Athens & the Heart of Greece in 14 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

So organized and flexible! I was a bit skeptical about doing a tour, but this exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How knowledgeable our guide Maria was about every aspect of the tour and about Greece in general."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a wonderful trip and returned home with many precious memories!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think a "wow" moment was when we arrived at our hotel in Athens and went up to the rooftop restaurant and saw, not far in the distance, the acropolis. It didn't look real!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent. Angelos was friendly and very patient.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had many."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was expertly planned. The fellow travelers became good friends. Our guide was extremely helpful, caring and funny. Our experiences of visiting and understanding the various sites were outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing to the top and exploring the summit of Monemvasia rock. I loved the many spring wildflowers all over the Peloponnese."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Apostolos! My husband and I would take a tour with him anywhere, any time. Learned, generous, patient and experienced. He had a magic about him where we walked into new experiences (such as a local baptism, meeting Mr. Kristos in Kardamyli, and reading futures in coffee grounds) where Apostolos simply included us in the moment. We learned more about Greece and all things Greek because of Apostolos' willingness to share his personal stories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing at the top of the ruins at Delphi overlooking the valley. Watching a spectacular sunrise over Monemvasia is a very close second."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wow! Great scheduling and fabulous tour guide, local Greek Apostolos. He took us “ off the beaten path”, to experience authentic Greece culture and archeological sites! Made memories that will last forever! Local guides were “the best” especially “Mama Fay”! Lodging accommodations were excellent especially our room in Nafplio. Ready to book our next tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two “wow” moments. The beautiful train ride in the mountains to Kalavryta with traditional dancing and music at dinner. The other was the island of Hydra and a beautiful morning walk along the sea stopping at two quaint villages and having cappuccinos enjoying the sea views."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Apostolos was the perfect guide. His knowledge of the sites and love of the people made our experience intimate and relatable. We were offered a rare glimpse of Greek culture. The local guides were exceptional. Our tours were focused and informative. I loved the way that local guides built on our experiences in Greece. Mama Faye was the best, but all of the guides were good. Organized activities and free time was well balanced. A's attention to logistical detail made for smooth travels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Vistas of the Peloponnese. The unscripted moments: watching students dance in the street, meeting Apostolos' friend Cristos, hiking to the peak of Monemvasia, discovering orange pie, wading in the Aegean Sea and making new friends. The scripted moments: hearing authentic Greek music in Nafplio, learning Greek dances, learning to cook Greek dishes, visiting ancient sites, exploring small towns, enjoying fresh fish, tasting Greek wine, sharing meals with the entire group and enjoying every minute."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour experience was exceptional. The pacing was nearly perfect - travel time, education, sites, meals, free time, rest. Our guide, Apostolos was knowledgeable, organized, delightful, and thoughtful. His guidance provided the "glue" and positively influenced the momentum of the adventure. Greece is a beautiful country and we experienced it deeper and wider because of the tour's framework. It was helpful to know, ahead of time, the rigor of the tour. Even the bus ride was smooth.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were numerous "wow" moments: Hiking to the medieval fortress of Monemvasia. Walking in the shallow, pebbly waters in Kardamyli. Wrapping my mind around the age of the artifacts at the ancient sites. Sampling sweet pastries in every region. Enjoying house wines. The exceptional food including the organic trout farm, the food demonstration and our final meal in Athens. Our guide - Apostolos - was exceptional. I am glad I kept a journal so that I could recall the highlights!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour through Greece was stunning. The vistas were breathtaking and the countryside charming. Our tour guide, Apostolos, made our tour experience exceptional. We felt like we were immersed in the culture. We would highly recommend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite “wow” moment was at the Olympic Stadium and suddenly being surrounded by a group of school children who wanted to know where we were from. They wanted to know our names and have their picture taken with us. They were so friendly and genuine."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

One of the best Rick Steve’s Tours I’ve been on! Apostolos was amazing—he made all the difference on our tour! He was so informative and a wonderful ambassador for his beautiful country! He not only introduced us to Greek history and culture, he introduced us to friends and fellow countrymen along the way—so special!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the island of Hydra! It was so relaxing being on an island with no cars or trucks! We walked everywhere—the beautiful port, winding streets with gorgeous views around every corner, and to the little beach villages along the pathway high above the sea!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This trip exceeded all of our expectations! Foremost, was our guide, Apostolos, who provided a mini course in Greek history and culture along our journey. He also consistently demonstrated care for the welfare of our group. The pace of the trip was vigorous, but allowed us to see and do so much. Our group was fantastic and we enjoyed meeting so many interesting, friendly people. We can’t wait to take our next trip in the fall!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Although there were many, the beauty of the Aegean Sea, particularly as viewed from the island of Hydra, was truly breathtaking. I wish we could have spent a week there!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A wonderful adventure in an incredible country. A very good group of fellow travelers. We had a blast!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The amazing history and the mountains. Mountains everywhere."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent planning and execution throughout the trip. Great tour guide and local guides. It was wonderful to see the places we learned about in school.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Acropolis without a doubt"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was great, well organized and interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The group buffets we shared"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Greece was so much more than we knew! More mountains, more antiquity and history at each ancient site, more beautiful coastal views around each bend in the road, and more yogurt and phyllo dough offerings than we ever expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monemvasia was absolutely incredible. Seeing that giant rock from our hotel the first night and then looking at it again the next night having climbed up to the citadel fortress at the top was just an incomparable experience."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great people in our group, guides and driver as always with Rick Steves groups.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Looking up at the Parthenon in Athens."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had many pleasant surprises on this tour about Greece itself! First were the people of Greece! They are so gracious and friendly! We loved be guests in their country! the second was how mountainous Greece is. The views are stunning! Dafni ( our guide ) did a great job and we really appreciated her "checking in" with the tour members throughout the tour! She was a joy to travel with!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me it was the day we spent in Monemvasia! We had spectacular weather and after Dafni did an orientation tour of the old town on "The Rock", several of us ascended to the very top! The views were absolutely breathtaking!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Had a wonderful time and saw so many places that we wouldn’t have seen if we had planned it on our own. Iris was terrific and all the additional tour guides were amazing. The wild flowers added to the experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. Kardamyli was beautiful and the water was stunning. Walking to Ratsi beach and having lunch under the olives trees was magical. Also seeing the Acropolis both day and night was jaw-dropping."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Greece has been on my list of places to visit for a long time. Yet, I was amazed at the beauty of the country and seeing the ancient sites. The group became a team thanks to Iris, our guide. This was my eighth Rick Steves tour, and probably this was the best group. Also, this tour was without doubt the most strenuous of the tours I've been on but we all were there for each other to ensure a successful tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was several - of course, walking on the Acropolis, but also, Olympia where the first Olympic games were held. The two days on Hydra was magical."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour experience was solid. Everything was well coordinated or handled quickly if it wasn't. Knowledgeable tour guide who was skilled at group and individual management. Nice flow to the tour - time as a group and time individually was well balanced. Tour guide prepared us ahead of time for transitions

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Greece. I was amazed by the beauty of the country side and the areas we visited which weren't the usual Greek visuals of the Acropolis or the islands. Seeing the Parthenon was very moving."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My 3rd tour and another fantastic experience! Greece is a beautiful country and the people were so welcoming. Fantastic food and sights led by our wonderful guide Iris! Love this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many but I choose 3 "wows". The first is the day in Olympia. The museum and local guide were fantastic and then walking where the 1st Olympics were held was amazing! Second was the old town of Monemvasia. It was so unique, charming, and beautiful with a great hike to the top of the hill. And lastly, being at the sight of Mycenae and a group of Greek teenage girls who wanted to talk to me. They wanted to practice their English and were so friendly and asked about me. Such lovely young ladies!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour was a great variety of cities and countryside. Our guide, Iris, was very knowledgeable and excellent at managing the group and all the logistics and activities. Panagiotis, our driver, was highly skilled and we always felt safe and comfortable on his bus. This is a very strenuous tour. The early part of the tour is tough because of the one night stays in Delphi and Lagkadia. All the local guides were excellent and added so much value to the tour. April is an excellent time to visit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Delphi, Mystras, Olympia, Mycenae, the Acropolis in Athens were all incredible, especially with the excellent guides provided by Rick Steves tours. I would say two moments stick out as my favorites. After completing our tour of Delphi with our excellent guide, Penny, we continued to hike up to the stadium. As we hiked down it began to rain. Across the valley below a double rainbow formed. Breathtaking! My other "wow' moment was spending a relaxing day on the beach in Kardamyli."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I'm a terrible writer, so I'm afraid my words won't do justice to our trip. When family and friends at home ask me about my experience, all I can say is "perfect." A trip of a life time to say the least.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Running on the Olympic track, amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour start to finish. The itinerary was well balanced. Loved the local guides at the big sites. Hotels were excellent. Comfortable and very centrally located. We were able to walk anywhere we wanted to go. Only took the subway one time because we didn’t need to. Our Guide, Iris, was fantastic. Besides just being a really nice person, she was very organized and thoughtful and her talks prepared us for what we were going to see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The dinner in Nafplio at a “mom and pop” restaurant with local musicians playing Rebetiko music and dancing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was SOOO well planned on a micro level as well as a micro level. I have already recommended this tour to my friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Delphi was a big surprise for me. The whole experience, especially of the ancient ruins, was amazing. The local expert guide really educated us and made it so interesting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour totally exceeded my expectations. The exceptional guides at each ancient site did a great job at bringing the "crumbling rocks" to life. The tour was a nice mix of historical and natural experiences. I enjoyed trying many Greek specialties at our group meals. The longer bus rides were broken up well so they were not...too long. Greece is a beautiful country..

