Athens & the Heart of Greece in 14 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fourteen days in the heart of Greece may well be the best ever travel experience I have enjoyed in Europe, or for that matter, anywhere. Although being a rather independent person, I didn't feel "boxed in" or constrained by travelling with others in a managed tour. Instead, i found every moment to be fun and enjoyable, whether riding comfortably on George's tour bus or exploring the outer perimeters of a mountain village with two new found friends. Our amazing guide, Ioanna - a STAR!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick a "wow" moment. Just being in Athen's and the vicinity of the Acropolis, seeing the illuminated Parthenon from the Hotel Hera's beautiful rooftop lounge/bar was stunningly exciting. But so was visiting Delphi and standing in its amphitheater with awe. Or traveling by train tram up a steep, deeply beautiful gorge and ending later in an outdoor feast of fresh, pan fried trout! So many wow moments, all accompanied by good cheer, humor, and ongoing laughter."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing experience with a wonderful guide and travelling companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to chose from."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It started with an unbelievable guide! Ioanna was very knowledgeable and her personality fit well with our group! It was enjoyable to spend time with her everyday we were touring.

Favorite "WOW" moment

""Beehive" tombs in Mycenae. (Really all the locations were amazing, but a bit crowded, so it was hard to really take in the amazing history)."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great trip with great guides and food

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olympic Stadium Parthenon"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour guide, Ioanna, was outstanding! Her knowledge, humor, and kindness to all made her the perfect guide. The itinerary and activities were very good and covered a broad range. The bus was comfortable and George a master driver. Unfortunately the accommodations were sub-par and affected the enjoyment of the trip. Other group members said they were the worst accommodations of their five Rick Steves tours. We saw nicer places so the tour seemed cheap here.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing at the spot in Olympia where the Olympic torch flame is lit every year with a parabolic mirror and the sun's rays"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Ioanna was so very kind, knowledgeable, funny – great leader! Our driver George was beyond amazing! Group dynamics – we laughed a lot! Food: I enjoyed the fresh salads, vegetables, grilled fish and yogurt. Mistakenly, I thought there would be a lot of fresh fruit. Being pre-diabetic, I was unhappily surprised at all the fried food, starches and sugar – which I have to avoid for my health. Overall, I appreciate that we had in a lot of different experiences

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ioanna - the leader can make or break the tour. All but one of our RS guides have been wonderful – but Ioanna is a step above wonderful Wow moments of the tour: the beauty of the sea, the theater, seeing the ancient music that was used in the Paris summer Olympics 2024! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Really enjoyed the scope of the tour! We saw a broad range of what Greece has to offer, including great historical sites, as well as experiencing the culture. Ioanna, our guide, was/is outstanding. She is knowledgeable and a great advocate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour at Olympia stands out with the highlight of walking the original Olympic stadium track. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a wonderful blend of vacation, beautiful sites and historical education. I loved the progression through the centuries of Greek history BC. Our guide was beyond words wonderful. I loved the comrade that developed between the tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was actually a quiet lunch in Kardamyli. Above the hills of the city our guide pointed out on a morning hike. A little restaurant, Palaia Kardamyli well above the town with a beautiful view of the ocean. It was slightly busy with international travelers. We had an orange/feta/caper salad and lamb (and wine). Such a wonderful taste of Greece..local business, wonderful Greek food and excellent company with my tour buddy."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized and exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Honeycomb tombs at Mycene"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was a really great tour, full of outstanding sites to visit in Greece, good food, good friends, good memories. Thank you.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wow moment was meeting the Greek treasure, Ioanna, our tour guide. Ioanna made this tour outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic. Danae was the most wonderful guide, knowledgeable and on top of everything. She managed everything beautifully and her store of knowledge, from history to modern customs and their context in comparison to American life, to her ability to relay history in a wonderful story telling manner, to her problem-solving skills - all top notch. Every stop and accommodation was a welcome wow moment.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't pick - too many! But I will say, when I reflect on the trip, it's terrain and sea that seem star players. I expected Greece to be beautiful and historic, but when there it's that times 10. The mountains and sea, so everpresent, are such a stage for the towns, ruins, restorations, history, modern life, and origins all around. It sets your imagination free to reflect on the spans of history, the centuries of culture, development, and the joy of being there, where it happened. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved our guide - Danae and the group of people we were with

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to the Acropolis museum and seeing the layout of the Parthenon within it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This experience greatly increased my understanding and appreciation for both modern day and ancient Greece. The Acropolis complex, including the museum, help one to imagine life in ancient Greece, at least for the elite and near elite. Our guide was very well informed , assured that we were all informed, and helped with the usual hiccups. The local expert guides at each location were excellent at each of the significant sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My WOW place was Delphi, our first stop outside Athens. The museum was excellent and the excavated ruins going up the mountain including a parthenon, an ampitheater, as well as the "stadium" set in the top of the mountain from at least 25 centuries ago, with more to be fully excavated. Recognizing that this undoubtedly represents the work of uncounted slaves in addition to those who conceived and oversaw the development the entire complex, it is ]nevertheless.astoundingly impresive."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the tour. Greece is a fascinating country with ancient ruins and beautiful mountains. Touring Greece by land was breathtaking. The varied places we traveled by bus helped me understand and appreciate Greece's diversity. It was magnificent to see the ancient ruins at each of our stops. At every place we visited, the guides imparted a wealth of knowledge. I also enjoyed the leadership of our guide, Danae, and the camaraderie of our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was going to the rock in Monemvasia. Just seeing the massive rock from our hotel was impressive. Once on the rock, the views of the Aegean Sea were spectacular. The sea was such a beautiful blue-green color. Walking through the streets and exploring the narrow alleyways were intriguing and challenging. It was hard to imagine how anything could be carved into this rock. The group pictures taken from the rock are ones I will always cherish."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The communications with planning were clear and generous, the itinerary was well chosen our guide Denai was knowledgeable available and very caring, most all of the hotel situations were great, Greece is a wonderful place to travel and we had a great time. The local expert guides were also very helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My personal favorite wow was entering the beehive, burial structure at Menia and seeing how precise it was built and that it still survives intact. We had a great guide there also."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Danae was just wonderful! Our local guides were also great! Our multi-aged group was very compatible. I had a great experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was amazing to see these ancient ruins I had only read about as a kid. Our guide Danae is a gifted historian and story teller. When she would say in her lightly accented English, “Let me tell you about this place,” I knew to settle in for a great story."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sites , tour guides, bus driver, very meticulously planned was able to relax mixed with adventure, great meals, great group

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Partheon and Gibraltor rock of greece. Tough I had many wow moments. Kardymyl beaches…"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour guides were very fabulous, keeping your interest while giving an overwhelming amount of information.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Acropolis Museum, sights at Olympia, Monemvasia upper town of the Rock"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Marvelous experience: wonderful guide (Danae), fast pact interspersed with time to ourselves, the food is fabulous, I gained many new insights into how the gods and history are part of the Greek "DNA", the Greek way of life now and in the past, the Orthodox church, the monuments, the sea and the accommodations were almost all top notch.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monemvasia: the hot and grueling hike to the top the "Rock" with the incredible 360 degree view. Hiking down the rocky trail and heading to the platform on the sea tuck into the side of the mountain. Falling into the gorgeous and refreshing water and paddling around. A couple of high school girls had snuck away from their field trip and they joyously jumped in and giggled "we're not supposed to go to the sea!" Visiting with a couple of other Greeks also resting and swimming. A gem of a memory."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was so much more than I expected and it was fantastic! The guides, the food, the activities, the accommodations, the scenery - everything was just amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Running on the track in ancient Olympia, the theater at Epidavros, enjoying the Greek beaches, medieval villages.....this tour had several WOW moments"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Greece is a beautiful country with friendly, welcoming people, and a rich history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the first time I saw the Acropolis lit up at night, lifetime memory"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Dafni was our tour guide for our Greece tour beginning 9/28/24. She was great! She navigated us through Greece with skill, knowledge, patience, and a great enthusiasm! Throughly enjoyed the trip! The local tour guides were equally fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olympia...1200 years of olympic games...just amazing"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed our first Rick Steves tour. While emergency surgery (in Athens the day before the trip started!) prevented my brother and sister-in-law from participating in the tour, our guide and the rest of the group welcomed us warmly and made us feel very comfortable on this "maiden voyage."

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Acropolis at night."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I truly enjoyed the mix of history, geography, food,and the wonderful chaos of Greece. The tour was very well balanced between "tour" time (museums, historical sites, and organized outings) and "vacation" time (wandering, beach time, and just relaxing). Dafni, our delightful guide, provided insights throughout the trip, and our local guides built on her information to make the ancient sites of Greece come alive. I could not have experienced such a good mix on my own. This is why we go on tours!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had a "wow" DAY in Monemvasia! We climbed to the top of the rock and explored medieval ruins, took in breathtaking views of Laconia and the sea, relaxed in a blues bar in the lower town, then walked down for a refreshing swim in the warm, clear waters of the Aegean. Later we made friends with a restaurant owner who gave us a free IPA, then had a Greek cooking class. Life doesn't get much better! I was also gobsmacked by the Parthenon view from the hotel rooftop in Athens! Who wouldn't be!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very positive

