certainly planned much better than I would've been able to do on my own, with practically no stress. All travel was well orchestrated and seamless. There were drivers with name cards at the airports, and we were picked up from and returned to our hotel for all activities. They were even able to rearrange our itinerary when a general strike closed some attractions.
I had asked for a "honeymoon-level" hotel suite in Santorini, and The Rose Suite at Above Blue did not disappoint. It had a private balcony with hot tub and a view over the middle the caldera. On the first day, we went on a wine and food tour with a group of 6 other Americans. We toured a farm growing pistachios, tomatoes, capers, and grapes. We also visited a winery where we got to sample a number of the wines, most notably Vinsanto, a deliciously thick and sweet dessert wine. We wrapped up the day in a group cooking class taught by a local chef. We made a few traditional Greek dishes, including the most delicious tzatziki sauce.
If I were to take the trip again, I would go a little later in the year. We went in mid May, and a cold front came in coincidentally. It stayed sunny, windy, about 70F the whole time. Not bad, but a little chillier than desirable for an island getaway.
Joanne, April 2017
I am sitting here not knowing how to begin. My gratitude and appreciation for how well our trip was planned is so great. Expectations were exceeded. You really listened to us and tried to meet every need and wish. Our guides were prompt, knowledgeable and fun to be with. We were allowed the flexibility to stay where we wanted to in Athens, and then we stayed at a hotel/villa in Santorini that was beautiful, well equipped and with a manager whose kindness and hospitality also exceeded expectations. My only regret is that the cruise line would not let you plan our shore excursions. Having to be ready to go at 0700 every morning was taxing, especially with the evening entertainment beginning at 2200. I missed Crete because I had to sleep.
Greece is divine; the food delicious. But why is everything uphill? I ate like a pig and gained no weight.
Thank you.
Robin, April 2017
Thank you , Greek Gravel Gurus! It is good to be home, but I keep waking up and thinking “This is not Santorini!”.
We had a fabulous time and I will submit review this evening .. unfortunately had to go right back to work and suffering a bit from jet lag, so being a bit slow. We definitely had wonderful experiences with all the people that helped with our travels – what a great team you have! From the fabulous drivers who always greeted us on time, the tour guides who were so knowledgeable, hospitable, and kind, and the young man who came by just to get our bags down the steps to the car, everything was phenomenal. And I can’t say enough about the Villa at Lithies – far exceeds expectations. Marie and team were so wonderful to us, we can’t thank them enough.
We had a good time on the cruise (very comfortable), but you were correct in your reservations about their tours vs. ones you would have arranged. Although theirs were good, they were just too darn early (7 a.m. every morning)! Just couldn’t keep up with that ship’s schedule, so if doing it again I would take your first suggestion and island-hop on our own, seeing fewer islands. Great ship, though – wonderful staff.
Thanks again for all your help – we had such a wonderful time and everything was so perfectly planned out - really made the trip!
Cheers, Robin
Antonio, April 2017
From beginning to end, my trip to Greece, as organized by the Greek Travel Gurus, was absolutely perfect -- I would not have done a thing differently. As a traveler who typically 'does it on my own' without accommodations, etc., I was a bit unsure about what expect. However, when I say it is relaxing, it really is -- and this is what a vacation should really be all about. In the past, traveling has been a chore as well as a vacation, but with this travel agent, it really took a lot of those stresses away. Also, the private tour guides that my wife and I were assigned were absolutely perfect and well -read --- they knew what they were talking about and I felt more educated as a result. The hotel accommodations were perfect - we were overlooking the Aegean Sea during our stay at Santorini and were waited on continuously --- I felt like royalty with our specialist's recommendations. Not to mention the fantastic wine tour he had scheduled for us, as well as his 24/7 availability -- in fact, I called him with a question and it was answered and accommodated by the hotel staff within minutes. I felt like that, by going through the Greek Travel Gurus, we got the 'Inside scoop' of the best places to go and see from the individual who is from Greece and is a local, and for me, that is the best way to travel --- to do what the people of the country recommended - as opposed to showing up like a tourist and not knowing which way is up! Thank you Gurus for making my honey moon the best experience of my life -- and please forward this to the tour guides from the museums, my friend 'hog', the people at above blue, and everyone else! Sincerely and with gratitude, Antonio and Megan
Josh, April 2017
We had a GREAT trip – thanks so much! Catching up on life this week but will certainly come back to you very soon.
