Cruise ship ports...need advice for private tours

[Katemusical]

Hi everyone!

I am so excited to spend my 50th birthday on the Explorer of the Seas in June with friends and my hubby... NO KIDS!!!!! WHOO HOO!!!

 

We are stopping in Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Olympia.

 

I have always appreciated and used the advice of the Cruise Critic community for our other cruises.

 

What private tour companies have you used in these ports for sightseeing? I have read through many postings but was wondering about the most recent.

 

Thank you in advance!

 

[CruiserBruce]

Have you looked around the board...many discussions on those ports. Have you looked at your Roll Call, to see what others on your cruise are doing?

[Katemusical]

I did read through many posts. Was hoping for more recent info. Thanks for your help

[Alatraveler1]

ItalyTours.eu seems to be very popular and used by a lot of Cruise Critic Users.  We are using them for three ports next year while on the NCL Epic.  They do have a couple options for Athens that look really good! 

[marazul]

@Katemusical

The best reviewed agencies for Athens are George's Taxi and PK Travel.  They are both local Greek companies with an excellent track record going back many years. They may also provide services on some of your other ports.  Since they are both local Greek companies, you deal with them directly. Italy Tours and Viator are consolidators who will contract with local operators.

https://www.georgestaxi.com/

https://www.pktravelgreece.com/

 

 

Edited November 16, 2023 by marazul

[CruiserBruce]

1 hour ago, Alatraveler1 said:

ItalyTours.eu seems to be very popular and used by a lot of Cruise Critic Users.  We are using them for three ports next year while on the NCL Epic.  They do have a couple options for Athens that look really good! 

Don't think they operate in Greece.

[Katemusical]

5 hours ago, Alatraveler1 said:

ItalyTours.eu seems to be very popular and used by a lot of Cruise Critic Users.  We are using them for three ports next year while on the NCL Epic.  They do have a couple options for Athens that look really good! 

This is great for when we are in Rome and Venice areas to see if they have tours we like.

[Katemusical]

3 hours ago, marazul said:

@Katemusical

The best reviewed agencies for Athens are George's Taxi and PK Travel.  They are both local Greek companies with an excellent track record going back many years. They may also provide services on some of your other ports.  Since they are both local Greek companies, you deal with them directly. Italy Tours and Viator are consolidators who will contract with local operators.

https://www.georgestaxi.com/

https://www.pktravelgreece.com/

 

 

I read about PK Travel. Thank you. I will do my research.

[marazul]

1 hour ago, Katemusical said:

I read about PK Travel. Thank you. I will do my research.

Do check George's also. We have used them many times in the past few years.  They have always been excellent. 

[Alatraveler1]

7 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Don't think they operate in Greece.

You're right, I had Rome on the brain and said Athens.  

[dmead516]

If you are looking for Italy tours when we went we took Walks of Italy, and if you buy Rick Steves books on Italy you can get discounts with them. But you have to have the book. 10% off if memory serves.

 

[Mrs. Claypool]

We took a two-day tour of Athens with Onoufrios Dovletis.  I can highly recommend him.

He is a licensed guide who can accompany you onto the sites. 

Onoufrios is extremely knowledgeable about the history, culture and literature of his country.  He is able to clearly communicate all that he knows in a compelling and informative manner.

His website address is athens-tour-guide.net

 

Edited November 20, 2023 by Mrs. Claypool

[dmead516]

On 11/20/2023 at 11:08 AM, Mrs. Claypool said:

We took a two-day tour of Athens with Onoufrios Dovletis.  I can highly recommend him.

He is a licensed guide who can accompany you onto the sites. 

Onoufrios is extremely knowledgeable about the history, culture and literature of his country.  He is able to clearly communicate all that he knows in a compelling and informative manner.

His website address is athens-tour-guide.net

 

I looked at the website and it says "walking".  Having been in Athens before and taking a private car is this tour all walking? 

[Mrs. Claypool]

Where the various sites were close to each other, we walked from one to another.  When the distance was not walkable, we took a cab or public transport.

 

So it was not “all” walking, but quite a bit.  However, we stopped to recharge our batteries at various cafes whenever we needed a break.  We are in our mid-70’s and it was quite do-able.  But wear comfortable shoes. 

[Katemusical]

He just told me he does not take cruisers. Oh well.