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our sixth RS tour and it was again remarkable. As usual the food, hotels and beautiful historic sites were outstanding. The local guides for each location were exceptional and helpful in understanding the importance of each location. Our fantastic guide was Dafni - she was fun, entertaining but kept us on track so every moment was used to the fullest. A very well planned trip; the pace was active. Time was available to pursue your own interests and explore on your own. Or relax.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are always too many "wow" moments. The Parthenon is my choice. Upon seeing the Acropolis and the Parthenon from our roof top bar the first night, this was a wow! This ancient enduring symbol of Greece and democracy was light up at night. It was so dramatic. Certainly a high point of our visit. Then to walk around it and seeing the majesty and massive size of this structure was overwhelming. Amazing that it was constructed 450 BC. We sadly said goodbye to it our final night at the roof."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Never had been to Greece, so this was the very best way to be introduced to the history and culture of this ancient country. As always, the RS local guides were outstanding. So many things included with wonderful extra surprises on every RS tour makes them the best value out there, for sure!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When you see the Parthenon, Olympia, Monemvasia, Delphi, Epidvaros and other amazing places, it;s hard to choose one, but the one that stood out the most to me, probably because I knew so little about it was the beehive tomb in Mycenae that is 3400 years old!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed the tour as it was active, well thought out and engaging. The hotels were adequate and the bus rides weren't too long. Niki was a knowledgeable guide with a great sense of humor and kept us entertained on those "not too long" bus rides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The ancient theater in Epidavros. I realized I was sitting in an almost perfectly preserved theater nearly 2500-3000 years after ancient people attended performances. The acoustics were amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The name of the tour is very accurate. The major historical sites of Athens and southern Greece were covered in an educational and intellectual manner. Nicely pace, more intense at the beginning then more free time in relaxing towns in the latter half. Highly varied and generous amounts of good food. Had several opportunities to see lifestyle in different settings.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoying dinners with fellow travelers, outdoors in the warm breeze, looking out at some amazing site like the Acropolis at night or the sunset over the Mediterranean waters."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It is clear that it is the tour guide/leader that makes the tour. Ours was truly outstanding. She clearly has a deep love of her country and it's history. The ability to weave the history with stories that gave what we were seeing brought everything to life. This is why touring can be so enriching when compared to following the tour route on your own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Travelling with friends, making new ones and sharing experiences."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Nicki was a fabulous guide. Really enjoyed experiencing all of the ancient sites and Athens

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olympia and the Olympic Stadium"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour but it will NOT be my last! I had an outstanding time. I now understand why I have met so many people that have traveled to Europe repeatedly with Rick Steves Tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is not possible to identify a single WOW moment, there were so many. Before I departed for Greece I was certain touring the Acropolis would be the highlight of my trip. However looking back on the trip there are so many experiences that I enjoyed; from the history and ruins in Delphi, Olympia and Monemvasia to the great food at local places I would never have found on my own. There was a WOW moment almost every day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rick Steves tours are amazing- Fantastic guides, itineraries, places to stay, experiences, places to visit, etc. etc. Well organized. Allow for plenty of free time to relax, visit other places, etc. Worth every penny!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to mention. The Acropolis of Athens of course. But others too. I was blown away by the ancient Mycenaen tholos (beehive) tomb- The treasury of Atreus- unbelievable. Also the ancient theater of Epidavros- WOW- How did they BUILD this thousands of years ago???"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was well organized and gave a great introduction to Greek culture -- both ancient and modern.. Our guide Niki was well informed, a great teacher of Greek culture. highly organized and lots of fun! The food on this tour was the best of our four Rick Steves tours. The local restaurant -- Greek music experience was highly authentic and lots of fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, but the restaurant with traditional Greek music and dancing was a great moment. Our guide Niki also rates a wow for making the whole trip work beautifully and giving us a great introduction to Greece."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing and intensive two weeks. Wonderful tour through Greek history and modern day Greece.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Both Delphi and Olympia. Couldn’t get enough of both and felt very close to life as it was then. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour surpassed all expectations. The beauty of the country, the food, the ancient sites, our guide, Niki, the local guides were all phenomenal!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The theater at Epidavros.was awe inspiring. The acoustics were amazing. To be able to hear a spoken voice from the top seats was incredible."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My partner Michael and I thought our guide Apostolos was stupendous. He communicates well with Americans and gave us a realistic view of Greece, coached our use of the Greek language, and encouraged group camaraderie. We spent an extra week climbing Philopappos Hill for sunset views of the Acropolis and took the funicular to the top of Lycabettus Hill. My eyes were overwhelmed by the intense sun and beautiful blues experienced during our 3 weeks of 80 degree sun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My art history courses came to life for me on the Acropolis. Civics courses came to life for me in the Agora. I won't forget the adventure of climbing to the upper town of Monemvasia, climbing Mars Hill and climbing down Mystras. An hour after landing we caught the "big" Sunday 11:00 AM changing of the guard at Parliament in Syntagma Square. I lost 7 lbs while eating great food! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It is a great tour. could there be improvements? of course but on the whole its fun, educational, enriching, relaxing everything a good tour should be. Apostolase should be commended for running a great tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many, was it the ruins in Delphi, the Island of Hydra, or Monemvasia? All were special and involved more than a view or peek into the past. Greece is a complicated country that changed my view of Europe."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a wonderful overall tour experience. Very well organized with a good balance between group and free time. Some morning starts were a bit early with time for breakfast very compressed (one day with only 20 minutes for breakfast) but we understand it was with the best intention of missing large crowd sizes (which worked for the most part) as well as travel itineraries that had to be met.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was having dinner with my husband on our own in Kardamyli at a table just feet away from the rocky shoreline watching the sunset."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Greece tour was amazing! Everything was very well organized and just a fabulous experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was having dinner in a family owned restaurant that our guide set up just for our group. They made us feel like we were enjoying a family meal and provided live music and dancing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A typical RS tour experience for me - well organized and full of fun and educational activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A quiet dinner with my wife in Kardamyli at a seaside restaurant at sunset. It was wonderful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A great tour, I really wanted to do all Islands when I visited Greece, but I really enjoyed the Peloponnese mountains and Mani Peninsula. Our tour guide Apostolos was very good, easy to understand.I loved Hydra and Athens was my least favorite. The Acropolis so crowded my least favorite along with the train ride in Kalavryta.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was the walk along water in Hydra to the Beach. Lovely views of gorgeous water. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide made our experience very memorable, the weather was great the entire tour, and all the people in our tour group were very friendly and easy to be with. Being a history buff, I really enjoyed all the museums and the ancient ruins.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I especially liked Ancient Olympia. My friend Diane and I raced each other at the olympic site (while wearing jeans and sandals) as though we were a part of the olympics. Not to brag but I did win (just kidding). Anyways, I bought myself a laurel wreath as my prize and souvenir. Also, the tour guide at Olympia was exceptional."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steve's tour, and I was going to rate it VERY GOOD but changed it to OUTSTANDING because of the heart + soul of my tour guide, Maria, who entertained us on the long bus rides with stories about Greece, from its ancient roots and mythology to its modern day politics and culture like weddings and funerals. She was genuine in every interactions and thoughtful in every way. The tour was well-paced. I appreciated the 2 free days at the beach! The local guides were fabulous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monemvasia and Nafplio: we thoroughly enjoyed Foti ("light"), who delighted us with a toast of mead and some honey biscuits; Nafplio is a town I can imagine living in, if it has a ping pong club, or I'm told, I could start one :)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Maria, our guide was phenomenal, our driver Christo was wonderful (I’m an anxious passenger) and so cautious, the specialty guides brought humor and knowledge. The country and people amazing. I also loved that in spite of the high activity level and jam packed tours - there was a spaciousness that also filled the tour. Wonderful lodging, incredible food, amazing history - what’s not to like!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Delphi - the awareness of how far back the history of Greece and humanity goes. High up in the mountains - the ruins, theater, stadium, cemetery… the setting - unbelievable"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very organized, excellent lead guide Maria, excellent location guides and driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The amazing night view of the Parthenon from the rooftop restaurant at the hotel in Athens."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I've been on a Rick Steves tour before and this tour exceed my expectations of their excellent tour services.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to pick one moment when Greece is such an amazing country."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The locations, the expert guides, the fellow travelers were all top notch 5 star . One of the best vacations of my life. Our guide Maria was the best i have ever experienced with her knowlege of history and willingness to always prepare one for a great exprience. One can tell the locations were chosen to give a wide perspective of Greece and stay in constant amazement of its beauty. Words cannot explain my delight.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was so amazed by all the locations that it’s difficult to give one moment. The beehive tombs stick out in my memory as an amazing feat of engineering and construction, but as Not to lessen the splendor of any other amazing sights on the trip"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was eye-opening, reflective & made me think. 3000 years of history help me better understand my life in America, my Faith and how all men and women evolved/progressed in all the scientific, arts, medicine, law, religion and athletics etc. in the many aspects of our current lives. Greece is not as polished as many of the other European countries. However stunningly beautiful and history everywhere you turn.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"14 days of having great weather We went swimming twice and the Olympic Stadium, and where the Olympic torch is currently lit from,🔥 was fascinating. The tour guide(s) passion, and facts about the ancient Olympics was just great. Maria, who was with us every day, was knowledgeable , love her job, and was committed to providing the best possible experiences. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What an amazing surprise! Greece! It's so much more than white buildings with blue trim, with brilliant blue seas. This tour included the large vibrant city of Athens, the mountains of Delphi, the amazing varied landscapes, the ancient sites, the amazing local guides (Mama Faye - what a storyteller, she is in my memory forever), the food, and our stellar guide Maria - her love of Greece and knowledge inspired us all. Our tour group was great; good conversations, sharing stories and friendship.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two things wowed me; walking the steps up to the Acropolis and seeing the Parthenon in person. After art history textbooks and lecture slide presentations - I was there, I was experiencing this stunning architectural perfection and beauty. It takes away your breath. The other WOW was Hydra - no cars, no motorcycles. Serene moments of quiet; sounds of donkey hooves on cobblestone, a rooster crowing, people talking, food being prepared - you really hear all these sound & then, the beautiful sea."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

In but one word: fantastic! Experiencing Greece through the wonderful design of RS Tours did not disappoint at all. All hotels were well chosen, the sites and stops we saw were stunning, and the route we took through the countryside and coastlines connecting everything provided such a real and satisfying look at the real Greece. Our guide Angelos led us splendidly along the way, providing insightful and interesting context to where we were and for Greece’s history both recent and ancient.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking atop Monemvasia near Gefyra claims the title of my favorite “wow” moment. My wife and I started early in the morning, to get ahead of both the crowds and the sun, and climbed all the way to the top. We stopped several times to really take in the stellar vistas, mind-blowing shades of blue that painted the sea and the sky, and the Agia Sophia church with its majestic olive trees halfway up. At the summit, the beautiful ruins and views of the greater Gefyra coastline crowned it all nicely."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Greece is amazing! This was a 50th birthday present to my best friend and I gave ourselves. Every step was amazing and we weren’t ready to leave when it was time. We had an amazing group of traveling companions. Angelos, our guide, was so personable, knowledgeable and patient while herding all his cats. Yannis , our driver, was so skilled and amazingly patient with the group of Americans🤣