Take care.
Josh
Ajay, March 2017
As we leave Athens today to go back home and look back at the last 6 days, I have no other words to say but a sincere Thank You.
We thank you for an amazing vacation - everything happened as you described, the people you entrusted us to were amazing and the itinerary you planned for us could not have been any better. We will cherish the memories of your country and the people we met for years.
Going forward one thing we know for sure who to call for our next vacation idea and planning. My friend, I hope to meet you someday and do extend an invitation for you to visit Michigan.
Take care and stay in touch.
Regards,
Ajay.
David, March 2017
The Greek Travel Gurus did a great job at helping me plan my trip to Greece. They organized all of my hotels, transfers, and flights within Greece. They also arranged for a car rental on one of the islands. They offered to organize my activities, but I chose to do that on my own. Everything went smoothly. I was also given information on each location I visited so that I had some ideas of things I would like to see. He does a very thorough job. The food tour in Athens was to only structured event that my daughter and I really enjoyed. Otherwise, simply exploring Athens, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini on our own was great.
I would research each location a little more so that I could have organized my daily itinerary better. While our specialist offered many great suggestions, it still would have been better for me personally to do research to fit my own likes and personality.
Kiran, October 2016
We booked our honeymoon to Greece through the Greek Travel Gurus, and we were very pleased!
We spent 2 days in Athens, 5 days in Crete, then 3 days in Santorini. We went at the off-season, so we had to take more flights than usual to island hop, but each Aegean flight was booked by our specialist so all we had to do was show up at the airport. Each of our private transfers went smoothly, and the drivers were always right on time waiting for us. Our half-day Athens tour was great- very informative! We learned a lot about The Acropolis/Parthenon/Erechtheion, saw Zeus's temple, the Arch of Hadrian, and the Acropolis museum. Unfortunately our other booked venture, catamaran cruise in Santorini, was cancelled due to inclement weather, and Chris even called our hotel room to alert us personally about the change in plans. We were also offered a refund which was appreciated!
Each hotel was beautiful, clean and helpful! The hotel Andronis in Athens was in a great location where we could easily walk into the night life of the city. The Domes Noruz resort in Crete was really outstanding, with an ocean view and private deck with pool. The staff was amazingly friendly, the food was great, the grounds/location were gorgeous, and we also enjoyed the spa very much. The Santorini hotel room at Above the Blue was very nice- breathtaking view from our room, on the Caldera overlooking the sea.
Our rental cars came in big use, as we did a lot of independent exploring. Pick up and drop off of cars were easy as well.
We couldn't have been happier with our trip- I was very impressed with the Greek Travel Gurus, specifically our specialist! I even emailed him a couple times during the trip and he got right back to me each time with info/answers to my questions.
I highly recommend the Greek Travel Gurus for your future travel!
Sania, October 2016
My wife and I wanted to celebrate buying a new home and our 2nd year anniversary so we decided we wanted to go to Greece. We looked online and decided to go with the Greek Travel Gurus. Our specialist was very friendly and on top of everything. My wife got to speak to him over the phone numerous times to work out our itinerary. He also provided many suggestions and we must say, we're glad we listened. He was able to tailor our trip to our needs and kept everything within budget. When we actually got to Greece, everything was perfect. We had our itinerary before hand but in addition to all of that info, our hotel had documents waiting for us specifying times for pickups for (tours, activities, hotel transfers). We had a mix of group tours and private tours which was great cause we got to do some things alone and somethings with other travelers. The trip was planned and went flawless (minus airline issues - which wasn't the Gurus’ fault). Thank you guys for helping us plan such a memorable trip!!
The private tour of Santorini Island was my favorite part. We got to see the whole Island at our own pace. The local tour guide they hired was very friendly and professional. It was an amazing experience.
Jerry, October 2016
Hi Gurus,
Peggy and I had a great time in Greece!! We really enjoyed our tours of the Acropolis, Delphi and Meteora and really appreciated the tour guides knowledge and passion. And our driver Yanni is a super guy.
