An Athenian theater director discusses drama's role as a building block of civil society since ancient times, and recommends some Greek destinations that are especially fascinating for the theatrically inclined. Then a pair of tour guides offer their picks for lesser-known Greek islands that promise a break from the bustle and expense of tourist centers such as Mykonos and Santorini. And an outdoor enthusiast lets us in on the wisdom of finding a good home base to unlace your boots on a multi-day European hiking trip.

• Filippos Kanakaris, tour guide and theatre director from Athens
• Greek tour guides Niki Vlachou and Victor Romagnoli
• Cassandra Overby, author of "Home Base Hiking Europe" (Mountaineers Books)

• Filippos Kanakaris has directed modern adaptations of classical Greek plays for the Syn Drómos theatre company in Athens.
• Niki Vlachou operates Niki Olympic Tours and provides private tours from Athens, and shore excursion tours at four major cruise ship ports, including Santorini.
• Victor Romagnoli provides private tours and accommodations on the island of Tinos from his Truly Madly Greekly Tours website.
• Cassandra Overby is the author of "Home Base Hiking Europe" with day-hike recommendations from locations in Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland.
• Cassandra spoke with Rick about hiking the historic trails of Europe on Travel with Rick Steves program #795 in June 2025, and on program #709 in April 2023, which she covers in her book "Explore Europe on Foot." Cassandra discusses hiking with small children on program #723 in August, 2023, long-distance hiking in Europe on programs #562 and #575 in 2019, and on program #598 in 2020, which you can find in the show archives.