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Just how nice everyone in Greece is and how nonchalant about all the ruins and history surrounding them. You are walking around the incredibly urban Athens and just randomly come across ruins from antiquity. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was outstanding at every level.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing at the Acropolis and Olympia; stepping back into ancient history and, at the same time, celebrating all the Greek culture has added to the world we live in today."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent exposure to Greek history, antiquities and culture during our first trip to this part of the world. In usual RS fashion, we saw not only the famous sites and places, but also were treated to some unusual and "off the beaten path" spots that made the experience more impactful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were probably a dozen "wow" moments, but two stand out: actually trekking up the path to the Acropolis where famous Greeks had walked, and crouching into the starting position on the "track" where ancient Olympians had raced in the first competitive games."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Athens & The Heart of Greece tour was exceptionally organized, expertly guided, and had the perfect balance of activities. We enjoyed visiting so many historic sites and exploring the Peloponnese. Plus, the visit to Hydra was just lovely and peaceful, on the side streets and quiet beach. We really enjoyed getting to know our group - so many seasoned travelers - and our guide Angelos provided great wisdom, insight and humor throughout.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many to choose from! We hiked to the top of Monemvasia, and would recommend that for those able to do so. There were two particularly striking views up there: from the back of the Agia Sofia, the water so clear has thousands of shades of blue; the other from the very top, seeing the town below and feeling so big and so small at the same time. I also broke off from the tour for a second at Epidauros and stood in the center of the theater alone, which was indescribable, and awesome. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Angelos, was awesome - so knowledgeable, engaging and fun. We were given fair warning that the first few days of the tour were demanding and, oh boy, were they. But the physical demands were worth the mental and emotional returns. The local guides we met were also amazing. The group size was small enough that we all had the opportunity to really interact and get to know one another. The mix of guided touring and amount of free time to explore is great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved visiting Monemvasia. Spending time in Gefyra and Monemvasia was such a treat. The views, the beach, the people were such a joy. The memories of floating in the sea with the Mediterranean sun warming my face will stay with me forever."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful, meaningful and very enjoyable two weeks in Greece. The tour so surpassed our expectations - and I thought they were quite high to begin with. Bus driver, Yanni, was exceptional, but Angelo made the experience extraordinary with his care, support, knowledge, attention to detail and a great sense of humor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"QCan’t really pick just one. Sorry."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved diversity of sites visited--historical, cultural, beaches, villages. Our tour director Danae was awesome-funny, knowledgeable, down to earth--the best!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to the hinterlands outside Athens allowed us to assimilate the beauty of Greece's mountains and shorelines, geography that has defined its history--the villages amongst the mountains. The moment we asked Danae what was the essence of being Greek and she answered that Greeks are fun, possess a fighting spirt and hard working. We felt and loved the fun and feisty throughout our tour."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Tour activity level should be rerated. More than “most strenuous.”

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Acropolis at night with all the lights. Olympia site."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We saw many ruins, not enough museum art and history. Enjoy the wine tasting, olive oil tasting and the farewell dinner. Although we didn’t partake, there was ample opportunity for us to enjoy an ocean swim.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the acropolis. Observing the acropolis at night from the Acropolis Select hotel roof top."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We travel with many different tour companies, based on the itinerary’s offered. Rick Steves tours, the guides and the itinerary is just perfection and a great value. Even though the group size was 26 it did not feel like it was crowded or to big. The tour guides are so good that it feels like an intimate tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ancient Olympia, it was great to visit the place where the Olympics started and to feel the energy of the games and how he required the athletes to take an oath integrity at honesty. We also love swimming in the Mediterranean in all the different locations where we.Could. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This my 10th tour with Rick, and I always come home with great memories. Our tour guide was fantastic, as were all of the local guides. The people who are attracted to Rick's tours are always adventuresome and fun to travel with. On the last day of the tour, it is always a bit bittersweet; it is good to be going home with all the new memories and knowledge, but it is always hard because we know this new group of new friends will likely not be together at one time again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really realizing that democracy originated in ancient Greece thousands of years ago. The ancient Greeks had achieved much of what we strive for in modern times many millennia ago!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was our first RS guided tour, and we know it won't be our last - we're already eyeing where to go next!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't pick just one as the whole tour never failed to 'wow' us."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our main guide Danea was totally wonderful in every way. I feel SHE made my total experience exceptional!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Realizing that Greece was so mountainous! I had no idea! And so breathtakingly Beautiful! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, we were very pleased and impressed with this tour. Our tour guide and local experts were exceptional as usual with Rick Steves tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having the Olympics just occurring this summer, we found ancient Olympia to be very moving to see where that all started. Learning about the sportsmanship and integrity at originated there Has seen the tradition carrying forward through today Also walking the footsteps of the original Olympians was inspiring. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was fantastic! Danae was a wonderful tour guide. She had a great knowledge of Greece. The same for the local tour guides. Being able to see all the ancient sights that we saw a well as the beautiful countryside was wonderful. We loved all the small towns we stayed in, the hikes and walks that were available and of course Athens!!! Also, enjoyed the train ride and boat trips. Our tour group were fantastic as well...fun people to be traveling with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting all the small towns that we went to as well as stayed in. It allowed us to have the local feel of Greece that we hoped we would get. It's always enjoyable to talk with the locals. Have to mention all the Archeological sites we saw and watching them being restored."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Above and beyond our expectations. We have been using RS’s books and website for the last 20+ years. We love RS’s generous support of our independent trip planning. Now we took his tour, we truly appreciate Rick and his “working” family who share their passion to show us their country!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Local food, local entertainment, and some not-so-touristy restaurants and hotels. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was able to complete one of my bucket list trips. Ever since I was a child, I read about the Greek mythology stories and we visited almost all the sites with excellent guides and travel group. People who choose RS tour seem to be very well traveled, educated, and friendly. We enjoyed the group very much. The tour also gave us plenty of individual opportunities to spend time on our own. Great mix of group activities and independent ones.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Delphi, Olympia, and all of the places I have read - I was there walking around feeling, smelling and sometimes touching them!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our primary guild Danae ws great. She handle any issue with grace and kindness.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Acropolis. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an amazing tour group and guide who helped us appreciate that there is so much more to Greece than its historical ruins. From the sea to the mountains, we embraced the people, food, culture, and history and thoroughly enjoyed every stop we made during the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing the Acropolis and reflecting on all that the world has seen since it's construction was something that I will always remember. A close second was a sea kayaking excursion that our guide recommended during our free day in Kardamyli. The crystal clear blue water with a mountain backdrop was an unforgettable sight. We also we into a cave to swim where the light was illuminating the water from an outlet to the sea below the surface illuminating the blue water. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the Best of Greece tour. Beautiful sites visited! I loved seeing the archaeological ruins and museums, and the beautiful mountaintop and seaside villages. Our tour guide, Dafni, was great! She really added a lot to an already fun trip. Food was excellent! Also, our tour mates were a lot of fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Delphi- the museum and walking through the ruins. Hydra- beach day! The National Archaeologic museum in Athens. I really enjoyed the “archaeological” aspect of seeing ALL of the ancient ruins and learning about them from the fabulous guides. Also- LOVED our (optional) kayaking day which Dani arranged for us! That was a perfect day! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was amazing! Lots to do and we learned so much from our amazing guide Dafni.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Running on the first Olympic track in Olympia! Ok…jogging a couple of feet. Nonetheless we were on the field! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an excellent tour! We went with ten friends, but soon became friends with everyone in our group. Our tour guide, Dafni, was awesome as well as the local guides at the various locations. We were able to go to so many sites that we never would have seen on our own. We were happy with our itinerary, hotels and food. My only suggestion would be to have the wastebaskets in the hotel bathrooms emptied daily since paper cannot be flushed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many "wow" moments, but I especially loved watching the beautiful sunsets."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was strenuous as stated on the website, but seeing all of the historic sites was worth it. The guide was fine and the tour group was very friendly. I enjoyed being with friends during this tour. Most of the hotels were good, and the group dinners served a tremendous amount of food. Lots of good memories!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many moments where we saw the ruins from the past. Seeing the Parthenon was amazing! I especially loved seeing the historic Olympic site where the torch lighting occurs every Olympic Game. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was very nice to celebrate my birthday in Greece with a wonderful group (Lucky DioNecest Embracers). 😃 Dafni, our guide was very knowledgeable, energetic, caring and, fun. It met my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed very much the history, the food but, what I’ll always treasure is the kayaking adventure in Kardamyli thanks to Dafni’s advice. I would never have done it without the support of my husband and my tour group. It was AMAZING!! I don’t have words to describe the beauty of the vibrant colors of the water once we reached inside the cave… God is wonderful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group of fellow travelers. Our guide and driver were great and did a very good job leading us during the tour. a very happy group og travelers

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really enjoyed Hydra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was perfect