And Santorini is beautiful and the tour there was also great. Only suggestion would be to let people know how many steps there are to their rooms. In a few years it would be difficult for us to navigate the 201 steps.
We will be happy to provide reviews of our great trip.
Peggy and I want to thank you for putting together our once in a lifetime trip!
Our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus planned our seven days in Greece based on our "bucket list" of things to see and do. We were very happy with the overall tour that included everything we wanted to do plus many more adventures. We were met promptly at the Athens Airport and taken to our hotel with a view of the Acropolis as promised. The next day we were met at our hotel by a great guide for a tour of the Acropolis, followed by an included lunch. The next day we were picked up by a driver for a trip to Delphi and Meteora. Our driver, Yannis, was very professional and a great young man who told us much about Greek life and was very patient in trying to teach us some Greek. At both Delphi and Meteora we were met by great local guides at each location for very interesting tours. After a very long day touring Meteora and a five hour drive back to Athens, Yannis returned us to the Athens Airport for a short flight to Santorini for three nights. Here we also met a local guide for a tour of the island. Our villa on Santorini had a great view of the caldera although our room was over 200 steps down, and of course, back up to the main road. We were pleasantly surprised that even in the second half of October the weather was perfect on Santorini, about 70-75 F. with a nice breeze.
All in all, everything about our seven days in Greece was great. All of our drivers and tour guides were on time, very interesting and passionate about Greece. We greatly enjoyed all of our tours and the ancient history of the various locations. Thank you Greek Travel Gurus!!
The two day- one night trip to Delphi and Meteroa were very long days. We did not really get to enjoy the view from our hotel in Kalambaka as we arrived after dark and left around 8:00 A.M. for a tour. Adding an extra night might have helped slow the pace a little and we could have enjoyed the scenery more. But, we set our time in Greece at seven days, so our specialist worked within our time constraints.
Emilie, September 2016
I cannot say enough good things about the Greek Travel Gurus, and I would recommend them to anyone who has an appreciation for top quality service and accommodations.
Our specialist designed our trip for us based on our timing and interests. There were a couple of things I questioned, and I decided to trust his guidance. Turned out he was right and the trip was perfect from start to finish. For starters, I had planned Mykonos as part of our trip, but he knew it would be late in the season (we arrived Greece October 1st). He suggested Crete instead, since it's further south and has a later season. He was right. For accommodations, we stayed in places we never would have found, or thought to choose, but he really knows his stuff. Hotel properties provided the level of luxury we wanted, with a uniqueness that gave us a true flavor of where we were (whether it be Crete or Santorini). Tour guides were warm, friendly and accommodating. Always on time, exactly as described, and everything went according to plan. Our sunset cruise got cancelled due to weather, but we were accommodated the following day, and it was truly special - turns out there are many to choose from but in speaking with other tourists, it seems ours was quite a step above the others - top notch quality and service. Had the Greek Travel Gurus not planned it, we would have had no idea.
It seemed as though our specialist was always there. Day, night, weekend, time difference - it didn't matter - he always responded. During the trip, we wanted to make some adjustments to some of our tour itinerary, and he was so flexible. And when he was leaving for his own trip, he put us in the amazingly capable hands of his people on Santorini. We had an unexpected turn of events while there, with the Greek Air Traffic Controllers implementing a strike (which got cancelled at the 11th hour and only after all flights and hotel accommodations were rearranged). His reps went above and beyond to assist us, took care of all revisions, and also helped us with our international flights which we we had booked directly with Delta (mistake we'll never make again). Lesson learned. Book ALL of your arrangements through the Greek Travel Gurus. One phone call or email, and they are all over it.
I cannot wait to have another trip for the Greek Travel Gurus to arrange for us. We miss Greece (and you all ) already.
Garden restaurant setting at the Avli in Crete. View from Above Blue Villa and Sunsets in Santorini. Infinity Pool and Hot Tub at Dreams Luxury Suites (where Above Blue arranged a suite for us when we got stuck an extra 2 days). Donkey ride. Sunset Cruise. Walks to Fira.
I'd spend 1 more day each in Crete and Santorini so that we could see and spend some time at the beaches. Or better yet, I'd get an extended Visa and stay for a month!
