Short Greece tours before boarding ship?

[marylovestotravel]

We will be taking a cruise from Athens in November and would like to come in earlier and take a 4-5 day tour beforehand. Maybe the Peloponnesian Peninsula, Delphi, etc.

 

Does anyone have any ideas or previous experience with this. Will appreciate any feedback.

 

Mia

[LHT28]

you could check trip advisor see if any tours are suggested

or google "tours from Athens "

[Fa-Li]

Our private guide in Olympia was amazing and she also does land tours from Athens. Her name was Georgina and she is with Olympic Tours by Niki Vlachou. We found Niki's company through the Rick Steves guide on med cruises.

 

I'm sure you could email her and set up whatever you want. We also met Niki the day Georgina took us around. The whole operation is very professional and well-organized.

 

niki at olympictours dot com

 

 

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[easyboy]

You can also post this on the Port of Call Board for more response.

 

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[JimandStan]

We will be taking a cruise from Athens in November and would like to come in earlier and take a 4-5 day tour beforehand. Maybe the Peloponnesian Peninsula, Delphi, etc.

 

Does anyone have any ideas or previous experience with this. Will appreciate any feedback.

 

Mia

 

Greece is a tough call because their government has it set up so that private guides are not permitted to act as guides in the National Sites.

We got around that by hiring a car and driver through George: http://www.taxigreece.com/

It's an easy day trip to Delphi from Athens, and the Corinth Canal was a once in a lifetime experience which we are still talking about 4 years later!

Have fun, whatever you choose-

[Paulchili]

There are plenty of private or "bus" day (or multiple day) tours out of Athens to many destinations. We have done that.

One of the most memorable places we have visited is Meteora:

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/455/gallery/

This may require an overnight but is well worth it if you have the time.

Google is your friend :)

[Mura]

Like Jim, we used George to pick us up at the airport, take us to our hotel, and then give us a private tour on the morning we went to the ship. This was great.

 

Can't help on a multi-day tour in Greece prior to the cruise but as has been suggested -- try googling and Trip Advisor.

 

Mura

[mountain grandma]

You can also check viator.com. They have both day trips and multiple day trips and are a very reliable company.

 

Have a great time in Greece! You will love it.

 

Billie

[Floridiana]

Just to clarify. Viator is not a travel company. They are a world wide third party selling tours on behalf of local operators.

[mountain grandma]

I realize that but it is still a good option for private tours if you don't have names or suggestions of private tour operators. One can also use them to get ideas about what to do in an area that is new to you.

[JPR]

Delphi. Cape Sounion.

[Flatbush Flyer]

Just to clarify. Viator is not a travel company. They are a world wide third party selling tours on behalf of local operators.

 

 

True.

Deal direct with well respected tour companies (e.g., Hellenic Private Tours, which we used). Also know that "licensed guides" used to be limited to individuals with appropriate college degrees. However, apparently, there are now there are "90 day wonder" schools churning out "wannabes."

 

 

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[marylovestotravel]

Thank you to all who have posted with advice. It gives me food for thought and avenues to explore. And thank you for the encouragement. It sounds like Greece will be fabulous to explore. Only wish we had more time (and money, we never have enough of both! :D)

 

Mia