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So hard to choose, but I think Kardamyli"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ioanna is an amazing guide! Her warmth, humor and historical knowledge of Greece is outstanding. She created an environment where 26 people became a big family by the end of the tour. She was attentive to our questions about the history of Greece, past and present. She gave helpful suggestions on where to eat for dinner or the best path to take on a hike. I would sign up for any tour where Ioanna was the guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Overlooking the temple of Apollo with the temple of Athena in the background. Seeing the full moon rise behind Monemvasia"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sunset on Hydra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the most amazing tour!!! Our guide Ioanna, our bus driver Christos, our travel companions, our individual site guides, the hotels, the food, the scenery, the people and the historical significance of the area were not only met but went far above my expectations. Was it perfect, well no but any issue was so small and are such easy fixes so that with these small imperfections, it experience was just perfect!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Parthenon lite up at night, on our very first night, during our group welcome dinner was totally surreal!!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Greece was phenomenal to visit and the tour was exceptional - especially our wonderful guide Ionna.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How do you choose just one? I particularly enjoyed our time on Hydra…but a wow moment was also visiting Olympia and the ruins there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip was amazing. All of the hotels were excellent. The stops and sites were well-timed, with sufficient time at each stop. Our guide and bus driver were outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had one wow moment after another every day, starting at the top of the Acropolis."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ioanna, was a wonderful tour guide! Her expertise, personality and extra touches mad it a great trip! I loved all the experiences, especially the meals. The hotels were all very nice and comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really loved the Greek music, meal and dancing. It was so much fun and they really encouraged everyone to experience the dancing as a group. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour of Greece exceeded my expectations and that was primarily due to our outstanding tour director, Ioanna Papakosta. She related insights into the Greek way of life and culture that brought a new dimension to visiting Greece.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This was unexpected and when I heard that we were having dinner and see a traditional music performance, I did not expect to be up and dancing with all the guys of the group. The ladies had their turn and the young woman teaching and encouraging us made it a lot of fun experiencing Greek dancing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was well coordinated for the tour including transportation meals, hotels and tour guides. The pace was reasonable and there was enough space to have my own personal experiences. The history was fabulous and the culinary delights delicious. Truly appreciated this experience with Rick Steves Greece tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My moment was experiencing Olympia where the Olympics started, and experiencing the sweet island of Hydra . My other wow moments was being able to relax by the Mediterranean Sea and Aegean Sea coasts. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I thought it was great like the other Rick Ste ves tours. The guide was enlightening and friendly. He was very accommodating and helpful to everyone. He is a very special person and has all of our admiration. We saw and learned things that we would otherwise not have experienced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"EVERY MOMENT WAS A "WOW"!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a terrific experience. We stayed at amazing hotels, ate incredible meals and saw a lot of incredible things.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We particularly enjoyed seeing the site of the original Olympics, and enjoyed the beaches at both Hydra and on the Mani Peninsula"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was exactly what we wanted: Excellent information from tour guide who was prepared each and every day...nothing "rattled" him. No drop offs for "shopping" yet free time alloted to pursue your own interests. We stayed at small hotels with "character" not big luxury hotels...this was stated yet some people still complained about their accommodations. There was no question we would be staying in smaller places that were quaint without mega hotel ammenities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have to say each day.......the FOOD, the people's kindness and appreciationof the Rick Steve's travelers! Just the history of this ancient land... and what we learned day after day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned, organized and paced. We saw so much. Local guides were amazing

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It exceeded our expectations. We knew hardly anything about Greece prior to our trip. We learned so much and had such a great experience, we’d like to return someday.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The acoustics demonstration at the ancient Epidavros Theatre and discovering what was behind the rock at Monemvasia. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time! I wasn't sure what to expect and whether I would like touring with a group. I generally like active hiking vacations but wanted to try a tour and Rick Steves seemed like a good option. It truly met or exceeded my expectations. The tour allowed for different levels of ability and activity. There ware often options for longer more challenging walks and hikes that I took advantage of and enjoyed. Our fellow travelers were a great group and we quickly became friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many days where we said "this is the best day ever" it is hard to pick one moment. But climbing to the top of Monemvasia with most of our group was probably the best. It was a wonderful hike and it was so fun to see everyone succeed in reaching the top, hikers and non-hikers a like."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Parts of the tour I really enjoyed, including our time in Nafpali and Hydra, where we had time to explore little streets, stores, and cafes and experience elements of both current-day and historic Greece. Exploring ancient sites, particularly the surprisingly large complex at Olympia. Some of the climbing was fine but I felt it became somewhat redundant, as were the museums. I would have liked to have more interaction with current-day Greece.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The time spent on Hydra and the dinner with the Greek music in the evening at Nafpoli. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Maria our local guide as well as our other guides were fabulous; extremely knowledgable and engaging.! The itinerary was wonderful, informative while providing us a diversity of sites, and cultural experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While we have so many wonderful memories, Monemvasia was exceptionally memorable; the view from the top of the rock was great."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The first night I went to sleep and thought what a great day I just had. And every night it was the same feeling.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hydra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The 14 day Greece tour was a trip of a life time! The variety of places we traveled from the city of Athens, to the mountains, to the beaches, to the many charming villages were all unique in themselves. Our tour group was only 25 which made it easier to get to know each of them. They were all wonderful. Also the bus was less crowded due to the smaller group. Our tour guide Maria was FANTASTIC! She always was so genuinely concerned about our groups needs. Lovely woman

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think it was the hiking experiences climbing Monemvasia "the rock " and Agia Sophia, the Upper Cities, as well as other strenuous hikes up to where spectacular views were seen. They were all challenges but easier because most of our group would get together and climb up together to the tops. It was a great bonding moment at each one. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

As always the tour was well organized. Our guide Angelos was very good, stayed on top of things and was helpful and joyful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to Delphi and its museum"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Everything went smoothly according to the itinerary! Appreciated the free time so the agenda was not overpacked with activities. Angelos was very conscientious to make sure all members were getting the most out of the tour. Appreciated his review of history and commentary during the bus time. Local guides were fantastic and brought the various sites to life and their place in history. Amazed seeing 70% of the Peloponnese pennisula is covered with major mountains! Beautiful scenery and seaside.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Experiencing the Parthenon and Acropolis along with other archaeological sites such as Delphi and Olympia that are over 2700 years old. Appreciating the ancient civilizations that developed the sites and sophisticated government structure. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Delphi with Penny. Her comments were very thought provoking. The meal with local musicians at Nafplio. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great, but the extra day in Hydra was not necessary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Olympia, both museum and archeological site"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting all temples "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Athens & the Heart of Greece tour was excellent! I learned a lot about Greek culture and Greek Mythology. Tour was well organized. Angelos and Brooke, our tour guides were absolutely wonderful. Our bus driver, Yiorgos was outstanding, taking us up and down narrow roads so smoothly. The local guides were so knowledgeable and made the whole experience even better. Hotels were great and the staff was very helpful and friendly. I absolutely recommend this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Had several wow moments. Hard to choose but would say visiting Olympia, Delphi, Nafplio, and Hydra were my favorite. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great trip with a great bunch of people! Everyone was so kind and friendly, and our tour guide was the best!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The island of Hydra was my favorite, but the first night, while having dinner at the outdoor rooftop restaurant of our hotel, the view of the Parthenon at night was WOW!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Greece has been on my list of destinations to visit for well over 50 years! I always loved my Art History classes and the ancient Greeks held my attention long after graduation. This tour was so amazing! It was filled with sights, and stories to cherish along with the new friendships and great experiences I have encountered on every Rick Steves tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views of the Acropolis from the walk up to the Filopappos Monument were stunning without the crowds to hinder the view! The Erechtheion with it's amazing caryatids and Praxiteles' Hermes statue are right up there as "wow" moments."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding tour Guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Guide Anastácia "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time on our Greece tour. From a fabulous tour guide, Anastasia, a great group of fellow travelers, the opportunity to actually see many historic sites in person and connecting with local tour guides at the individual sites led to an outstanding tour. And of course--the food! All combined to give us a fantastic experience. Never knew Greece was so mountainous! A very active tour with a lot of up hills and down hills.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved Hydra! After 9 exhausting days of early mornings, bus rides, and seeing ancient sites, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to have down time and just enjoy a day on the water. So beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first time doing a group tour and it was a great experience. Meeting new people, seeing new places and learning about the country I was in.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I love Delphi! We went later in the day with no crowds and the tour guide gave wonderful insight to the era."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a comprehensive, educational and beautiful trip around Athens and the Peloponesse of Greece. This awesome trip was made even better by our fellow travelers and our outstanding guide, Anastasia, who has an unbelievable knowledge of both Greece and Greek history. We came home amazed!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had several wow moments; including the stunning night time view of the Acropolis from the roof of our hotel in Athens, the archaeological site in Delphi and the view from the cliffside church in Monemvacia. Loved relaxing in Hydra as well!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Greece was unlike any European country we've visited. The history and intimacy with ruins thousands of years old was almost overwhelming, definitely humbling. The country itself is beautiful and wild and exotic. Yet very comfortable and welcoming. Our guide Anastacia was wonderful, we learned so much from her. It was definitely the most strenuous physically, but worth every huff and puff. There were several very winding bus rides, and we were very glad to have our patches and pills with us!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gotta be the beaches, at Kardamyli and on Hydra. Pebble beaches and rocky shores were a challenge at first, but so worth it for the cool, gentle waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean. We could've stayed all day but there were always more things we wanted to do and see!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide was fantastic and the group was wonderful overall

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking into the beehive tomb in mycenae"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was a very interesting tour with a wide range of experiences. There was an emphasis on the history of ancient Greece and the tours of the many ancient ruins sites. We got to experience the present culture through the group dinners and the cooking classes. We also had the opportunity to relax and enjoy the sights and all that Greece has to offer. The food was outstanding and the Greek people were welcoming and friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was so much to see and experience. I enjoyed our tours of the ruins sights. I had a lot of fun beach hopping on the island of Hydra. But my two biggest wow moments were visiting the ruins at Olympia to see what remains of the original Olympic village where the torch is lit to began the relay for each Olympic Games and the beehive tomb in Epidavros. I cannot imagine what went in to the construction of that amazing structure."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt I got a very-to-the-country experience. The cities we visited were not too “touristy”, it was truly a through the back door experience. The pacing of the trip was wonderful, there was a nice balance of museums, cuisine, hiking, beach days, and free time. Our tour guide was outstanding and a true expert, we were well taken care the entire time by all staff.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Near our third day we took a trip up to the mountain ruins of Delphi. We got a bit rained on, but after the clouds passed there was a serine view of the ruins and surrounding mountains. I felt very connected to the site and could see myself as one of the ancient Greeks. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First of all, Daphni was a fabulous guide. Her love of her country, her knowledge of the country made the trip very special and memorable. She went out of her way to make us all engaged in every way. It’s a beautiful country. The tour itself was very educational, comfortable and strenuous in a very good way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monenvasia"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour group connected right away due to our tour leader, Dafni’s warmth and enthusiasm.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Floating on the Aegean Sea. Incredible!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall tour experience was great. Good food, good service, good hotels, excellent tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was walking into to the warm water, going snorkeling with a visibility of 50 yards under water. Seeing the marine life swimming with you. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an amazing time. The tour was balanced with organized activities and free time very well. We learned a lot, played a lot and had so many new experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My “wow” moment was walking into the warm clear water and floating because of all the salt in the water. So relaxing and peaceful!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Dafni , our guide was Outstanding!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Acropolis!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and we would certainly do another. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and personable, taking the time to get to know the members of the group while still dealing with the myriad of logistical details to keep the trip running very smoothly. While we did cover many miles, there was enough time to enjoy individual time, dining, and activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sea kayaking at Kardamili and exploring caves on the coast of the Messenian Gulf. Floating in the water and seeing the blue light emanating from a submerged cave while in a cathedral of stalactites and stalagmites will not soon be forgotten. The tour guide and operators of the kayaking went above and beyond to take care of every detail and deal with surprises. Top notch group. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Dafni was an absolutely phenomenal tour guide! She was personable, humorous, knowledgeable, emotionally connecting, organized, kind, caring, thoughtful, and was THE reason that the tour was outstanding for me!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dafni's education about the history and cultiure of Greece, along with the handout that she gave us on the various periods in history, was very interesting. And learning of the Greeks advanced cultures thousands of years ago was an amazing learning for me. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