Amber, September 2016
Hello Gurus,
Rob and I had a DREAM honeymoon!
We loved it all. Every transport, tour, guide and hotel was perfect. It’s like you knew us personally when planning it was all so perfect. I would be happy to leave you and the Greek Travel Gurus a review…give me a few days to get back in the swing of things but I’ll get to it.
We absolutely fell in love with Greece and learned so much. Everyone we met was so kind. The only thing we would change, if we had to, would be the rental car. The car itself was fine but it had a snap on top and most of the snaps were broken and there was a good gap between the car itself and the material used as the roof on the drivers side and on the rear passenger it was actually ripped open. So we were kind of bummed we couldn’t leave stuff in the car. When we made our way to Herakleion we were unable to stop and leave the car unattended with our bags. Other than that it was just magic.
Thank you so much for working with us and planning our dream honeymoon!
After attempting to plan a dream honeymoon I quickly realized that I needed help. After hearing about the Greek Travel Gurus through a friend I submitted an inquiry for a trip to Greece. I looked around with a few agencies, but at the Gurus I was put in touch with and worked exclusively with our specialist.
I have never used such a service and really didn't know what to expect. He called at a mutually convenient time and asked several questions to not only get to know me and my husband better but also to know what we wanted out of our trip. He asked what our general interests were and we discussed length of trip and budget. A day or so later he had our itinerary that was still customizable at this point with multiple options for hotels at each stop along the way. I got back to him with our selections along with feedback for some of his selections. He quickly worked up a new itinerary that sounded great to my husband and me. We were able to make payments on our honeymoon and he was available by phone or email to answer any question that popped up along the way. (Seriously, I don't think he sleeps because he always got back to us day or night.)
The time finally came and we made our way to Greece and the next two weeks were magical. That is not by any means an exaggeration. We were blown away by every aspect of the trip. It was 100% worry free. Our specialist came up with hotel choices and all the tours/etc just by talking with me for a half hour but it's like he knew me and my husband our whole lives because that trip was so perfectly, "us."
I absolutely recommend the Greek Travel Gurus to anyone considering travel to Greece. I know there's a whole world to see but I honestly would be happy to do our exact trip over and over.
The adventures we went on, suggested by our travel specialist were so perfect for us. We loved each one. Strolling the streets of Athens, privately touring the Acropolis and learning the history behind the food culture. Driving along the coast of Crete, hiking the Samaria Gorge and the most refreshing swim afterwards. Laying in the sun on a catamaran tour around Santorini after touring Akrotiri. Our cooking class in Santorini was quite memorable as well.
Everything went so smooth!! I'm not sure I'd change much. Maybe more time in Athens as we found it to be a greatly underrated city.
Jennifer, September 2016
Hi Gurus,
Thanks for your email. Finally catching up on some sleep.
Would love to tell you my thoughts. We really had an amazing honeymoon and everything went really well. We may go back next year and try a few other islands as well.
Mykonos was really amazing. I understand now how its impossible it is to get a hotel with a mix of walkable to beach and town there. The town was even better than I thought. At night it really comes alive. Boheme was very nice and the service was impeccable. Their pool was not so great but we were mostly at the beach anyways. We rented ATVs which was scary but necessary. I would highly recommend Hippie Fish beach area which was less than a 10 min drive from the hotel. and I thought the sunsets in Mykonos were even better than Santorini!
Ferry from Mykonos to Santorini not so great. Got pretty sea sick and it took forever. Much longer than 2.5 hours. Would probably fly next time.
Santorini was absolutely breathtaking. Kirini Suites was out of this world amazing. I am glad it was a little outside of Oia and away from the tourist crowd. They actually upgraded us to a suite with hot tub because it was my husband's birthday. They gave us champagne and dessert for his birthday as well which was so nice. The staff was so nice and the service was excellent. We felt like royalty there. Definitely worth the high price!
The excursions were good , the only thing I would have changed is the sunset cruise. It was great but it took over an hour drive each way to get to the port. I know some of the boats went out of Ammoudi, and that may have been a better option because it is so much closer.
The food in Greece was even better than I imagined. Every single meal was amazing. Probably gained 10 lbs but it was worth it!