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite WOW moment was not a moment. It was the wonderful Greek people. They were cheerfully helpful, interesting, willing to share their lives and experiences, decent, and worked hard to make us feel welcome. It really made our experience much richer as well as comfortable. Even the cab drivers were like little tour guides on our ride to and from the airport. Their kindness was appreciated."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our 5th Rick Steves tour. It was fantastic in sites, history, tour guide, Fillipos, and group cohesiveness!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the Easter celebrations, the cooking class, and amazing history!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We’ve uses other small group tour companies and been very pleased, but I will now being using Rick Steves tours exclusively for a number of reasons: 1.Our guide created activities that were off the tour track and allowed us to have more intimate experiences. 2. I enjoyed the free time, not having every minute planned. 3. Our guide set clear expectations and was also available to share his knowledge.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had no idea how mountainous Greece was and how amazingly beautiful it is in the Spirng."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I've been slow to experience a Rick Steve's Tour out of concern of such a structured 'vacation'. I was enticed to join this one to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday. And I'm so glad I did. I found the structure beneficial, providing me with experiences I would not have been likely to plan on my own. There was just enough downtime not to feel overwhelmed. I will definitely consider Rick Steves' for my next European adventure, currently looking at Scotland for my next destination.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'm original from Olympia, WA so was very excited to go to Ancient Olympia and it did not disappoint. I fell in love with Kardamyli and also Hydra. Probably not a coincident that I enjoyed the two locations we had the most downtime in. These breaks were perfect timing for an otherwise hectic itinerary."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip went so well, especially with our expert guide and bus driver. The logistics were very smooth!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olympia!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide made the tour an exceptional experience. His enthusiasm, sense of humor, and always on top of our agenda was awesome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Some of the views from our hotel rooms was to die for...view of the Sea right outside our balcony, the site of Monemvasia, and the city of Nafplio!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Phillopos did a great job of navigating our trip through Orthodox Holy Week, making adjustments for changes in site schedules, working late to help us experience services on Friday and Saturday night (even supplying candles), and arranging an Easter dinner in a village square. The blend of guided activities and free time was good for me. The hotels were very good with nice rooms and good internet. There was a nice variety of menus for the included meals to reflect different areas.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Passing the light at the Easter service in Kardamili, receiving and passing along the flame. Kristos anesti, Alithos anesti."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was outstanding! From the food to the hotels, and especially our guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ydra !!!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"View of the Acropolis from the top of the hotel the first night. It was all up hill from there in experiences."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I assumed this would be an amazing experience, but the tour went far beyond my expectations. Apostolos was the best tour guide I could imagine: so knowledgeable, kind, creative - I could go on and on, but I can definitely say Apostolos's leadership was key to making this a trip of a lifetime. And I assumed I would love being in Greece - the historic sites, the food, the people - but again, it all went beyond my expectations. I fell in love with Greece, homeland of my spouse's ancestors.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many "highlights" kept piling up day after day, but perhaps the top "wow" moment was hiking with my spouse through the countryside of the island of Hydra. The weather was perfect; the wildflowers were in full bloom, a virtual riot of colors; and we were even followed by one of the iconic Hydra cats for a good part of our hike. The views of the Mediterranean were spectacular. And to top it off we had a lovely lunch in a seaside taverna. Hydra was the ideal place to finish our tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great country, well planned, good group, great guide, new sights each day. Great food. Good lodging.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"5000 years of history. Acropolis view on first night."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There was the perfect mix of group activities with self exploring time. With the expert guidance of our tour guide, we became a cohesive group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had realized Greece was an old culture but to learn of the prehistoric Greece and the layers of cultures over time was amazing. Also, how the Greeks maintain their identity to this day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was first rate. Our tour guide - Apostolos was terrific! Can't say enough good things about him. He was knowledgeable, efficient, organized, humorous, and kind. Our walk on tour guides were also great. The sites visited were impressive. Learned so much about Greek history and it's people. Memories made to last a lifetime!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking up the steps of the Acropolis. Definitely a "pinch me" moment!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The perfect cadence of "guided" tour to free time. Apostolos is an outstanding tour leader!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Acropolis; yes! it's really there and better than imagined."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was delightful in every way!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Greek Orthodox Easter - all of it!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned trip, taking us to all the highlights on the Peloponnese peninsula. Free time was interspersed with tour group time seamlessly and our guide was an expert in every way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had amazing views from our balcony in 4 hotels. A real wow moment seeing the Rock Island Monemvasia , the Parthenon from rooftop bar in Athens hotel, the amazing view of Nafplion harbor , and beautiful Kardamyli and all its wildflowers produced many wow moments."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Greece is more beautiful and rocky than I expected. The little villages are time capsules, and the people friendly and respectful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going inside the "beehive" (tholos) tomb in Mycenae, 1000's of years old and so well engineered and executed. Humbling and awe inspiring!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My Greece experience was enriched by visiting so many parts of Greece. I had some fuzzy expectations of Grecian life, culture, and environment and all those expectations were clarified into real experiences. The small center of the huge city, the small villages, the rugged terrain, the many many neighborhood churches, the beautiful seaside, and the lovely, healthy, tasty food were all key parts of my experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite WOW moment was visiting the Acropolis and the Parthenon. The site itself was awesome in its partial reconstruction and the museum was exceptional in its physical representation of the Parthenon. The fact that this history has been developing over 3 millennia with so many cultural/religious purposes was carefully and powerfully displayed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 14th RS tour, and it’s one to remember, largely due to the tour guide Maria and a well planned itinerary. Every country has something to offer, and the highlights, be it the old, the new, the customs, the culture, the food, the cities, the outdoors, the people, we sure had a bit of a taste of it all with this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Last year we took the RS Scotland tour,the guide told me that Rick has done away with the little funds put aside at the guide’s discretion in little treats we might receive throughout the trip; I was disappointed then but, desperate times call for desperate measures, so no complaints. This year, when Maria showed up with little souvenirs, lovingly selected, individually wrapped, at the happy hour, for each and everyone of us, I was overwhelmed! I have never seen one more dedicated than her. Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organizes and planned to minimize bus time and maximize guided and free time at sights. Unique hotel experiences added to the charm. Our guide went way beyond expectations to add beach walks, town orientation walks, and to tailor advice to each traveller’s needs.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking on pedestrian only Hydra. Visiting the oracle at Delphi."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was very good, enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the bus driver navigate the hairpin turns, in the mountains, in a large bus. I was relieved every time he made the turns safely."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was well planned. It was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the big mountains and the driver being able to handle the roads."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything about this tour was excellent - our guide, Maria was fantastic, the sites and activities were interesting and fun. The local guides were also very, very good and added to the overall experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Difficult to choose one. Participating to a degree in Greek Easter was a highlight; the beautiful scenery was a constant wow; our local guide brought ancient Olympia to life for us and it ended up being a surprise favorite. Kardamyli came just in time with a fantastic hotel, beautiful weather."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My Rick Steves tour to Greece was my very first over seas trip! Was was a fantastic experience. My tour guide Maria was the most energic, funny, was the most fabulous story teller and her knowledge of Greek history was amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moments were the views of Greece, the mountains, the sea, visiting the villages and the food! The food was top notch. Maria knew all the best places to eat and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and try new foods."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was good to see the variety of places in Pelopenessia

