Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking down at the town & clear blue water of the bay, realising just how far we had climbed to experience that view.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nanou is one of the best tour leaders I have had with Exodus. Her enthusiasm & energy is contagious. She is very kind & patient - towards the end of one walk my brain was telling me I could finish however, my legs were telling me otherwise. Nanou arranged for a vehicle to collect me &, when I said I was ashamed that I had "failed", she insisted that there was no reason because I had made the walk. She also took us to a restaurant with an amazing ambiance that we would never have found for ourselves.

Advice for Potential Travellers

After 2 & a half years in lockdown when the extent of my walking was from my sofa to the fridge & back I would say that you really do need to prepare for the trip. Also take into account the heat.

Suggestions

Remember your swimsuit.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching 700 year old Roman Columns perched on the hillside (it felt like a mountainside), and seeing the views back down to the port of Karystos and Castello Rosso perched on an adjoining hill, that was to be our next ascent. Worth all the effort.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Charlotte was excellent, and really helped make the trip memorable...on the second days walk we passed a vineyard and feigned shock that it wasn't on our itinerary to visit for the wine tasting tour...;-) For the 4th day's walk to the reach the Roman aqueduct, Charlotte rejigged our route and arranged for us to have the wine tasting tour; a superb way to end that days walk...Went above and beyond each and every day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring walking poles, even if you have never used them before, there are parts, possibly more on the descents where you will be grateful for having extra help / reassurance with your footing; mine are a cheap pair and were perfectly adequate. Walking trainers might just about be okay on the morning walk to Marmari, but for the rest of the routes, ankle support walking boots are essential. Free up plenty of memory on your phone / camera; you'll have so many opportunities to take photograph. If you have a drone, bring that too; sadly it was too windy on the walk to the Roman Columns, but I have some great images from other days. The Greek flysafe drone map can be found at https://dagr.hcaa.gr/#map_page

Suggestions

Thanks for another great walking holiday., hopefully see you again next year for another adventure.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving, meeting the group leader & the rest of the travellers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cecile was very passionate about Greece, Karystos Isle of Evia & the adventures she was taking us on. Safety conscious & a lovely sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take all equipment that has been advised. Strong boots which supports your ankles very important as you could easily twist your ankle/s in the rough terrain.

Suggestions

Be open to your adventures & enjoy every moment.

Most Inspirational Moment

(In my case) staggering to end of first walk to arrive at a heavenly beach, sea and taverna...... First sight of the acropolis on the inclusive day trip to Athens Getting to the top of the Roman column walk The turquoise sparking sea...... Our lovely group - all so different but all so lovely !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Solid as a rock - very experienced and entirely dependable and she has a rescue donkey!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Over 65’s take passport to Athens trip for discounted entry to Acropolis and Archaeological museum I regret not biting the bullet and seeing the Acropolis AND the museum and foregoing the hot walk through Athens, meeting at parliament as suggested. It would have been easy to do in hindsight perhaps clearer instructions on this alternative would be good. In summer you need to be fit - it was 30 degrees plus in June 2019. I had originally booked for May but not enough people so I transferred to June. Luckily I love the beach so it was a PERFECT HOLIDAY for me.

Suggestions

I hadn’t been to Greece for many years and had forgotten some of its foibles, one plug for kettle, fridge and charger the other plug in external door jam, the shower head that was so reluctant to point downwards to the drain..... BUT I grew to quickly love and appreciate Hotel Galaxy, it’s super family staff, the amazing breakfasts, service, kindness, generosity and it’s position on the harbour. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again - it just takes a day to acclimatise..... then you won’t want to leave........