Of course as you know the last nights drama really but a damper on the trip for me. My husband seemed to really enjoy it and thought it was fun to take a ferry in the middle of the night lol. I just feel like we had to rush out of Kirini and missed a night and breakfast that we paid for and I really wanted a relaxed last morning there but oh well what can we do!
I would be more than happy to write a review for you and the Greek Travel Gurus.
Thanks again!
Jennifer
The Greek Travel Gurus worked with me from start to finish in planning my honeymoon to Greece. Our specialist's hotel selections were excellent and we really enjoyed both choices very much. He answered my million questions with ease and enthusiasm and was really an expert on the area. He was always available and responded to my emails at all hours of the day and night. On the last day of our trip we had a major problem with our flight due to a strike, an he figured out a solution immediately. I would use the Greek Travel Gurus’ services again!
The food and the people! Both islands are the most touristy of the Greek islands but I see why! They are so beautiful in every way!
Julie, September 2016
Thank you, Gurus. I have every intention of writing a review to compliment the superb trip you arranged for us. I want to take time to write it well, but will certainly do so soon. I have already sung your praises many times to everyone from fellow travelers and to my veterinarian's wife!
We actually did not arrive home until a day after we were scheduled to arrive. We experienced a ten hour delay in Paris because Delta did not have the correct crew/aircraft combination in place for our flight. That was a flight I booked independent of your services, so you didn't get a call for help and you certainly have no obligation regarding it, but I am wondering if you might be willing to share any advice on pursuing compensation for the extreme delay. They did put us in a hotel in Atlanta after arriving at about 2 am and rebooked our connection for later that morning. Delta has sent an offer of a $125 travel voucher. I am just wondering, do you consider that fair and reasonable in your experience?
Again, I can't say enough to express how happy we were with the trip. We actually missed our driver from week one! Michaelos? Is that correct? We exchanged names so quickly and I never asked the spelling, but he was delightful, professional, knowledgeable, and helpful. And we enjoyed the islands as well - Santorini in particular. I will write that review soon. Thank you for all you did for us,
Julie
A carefree vacation in Greece - the things dreams are made of. And thanks to the Greek Travel Gurus, and in particular our travel specialist, the trip was, indeed, a dream come true. He saw to every detail. The trip was completely carefree for us because he planned it with such extreme care that we had absolutely no worries. Details, details, details - all planned in advance. All we had to do was show up, relax and enjoy. Day after glorious day.
I could go on and on about the splendors of Greece. It is an incredible place with ancient archaeological sites, beautiful seaside villages and islands too many to count. Suffice it to say, it is a wonderful destination. But plan ahead to take it all in - or better yet - have the Gurus plan it for you! (I just might be his biggest fan right now.)
During our trip, we noticed people looking lost, unsure of where to turn for help; people pouring over maps trying to determine how to get from one place to the next; large groups, walking in lock-step, straining to hear their guide, or standing in line, waiting to get back on the bus. That was never our experience. Arriving at the airport, our driver was waiting to whisk us off to our hotel, holding a placard bearing our name. Ready for our tour of Athens, there was our guide waiting in the hotel lobby. Touring the Peloponnese? A private driver who was friendly, knowledgeable, helpful picked us up at our hotel in Athens and stayed with us for the better part of a week. Michaelos didn’t just drive us from place to place. He carried our bags into the hotels and spoke to the desk clerks on our behalf, he told us interesting things about the areas we were driving through, he answered questions, he made suggestions, he laughed and talked with us. Arriving at archaeological sites, we were always provided a private, state licensed guide. Michaelos always made contact with that individual, walked us to where the guide was waiting, introduced us and then stepped back and waited for us to return. On a daily basis, while we were off seeing the sites, he confirmed our plans for the next day to be certain all was in order.
On the subject of the state licensed guides, arriving at Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi and the rest, we had an educated, licensed guide all to ourselves. While others clustered in groups of 20 or 30, we casually walked and talked with our guide - just the three of us. And all of our guides were extremely knowledgeable. They spoke with ease about the history of the site, answered our questions, added interesting details and stories we might never have otherwise heard. We didn't walk through the museums and sites reading placards, we had a guide pointing things out and chatting about them. Many times, we noticed individuals sidling up to us, getting close to listen in. I couldn’t blame them; I always felt we had the best of the best when it came to our guides. At one site, I thought three men from Germany were going to try to hire our guide away from us, but they asked for her card for another day - having overheard how good a guide she was. Our specialist hand-picked every guide for us in advance and he certainly knew who to choose.