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pelopenessian mountains"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded my already high expectations! Amazing country to visit , but the informative guides, good tour group, great places to stay, delicious food, and wonderful people we met along the way, all were delightful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning to cook Greek food in the cooking class."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Out of shape out of breath and will do it again. The first few days killed me but as Ben told me once this is a tour not a vacation, LOL. CLICKED OFFa few bucket list items and just enjoyed the adventure. Never got the hang of the language but everyone seemed happy that I tried. Had lots of fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stay at mani peninsula. General consensus was it was the best place on the trip. Found to Springer spaniels, our fav, and was able to pet and play for a while. They also severed good food as Rick had advised in the book. Neighbor saw pictures from the room and told me stay there forever, he would be there in the near future."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed this trip. I was amazed by the amount of information we gained about the development of our early civilization in Greece. There was so much more to the mythology than we were ever taught and the civilization was so much more advanced than I thought. I also really enjoyed the people and how open and friendly they were to visitors. I hope visits like ours will help Greece continue on its way back into prosperity.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The most fun moment was the chance to race in the stadium at Olympia where so much history was made. But the biggest Wow was the realization of how advanced (running water, plumbing and knowledge they had) the early Greeks had. We regressed a lot before we relearned many of those advancements."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Almost exactly as I imagined it. After reading the materials and itinerary, I expected an efficiently run tour; clean, local hotels; a balance of scheduled and free time; an education of sites, sounds, and culture; and an opportunity to meet some nice folks. Expectations met and exceeded! I didn't count on this country getting under my skin in a good way, waking my desire to know and see more related to my half-Greek ancestry.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Realizing the mountainous and gorgeous terrain over which our bus was driving was the same my Yiayia walked on her way to Sparta when she was young."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A great combination of a beautiful country steeped in history, a knowledgeable tour guide, and congenial fellow travellers made our time in Greece unforgettable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is one thing to read a history book and look at pictures, but quite another thing to visit Athens, Delphi, and Olympia. While walking among the ruins, it is humbling to witness the depth of the sophistication of Greek antiquity. We"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Greece was magnificent and Iris/George were great hosts. Iris was very knowledgeable, courteous, and helpful. She is a real treat and I was thankful that she answered all the questions I had. George didn’t talk much, but he was quite humorous and is a highly skilled driver. The locations were marvelous and I already look forward to returning.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Likely seeing the sun shine through the valley at Delphi."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Iris set the tone for our fabulous tour. Funny, caring and competent-she made us feel like a family.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"First view of the Acropolis at night. Every place we visited had a “wow” moment!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a delightful combination of history, culture, and fun. Greece was not at all what I had expected, and it was so much fun to be surprised, to learn so much, and to enjoy myself in the process. And the food! The food was incredible! This was our fourth RS tour, and this was the most congenial group we've ever had (and there wasn't anything wrong with the other groups). I really enjoyed spending time with different people throughout the tour and getting to know them a bit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There wasn't one discrete moment, but entering the historical site at Delphi, visiting Olympia and Mycenae, and seeing the Parthenon in person gave me such feelings of awe, reverence, and excitement! I'm not sure my middle school self would have believed I'd actually see these things in person someday."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed the travel within the tour- seeing Greece, the mountains, the plains and everything in between. I thought the accommodations were good- not spectacular, but then I did not go on the tour expecting or wanting spectacular accommodations. Our guide, Iris, was wonderful. She was very considerate and helped me immensely when I misplaced my wallet with my credit cards. The only problem was that there was so much to absorb. I’m sure that I will not remember some important parts.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is too hard. The history is overwhelming. There is so much. I would love to have been able to return to the archeological museum in Athens. I think the travel itself was the highlight. Winding through the mountains was a visual feast. Experiencing the culture- the dance, the food, the way people interact was all I had hoped it would be."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Thank you for making it possible for us to experience Greece. Our third RS tour and it lived up to our expectations. Organized, efficient, with good lodging and amazing meals. Our guide Iris did an excellent job and the local guides were interesting and passionate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to mention on this wonderful tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first experience with Rick Steve's tours. The travel groups came highly recommended by a family member and did not disappoint! We appreciated the experiential approach, the educational focus, the quality and value. Outstanding all around!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I continue to appreciate the ability to engage with the people, food and customs of the country. Going into the small mountain towns to see how the communities really are was priceless."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great trip with our wonderful tour guide! I was especially impressed that pretty much everything that could possibly be done as a visitor to Greece was something we experienced. So special to stay in smallish boutique hotels, even one that shared their oranges they grow, which were the best ever! The olive oil production facility was fascinating, some special meals that were served us as a group, and all suggestions from Daphne made the trip interesting and especially good!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The spectacular views from our bus rides and places where we stopped to explore--with breathtaking views. Also, I loved our overnight towns, which each had something unique to offer. Also, the museums were incredible with great tour guides recalling all the history, incorporating the most interesting Greek mythology. I loved seeing and hearing all about the Olympic games and seeing where they actually started. It felt like this whole tour gave me a good, thorough feeling of what Greece is."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed the powerful impact that Greece delivers - the amazing long, various history, the beautiful mountains and seacoast towns. It was one day after another of wow. The people were interesting and friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was a train ride put a gorge whose name I can't find just now. Unbelievable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well balanced between history, culture, and pleasure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Athens"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful, great guide and tour bus driver and beautiful Greek countryside.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Hydra for the first time, gorgeous island without cars but with donkeys who do all the heavy lifting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As always, the tour was exceptional, the guide was knowledgeable and personable, and our tourmates were congenial. We had a great time in Greece!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olympia was the most impactful site I visited. All those years ago, the Greeks were able to stop wars and come together to compete in fairness and peace. Since we STILL attempt to carry on that tradition all these years later, it speaks to the ideology that peace between nations is possible. To stand in the place where it all began was a mind-blowing experience for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall the tour was wonderful. We saw many sites with great information.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Greeks were the wow. Friendly and positive people"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great people and tour guide! Very informative with wonderful museums.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really enjoyed King Agamemnon’s tomb!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very thorough and well-thought-out in every detail. It was a great way to get to know Greece, its culture, and people. Completely enjoyable and unforgettable!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The lovely mountain and sea views from the bus!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Touring Greece with Daphne, our guide, Chistos, our driver, and tour members was amazing. We saw many parts of Greece that we probably would have never been to on our own. The local guides provided history and culture that enriched the tour. The hotels were unique in each location and breakfasts were delicious. The group dinners were delicious and lots of fun. The extras: a cooking demonstration, wine tasting, Greek dancing, and Greek music were icing on the cake. Loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was visiting the rock in Monemvasia. This castle/fortress, build on the side of a rock that has stood the test of time since the 1400's. Every step of the way was was enchanting!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great. I have quibbles with maybe 2 hotels, including the acropolis select, but overall excellent. The shower sprayer at the acropolis select could not be put in the attachment above the shower because when put in that attachment, it turned and sprayed the whole bathroom. I tried to remove the sprayer from the attachment and because it was so high, I fell and grabbed the shower curtain- ended up on my back on the floor and my head struck the edge of the door.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mycenae because of all the history. But lots of wow moments"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My experience was limited to four days, as I caught Covid. Although this was a huge disruptor and disappointment, we are grateful for RS's covid reimbursement policy. During our four days, the locations and events were well-planned and memorable. Niki was amazing; she's a people -connector, who helped everyone feel part of the group. Her insights into Greek culture and history were fascinating. And when I got sick, she went out of her way to make sure we knew our next steps.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Riding in the bus and hearing about the culture and history. I can see sights on my own, but to have a well-traveled and well-informed guide explain things as we traveled was something I could not arrange on my own."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guides' subject matter expertise was outstanding. Our Tour Director, Niki was an excellent leader with tremendous insights into the history, culture, and present day of Greece.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the Olympia museum and grounds"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great trip, lots to see and enjoy

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Night looking out of the hotel in Limeni with the moon shining on the Ionian Sea"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to Greece. Niki's and all the guides we encountered provided the group with a rich tapestry of Greek history from pre-history through to modern times giving a deeper meaning to each ancient site we visited. I arrived a couple of days before the tour to spend some time in Athens. Friendly fellow tour group members welcomed this solo traveler to join them to sightsee in Athens before the actual tour started.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Waterfront hotel room in Kardamyli and the region's hiking options."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Our tour director, Niki, was a very well-informed and knowledgeable guide, which made our trip very enriching. The bus was comfortable, with plenty of room to stretch out. The group as a whole was fun to be with. Lots of diverse travel experience and plenty of things to talk about.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not "favorite" but my wow moment was when the first couple on the tour had COVID and left the trip, we kept running into them in various places - and despite their COVID diagnosis, they did not wear masks. It was strange to me that the covid couples would show up and stay at the very same hotels we were staying in, even though they were no longer part of the group. I felt very uncomfortable in the large dinner group settings after that, particularly where there was dancing and singing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent pacing, nice hotels, outstanding guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing to the 7th floor bar/restaurant in the Athens hotels on the first day. The Acropolis is RIGHT THERE."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Niki was an outstanding Guide and made the trip the best I have taken. We were fortunate to have wonderful weather. Our March April trip caught the shoulder season, so places we visited were not crowded. A few stores and restaurants were closed, all the better since I do not like to shop. Restaurants picked by Rick Steves' were excellent and on our own we found others that were also wonderful. Great local guides as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Unexpected surprises including insights on both historical & current Greek government conditions. We learned a great amount from Niki about challenges associated with development & construction in Greece associated with history and current challenges of archeological requirements. Whereas past development may have not been as responsible. I was amazed by the Peloponnesian Peninsula, much more challenging terrain, rocky, vegetated, and sparsely populated than expected."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We’re blessed to have Nikki leading us on our Greece adventure. The group we toured with were fun people that enhanced our time together. Food and history were all fabulous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How old and extensive Greece is."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great time on the tour, but had to leave tour midway when my wife came down with Covid. We want to go back to Greece to see the places that we missed. Unfortunatey, I have not been able to get through to the Rick Steves office to discuss whether we will be able to apply credits to future tours. That has been frustrating.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our director and interpreters were all so knowledgeable. They really made the tour a wonderful experience"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good balance of ancient ruins and museums and time to relax explore and hike. Guides were a very good

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the Acropolis"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the mix of historical sites, cultural activities, small towns, and beautiful scenery. The hikes up into the mountains, citadel climbs, and coastal walks were as memorable as the top ten ruins, and dropping in on local cafe loitering, town celebrations, and farmers markets makes me think I would like to come back and try an extended stay in a few of the towns.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Delphi was probably my favorite “wow” moment. The setting is so unique, tucked up against Mt Parnassus along a rift valley that drops down to the sea. After our group tour I walked up along the old approach past the Tholos of Athena, and it’s easy to see why the place was regarded as sacred to the ancient Greeks."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding guide, great variety of experiences, informative cultural immersion.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gaining an appreciation of the ancient history; just as you learn about a culture that seems impossibly old, there's another culture that was just as impossibly old to that "impossibly old" culture!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a fabulous vacation! It was just the right amount of activity and down time. Our guide, Apostolos was super knowledgeable and caring. I can't really begin to tell you how wonderful he was to us: incorporating lots of surprises and extras that made the trip extra memorable. He put the tour “over the top” for us. Of course, Greek scenery and history was fascinating and alluring and the food was delicious (too much, but delicious!)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing at the starting line of the original Olympic stadium. Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Extremely pleased and impressed by our guide Apostolos. All of our specific tour guides were informed and entertaining.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had no idea how big the Olympics area was. Quite a learning experience"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall experience was very good. Apostolous was an awesome tour guide. More bus time than I cared for and some of hotels were average, but overall very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monemvasia was my favorite stop."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We really enjoyed Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Monemasia and Hydra. Our tour guide Apostolos was wonderful and was very knowledgeable about Greece. You couldn’t have asked for a better guide! The members of the tour group were very nice. We had lots of great dinners together with wonderful food. The weather was perfect for 90% of the trip. The towns we visited were smaller than I was expecting. We learned that the majority of the population lives in Athens. Everything was very reasonable to buy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olympia was my favorite wow moment. Enjoyed walking the grounds where the Olympians competed for the first time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour gave many insights on modern and ancient Greece. This was our fourth Rick Steves Tour, and I would rank it just as highly as all of the others. Our main guide, Apostolos, was superb. His years of experience showed. The same is true of our guides at specific sites on the tour, such as the Acropolis, Delphi, Olympia, etc. The Peloponnese Peninsula is wild and beautiful, which made the bus trips much more enjoyable. I also enjoyed our cog railway adventure up a deep gorge to the mountains.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Watching the townspeople and schoolchildren of the small coastal village of Kardamyli celebrate Greek Independence Day was an event that will stay with me. The seriousness of the schoolchildren and the joy they displayed while dancing, reciting patriotic poetry and applauding the village elders (including a WW II resistance fighter!) seemed genuine, and was very touching."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful group and Apostolos was the best guide we have had on any of our tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"visiting the Parthenon and the immensity of the structures"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Apostolos was outstanding. The local guides were as well. They really made the whole experience exceptional. I came away with insights and understandings I could not have attained elsewhere.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking into our hotel room in Kardamyli, opening the windows. and seeing the view of Messenian Bay with the sea just steps away."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great sites, great guides and loved meeting new people from all over!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Acropolis"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my favorite RickSteves tour to date. We have done 5 total. The country ofGreece is breathtaking the people are warm and Inviting and the food was so amazing. Apostolos is a superior guide. He is warm and gracious and so knowledgeable about history culture and was able to give us a sense of the real everyday life of the people ofGreece. I loved the balance of this tour the museums s and ruins were in great balance to the free time I would definitely recommend this tour to others