Most Inspirational Moment

Day 2 when we ended up at a lovely beachside taverna for lunch followed by a swim was a great way to start. But, I enjoyed all the walks, hard to pick a favourite. This was my first time in Athens too, so great to see the Acropolis.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cecile was an excellent group leader, very easy to get along with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

day 2 walk - take flip flops/wet shoes, as the beach you end up in (which is lovely) has stones that are quite painful to walk on (if you want to have a swim), and burning hot too if you are there in summer! days 3/4 walks - wear long trousers, the gorse is quite scratchy on your calves. The hotel is basic, but it's fine, and a great location (beach over the road), so dont let the two stars put you off going on this trip. Athens - if you want to see the acropolis AND the associated museum, you will not have time to do both on the day trip, advise getting in a day early or a day late if you wish to do both. It's easy to get into Athens and back to the airport using the metro, and there are facilities in the airport to store your luggage, if you just get an earlier flight on day 1.

Suggestions

I would definitely recommend this holiday!

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk to Castello Rosso and the Roman columns and the lovely relaxed and friendly atmosphere on an island that doesn't appear to have changed for centuries.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Having Thanos with you, is like having a walking Google with you. His knowledge is incredible and his "elevenses" are delicious, not that we really needed them as the food throughout the trip was amazing. Thanos couldn't do enough for us and his enthusiasm was infectious. Having been to Paphos in Cyprus many years earlier, I had tasted "tourist menus" and didn't particularly like Greek food. This was an entirely different experience. Everything tasted wonderful. Don't think you will lose weight or even come back at the weight you started the holiday, unless you have got a will of iron. You will definitely have to diet when you come home. I can guarantee you will come back around half a stone heavier! The days really aren't long enough to fit in the great breakfast, Thanos's "elevenses" treat, the foot long lunch roll, the evening's five plus assorted starters, the main course and then the sweet !

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are going in April, my advice would be to take waterproof trousers as one day in particular, during our walk, it rained throughout. I would also recommend taking gaiters if you have delicate skin below the knees, as some of the gorse really scratches even though you may be walking in long trousers.

Suggestions

Having walked in the Lake District, I found the gorge walk scenery very similar. The only time you could take in the view was if you kept stopping, as most of the time you are having to concentrate hard looking where you are putting your feet and doing this for five hours downhill got a bit boring although the lunch stop was very pretty.

Most Inspirational Moment

Discovering how widely the Evians travelled and founded settlements in various parts of the Mediterranean.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos was an exceptional group leader. His knowledge of the area and its history was extensive and he inspired me with his enthusiasm. He was very attentive to our needs, ensuring all went smoothly, and going out of his way to give us the best possible experience. He took a flexible approach to the schedule, taking account of weather forecasts. Strong winds later in the week affecting the ferries necessitated delaying the Athens visit until the final day, but even so we were able to have a visit to the Acropolis and a walking tour of the city guided by Thanos.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for changeable weather! We were probably lucky not having any rain.

Suggestions

Basic but pleasant tourist hotel with excellent breakfast. Wide choice of evening dishes in a variety of restaurants. Comfortable minibus. Excellent service from the drivers. A few of us not on the group flights were looked after with transfers provided.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the abandoned Roman quarry with the marble columns lying around.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos cannot be criticised at all - everything ran smoothly, he is very knowledgeable and a good communicator, supplied an interesting variety of snacks on the walks, took us to a good variety of restaurants every evening, basically looked after everything. He also adapted the itinerary when the weather forecast looked a bit dodgy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be fooled, it will be cool at altitude and in the evenings, so take clothing layers. If you really want to see Athens then add a day before or after the trip - the day trip included will be too rushed for many people's tastes due to time constraints & ferry times. And if you like beer then ask for 'Septem' in the local bars - a locally brewed craft ale.

Suggestions

The hotel used isn't great but isn't that bad either - we found it clean & tidy with a decent bar & an OK breakfast - what really lets it down is the bathrooms & the showers especially.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching to the summit

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb, Considerate , Helpful

Most Inspirational Moment

Being able to touch and see the unfinished columns see where they were made, carved by the hand of 7000 slaves 100’s of years ago. Also the trip over the Athens.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was fantastic, had a good laugh with him and was very informative. He looked after us and hes always feeding you lol

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles are handy. It can get chilly 1000m up the mountain

Suggestions

Great holiday, loved every minute