lots of history, as I expected (hoped), but also a good mix of other experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the Acropolis, even though it was hot and extremely crowded. It was still amazing to see and experience what I had only seen in pictures."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Traveling to any country for the first time and learning about its geography and history and peoples beliefs and hopes for the future really interests me as it does other people

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really liked and enjoyed being on the island of Hydra. There are no cars, you walk everywhere, very interesting, very cool."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the combination of two different experiences--the historical sites and museums; and times in the mountains and beaches. Our guide Apostolos was fantastic and really opened his heart to us. I loved the local guides as well--passionate, individual, even quirky.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Running on trails in Nafplio and Kardamyli, listening to a local trio in a Nafplio taverna."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Had a fabulous trip to Greece with our wonderful guide Apostolos. He is so informative and he gave context to all the ancient sites we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 2 days on Hydra were the highlight for me. After an exhausting trip with such extreme heat, it was a welcome relief to just relax and have the ability to do what we wanted to do."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt great to have travel experts plan our itinerary, accommodations, and transportation. Because we chose a tour, we learned much more from the Greek guides than we would have on our own. The scenery, beaches, sunsets, sites, as well as olive oil processing plant, cooking demonstration, and wine tasting events were educational and delightful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 3,400 year old tomb at the Cyclopean Walls. The extraordinary, lasting architecture is amazing. (It is very hard to choose just one "wow" moment!)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our fourth RS tour and, as expected, terrific! Our guide, Apostolos was outstanding, as were the local guides he brought us to. We did a ton of walking and saw an enormous amount of history preserved in monuments and ruins. We loved the food as well as the backroads residents Apostolos introduced us to in the small towns. The Acropolis, Delphi and Olympia were awe-inspiring, especially the tombs, stadia and theaters. Our group was congenial and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Swimming in the warm, clear Aegean several times and viewing many fish through my goggles. Also, the restaurant dinner in Nafplio with the charming host and terrific musical entertainment of Rembetiko music."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Informative and inspiring

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Acropolis and museum there"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We are longtime fans of Rick Steve’s books! This was our first RS tour. Very impressed with the whole program. Great tour guides and our bus driver George was a magician with all the tiny roads and bridges! Very organized and professional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Really loved the island of Hydra. Great relaxing on the beach after climbing up to all the ancient sites. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I joined the tour with a very minimal knowledge of Greek history and culture. I learned so much while having an amazing time! It was a good balance of sight seeing and relaxing and soaking in the Greek sun on the beach.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s difficult to choose one “wow”moment! Besides the historical sights we visited, I’ll always remember stopping at a lookout on the Mani Peninsula as we arrived in Kardamyli and seeing the crystal clear turquoise water of the Aegean for the first time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent group, very well organized. George was an excellent driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Archeological sites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guide, Apostolos, first thing! Excellent. The bus driver, Yani, was also great! The hotels were good, food was good to excellent, and the people were really memorable (in a good way!) The days were challenging and we learned a lot. See Eva's facebook page for pictures and brief blogging

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite wow moments were the tour in the Mani village where Apostolos introduced us to the locals there, and hearing Aposstolos talk about his family and life in Greece."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour of Greece!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of the tour guides at the museums and archaeological sites were extremely knowledgeable and personable. Loved the beach day on Hydra!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Apostolos and all the guides were outstanding. The choice of itinerary is fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mycenea! Seeing the lion gate was amazing. Loved all the other ancient siteas as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the first meeting and dinner we were able to immediately bond with our fellow travelers. The itinerary was spaced with enough down time so that the experience did not seem rushed. Bear in mind that this particular tour is very strenuous, and even though I trained for it, there were times when I felt tired. My only criticism is that I would have preferred more experiences with other aspects of the culture rather than seeing ruins 5 days in a row.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "backyard" impromptu tour given by our guide of the little village of Kardamyli. Apostolos' relationship and stories with the villagers was a touching moment for both my wife and me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The group I was with was amazing. This group went from 14 to 82 with so many people being in their 20 to 30. We were 20 which is smaller but we were a group. On non dinner times we would get together. How much fun it was for the older and younger to connect on a tour such as we had. I realize that your group can't connect like this all the time but it was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Your tours kept us in many small towns and everywhere I went, I would find one of our group members we were therefore in our own small community."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a very good tour, but we should have waited until the weather was cooler. The heat was exhausting for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town of Monemvasia with its surrounding views of the blue-green sea."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

More physicaly demandng than I was expecting, much more than previous tours I have taken.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hydra was clearly the tour's high point for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide. The tour was well rounded with a variety of experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The food was wonderful and swimming at the beach at Hydra. Loved the small towns."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It truly felt like Europe through the back door - so many unique places that we likely would not have visited on our own. We enjoyed the beautiful sights, delicious food, knowledgeable guides and good company. Greece in June is hot, but our guides were always thoughtful about making sure we started early and found us shady spots to stop and talk. It was a great mix of historical attractions, fun experiences like Greek coffee tasting and a cooking class, and downtime to relax by the water.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A sunset hike to the top of Monemvasia with beautiful views all around us. On our last night, we walked up to admire the Acropolis all lit up and got to hear a concert playing nearby. A perfect way to end our time in Greece!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was everything I ever hoped for out of my first group tour experience! The guide was wonderful, meals were tasty, and the hotels were excellent. Our bus driver was fabulous and the local guides were a great addition.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Either climbing to the ruins at the top of the rock in Monemvasia or climbing to the Fortress of Palamidi in Nafplio. Everyday was something new and exciting so it’s hard to choose just one! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Experiencing Greece by traveling over 1000 miles with great guides for education, great attractions, great food, great hotels and great service from Dafni and super bus driving by George made this an incredible trip. Great design and pace.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to name! The Parthenon, Delphi, Olympus, the Museums, the Bee-Hive burial tomb, the Rock, the crystal clear oceans, Hydra. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As a first time tour traveler, my overall experience far exceeded my expectation. Exploring Greece with RSE was as much a cultural experience as a travel tour - thank you!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me the entire 2 week experience built on itself. There was not one Wow moment, but a steady culmination of immersion in the Greek history, culture, landscape, people, language, food. When we reached Lagadia, we had experienced Athens Acropolis & Parthenon, Delphi, crossed the Gulf of Corinth and knew we had just touched the tip of what Greece had to offer. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The sights, venues, meals, activities, and schedules were so well planned and of great variety. It was more than we had hoped for! Guide Dafni was informative, knowledgeable, kind, patient and fun! Driver Giorgos has to be unmatched for his skills! The local guides were outstanding not only in their depth and breadth of knowledge, but in their abilities to present, explain and make history come alive to us tourists.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There is more than one "wow" moment. These include touring the Parthenon and Olympia."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our second Rick Steves tour and we were pleasantly surprised that this experience was as fabulous as our first one (Best of Europe 14 days). Ioanna, our guide, was highly skilled in knowing her content, entertaining us with her knowledge and realife Greek experiences, her ability to read and respond to the group dynamics and her commitment to ensuring we had an experience of a lifetime. It's obvious that Rick Steves carefully vets and trains the guides. Love the intentional planning.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking around the ancient city in Kardamyli "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a special trip for my family. We saw beautiful places, met lovely people and ate great food. All the while being entertained by our Amazing tour guide Ioanna. She told us many stories of her Greek family and traditions which was so interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved Monemvasia. Loved swimming in kardamille. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Greece tour was amazing! I loved the people, the culture, the stories and especially the food. We had a wonderful guide and a very dynamic tour group which made it all that much more enjoyable. Overall, it was a wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is really hard to pick just one. I was captivated by our visits to all the ancient sites - The Acropolis in Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae. Perhaps the most visceral experience for me was the visit to Olympia. In my minds eye, I could see being surrounded by hundreds of statues of past winners, hear the roar of the crowds and smell the sweat of the animals and competitors."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Anastasia was an amazing guide. Her knowledge of Greek Mythology and Greek history was impressive, and her ability to tie everything together. The ruins were amazing, the family hotels were lovely, clean and everyone very friendly and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything was WOW, but I loved running the Olympic race track. What a thrill!! Anastasia was a very impressive guide and I hope you get to experience a Rick Steves tour with her!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Anastasia was an amazing guide. She drew connections between mythology, greece history, languange and our geographical location as we toured that gave us a much deeper understanding of their interconnectedness. We visited places off the beaten track and local guides provided different perspectives and insights. Hotels were clean and family owned and food was plentiful! Bus and transportation was well done and efficient. All other tour members were lovely and we learned lots from each other.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Understanding the connections between mythology, greece history, languange and our geographical location as we toured that gave us a much deeper understanding of the country and the people. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great time on this tour. We have traveled a lot in the Europe in the past but this is the first "bus tour" that we've ever taken. Anastasia, our guide, was wonderful - helpful, knowledgeable, humorous, efficient and thorough. Wish we could have seen more of the North of Greece. I'm sure there are more sites than just ruins that would have been nice to include. We'll likely go back to planning our own trips; this was faster paced and longer days than we like. Would recommend anyway!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Coming up to the top of the Acropolis and seeing the Parthenon was the greatest. We actually visited a few days before the start of the tour, in the evening, after the crowds were gone and on a cooler day. But that site was what I had been looking forward to and it's on the tour. More time to see everything during the your would have been nice, but we had done that already, so we weren't disappointed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a wonderful tour to enjoy the beauty of Greece’s mainland, soak up their culture, and experience it all while our amazing guide Anastasia tied it together with fascinating Greek mythology. So many experiences from some incredible hiking, afternoons at the beach and swimming in the sea, to visiting mind blowing ancient ruins! The Parthenon, Olympia and the beehive tomb of Mycenae were my personal favorites. We had a wonderful travel group and we enjoyed each and every person.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed Hydra Island. It had such a relaxed and comfortable ambiance and seemed to showcase the best of Greece. But, I’d have to say my personal “wow “moment was hiking to the very top of the Monemvasia rock with a small group of seven of out travel companions. The views were incredible and the company couldn’t be beat! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This trip was magical. I loved stepping back in time and exploring all the ancient sites and history of the region. Anastacia was an incredible addition as our guide. I also appreciated the many opportunities to jump into the sea and enjoy “beach” time. This was one for the books.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think the moment that took me by surprise was Delphi. The location and size were absolutely incredible. I also was wowed by our guide Anastacia and many of our local guides who helped bring history to life and to weave it all together. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day seemed better than the last. I was thrilled with all the archeological sites we visited, each was so unique. I loved the food and the opportunities to explore with and without the group. This was a well organized experience, that had both depth of information but humor and laughter. I loved all of our guides especially Anastasia and her many meadow stories. Each of the local guides had such passion for the places we toured!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One morning in Monemvasia I work up before sunrise and walked down to the water's edge. I took photographs of the sunrise twice- once on the right side of the monolithic island, then I walked to the other side of the bridge. It was quiet, only few people were about. I got coffee at a local place and waited another 40 minutes for the sun to rise above the island. Just a good moment. Later that day we hiked to the Hagia Sophia. There was a sense of pilgrimage. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group, beautiful country, great tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the country"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire trip was amazing from our accommodations, fellow travelers, local guides and cuisine. Our tour guide Apostolos was exceptional and made an outstanding trip even better. His ability to communicate, educate and lead our group allowed us to truly experience an unforgettable odyssey of Greece and the Greek lifestyle.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to separate my WOW moment from all the fabulous experiences. I would have to say it was the archaeological sites that impressed me the most."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"walking into the beehive tomb constructed in 2000 BC was amazing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Probably the best tour guide(Apostolos Douras) and tour we have had in the last few years and we have been on several other tours hosted by competing tour companies. The only 2 that came close was VBT-New Zealand and Tauck-Hawaii. Apostolos provided outstanding historical perspectives on the evolution of Greek Mythology & the Greek Culture while ensuring all events & activities were issue free. The mixture of daily posted planned activities & free time at the various locations was excellent !