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many I loved the beautiful blue sea and sky. The scenery has no equal. The acropolis was stunning and Olympia were the highlights forme . Walking on the track where people competed long ago was so awesome. The beehive was an engineering marvel"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Anastasia and the local guides were outstanding. The sites visited were amazing and well presented. The group lunches and dinners were mediocre except for the final dinner which was excellent. The one drag on the trip was that over half the people developed a significant respiratory illness. I feel that once Anastasia was aware of the illness, that masks should have been required on the bus and other indoor sites. Your health policies should be reviewed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I got a chance to sing in the Epidaurus theater- the acoustics were amazing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many good things to highlight just one."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The sites were wonderful and the guide was very good. I think the COVID precautions were if anything counter productive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick one, but Mycenae was an amazing surprise."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A perfect mix of history, culture, geography, food and present day life in Greece.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A new WOW everyday. I went to see the Acropolis and saw so much more."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall great tour. Our guide, Anastasia was amazing. Very, very knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While on Hydra having a drink at a corner table on the top of a cliff that overlooked the harbor and bay."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall guide was wonderful and timing of visits and sights was just right. Wonderful food and experiences and just the right amount of explanation and background given. Was kept informed and felt welcomed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olympia was pretty amazing as was the Acropolis. Such history, it’s amazing to witness with my own eyes."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first tour with Rick Steves. It met all my expectations. The tour guides were all expert in their knowledge on the sites we visited. The accommodations were fine and what we would expect for some locations that were somewhat remote, all clean, and suitable. I had no idea how mountainous Greece was and given that fact I so glad I left the driving to someone else.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have a hard time picking just one “wow” moment. There were so many exciting sites, so much antiquity, so many artifacts to see, the whole trip was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed the itinerary, our guide and driver, the meals and accommodations as well as fellow travelers and fine weather experienced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many epic views in Athens, the mountains and the sea - the unexpected sheep herding through the mountain village of Planiteron after our excellent trout lunch!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary of this tour was brilliantly conceived. The circle from Athens to Delphi and then around the Peloponnesus gave us access to so many wonders, ancient, medieval and modern. That every day was like opening a new present. Danae was a fantastic guide, and the local guides were well-chosen and informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many to choose from. I’d have to pick two “on this very spot” moments — the stadium at Olympia and the theater at Epidavros."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Given the chance to view in person the start of civilization and meet with the wonderful people of Greece in many small rural areas was a true blessing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Parthenon had to be one of the most memorable, but the museum was equally fascinating and listening to the acoustics at the theater at Epidavros was truly unbelievable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Greece tour exceeded our expectations in every way. The tour definitely opened our eyes to the history, culture and beauty of Greece. So many beautiful sites, fabulous guides (especially Danae), and delicious food on the tour. We also made use of the RS guide book many times for walks, restaurants and things to do in our free time, including a 3 day stop in Santorini before the tour started.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was literally a “wow” moment every place we went. A couple of highlights for us personally are 1) having lunch on a beautiful day, eating fresh fish we picked out in the kitchen, at Kodylenia’s Taverna in Kaminia, Hydra and 2) sitting high up in the ancient theater in Epidavros and hearing one of our fellow tour members recite from Homer, and hearing every word crystal clear. Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was as physically demanding as advertised. My difficulties were not with the conditions of the tour but that I found it difficult to keep up the pace set by those in their 60s (I am 80). This was a new experience for me as on previous tours I have been the one to outpace everyone. The rest days were perfectly timed and in my case needed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The theater as a part of a healing center definitely was an eye opener for me. This is part of the Greek culture I hadnot known about. In general I got a good sense of how remarkable the development of Greek culture was considering the limitations of geography and population that were involved. A miraculous achievement that gives one a profound appreciation for the vigor of the Greek people."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful guides, well organized itinerary, altogether a great overview of Greece.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was excellent and our guide, Danae was a huge reason why our experience was so good. She is so knowledgeable about Greek history, culture and archeology. She also has excellent leadership skills and her positive attitude and attention to the needs of tour members made a huge difference.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'm so happy I had the opportunity to see so many archaeological sites. I had studied Greek mythology in high school so seeing sites that I had read about was fun. Driving the Peloponnese Peninsula was a wow moment every day that I was on the bus. I would never have been able to see this if I had tried to tour Greece on my own because I would not have been able to cover so much territory. I did not realize there was so much beauty and that Greece was so mountainous."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an excellent tour: well-organized, well-run, and highly informative and enjoyable. Danae was an outstanding tour guide, and all the local guides were knowledgeable and entertaining as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Acropolis in Athens was a definite “wow” moment for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

One of the first questions asked was, what are your expectations from this trip? My response was that I didn’t have any expectations. I knew that I would be with people who enjoyed travel like me and I thought that I might meet some very nice people on this tour. All of that was true. Our tour guide was wonderful! She was knowledgeable, helpful and had a very friendly way about her. The country is more beautiful that I imagined and the people of Greece were lovely.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The gorgeous waters around Greece and also the contrast between the snow capped mountains and the ocean together."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour was well-organized. Guide was friendly. Driver Panos was impressive!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Greece, from mountains to the sea, carpeted in spring wildflowers was incredibly beautiful"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing and unforgettable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments. One of my favorite ones was when I first saw The Parthenon at night from our hotel restaurant"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

bright and enthusiastic and extremely competent guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"talking with a 92 y/o gentleman who was a barefoot runner in his youth on a early morning walk who still walks a mile uphill with significant elevation gain to pick greens to eat as he described them weeds that only grew at a hinger elevation"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour! Greece is a beautiful country. I’m not really sure what I expected beforehand, but I wasn’t at all disappointed. There were so many surprises!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to Olympia was a big “Wow.” The site is huge and so well cared for. Visiting the site of the original Olympic Games was magical!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Truly outstanding in all regards - this was our 4th RS and by far the best.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wow moment for me was experiencing the kindness and generosity of the Greek people. Can a wow moment last an entire tour? Yes it can!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time on this tour! The mix of free time and planned activity seemed to be perfect. Lots of interesting things to see and do at every stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"At most locations, I had seen videos or read about the places and things that we saw. But I was most impressed and surprised at ancient Olympia. Very excellent museum, a great local guide (Nikki) and extensive ruins at the site of one of the wonders of the ancient world."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We always enjoy the tours as they give us so much more than we can imagine. There was a lot bout Greece that I did not know.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the Ancient Olympia. I was surprised at how much was still left there. It was impressive to see the original marble starting line for the races."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tours are always very well done. Accommodations are always great and and have very competent bus drivers. Received a lot of information about the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I probably had two. One was the visit to Delphi. I did not know anything about it and was very impressed. The guide was very good at relating it's history and stories. Also the site of Mycenae was fascinating. Again had no idea it existed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent experience: great leader, driver, and local guides, and a wonderful group of fellow-travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olympia with the local guide Nike bringing to life the pomp and ceremony of the games amid the fallen stones."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was even better than we had imagined it would be. From start to finish everything was outstanding. We were prepared to tour the archaeological sights, but we did not realize that the professional guides would add so much to our experience. Each guide was first rate. Our tour leader was Apostolos. We can't say enough about Apostolos. From our first meeting he brought the group together and kept us moving with his warmth, his knowledge of all things Greek, and his happiness in