The hotels he chose for us were just perfect. I don't need a spa or even a swimming pool when I travel. I am there to see the sights. But I do need a very clean, very comfortable bed and I greatly appreciate a view that shows off the location. We got that in our rooms throughout the trip - and he had to choose lots of hotels for us. We spent one or more nights in Athens, Hydra, Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi, Kalabaka, Mykonos and Santorini. He hand-picked every hotel and again, certainly understood what we were looking for.
Carefree is what we wanted and carefree is exactly what we got! A ferry strike necessitating a change in our plans? No worries, our Guru is making alternate plans - handling a situation we would not have even known existed until we got to the ferry dock. A desire to change to a hotel in a slightly different location? No worries, our Guru makes arrangements and sends a car. There may well have been other glitches we were never aware of - everything was handled behind the scenes as far as we were concerned. Everything ran smoothly, like clockwork.
The trip was a nice balance of planned activities and free time. We never felt lost or at a loss. We knew our specialist was always just a phone call away, and others, (our guide in Athens, our guide on Santorini, our Peloponnese driver), were quick to say, “Just call me if you need anything.” And we knew they were sincere. The people we met in Greece were just wonderful. It was obvious they wanted us to enjoy and appreciate their country. It was the fabulous, carefree trip of our dreams. Thank you Greek Travel Gurus!
We loved touring the Peloponnese, seeing all of the ancient archaeological sites. The history is fascinating and amazing. Our side trip to Meteora was incredible and we are so glad not to have missed that. Many people commented on how many tourists skip the mainland and focus on the islands. I am very glad that we did both.
We also loved our time on Santorini. Our hotel on Santorini, the Agali House, was wonderful, our room fabulous, the people amazing. We took a full day tour of the island, complete with a stop at one of the vineyards. We went for a sunset cruise on a catamaran which we thoroughly enjoyed. If not for activities such as those, the island can get to be a lot of 'shopping' and I tire quickly of that. It was getting out to the beaches, the lighthouse, the monastery, etc. that made the island fascinating to me.
We took a side trip to Delos while staying on Mykonos. Delos was very interesting - well worth the time - but I wish we had headed out earlier in the day as the tour is lengthy, (excellent, but lengthy) and we didn't have much time left to explore on our own. We would have enjoyed more time to explore and go to the museum.
The only other thing I can think of that I might do differently, is to spend less time on Mykonos and try to take in another island - maybe Naxos.
Chris, September 2016
Our trip to Greece could not have been more memorable and fulfilling. Our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus was the consummate professional and addressed each of our concerns prior to and during the trip. We provided him with a rudimentary itinerary and the additions he made to it more than exceeded our expectations. With his help, we were able to see and experience everything we wanted to and none of it felt rushed. The arranged tour guides and drivers were all passionate, genuine, and personable. The Greek Travel Gurus have my highest recommendation, without reservation.
Sandra, September 2016
Thank you for checking in! We had a wonderful time in Greece! Happy to write a review as we were happy with the trip overall.
I do have a couple bits of feedback for you -- for FYI for future clients. I was going to email during the trip but we were having a such good time exploring the islands :)
• The city tour in Athens was unfortunately not very good. The guide Maria was not that informative and was not that professional. We were hoping for an English only tour but it was English and French so I think that limited the amount of information that could be shared, since everything was repeated. Also the bus transfer was very confusing and many people were confused as to which bus to get on. After everyone was picked up around the city we were all brought to another point and told to get off the bus and wait for our actual tour bus. It felt like we spent more time being picked up and transferred than actually driving around the city to see the sights. I would have preferred to know the ultimate meeting spot and make my way there myself instead of being driven in a bus to pick up other people for an hour. It would have at least allowed me to eat breakfast at the hotel, since we had to leave for the transfer before breakfast was even open.
o As a result of the above, we opted not to join the afternoon tour to Sounion - and let the tour operators know.