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "WOW" moments, it is hard to pick a favorite. The Acropolis ruins in Athens, the Sanctuary of Apollo & Tholos of Athena ruins in Delphi, the Cog Train Ride from Diakofto to Kalavrita, the Mourtzinos Tower, hiking up to the Agia Sophia & Citadel at Monemvasia, the monastery of Pantanassa, Acropolis of Mycenae(Archaeological Site of Mykines(Beehives)) & Nafplio, and the hike from Hydra to Agia Marina are just a few of the highlights. How do you pick a favorite ?"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My tour group was the best; so many really fascinating, fun people. And so much thanks to our guide, Apostolos. There are no words to describe my gratitude.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tough call. Probably the Acroopolis. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized and our tour guide was outstanding in every way. I really appreciated the use of local family hotels and site specific knowledgeable guides. One nice aspect was the occasional "free time" to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment(s) came at the various archaeological sites standing and thinking who might have stood here 2 or 3 thousand years ago and what might they be doing. Getting ready for an Olympic event? Presenting a gift to a God for health or thanks? Or selling food to a fellow Greek."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall it was one of the best tours we've been on. We've been on 7 Rick Steves' tours and the one to Greece was fanastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had heard and read so much about Delphi I was in awe going there. The local guide was outstanding and being there was so rewarding. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I cannot say enough good things about this tour. I had never been to Europe before and this was a wonderful introduction. The mix of archaeological sites, local venues, and simply unbelievable views made it a wonderful time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about ancient culture from tour guides who had personal investment in the archaeological sites and museums."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized with great local guides. The location of hotels was very suitable for sightseeing when we were on our own. Lastly, our tour guide, Apostolos was simply amazing! He has a natural talent for teaching and was such a joy to be with every day!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The history of it all made me say "wow" a lot! Having not known anything about it initially, I would pick the medieval fortified town of Monemvasia. Glad we had a chance to climb to the top of the rock; it was educational and very picturesque!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The guide Lorenza and the driver Yannis were very good. Covid hit our tour early on with 8/26 people ultimately getting sick. Greece was interesting but a bit repetitive on both food and sights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking around Delphi was amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another amazing Rick Steves tour! All our guides at the various sites were excellent, and our group especially enjoyed our main guide, Lorenza. As advertised, this was a very active tour, and rocky paths and slippery stones on the hikes to sites called for caution and good shoes. The hotels were all great (the one in Nafplio was the most delightfully unique), the food was delicious everywhere, and our total group meshed beautifully with one another. Scenery, sites, and museums were amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many special moments: The history and sites in Olympia, the Lion Gate and 'beehive' tomb, the ancient theater of Epidavros, the charm of Hydra. Especially memorable was dinner while traditional Greek music was performed, and learning the history of the family owned business."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It could not have been better. From beginning to end, I was pleasantly surprised every day by the itinerary, guides, hotels, and locations we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Impossible to pick just one. But I loved the day when we drove over the Gulf of Corinth and took the railway through the Vouraikos Gorge and had lunch at a riverside restaurant in the village of Planitero. The town of Lagadia was a delightful place to spend the night!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every activity, city tour, group meal, hotel, and travel time was great!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's almost impossible to pick just one, but I loved our visit to Mycenae and tour of the grave circle, beehive/domed burial tomb, and the cyclopean walls. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time and enjoyed all of the stops and experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Beehive tomb Mycenae. It was so amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really enjoyed the tour of Greece but some of the older friends on our tour struggled physically with all of the high steps and the climbing. The rocks are shiny and very slippery. You really need to have a pair of shoes with excellent tread and grip so you don’t slip. Several people didn’t have the right shoes and it was difficult for them. I think it needs to be spelled out more about the steps and rocks being so slippery. Many of our tour friends did not feel safe on them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was seeing the Olympic grounds. To be able to put your feet into the starting blocks made of stone and stand where famous Olympians stood two thousand years ago was really amazing! The amount of history and ancient ruins in Greece really is mind blowing! The food in Greece was outstanding as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful, awesome experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A couple wow moments.....one, realizing how rocky, mountainous Greece really is; the second, the amazing artifacts and monuments exist, all from the last century BC"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour, fantastic guide, and the group was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" Turtles swimming in the blue waters"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Lots of good history. Great local guides. Excellent food. Lots of very old rocks!!! Fun excursions. Great water for swimming. Wonder RS guide!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing how crystal clear and blue the water was. Spending 2 days on Hydra!!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Springtime in Greece on this tour was wonderful. There was so much to discover and enjoy. We were well fed on all the group dinners and lunches.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I especially liked our group lunch overlooking the water. It was relaxing and fun to watch the Loggerhead turtles swimming around in the crystal-clear water directly in front of us. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

overall, very postivie

Favorite "WOW" moment

"a few of them in different ways"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Informative, magical, friendly, educational and breathtakingly beautiful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Listening to the Misirlou taverna family story and the music was enchanting. Not to mention the food... outstanding. The human experiences really stood out for me and this could not have been possible without out our guide Ioanna."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Athens and the Heart of Greece was a fantastic tour! I felt completely immersed in the culture and history - it was our own personal Greek odyssey with all the creature comforts and no cyclops to battle!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The integration and telling of the Ancient Greek myths our guide told alongside the amazing places we visited - Delphi, Olympia, Epidavros, and Mycenae. It brought all of it to life for me!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceptional, beyond my expectations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many wow moments to select just one. Family run local hotels (Hotel Panorama & Hotel Marianna) who made us feel special. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this tour including sharing it with an amazing tour guide and group of fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite "wow" moments were seeing the Acropolis lit up at night as well as the beautiful waterfront vistas all along the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my sister and my third RS tour together, our first two being in Italy. Since I’m 69 and 16 years older, I wanted to do another high energy tour while I could. This one was perfect. High energy, great sights, perfect narrations and enough down time to reenergize us for the nest day! Our guide, Ioanna is a gem! She was so pleasant, informative, personable and above all, compassionate! We each felt like the tour was uniquely designed for us as she guided us thru her beautiful country!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My personal “Wow!” moment was when my sister and I visited the island of Monemvasia. After our guided tour of the lower and then upper “towns” those who wanted to could hike to the top of the island. At the age of 69, with my sister being 16 years younger, I gave it a go. These were not paved paths, but many times a navigation of rocky, and natural gravel and dirt paths. The view from the top was amazing. Especially when we got back to our hotel with a beautiful view back to my accomplishment!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first RS tour and it did not disappoint. Our group was manageable in size and our tour guide/driver were the perfect hosts. The convenience of having everything from meals to transportation to exhibit tickets made the tour extremely pleasurable for me. I was surprised by and grateful for the amount of “free” time we were given. The lodging was good, but in certain places the beds were very hard. Lastly, the food was delicious and bountiful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s difficult to list one “wow” moment, but I will try. For me, the early entrance to the Acropolis was my ‘pinch-me’ moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour leader made the trip seamless as we move from place to place. She also introduced us to various aspects of the Greek culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The 12th century frescos in the church in Kastania."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing tour with so much history, beautiful archeological sights, wonderful food, and relaxing beaches. Our guide Ioanna was amazing and made the tour so much fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The crystal clear water swimming in the sea in the tiny village of Kardamyli. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great. Saw a lot. Kept just busy enough with some ‘own’ time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Acropolis at night & water & mountains from hydra beach "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved this tour! In addition to having the best tour guide, Ioanna, we had a fantastic group of fellow travelers. The people of Greece were so welcoming and we felt that at every stop along the tour. We enjoyed the energy of Athens as well as the serenity of the smaller towns and learned so much about the history and culture of Greece. Ioanna’s knowledge and love of Greek Ancient history, Greek Mythology and the culture of her country was infectious.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As per usual there were so many wow moments that it’s hard to pick just one. Walking along the Parthenon, being at the site of the Ancient Olympic Games, a Jazz Festival in Kardamili, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, and relaxing in idyllic Hydra."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