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many. However, two in particular come to mind. Standing in the tomb of Agamemnon, the 3300 year old structure at Mycennae, and admiring the masonry work was stunning. The museum at Epidavros holds a number of stunning artifacts. However, what struck me most were the inscritions on the sections of walls which told of the history of the buildings--as they were being constructed, including the name of the architect, the name of the foreman of construction, and how the building was don"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved having lots of time to be outdoors. The weather was great - we all felt very lucky for that. Our guide, Apostolos, was wonderful - very open, caring, friendly and organized. Loved listening to his stories about his life in Greece and his honest impressions of Greek life.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monemvasia on a very windy but sunny day - hiking all around the ramparts next to the crashing waves, and up to the top of the hill, followed by a nice rest stop in a cafe/wine bar (all on free time)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was interesting, informative, challenging…a great introduction to Greece.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. The small churches in the mountain village after Delphi is my most memorable. The sunset over the mountain and Aegean sea were spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed every minute. My only problem was keeping all the different time periods straight but I will work on that now that I have the basics thanks to this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Listening to live Greek music while eating a delicious dinner in Nafplia(sp) Greece."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Apostolas was awesome, kind, happy, and a great Greek ambassador.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Overall experience on Hydra. A wonderful evening and day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another wonderful experience with Rick Steves' Europe! The tour activities, guide, group members, hotels, and included meals combined with the beauty of the Greek people and scenery resulted in an amazing and memorable trip. It exceeded our expectations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoying the gorgeous sunset while sipping a tasty cocktail at a cute seaside cafe while chatting with new friends as a Greek band played into the evening in the wonderful village of Kardamyli - absolutely magical!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized, smooth traveling during the whole trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The island of hydra, very unique and interesting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steve’s tour and I was impressed by the overall organization and quality of experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed Delphi - our tour guide was incredible and the views were amazing"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Everything that Rick Steves and Apostoulos controlled was outstanding ; the guides, hotels, meals transportation. This was our first ever tour and we found it a bit challenging to travel with other participants.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Momenvasia, Athens and the ancient theater and talking to Apollo through the Oracle :-) were highlights of our trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing experience. Our guide was fun and very knowledgeable. Hotels, food and transportation all made the trip easy and enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can’t pick out just one wow moment as everything we did was different. I did really enjoy Hydra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I truly enjoyed this trip with our excellent guide, Ioanna. Every turn and town brought new sights and experiences. The history was amazing and overwhelming, nonetheless, I highly recommend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Views. This tour offered several hikes to fantastic views of; Athens, Delphi, Kardamyli, Monemvasia, and Hydra. Loved, loved, loved it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a different picture of Greece before the trip and was pleasantly surprised by our journey. Ioanna was a wonderful guide, always smiling and upbeat. She is very knowledgeable and gave us information in an entertaining way. The other guides at various stops were very good too. The food was great! We saw some out of the way places that were interesting. We enjoyed our fellow travelers. Our hotels were always comfortable. We had some special moments: Greek dancing, music & cooking.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There is so much beauty and history in Greece. I think my "wow" moment combining both of those was visiting Monemvasia. It had the quaint island village, the beautiful views of the water and surrounding area from our hike to the top, a pretty lighthouse and interesting ruins. From our hotel we had gorgeous sunrise and sunset views of the rock."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were very pleased with the Greece tour. It provided a great overview of the history, culture, geography and challenges of the country both historically and current day. This is an active tour which was quite manageable for us but, if you have difficulty with steps and elevation, may not be your best choice. We enjoyed time with our tour group members and the freedom to explore areas on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The historical sites and museums for Athens acropolis, Delphi were stunning. The beautiful village of Lagkadia and the fun dance troupe. Learning about olive trees, harvesting and processing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, this tour was one of the best we have ever taken. The mix of being guided to the amount of “me time” was perfect! Our guide Ioanna was absolutely awesome, bringing history, mythology and general knowledge to us with humour and patience, she was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow moments, the temple at epidavarus, the Acropolis at night and the outstanding food everyday!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Two weeks filled with immersion of Greek history, significant sites, culture, language and cuisine led by an outstanding travel guide (Ioanna) and many very informative local travel guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the ancient sites where Western civilization was born."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was excellent from start to finish. Ioanna (our guide) was outstanding at providing us information and making us feel comfortable in a new country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was walking the track at ancient Olympia and climbing to the top of the path at Delphi after learning about the site and the Oracle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Greece has been on my hucket list for a very long time. This tour was everything I was hoping for and so much more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was alot more than one. If I have to pick one I would say it was standing at the site in Olympia where the Olympic flame is lit for every Olympia Games."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olympia"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great. Loved Greece.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Acropolis. Seeing Athens. Villages by the sea."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My first Rick Steves tour and found the guide and the group to be outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not sure, Greece is so full of ancient sites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Once again, a RS tour was a great experience. This was my 6th trip and they never fail to be top-notch. Ioanna, our guide, was so knowledgeable and energetic. She really brought the group together. Things were well organized. George was a great driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the Acropolis at night from the Hera Hotel’s restaurant."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour went off without a hitch. Every site I visited and every guide I had was amazing. The food was unbelievable. The explanation and stories told by Yoanna was really informative. I have traveled with a number of other tour companies, but this was one of the best.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I believe see Olympus was my wow moment. It was such a large site to see and understand. It was really amazing. I could picture the athletes there on the site."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Most physically stressful of the 6 tours I’ve been on to the point of some of the walks being actually dangerous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Acropolis at night."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first trip to Greece since 1974 when I was a college student...and I only saw a bit of Athens. So I was amazed by all that I saw and experienced. Angelos was fun and engaging. His archeological background made such a difference in that he could answer questions on the spot. But I have to give a shout out to all of the local guides. All were excellent. I feel that the local guides set RS tours apart from others. I loved the special touches....the dancing in Delphi and music in Napflio

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I absolutely loved the little villages we visited. Seeing the sunset on Monemvasia was magic. But I have to go back to Athens and say that seeing the Acropolis lit up at night was stunning. The music in Napflion was wondeful. Understanding the stories behind the words as well as the traditional instruments brought Greece to life for me. And lastly, the cooking class was such fun. And the outcome was even better...to be able to eat what we cooked. We started comparing our Mousaka to other places"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire tour was fantastic! Our guide, Angelous was an expert in the archeology, history and culture of Greece. With each site we visited, he always made connections to what we previously saw and to what we would see next. Driving through the mountains and dining by the seaside were wonderful surprises throughout the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Acropolis for the first time -during the day and at night!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The sites were so much more than I expected especially the ones outside of Athens. (Those I expected to be riveting.) Delphi, Olympia, the Mani Villages, Hydra, all where interesting and different. I loved the challenges like walking up the 999 steps to the fort in Nafplio and the top of the Monemvasia rock . I loved Angelos our director. He listened, cared, and gave 110% to giving us the best experience. I had some dietary issues and he was very helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was seeing the Acropolis and Parthenon lit up at night. It was amazing and just to be able to witness something so historic and actually be there was breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thought the depth and variety of the sites we visited were outstanding. I really enjoyed getting to know our guide Angelos and my fellow tour members. Most of them had been on multiple Rick Steves tours, and that tells you something about the quality of the tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the Acropolis from the top of our hotel which was perfectly situated for the Athens portions of the tour. Striking. Gorgeous."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first tour, and everything about the tour exceeded my expectations. But by far the best thing about the two weeks was our tour guide, Maria! She was just phenomenal. To drive through the beauty county of Greece with Maria telling us the history and mythology was just spell bounding. She was so incredibly knowledgeable and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Acropolis was definitely a highlight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From start to finish our guide made sure that we were well informed about what sites we were going to see and what each stop would require from us. The sites were interesting and beautiful and the pace was just right. Cultural events such as the Greek dancers were mixed with archeological wonders and beautiful natural scenery.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, but Delphi was the hit for me. The setting is spectacular, and the guide made it come alive for us. I could easily imagine being a pilgrim visiting to seek guidance from the oracle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Greece was so much more than I had imagined - I was awed to stand on the same stones that the ancients trod thousands of years ago, but also discovered a complex story of triumph and tragedy, varied landscapes, small villages, generous people, rich culture and delicious food. This trip showcased what is special about RS tours, which is the relationships that Rick and his team have developed with the families that host us in their pensions and tavernas. We really felt like extended family!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Goat Traffic Jam! After our delicious lunch of freshly caught trout in Planitero, we had to patiently wait while a shepherd and his dog herded his goats across the old stone bridge and small road through town."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being on the Acropolis is Athens"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We chose RS tours because we want to learn and have experiences that we could not achieve by traveling alone. The Greece tour sites and guides provided an outstanding glimpse of ancient and modern life. I was amazed how much we saw. The pace was fast but not overwhelming. A perfect mix of going and rest. I thought the tour was brilliantly constructed, and we got a high value experience for the money spent. We absolutely loved Maria, our guide. Lots of laughs, super organized, a real treasure!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our group was particularly special- by the end we felt like our family. It’s very special to share travel with enjoyable people. The oldest standing theaters, stadiums, and temples - it gives me chills when I think of all the people using these so long ago, and they still exist and are even used today."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This RS tour was a wonderful introduction to Greece. From the awe inspiring Parthenon to the small mountain villages Maria S, our lovely knowledgeable tour guide, made ancient Greece come alive. We loved the small family run hotels that made us feel so welcome. Hiking the trails to small villages along the coast in Hydra was magical. Our genial group was driven by expert driver Dimitri and enjoyed local guides Fay and Patty but our star was Maria S who helped us learn and made us laugh.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our *wow* moment was standing inside the bee hive tomb in ancient Mycenae. This truly showed the skills of the ancient builders as brought to life by out local guide Patty."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Positive experience overall. Guide and bus driver were exceptional. Hotels were good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tour guide Daphne was our "wow" moment. She went above and beyond to provide any support at any time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My goal was to see as many Ancient Greek sights as I could, and that goal was certainly met! It was extraordinary to see such a wealth of beauty in Greece, modern and ancient. Beautiful country!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say Delphi was the ‘wow’ experience for me. I didn’t know much about Delphi, but I just loved the site and learning about the Oracles!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was tour number 5 for us with Rick Steves, as with the previous tours it was well run and a delight to be on.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That had to be Delphi! So amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 6th and favorite RS tour. Dafni was one of our best guides. I enjoyed the Greek Mythology stories she shared when we were on our bus rides. Christos was an excellent driver. The hotels were all wonderfully located, and the owners made us feel right at home. The activities brought us into Greek culture: dancing, music, and a cooking lesson. The city guides were fantastic, especially Mama Faye and Patty. The city guides are one of the best reasons to take a RS tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of my favorite WOW moments was seeing the Parthenon from our hotel rooftop terrace lit up at night. Many WOW moments were the views of the Ionian and Aegean Seas. We were able to get the most out of their beauty with a seaside lunch at the small village of Limeni, kayaking on the Mani Peninsula, and swimming on a beach day at Hydra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The pace was brisk but we also got open time to enjoy the villages and beaches and Athens.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing in the Olympic stadium on the marble starting line. And the rock in medieval Monemvasia."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great experience. We chose Greece because neither my wife nor I had been there before and we were both very interested in ancient Greece; what we discovered was that it wasn't all about Greece's Golden Age: contemporary Greece is fascinating, vibrant, and beautiful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to list just one: Climbing Mars Hill at dusk, looking up at the Acropolis while standing where the apostle Paul had preached 2000 years ago; running the length of the ancient stadium in Olympia; and a personalized introduction to the literature of Hydra in the town archives by the founder of the Hydra Book Club were all great."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour! Having planned a few prior trips to Europe on our own, we appreciate the details that are involved. Every aspect of this tour was well thought out. All the hotels were good and represented a variety of places. Every meal was delicious. I never could have found those types of experiences on my own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We stopped in a small town, Itlio, and ate at Limeni restaurant It is a fantastic setting, right on the water, we watched people swimming, along with turtles, and small fish. The owner gutted fish on steps nearby, and we could see the fish being grilled. We had a few minutes to walk around and found a delicious gelato shop too."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Start to finish, we were very happy with the tour. The guides were amazing and the sites were incredible. Our tour group got along like a house on fire and hence our days were fun and full of good conversations. The hotels were comfortable and our driver was a gem.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't pick a favorite wow moment as there were so many ! daily !"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I did this tour with my 28 year old granddaughter, worrying if she would fit in and it turned out to be just the best , the rest of the people loved her and she had a great time and I have the wonderful memories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One afternoon we stopped at a little village on the Mani Peninsula for an Octopus lunch(yummy) my granddaughter and I sat there in the rocks and watched the turtles swim around. What could be better."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First and best Rick Steve's tour. Danae, our guide, was the absolute best ever. She made the whole trip wonderful, Fostering a close bond with Greece and fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A village where we lunched on fresh caught grilled by the most exquisite clear aqua water with a large sea turtle swimming nearby."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was strenuous but overall well planned with open days along way. Included sites & activities were all excellent. Apostolos was the best!! He added so much with information, special stops along the way & provided treats & small gifts to everyone. He is so knowledgeable & gave a personal touch that made the tour memorable. Beyond just sightseeing, tour let me with special feelings for culture, history, food & warmth of the people of Greece. Outstanding experience, enhanced by Apostolos