• Our car rental on Naxos was not delivered to the hotel on it's own at 9a. We waited around and finally asked Villa Marandi reception to call for us which prompted them to send over an agent around noon to sign all the paperwork. And then we had to wait until almost 1p to get our car delivered. We learned and had the hotel call ahead for our car when we got to Santorini, so they came a little past 9a there.
• (Our catamaran tour ended up being 14 people. Not a negative for us at all, but only pointing it out since the travel documents provided said 10-12 people max.)
Otherwise, everything else went smoothly in terms of all the transfers, flights/ferries, check ins, etc. We absolutely adored Villa Marandi; the staff was exceptional there! The wine tasting/cooking class tour on Santorini was also excellent. Really great guide, driver and group. Plus the food in the class was delicious and the chef was a good teacher.
Thanks,
Sandra
The Greek Travel Gurus were wonderful to work with. They were very responsive and listened to the things that we were requesting. Because of their arrangements, we had a fantastic honeymoon. Aside from great recommendations and partners, one of the best things they did was arrange all the connections between our destinations. We didn't have to worry about a thing, including how to get to the ferry, where to the our pier, getting tickets. etc. All was taken care of. We will definitely use the Greek Travel Gurus again the next time we go to Greece. Thank you!
We loved exploring the island of Naxos because it was a little off the beaten path. We also very much enjoyed a wine tasting and cooking excursion on Santorini.
If we could do the trip again, we'd probably skip Santorini because there were just so many tourists there. Even when going to the most famous spots, it was hard to enjoy the beauty of it as the views were cluttered and people were everywhere. We loved the quiet and local vibe of Naxos.
Shannon, September 2016
A wonderful trip. Everything worked perfectly, and our specialist with the Greek Travel Gurus did a fabulous job of thinking about how to provide me with experiences that were more than I expected. I had a general theme and location (bronze age Peloponnese) and Chris structured a trip that was comprehensive and fun. He also has excellent contacts through Greece that added significantly to my trip. Highly recommend.
Great guides.
Scott, September 2016
My wife and I went on a honeymoon to Greece. We stayed in Athens for 1 night, Naxos for 3 nights, Paros for 3 nights, and Santorini for 4 nights. We had a wonderful trip and all of our flights, transfers, and excursions were planned accordingly. At each new site, we had a representative of the company meet us to answer questions and tell us about the island.
Our Guru from the Greek Travel Gurus was an awesome travel specialist. We chose him out of a few possible agents due to his knowledge and excitement for the country. We had a numerous calls with him to set up our trip and he never pushed us to a certain activity or sight unless it was in our best interest. All calls were at convenient times even though he was located in Greece.
Santorini Sunsets. Cruising the Islands on our ATV. Private Food and Archaeology tour in Athens.
I would spend some more time in Athens to see the Museums and the neighborhoods. I think Athens had by far the best food from all of our travels. The food on the islands was a little basic and the restaurants in Athens had some more modern and different takes on Greek cuisine.
Shawn, September 2016
Hi Gurus,
Thanks for the email. Greece was amazing and will send you a more detailed email and write my reviews in the coming days after I'm back on my regular schedule.
Yamas!
Shawn
I highly recommend the Greek Travel Gurus if you're planning a trip to Greece. I worked with a specialist who was knowledgeable on hotel locations, tours, and logistics in getting to and from our destinations. From our initial conversation on what kind of trip experience I was looking to have, he came back with some suggestions and ideas. He built a customized trip that was to our liking rather than just trying to sell us a package like other tour companies. We had someone dropout of our trip and that was stressful for me but our specialist was able to work around that and modify some logistics with no issues.
I had so many enjoyable parts of my trip. Beyond just seeing the temples and the Acropolis which you must see if you're in Athens, I would say the private food tour in Athens was memorable. We went to local markets and neighborhoods where locals go to shop. We probably wouldn't have been able to see this side of Athens if we didn't take this tour. In Mykonos, the beaches were amazing. Each day we were venturing to a different beach and the never ending nightlife. Santorini was breathtaking! I have never seen sunsets that beautiful in my life. I also got to ride a donkey up from Amoudi Bay which was an experience.
The trip was great overall, but if I could change anything it would be to stay longer. Our trip was 12-13 days but I definitely wanted to stay longer. If I was to do this trip again, I would want to add another Greek island. They are so many to consider but not sure which one.