An overall excellent experience with an abundance of natural beauty and fascinating history, the locations, local guides, drivers, food, and hotels were all great. Our tour guide Maria's warmth, knowledge, humor, and management were exceptional, and all our fellow tour members were a pleasure to travel with. Even the weather was nearly perfect, it felt like a charmed trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were wow moments everyday, moments in Lagkadia, Kardamyli, Monemvasia, Nafplio, and Hydra all come to mind, but in Kardamyli the food, hiking, swimming, music, and impromptu wine party on the hotel's patio provided my favorite single day of the trip. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Though we are experienced travelers, this was our first tour of any kind. We had an incredible time. Our tour manager Maria was so knowledgeable and attentive to everyone's needs, and if she didn't know something, she always followed up when she found an answer. Our group clicked together really well, and we often ended up hanging out with members of the group even in our free time. Our driver Yanni was incredible. It's a very active tour, but still manageable for all ages.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Treasury of Atreus (beehive tomb), Temple of Apollo (Delphi), Theater of Epidavros, and Monemvasia were all standout monuments. We had an impromptu special moment when one of our tour members got to play the guitar with the rebetiko musicians at our group dinner in Nafplio. I also never got tired of seeing the crystal blue waters."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour. Greece itself has spectacular scenery coupled with amazing history. This was presented by knowledgeable guides who added flavor, insight, and perspective.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour guides and our group of fellow travelers were our WOW moments. Maria was outstanding! Her knowledge and personal touch in every aspect of leading the group was top notch. Our group of 26 was the other WOW moment. All of us blended into a fun loving and appreciative group of travelers. Just like in sports, our “team” bonded during the trip."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The experience was the fine work of Maria our tour guide TOP NOTCH

Favorite "WOW" moment

"HONEYBEE DOMES "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The fellow travelers were great, the tour guide made our experience really relatable with all her knowledge of Greece, learned so much about the country and its history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having dinner in a local restaurant with a Greek band. I got to play the guitar and sing with them and my wife danced with the women! The owner of the restaurant made everything entertaining."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves Tour and we really didn't know what to expect. It was the best decision we could have made for our retirement gift to ourselves. We were on the tour of Greece. Our guide, Maria, was exceptional. She guided us through all the ancients ruins & magical hidden villages, while giving us all the background information and Greek Mythology we needed to make the most out of each day. Our group of 26 became one big family and we thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many WOW moments, it's hard to select just one. We especially loved all the small villages that were off the beaten path. My WOW moment was the afternoon we spent in the fishing village of Limeni. The beauty of the emerald waters and the harbor took my breath away. We even saw a sea turtle swimming and coming up for air several times. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We hit the highlights of Greek history, experienced first-hand much of Greek culture and were given just enough personal days to enjoy the towns and beaches. And tour group leader Maria was superb.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was being at the Acropolis, the symbol of Greek culture and history. For my spouse, it was Delphi."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Greece was so fun to explore and experience. The drive along the coast was absolutely beautiful. The food was fantastic and Maria, our guide, was one of the best I've ever had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There wasn't one wow moment, but rather each day brought a surprise- learning about Greek mythology, being in Olympia, listening to amazing guides, hiking and discovering beautiful villages."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

One of the best ever (and it's our 10th!)! Outstanding guide, great itinerary, very smart planning to avoid the worst crowds. Fine food. Typical hotels with one at each end of the spectrum.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many to choose from. We loved the beach and Jazz Festival at Kardamili. The cooking class at Monemvasia. The hotel in Nafplio."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third Rick Steves tour and it exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide Iris was so informative, and all the local guides kept adding to the historical story of Greece as we traveled to each new venue. All was so well coordinated. All the hotels were great, in good locations and provided good breakfasts. Thought provoking and educational. The tour provided time for exploring on our own, and going to Hydra was a perfect resting stay.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Arriving in Athens and seeing the Acropolis from our hotel lit up at night was just the start of incredible sights. Myceanae and Epidavros were exceptional, both great wow moments! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guides were all so knowledgeable, funny and engaging and gave us so much history and context to all that we saw. The other tour members were delightful! Everyone got along so well and enjoyed each others company. Accommodations were all different & sometimes quirky but wonderful. The bus was so comfortable and the driver was fabulous. The food was delicious as well!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Delphi was especially interesting to me. The location was breathtaking and so worth all those steps to get to! Our guide made history come alive. I also loved exploring all the coastal towns with outdoor cafes, beaches and charming atmosphere."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded our expectations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"1. Delphi 2.Hydra 3. Olympia"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first RS tour and it exceeded our expectations. Our guide, Iris, was phenomenal. She was truly the highlight of the trip. Her knowledge, humor, patience, and experience made her the perfect person with whom to to share this amazing experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of Delphi in the golden light of late afternoon with our amazing guide Penny. Just beautiful and so fascinating to learn about the history and mythology. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide Iris was awesome! Able to wrangle us "cats" into a "school of fish" to safely cross streets, as well as easily explain conditions in the Greek countryside for our understanding. Hotels were fabulous, in beautiful locations, with attentive landlords/staff. Great food, tremendous local guides! The right amount of free time to manage individual needs (rest, exercise,massage, laundry, reading up,...)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! I especially liked the cooking workshop/demo where 6 of us got to help prepare our supper that evening in Monemvasia. Tzatsiki, moussaka, felafel, and baklava! It was a shared Joy for those preparing and those watching!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Iris and the itinerary were delightful, engaging, wow every day. Mama Faye in Athens was so informative and funny, I cried on our last day and told her I was sad our time with her had ended, but also tears of happiness for what she had shared. We loved every hotel, every meal, and realized we were happy sitting with anyone on the tour, everyone was such good company. Kristos was so careful driving. The one day with two big meals- trout farm and Lagkadia was too much food. Maybe pm tapas?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hydra was my Wow, with the fun harbor, the swimming, the sunset views. The top of our hotel Acropolis Select with its Parthenon view and delicious food was a close second. Seriously, so many wows. The hotel in Nafplio with its breakfast terrace, the Jazz festival in Kardamyli, the tiny town above Kardamyli with the two churches and delicious mountain tea, the dinner in Delphi, the seaside and town of Monemvasia, Pina (Delphi guide) , Patti, Mycenae and Epidavros guide, the Mistras view. All wow."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was so nice to see Greece beyond Athens. I had no idea the mountains were so beautiful. The coastal villages were breathtaking, The food was great. Guides were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Vouraikos Gorge and the views of the Peloponnese Mountains as we were driving and enjoyed the stops along the way. But there were other wow moments such as Monemvasio and Hydra. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the local hotels, restaurants, other tour members, our guide, local guides, and experiencing the historic sites.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Witnessing the Greek people enjoy each other's company with NO cell phones. Experiencing the pride of local restaurant owners and servers. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Iris is a outstanding and well organized tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tour group was very friendly and helpful "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and it exceeded my expectations! Everything was well organized and top notch… from the hotels, food, free time built in to balance the activities, and especially our guide, Denae Kousouri.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My well moment was learning the customs in the storytelling that our guide shared with us to immersed in the Greek culture"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Danae, was simply GREAT! She was so friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and organized that it really added to my enjoyment of the tour. Any off-beat question that she didn't immediately know the answer to, she would research and come back with the answer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, the view from the flag pole in Hydra overlooking the harbor and the Sea of Crete. It was a picture book moment, but with lots of activity."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very interesting? Nice pace with scattered down time. Guides were superb

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each stop had a wow moment. Every meal was a wow moment. I loved stopping at Hydra just before ending the tour when we were comfortable with each other & Greek lifestyle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was really amazing going through Greece and learning about the ancient history. Going from bustling Athens to smaller towns was wonderful to get a sense of the country. The pacing was terrific on this very active tour. We had an interesting and engaging tour group and had so much fun with the locals we met along the way. Our guide, Danae shared many stories about Greek history and mythology while also giving us an idea of the Greek people and culture. She was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments on the tour. My overall wow was both my surprise at how mountainous Greece is and also getting close to the ancient history that was until now just a learning in school years ago. Also, the people I met in Greece were so much fun and helped to make the trip even more amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I learned so much, I saw and experienced so much. The tour was a great success.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is impossible to pick just one, the breathtaking antiquities, the beautiful scenery of Greece and the warmth of her people all made me say ‘Wow!’"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved our guide Danae and her stories and history lessons that brought the sites to life. Such a pleasure to have the logistics taken care of.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monemvasia- I knew nothing about it, hadn't read up on it and was happily surprised with the village and history."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The group consisted of a some what diverse group and were a great part of the enjoyment of the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The incredible villages in the mountains and at the coast from Monemvasia to Nafplio. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour and guide. Would have been a great challenge to do this ourselves using public transit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the dinner in Nafplio with the Rebetiko musicians. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was marvellous. The group meshed together well, one member called it an "aloha" group. The sites were well chosen, a nice combination of learning and sightseeing, the guides were very knowledgeabe at the top of their game, and our tour guide, Daphni, organized in a most pleasant way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Momemvasa. The view, the climbing, the medieval city. Close seconds were the Mani peninsula and Athens itself, seeing so many happy tourists from all over the world, and the hospitable Greeks."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was packed with so much content, it's still processing days after the tour. Everyday was new sites, experiences and knowledge about Greece.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments. Being on the ground where the Olympic Games began. Enjoying the beauty of the Aegean and Ionian seas. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour .Great leader and local guides, excellent food and accommodation!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Turning corner and seeing the immensity of the beehive tomb"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed every minute of the tour. This was our second Rick Steves tour and I think that made it even more special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think Olympia was my favorite, the "wow" being how many remaining structures/pieces there are. The museum was a wonderful preclude to our walk on the grounds. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Apostolos’s was an excellent guide. Informative, timely, funny and made sure all were taken care off. Group meals were always excellent but I think the first night dinner that had an off night. The hotels were all unique and greatly appreciated for their hospitality and cleanliness. Our guide did an over the top job of getting us connected to the people of Greece. I would have liked a 3 night stay in one of the small towns but what do you give up. Please keep Hydra and Kardamyli