Favorite "WOW" moment

"On a walk in Kardamylii, Apostolos met & introduced us to 2 elderly citizens that he knew from previous visits. It was so touching that he saw them both again after time of covid. Through Apostolos' translation, we learned of their life experiences. Most memorable moment. Awe of being on the Acropolis. A lifelong dream. Mycenae overall, especially thalos 'beehive' tomb, was incredible. Seeing the mountainous terrain of Peloponnese was eye opening to me. Musicians in Nafplio. Food throughout."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything worked out great. Our guide, Apostolos was the "Google of Greece". Weather was surprisingly good, the tour group was nice, and the itinerary was fulfilling.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was not a place or building, but rather the people and experiences we had other than the major sites that were memorable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My first guided tour in Europe and it was FABULOUS! I was a solo traveler but the group felt like a family. Tour Guide Apostolos gets 5 stars for his knowledge and small personal touches. Meals were great (how does one gain 16 lbs. while walking 15,000-18,000 steps almost daily!) The pace while vigorous, worked for me. Rooms were generally very good. Overall, a packed-solid adventure of a lifetime and every part flowed smoothly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dephi. The ruins and history of the site and what the Greeks accomplished is incredible."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very organized. Great tour guide who was very knowledgeable and taught us so much about his country. Her really went the extra mile to make an excellent tour experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Beehive tombs"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had to postpone our tour because of Covid with everything being closed. So this was a long awaited trip and we were not disappointed. Thank you so much to Rick Steves and our amazing tour guide Apostolos. From all the amazing site, museum and delicious foods. The stories and history that Apostolos would share with us. Meeting our tour friends (and buddies), truly an amazing experience. We will miss the friends we made.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being surrounded by history. Swimming in the Aegean and Ionian Sea. Seeing the sites from The Rick Steves' show in person."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As expected, really well organized, absolutely fantastic guide, well chosen combination of beautiful and important sites, lovely interesting places to stay, great food, and cultural experiences, wine/ouzo tasting, cooking demonstration.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the beauty of Delphi in the late afternoon, looking over the ruins and beautiful valley all the way to the sea."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an absolutely outstanding experience made possible by our guide Ioanna. She was spectacular in guiding us throughout Greece.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "wow" moment was realizing toward the end of the trip at how well all of us bonded together. Ioanna set the tone for our merry band of travelers. The team made the experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ioanna our guide made the tour so playful as we learned and experienced a myriad of Greek people, places, history, tastes, sounds, and vistas. The group was coherent and everyone was honored as an interesting individual with something to offer each other. Dimitre was a happy and excellent driver as we careened around the winding roads of the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Greek coffee time sitting in a small mountain village beside an old church next to the towns headstone of soldiers from WW1&2. So many people and experiences had occurred right on that spot."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was a mixture of history, food, culture and beauty! I now have a better understanding of the Greek people and the vastly different scenery, from island living to the quaint mountains.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I am second generation Greek, so for me it was the stories about the "population exchange" that happened between Turkey and Greece in the 1920's. My family was part of that history and Ioanna gave me a lot of information that I was unaware of. She has a deep passion for the Greek people, their history and their future. I truly connected wit her!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first ever organized tour. It covered so many sites and information in a short amount of time, giving me the opportunity to see a lot of Greece on my first visit there. I am used to independent travel for the last 30 years and appreciated the convenience of not having to worry about transportation, timing or planning. The group of fellow travelers was wonderful to get to know and the guide was outstanding. I am over 70 and it was a “push” to keep up with the pace and physicality.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment of the tour had to do with the music and culture. We had a small music group play traditional bouzouki and other instruments in a small restaurant in Nafplio. I sat next to them and watched them closely as their fingers flew over the frets and they sang traditional Melodies."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Maria is fabulous. Really knows the country and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to limit it to one. Fabulous to finally see so many of the archeological wonders that I had been reading about for most of my life."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall experience was outstanding. This is the second RS tour I have taken, and I have enjoyed both of them.. The guides are knowledgeable and personable, and are able to help you focus on what you want to learn and see. RS tours also attract an interesting and a semi-diverse group of people who are fun to travel with. RS tours are a great way to travel and avoid having to make all the arrangements yourself..

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole trip was great and it is difficult to pick our a single event, although hearing one of our site guides chant in an ancient church ruin (he was the son of a Greek Orthodox) priest was very moving."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I are veteran Rick Steves travelers, this tour ranks as one of our most favorites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "food and wine" rates a "wow". Every time you had a meal thinking it couldn't get any better....it did."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first "tour" and I enjoyed not having to worry about hotels and transportation. Our guide was AMAZING, she had the best recommendations and obviously a wonderful relationship with all the people she interacted with at hotels and restaurants. I feel like I really got to know Greece and the people that live there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing my first sea turtle while eating an amazing fish lunch at a oceanside restaurant in Limeniom"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was outstanding. We loved how efficient the tours were at showing us a quality experience of sites and museums with no wasted time. Our tour guide and local guides were fantastic, all contributing to a trip that provided us such intimate appreciation of the sites, locales, culture, and history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was awed by the views from Delphi. It was easy to imagine travelers coming to the site so many years ago from the sea and up the valley, and up, up, up to hear prophecies from the oracle. I had imagined it would have been an easier place to get to -- but then it would not be such a magical place, close to the heavens. And then, you have to have a stadium and theater to round out the attractions! So cool to see and imagine the footsteps before me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful trip overall. Great guide. A group that worked well together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The museums - I was concerned we'd be 'museumed' out, but each one complimented the ruin site so nicely. Best meal was in Nafplio - unique food and the live music was so fun."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Just wonderful. Exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When my guide "read" my Greek coffee grounds and told me that I would be marrying within a year--and that I must call her when it happens!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 10th Rick Steves tour and was one of our favorites. It was everything we hoped for. Great guides, great food, amazing experiences, and a fun group of fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How do you pick? Ancient Athens is an obvious choice. Nafplio stands out, especially an evening of live Rembetiko music ??. Oh, and Hydra was sublime with zero cars or motorcycles."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Invigorating. Great guide. Wonderful companions. Everything looked after.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stunning vistas in the countryside"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We loved Niki and the places we visited. The guides in general are very knowledgeable and friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'm not sure I had a "wow" moment but I really enjoyed all the sites."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