Oh wow! I hope everything worked out for those that got caught in the strike.
Greece was AMAZING! We had a blast. I loved every moment of it. We got a chance to learn about the history, experience the culture and the beauty. Also, had plenty of Mythos and Alpha (i think that's the name) beer, ouzo and mastika.
Athens
The hotel was in a great location. I mean it was spot on within walking distance for the Plaka and the Acropolis. Our first night we just walked aimlessly and ended up in the Plaka where all the shops and restaurants were and had dinner there. We kept walking after dinner and ended up at the stairs in Anafiotika. I was drawn in by these cafes along the stairs. The Athens city tour and Acropolis was great including Cape Sounion. The food tour was my favorite. We saw local markets and neighborhoods that we as visitors wouldn't normally have seen if it wasn't for this tour. We also did Dinner in the Sky which was definitely an experience.
Mykonos
Mykonos was filled with beach hopping on the water taxi everyday and never ending partying. It's so easy to lose track of time there. The hotel was perfectly located in Ornos. Not too far from Mykonos Town and the water taxi was right on the Ornos Bay. Met some amazing people in Mykonos from restaurant owners who gave us complimentary wine, dessert and mastika to visitors who come to Mykonos at least once a year. The guys wished we could have had another day there but truth be told that we could have been there for a month and they probably would still wish they could stay longer...hahaha. The business class ferry was great but the embarking and disembarking process with luggage can be a little hectic.
Santorini
Santorini was amazingly breathtaking. Enigma Suites was definitely my favorite of the hotels. The location was perfectly located in the center of Fira. You walk outside the hotel and you're on the main street. We went to Oia and went down to Amoudi Bay and I had heard about this swimming area that many people visit just a few minutes hike beyond the rocks in Amoudi Bay. That was cool. Met several people there and everyone was having a great time. We ended up riding the donkey back up. We also went down to the Old Port and walked down and then took the cable car back up. We also went to Santo winery and the sunset cruise was fun. The food was great. Santorini gave us some time to relax and catch up on sleep after partying in Mykonos.
All in all, a great trip. If we were there longer I wish we could have spent a few days on one of the other islands. There are so many to choose from. Now, it's back to reality and I'm already thinking of trips for next year. Many thanks to you for putting together such an amazing trip and dealing with all the came with it. I've wrote my review on the Greek Travel Gurus about 2 hours ago and it was definitely 5 stars.
Shawn
Martin, September 2016
AMAZING TRIP.
This Vacation was planned out perfectly by our Greek Travel Guru. He answered our many questions and concerns. And whenever we needed him he was there for us.
We had an exceptional time in Greece and the ideas and suggestions our specialist had for us was perfect!
Going forward this will be our travel specialist for us and we are so pleased we want to talk with him on the next trip.
Thank you.
Cristina, September 2016
We certainly had a fabulous time! We absolutely LOVED the Myconian Ambassador hotel. It was the perfect experience! I am allergic to gluten so having a gluten-free menu for breakfast was such a relief.
The Above Blue Suites were very nice as well, but the woman at the front desk recommended a place for dinner that was about a 45 minute walk away (when she said it was a "short" distance). We were expecting a 10-15 minute walk and ended up walking for 40 minutes, turned around and found a great place in Thira.
The trip in total was absolutely wonderful! The cooking class was fabulous! Thank you so much for all of your help and support (and for encouraging us to do the cooking class). I greatly appreciated how quickly you responded to my questions throughout this experience. You did a superb job!
We will certainly be using the Greek Travel Gurus in the future! I will complete a review shortly.
Best wishes,
Cristina
Nicholas, August 2016
Our trip to Greece was spectacular Our son arranged everything with our specialist from the Greek Travel Gurus. He reached out to us to make sure everything was perfect. I called him directly a couple of times and he was kind helpful and made me feel comfortable. The tour guides were awesome and made for the perfect trip I don't think we missed a thing and on our adventure.
Suzanne, August 2016
Hi Gurus,
I wanted to let you know that my daughter and I loved Naxos! We both enjoyed Santorini and Athens but truly loved Naxos. I am so glad you convinced me to go there.