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The charm of small town Greece. Easter dinner up in the small village square. The food continued to wow"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had the perfect guide, Apostolos, who had both in depth knowledge and experience. His familiarity and personal touches made the trip expectational.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Easter! We got to experience the holiday within a small town and with the President of Greece as well. The traditions, rituals and food were fantastic."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I knew I would love Greece, but this tour exceeded my expectations in every way. Our guide was amazing! The country side was beautiful. The complicated history was fascinating!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many “wow” moments on this tour! My favorite was seeing the Acropolis for the first time and then getting to explore it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Better than expected. Got great appreciation for Greek history and culture. Great guide. Great food.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent! Reacquainted with old friends, met new ones, and learned a ton: from great local guides to experiences on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The natural, mystical and modern (the museum) of Delphi made this place a "wow" moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We keep signing up for your tours because they provide such unique experiences making great memories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The realization how young an independent country Greece is and the amazing archeological sites we visited. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything we had hoped for and have come to expect on a RS Tour. It's our 7th RS Tour and probably our most favorite so far. Iris, our tour guide, was perfect. She took great care of us, made sure we had perfectly highlighted and labeled maps for every town so we knew the best places to eat and visit (even ones not in the book!) She is organized and thoughtful and was never frazzled even when venues were unexpectedly closed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sculpture of Hermes (340 BC) in the Olympia Museum that looked so much like Michelangelo's David (1500 AD)! This is was the original masterpiece! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fascinating archeological sites,excellent guides, beautiful coastal cities

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing up the acropolis"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall a great learning experience of the history of Greece including culture, food, archeological sites and most importantly the welcoming Greek people. I gained a true appreciation for the country after knowing very little going into the tour. I was astonished at how mountainous Greece is.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This tour had one after another. my highlights were walking up to the Acropolis in Athens and seeing the Parthenon in person as well as Delphi and Olympia. The tour hotel in Kardamyli with my deck overlooking the water was something I won’t forget. The horses, donkeys, and mules as the mode of transport in Hydra welcomed us at the harbor. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Found this tour to be very interesting. Great mix of history and places to see to bring that history alive. We were lucky to have an outstanding guide who had many challenges to deal with yet managed to make my trip one I will always remember. Iris is one in a million and you're lucky if you have her as your guide. She is organized and so very knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow moments from the first view of the Acropolis on arriving in Athens to the beautiful island of Hydra and so many in-between. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th RS tour and our favorite! We love our guide, Iris, the places we stopped. I enjoyed the Oracle and my husband like that and Olympia the best of the archeology sites. Of course Hydra was wonderful too. We went during Easter Passover and that was interesting too. Everyone was happy to miss Myestra - tired of archeological sites by then.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Karakul - This was our favorite place to stay. We enjoyed our free day here and our room was above the ocean. Loved the whole area!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Maybe B- grade. Tour advertised as 14-days of Athens and Heart of Greece however reality was a 12-day tour of the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum and cities in the Peloponnese. Day 1 of the tour started at 6:00PM which was a introductory meeting and a brief walk to restaurant for a meal. Day 14 was breakfast at the hotel

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mycenae....tremendous site....amazing architecture...history coming alive"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The people on our tour were experienced travelers and most were familiar with Rick Steves' tours. One fellow traveler had been on 21 previous RS tours. Our guide Iris was very organized, and gave us a good blend of free time and guided time. The food provided by the tour was very tasty and abundant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing inside a tomb structure that was 3400 years BC in Mycines, Greece (Jane). Being able to hike up to the Acropolis, something I have seen in photos over the years but never imagined myself there. (Joel)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful to experience Greece in person. The countryside was more mountainous than I imagined. The ancient sites, whose names are so familiar, placed to honor the gods and impress the neighbors. We enjoyed climbing up hillsides to see ruins of fortifications or orthodox churches. And eating marvelous food at each meal. The Horiatiki salad with wonderful tomatoes was always a treat!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved seeing Olympia, the site of the original Olympic games. Seeing the original starting line in the Stadium was special. I lined up there to run my own "Individual 5-meter sprint". No records were broken, but it was fun to run where so many have run previously. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Nice itinerary. Great Guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hydra"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exposed to me wonderful food, new customs and beautiful places I didn't even know I should search for. We had a great time meeting new people and trying new things.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was visiting the beehive Mycenaean burial tomb and learning from our local guide Penny. Her information helped me better understand the vast history and civilizations we had been exploring throughout the Greece tour."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

The tour was OK. There were far too many group meals with way too much food it was usually wasteful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Theatre of Epidaurus"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was well designed and executed. Company handled the guides emergency well and supplied us with a great substitute guide to get us through the final days with no hickups.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of WOW moments but Kardamyli was such an unexpected joy with an amazing hotel and hiking options. Quite, charming, welcoming. Lots of driving to get there but well worth getting off the beaten path."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the most fun tour, out of my 3 with RS. Lorenza, tour guide, and Penny, local guide, was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything was "wow" moments. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was awesome - we were able to see ancient sites that we had learned about years ago. Our guide was excellent, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing her insights. Local guides were also great. Our bus driver was superb, negotiating hairpin curves on very narrow roads.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our first glimpse of the Acropolis was at night from our hotel rooftop. It was amazing. Our visit to Delphi was very special - the setting of the Theatre and the Temple of Apollo with the backdrop of rugged mountains was unforgettable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Lorenza was fantastic. She is very experienced in taking tours through Greece and is very knowledgeable of the history, features, culture, people, etc. When I left a coat behind at a hotel she jumped to help, called the hotel, and arranged shipment to our next hotel. Turn Key. Especially key since I don't speak Greek!!!!!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning from Lorenza how the Athenians stopped the Persians in a battle and basically saved what we know now as western, liberal, democratic culture."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

we were glad we were able to see many of the sites we've heard about all our lives. Our expectations of our time by the sea was no doubt influenced by all the marketing for Santorini. By contrast, the rocky drab terrain was a bit disappointing

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The blue waters of the sea never ceased to amaze us!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized and led, the ancient sites were fascinating, and the scenery was stunningly beautiful. The local guides, particularly the ones at Olympia and Delphi, brought the ruins and museum exhibits to life. The food was good (the farewell dinner in Athens may have been the best meal we have ever had), our travel mates were fun and inclusive, and the weather (mostly) ideal for traveling. A wonderful trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was amazed at the engineering and construction that were involved in the domed tomb at Mycenae and the theater at Epidavros. The ancient people that built those structures were skilled designers and builders, and their creations are astounding. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour gave me the incredible opportunity to view, ponder and thoroughly appreciate several of the world's most important historical sites, which was both exhilarating, and at times, very humbling.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My most favourite "wow" moment of the tour was the crystal clear night time view of the illuminated Parthenon, from the 7th floor of our Athens hotel. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our visit to Greece was everything we had envisioned. Our group of travelers were fun, inviting and respectful of everyone in the group. Lorenza was the perfect guide for our trip. Everything was well coordinated and the itinerary included some very nice surprises (Greek coffee experience, Olive oil making, for example) that wesimply wouldn't think of, or know where to look had we planned ourselves.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'm not sure we can narrow it down to 1 "wow" moment. Our visits to Delphi and Olympia were more that we had expected. If I had to pick it might be our trek through Monemvasia - the "wow" might relate to making it to the top! Athens was amazing and its hard to top standing on the Acropolis and absorbing the history of the Parthenon and walking through the Plaka. We loved every minute of the trip but we were exhausted by the end of our stay. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous itinerary! Lorenza was a very knowledgeable guide and the tour was a good mix of museums, historic sites and beautiful coastline!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How can I choose one? Greece has so many amazing places but Delphi was spectacular and Penny our guide was fantastic!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The construction of massive facilities (with virtually no tools or equipment) from the Minoans to the Greeks/Romans to the Venetians was amazing. It was hard to imagine how this was done. Also, it was fascinating to realize we were walking on the same ground as the ancient architects/engineers, generals and philosophers. Although I was really looking forward to the Cog Railway ride up the Vouraikos Gorge, I understand that Rick has a hard time competing with Mother Nature.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Parthenon lighted up at night from the top floor of our Hotel was a "show stopper" and we had a hard time getting enough pictures. The tour of the Parthenon the next day was even more fascinating."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was everything and MORE than what I imagined! So many new sights and experiences. Wonderful people on the tour and in Greece!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We spent so many activities looking at fantasitc views!! Some of my photos look like they were taken from a plane or at least a drone:) I look at those photos and still say "Wow!""

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized and we enjoyed learning about all the history of Greece. At times, the history was a bit overwhelming for me, but still enjoyed it

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the Parthenon all lighted up at night from the top of our hotel. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

great tour guide and great group of people to travel with

Favorite "WOW" moment

"that is really hard to pick. I would say i liked that fact that all our group meals were family style and local favorite foods. All delicious."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful, but my wife had the bad luck to get sick and missed a lot of the activities. I participated as much as I could while taking care of her and was very impressed with the itinerary, the scenery, and the sites. Hopefully, we can come back to Greece sometime.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't know if it's a "moment" but I very much enjoyed the mixing of history and myth that made it all seem magical. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beautiful country. Great guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the navel of the world in Delphi"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a tour filled with knowledge and Greek myths that I never get tired of listening to them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being on Hydra with no automobiles and then going on a horseback ride to the top! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was all very interesting "