In our experience we thought the guide was the best, we regret not be prepared for the rocky terrain through out the tour, and slippery marble surfaces.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The preserved Archaio theatre in Epidavros. We had a former actor in our group who performed a spoken sonnet and his wife a singer, song a song, wonderful acoustics. WoW"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We Loved it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Acropolis"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was amazed by the beauty of Greece. From the mountain villages to ones by the sea. The monuments and sites were breathtaking and the Byzantine churches were unbelievable. Our guide, Niki and the tour group were so much fun. She made the history so interesting while weaving in the mythology.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was visiting the Byzantine churches. They are so tucked away only a guide would know about them. Their preservation is remarkable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was great! Greece was beautiful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking to the top of Monemvasia"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olympic flame location"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Apostolos, was all and more than one could ask for. He is intelligent, kind and knowledgeable. He made the tour more incredible than I even expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have read the Homer many times since I first discovered his works as a student. The archeological tour of Mycenae, with a knowledgeable guide, brought the tales of Agamemnon to life for me. So much of this tour was memorable but Mycenae was the wow for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everyday was fun, different & amazing! There was always something new, some surprise that awaited our tour group. Our tour leader Apostolos kept everything rolling along and provided us with tons of information about everything. I also enjoyed the other local guides, the hotels we stayed at and the activities we participated in, especially the cooking class & buffet afterwards. Hydra was beautiful and serene...I especially enjoyed the absence of noise & cars!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Tombs of Mycenae was a “wow” moment for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great time, guide was outstanding!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing ancient history"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is my third Rick Steve's tour and I would say the BEST! I loved the itinerary, guides and most everything else. Apostolos Duras was knowledgeable, funny and very thorough. The targeted guides were excellent also, really made a difference as there was no way we could have read quickly all of what they shared with us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When we drove over the hill to ??Limenion? and saw the bright blue coastline. Very inviting! We had a fabulous lunch there on the water. Another was being at Ancient Olympia where the first Olympics were held! A lifelong quest and glad to fulfill it"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was very educational and enjoyable. The days were busy with fun activities, yet we always had plenty of “downtime “ to relax.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Swimming in the sea on our free day and enjoying a little beach town. Realizing I was on a very decadent vacation."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The experience was all over the map-literally. The other travelers were the usual mix of personalities and the accommodations, meals and tours first rate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lunch virtually on the Mediterranean with the freshest seafood ever."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The best thing about a Rick Steves tour is the carefully crafted itinerary and the type of travelers it attracts. Independent, educated, diverse, and flexible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Acropolis of course. But my favorite day was our “free” day on the Mani Peninsula. We rented ebikes and rode along the stunning coastline exploring villages, cafes, and beaches along the way."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and it surpassed all my expectations. Our guide Dafni was outstanding and all our stops were beautiful and interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Watching the sunset on Hydra with a lovely glass of wine."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Dafni was a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide for our Greece Tour. Flying into Athens I was surprised at all the wind turbines on the high hilltops as well as the solar panels on people's rooftops to heat their water. Greece is a beautiful and historic country with so many small towns full of friendly residents, cobbled streets, and covered open air spaces to enjoy a meal or a drink. I loved all of the cats everywhere and the burros in Hydra. Great food and friendly people!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Parthenon from our dinner at the roof top restaurant of the Hera Hotel on our first night! Also seeing the sight of the first Olympics. We enjoyed our entire experience at so many historic and varied sites! The museums were very interesting with so many antiquities dug from the soil of Greece. Our bus driver did a fantastic job ferrying us around more hairpin turns than I've ever experienced. We saw everything from high mountains to the seashore and the scenery was fabulous!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Guide Dafni was the most personable guide we've had on a Rick Steves tour. The guides at the attractions were all excellent. The bus driver was a true professional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sunset on Hydra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I've wanted to do a Rick Steves tour for years, and finally got to go! We were delayed 2 years due to Covid. We thought about delaying again, but read the blog and were reassured after seeing low rates of infection for 2022 tours. We had a great time with great people, and stayed healthy. The tour packs so much in, efficiently, and is so much easier than planning it all ourselves.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Swimming in the Aegean Sea at Kardamyli. It was our mid-trip "vacation from our vacation." We rented e-bikes and traveled along the Mani coast, stopping for lunch along the way. Before returning the bikes we rode to the beach. It's described as a pebble beach, but it's rocks--super smooth rocks, new to me and very do-able. The water was such a clear blue, and the perfect temperature. The long coast meant no crowd. Sublime."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The trip was our 3rd, and as wonderful and exciting as each of the others.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are too many to count, but standing at the grounds in Delphi, or beneath the Lions gate have always been dreams of mine; two more things checked off the bucket list."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Perfect! This tour was the carrot that forced me to get back into travel shape after a life altering event, eight months earlier. As expected, we had the most amazing guide, acceptable accommodations, incredible bus-driver, great food, and went to beautiful places that would be very difficult to duplicate, like this, on our own. I can't say enough about our tour group. Amazing folks that all shared a thirst for adventure and exploring. I enjoyed everyone very much. Where we all going next?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our wow moment was the restaurant we had dinner at in Delphi. High on the side of a steep mountain overlooking the olive tree filled valley below with the most beautiful sunset shining on the ocean in the distance."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a wonderful time on the Athens & Heart of Greece tour. Our guide, Ioanna, was great. She was very positive and knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was taking the cog train and having lunch in Planitero. The views from the train were amazing. The park and plane trees around the restaurant in Planitero were beautiful and relaxing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall my experience was a wonderful time. Our tour guide was excellent. They get you to the sites, ie. Acropolis, Delphi at the times of the least amount of other travelers. The bus was very comfortable. There was a excellent mixture of time with the tour, and time to yourself. There were a couple of hotels that were small, but they were all clean. There was a story with each hotel and restaurant that was chosen associated with Rick Steve. I thoroughly enjoyed our Greece trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the Acropolis from the top of the hotel restaurant."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour guide and great driver. Maybe not as memorable as our previous 3 tours.... but maybe I am just getting older.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Live music in typical Greek neighborhood.... Group meal on the crystal clear water with the sea turtles."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fantastic. It struck the right balance of organized and free time. My family and I felt energized with each new experience and would do it all over again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My family and I each had our own "wow" moment. Our college-bound daughter loved the Greek dancers and was happy to be included in the show. My husband was intrigued by the walled town of Monemvasia and I enjoyed the stories of Olympia."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Apostolos, was amazing. His insights into Greek culture and history was always interesting and helped to inform the activities each day. I was nervous traveling to Greece; a country that I couldn't speak the language or understand the alphabet, but being on the tour made everything easy and Apostolos gave us the confidence to venture out on our own too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one.. seaside group lunch group lunch in Limenion, the ruins of Delphi, and our time on the island of Hydra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This trip was a wonderful intro to Greece and all I hoped for and more. It was amazing to see so many iconic sites with expert guides. However, I found some quieter moments just as memorable: a day at the beach in the seaside town of Kardamyli and a cappucino on a VERY windy outcrop in Momevasia. Last but not least, our tour guide Apostolos went above and beyond to share his knowledge and humor every day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mycenae, a fortress city from 1600 to 1200 BC, that I had never heard of prior to the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about how the Greek mythology was used socially."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time on our tour of Greece. Our tour guide was gracious, kind, intelligent and funny. Our fellow travelers were also great company!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were quite a few "wow" moments including hiking up the Acropolis early in the morning, but it was the open day traversing the walkways in medieval Monemvasia that will stick with me for a lifetime."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My husband and I took our two 18 year old grandchildren with us on our trip to Greece. We all had a wonderful time exploring the ruins and museums and basking in the sun at the beaches.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s hard to choose a favorite “wow” moment in seeing all of the antiquities of Greece and references to Greek mythology that I’ve read about my entire life. It’s all a “wow”."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We absolutely loved our Rick Steves Athens & the Heart of Greece Tour! It's difficult to imagine a better tour guide than Apostolos Douras... or a more beautiful country than Greece. Apostolos has a radio friendly voice and extensive knowledge of his country that makes him an ideal teacher. The tour moves at a perfect pace and has an excellent balance of guided activities and free time. I love how RS takes you to places that you didn't know that you wanted to go to, making the most of our time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite wow moments were the numerous times that we were surprised by the beauty of our location. The description of the day never seemed to sound as exciting as the locations were once we were able to visit them. Sometimes the lunch stops (which were not included on the itinerary) proved to be the most beautiful location of the day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Apostolus was an amazing guide! The tour was absolutely wonderful. It’s hard to put into words what it was like standing among ruins and imagining the pictures painted for us by the local guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing in Delphi and imagining what it was like and the energy and excitement the Greeks must have felt."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our experience was outstanding. Ioanna, our tour guide, was exceptional! She made Greece come alive for my family. Her vast knowledge of Greek culture and history was incredible as was her way of sharing it. We were never bored of listening to her talk about her country. We so appreciated her kindness, patience and energy. Loved her mom's baklava! Best in the world! Shout out to Christo who is an amazing bus driver! AJ and Jared so enjoyed getting to know you. Best trip ever!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour guide and driver were so personable. It was evident they loved what they were doing. It wasn't just another job. They made it feel as if our group was a family. Ioanna took special care to make sure my son's food allergies were addressed at each restaurant."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From start to finish, the tour was amazing. Every detail was taken care of by our guide, Ioanna, and she did a fabulous job of showing us the wonder of Greece. The local guides who took us through some of the sites were knowledgeable and enjoyable. The hotels and food we experienced were first rate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While seeing the Parthenon for the first time stands out, the incredible beauty of Delphi is unforgettable. The views from Mt. Parnassus are simply stunning."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fantastic tour guide and driver. I really enjoyed the pace of the tour and the rest times too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Delphi!! Time spent there was priceless."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our 4th Rick Steves tour and was the best yet! Every hotel was a great experience in itself. Our tour guide was beyond wonderful, we were fortunate to have a great group of people, and the itinerary has been perfected over the years.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Before going, I thought it might be standing on the Acropolis or the Olympic Stadium. However, one night in Nafplion we were enjoying a multi-course, delicious Greek outdoor dinner listening to three musicians playing stringed instruments. Next to us was the largest Greek Orthodox church in the city and a wedding was taking place. Bells rang out, the bride and groom appeared, and somehow my fellow travelers became my family and I truly felt a part of Greek village life."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved our tour guide Ioanna. She made us feel safe. She knew our hotel owners everywhere we went and you always felt like you were in good hands with them. She took time to walk each town with us and point out all the fun things to do and she kept us informed on all the fun local gossip. Ioanna knew all the right places to eat and would tell us how much we were supposed to be paying for everything so we didn’t get taken advantage of, she made us feel like locals. She was incredible!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I needed to check off the Acropolis for sure! But I was blown away by Delphi! It’s history and location was unbelievably beautiful and when we were done we just walked back to our hotel. I loved Lagadia too. It has this tree that watched over Main Street with lanterns and white lights in it. The locals were out talking and kids were riding their bikes while we fed the local stray dog ice cream. It was like being on a movie set; magic!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic! One major reason was our guide. She was knowledgeable, personal, and organized. The best we have ever had. When we finished, we truly felt She was much more than a guide. She was family! Overall, the tour was one of the best we have had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The ruins of Olympia and seeing the Acropolis would have to be a tie."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I appreciated that the tour visited places that avoided large tourist locations but gave us a good experience of ancient and contemporary Greek life. My Greek friend said that we visited the places the Greeks like to go.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our guide Ioanna was the highlight of the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is the best way to get an in-depth and diverse taste of Greece in a short amount of time! Our guide Ioanna shed so much perspective on Greece past and present and made every moment an outstanding experience. The tour has a good balance of ancient sights, modern cultural experiences and free time. This tour allowed me to cover the highlights of the Peloponnese and have unique local experiences that I would not have had traveling on my own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Joining in with locals to learn traditional Greek dances!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great itinerary, wonderful guide, lots of hiking/walking opportunities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Delphi!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First trip (and not last) with Rick Steves' Europe. My children and I had an amazing time. It surpassed what I was expecting, which was pretty high to begin with! The entire experience brought us closer by letting us experience something new and memorable in a group setting that was spectacular. The guides were incredible. The bus driver, incredible. All the hotels, incredible. This is a trip we won't ever forget and it won't be our last!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Turning to see my teenage son and daughter smiling and enjoying themselves; truly enjoying themselves as they experienced a new country, new people, and a new culture. In recent years, due to a family tragedy, we hadn't experienced true joy and bonding. I will never forget the moment I looked at them and saw unabashed and sincere happiness on their faces! RSE was the catalyst for that. Our tour made us stronger and helped us reconnect and find true joy. Can't get more "wow" than that! Priceless!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an amazing trip with a very knowledgeable guide and an amazing group of people. Definitely recommend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monemvasia exceeded my expectations and Hydra. Both beautiful places"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Anastasia was both knowledgeable and approachable throughout the tour. She is a huge asset to your Program!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The little "tidbits" of information on the buses from Anastasia and the other tour guides, like where certain words and phrases originating in Greek come from and the history of the places we visited."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed every minute of this tour! The pacing, the sites, the fellow travelers, the hotels, the food, and the guides were all exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our wow moment happened at Delphi. After a brief downpour, we were standing on a high pathway above the ruins with a view of the valley below, when a rainbow appeared!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent sites to see with excellent guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The ruins in Ancient Olympia and the excavation site under the archeological museum in Athens were my two favorite spots."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our fourth RS tour and we love them. While some of the hotels are definitely not what I would choose, I loved all the little places and seeing off -the-beaten-track places.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We've talked about this, and it's hard to narrow it down. The landscape everywhere was beautiful, Anestacia, was fantastic, as have been all of the accompanying guides we've experienced. We rented a traditional Greek boat while in Hydra and spent the day on the Aegean Sea, swimming and sunning. And the captain grilled lunch for us and found perfect swim spots. That was memorable. Overall, seeing the incredible clarity of the sea up close was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This is my second Rick Steve's tour and I was very impressed. Not knowing much about Greece, I came away with a good understanding of Greek history and its current economic woes. I love riding on the bus, listening to our guide explain various topics while observing everything around us. Quite a relaxing experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have to say it was/is the clarity of the water in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. I was really surprised when I first walked up to it. Another was dinner with our group in Nafplio and having three gentlemen play traditional Greek music. It was wonderful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had done a Rick Steves Best of Italy tour back in 2009 that I was so impressed with then that ever since I have wanted to do this tour. That tour set a high bar and I was wondering how this would compare. I am happy to report I was just as impressed and pleased with this tour! I felt the tour struck just the right balance between group activities and independent time allowing us to have our own unique experiences of any given place

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are too many to boil it down to just one, but if I had to choose I’d have to say it was Momma Faye’s amazing wealth and depth of knowledge about not only the Parthenon or the Archeological Museum pieces, but her ability to connect that to our lives today was beyond words."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I have wanted to do a Rick Steves' tour for years -- and when this Greece trip opened up, it was the perfect time and trip for me. I enjoyed our hotels - boutique, small and very service oriented. Food was always a delight, and the family-owned, smaller venues were particularly enjoyable. Our guide, Dafni, couldn't have been more engaging and knowledgeable. Just a delight!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several, but what comes to mind first was the unexpected "song chanting" from our guide, George, while inside one of the Byzantine churches in Mystras. His father was a priest, as I recall. Also the ancient theatre in Epidavros. Touring Olympia and standing in the actual ruins...incredible."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Greece is a special place noted for its history as well as its delightful contemporary life. The tour covered it all. Experienced guides explained the historical significance of what we were seeing. We also had a cooking class in Greek food, wine tastings and plenty of free time to enjoy the night life.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While touring the ancient Greek theater at Epidaurus, the guide asked for volunteers to read something in order to test the acoustics. Being a published poet, I stepped up and gave a quick reading of one of my poems while the tour guide shot it all on her phone! A very memorable experience. Here's the YouTube link I created: https://youtu.be/Sd1InI8guzM."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed having all planned out

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Acropolis"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I am so extremely satisfied with the 14 Greece itinerary. There is no way I could have covered so much of Greece on my own. Our tour guide Apostolos is a top notch tour guide and made the overall experience even better. The guide is so important to the success of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wow moment started right off at The Acropolis and each day after was just as amazing. Too many moments to list...."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful people, places

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dancing and the music"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Apostolos was knowledgeable, kind, and approachable. He made us feel like we were part of his Greece family. With this tour we became temporary "Greeks" - learning about history - past and present, culture, food, and wine. My fellow tour members were outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "wow" moment for me was our dinner with local music in a working neighborhood in Napflio"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

While Greece itself was lovely, their national treasure was our guide Apostolos. He opened the heart of his country to us through story, humor, welcoming kindness, carefully selected destinations, experiences and the glorious food of Greece. Each day had just the right balance of engaging activity, rest and freedom. Bravo.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite memory was an evening spent in Nafplio. Apostolos took us on a walk away from the tourist areas into a wonderful local neighborhood. It was the last day of school and children were celebrating in the most delightful way through song and play. Our dinner in the local taverna had three musicians who sang and played such beautiful Greek music for us. I was in heaven."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We took our grandson; we had a great time seeing Greece through his eyes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Athen's acropolis at night."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The best tour I have ever been

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour guy . She was very nice, professional, kind helpful and funny. She was the reason that make our tour the best."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very enjoyable tour. Great balance of structure and free time. Our guide Ioanna was incredible!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ancient Olympia and Greek Dancing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and I was very pleased. The guide was very knowledgeable and nice, the group played well together. It was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing at the start line at the Olympic stadium"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The Greeks are wonderful people, so gracious and hospitable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through the illuminated streets of Monemvasia at night"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding tour, full of history, culture, and nature. Our tour guide, Ioanna, was outstanding, one of the best tour guides I have had after so many tours. Her knowledge, skills, passion and love of Greece made the trip extra special. Tour covered many different aspects of Greece and allowed us to have personal and deep experience with authentic Greece.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many many wow moments. Olympia was a complete wow moment as well as all the experiences along the way such as the train ride, Lagkadia, driving through mountains with thousands of olive trees, Ioanna optional walk in Kardamyli and of course Monemvassia."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful. I learned so much about Greek history and culture. I thought the tour was a perfect blend of museums/archaeological sites and free time to explore the towns on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the landscape of Greece itself. I had no idea it was so mountainous!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

In general, great. Greece was gorgeous, we avoided COVID, we felt the beautiful heft of ancient Greek history, we reveled in the myths and the amazing sculpture, the food was very good, and we even got in a little beach time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing the paths at Delphi, the navel of the world, where Zeus's eagles met, where Alexander and so many others pilgrimaged to hear a prophecy, where Athenian treasure from the battle of Marathon was kept, where it was clear there was something mystical present."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exactly what I expected from a Rick Steves Tour. Wonderful group, amazing guide, culture, history, and days filled with amazing experiences. Our guide, Anastasia has great knowledge and love of her country and a charismatic skill that to helped us love her country too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views every day were breathtaking, but the experience of dipping into the crystal blue waters of the sea off a rock in Hydra was soul cleansing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded our expectations especially for all of the archeological sites and museum visits. It was a perfect balance of enjoyable meals together with our group and free time on our own. The crown jewel was our tour guide, Anastasia as she was always interesting, knowledgeable and caring.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to define because there were so many wow but I will say the day at Delphi."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed seeing all of the amazing sites that we visited. Our tour guide Anastasia was so knowledgeable about everything and everywhere we visited. I also especially enjoyed our Athens guide Fay. The tour provided a wonderful opportunity to see places I have only read about. The group was very supportive of each other, and developed a very caring attitude. I enjoyed the many different hotels that we stayed in. The whole experience was more than I could have anticipated.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My Wow experience was realizing how the past and presence of Greek culture meshed together to create an ongoing part of history."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 3rd RSE tour, was really great. Fantastically charming and wonderful guides, very nice group, and Greece is astonishing all the way around. Great activities, really cool places we visited (and the food was wonderful too... only gained 5 pounds, even with all the walking)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It might seem like a cliche, but the Parthenon - it is so huge, and the whole setting... hard to find words."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dinner on a terrace overlooking the harbor on Hydra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned so much. Greece was more then I dreamed it was. Dafni our tour guide was amazing and truly made the experience top notch.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing on the starting line at Olympic field and then crossing the finish line."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a very active tour with a full, varied itinerary. The history of Greece is quite rich and extensive, but we also managed to experience many aspects of the culture (food, music, dancing). The tour is an accurate reflection of what Rick Steves describes on his programs and definitely met our expectations. Our fellow travelers were positive and enthusiastic. Our tour guide, Daphne, and assistant, Etelka, were great, as was our extremely capable driver, Christos. We liked all local guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Mycenaean gold and artwork were magnificent, but the view of the acropolis lit up at night is definitely a "wow" moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was perfect. Our guide Dafni was exceptionally kind knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We were immersed in the history and culture of Greece because of the carefully curated locations and engaging activities we experienced throughout our tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful small town of Kardamyli was a highlight. Our guide suggested a kayaking trip which took us along the coast and through sea caves. The people of the town were friendly and our stay there felt authentically Greek."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Guide Daphne was phenomenal. She was excited to have us learn about Greek culture and history. She was well organized, friendly and willing to ensure we all had a great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to pick just one."