Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to choose since each island was so different and beautiful in its own way. Prettiest villages - Paros; Most enjoyable and varied walk - Naxos. Sharpest intake of breath and "WOW" moment - the first view of Santorini's incredible caldera.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos was brilliant. I'd agree with other reviewers who've commented on how hardworking and helpful he is. Obviously incredibly experienced and knowledgeable, but he also goes out of his way to assure the health and wellbeing of his clients (and will also rescue the occasional goat that has got its leg stuck in a wall!)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a wheeled bag/suitcase; there is an approx. 10 minute walk from the hotel to the metro in Athens, then you also have to move your luggage on and off the ferries. I didn't take one, and soon regretted it.If you go in the hot summer months, take a good hat, especially for Santorini where there is very little shade on the walk. The walks are relatively easy but a head for heights will come in handy on Santorini. There was one part of the walk that I struggled with because it was loose, slippery pumice with a sheer drop just a few feet away (but there is an "easier" route that you can choose to take if you are afraid of heights).  Be prepared for small changes in itinerary and lots of time on ferries. Relax and go with the flow! 

Suggestions

The only bit I really didn't enjoy was the very rushed evening on arrival in Naxos and that overall we had a lot less time there than the first two islands. However I do accept that this was in part unavoidable because of the ferry timings. Apart from that, this holiday was the perfect chill-out week, just what I needed at the time!

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved Naxos and plan to go back.  The old town was wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cecile was lovely and reminded you always that nothing was compulsory except getting to the boat on time!  So you didn't feel that you had to join in the group excursions that she arranged, although I did and really enjoyed them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't expect much from the Santorini sunset trip - masses of people,  - but you can get as good (if not better) a sunset in Naxos or Paros, or from a different vantage point in Santorini.  Also, Santorini is geared up for the cruise ships, so the prices are  much more expensive than in Naxos or Paro.

Most Inspirational Moment

Really enjoyed all three island - Naxos, Santorini and Paros. Each one has something different to offer, and the great thing about this trip is that you get out into the countryside to pass through villages you might not otherwise see. The coast walk in Santorini is fabulous - it is the most tourtisty of the islands, but the views will make you forgive this. Explore the little streets of the main town of Paros at night, a few of us done this together and it was just lovely.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cecile was great, very friendly, helpful and a good laugh.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I scheduled in a few extra days in Athens, I would recommend this as you otherwise won't really get to see Athens. The hotel linked with this exodus trip (The Jason Inn), is in a great location for exploring the city.Go to the sunset in Oia when in Santorini. Don't let the throngs of other tourists going put you off. We found a lovely (if a bit expensive) bar to have a glass of wine and watch the sunset from. One of my favourite moments of the trip.Be prepared for a quick turn-around between some activities (i.e. arriving and hotel and departing for dinner, etc.) and quite a bit of ferry time. But neither of the above seemed an issue for anyone in the group.

Suggestions

The trip has made me want to go back and explore more of the Greek Islands...a great 'taster' trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

Felt comfortable rather than inspired. Highlights were time spent chatting with other travellers, watching sunrise over the Aegean, and arriving in port on each island. Old town on Naxos was lovely and worth an extra visit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cheerful, charming and helpful but not very interested in or knowledgable about the places we visited. It was a bit of a whirlwind tour, but I did not feel I learnt a lot about what it was like living in the area, and I'm sure there was a lot more historical interest than we had drawn to our attention!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good book or Kindle for the ferry journeys, or get lucky and have good company (which I did)

Suggestions

Carafes of local rose wine go down a treat, and leave no hangover!

Most Inspirational Moment

I felt chilled all the time.  The Islands were beautiful.  My favourite was Paros.  Santorini was out of this world but my legs did not stop wobbling with my fear of heights.  I think we all wished we could afford to go on a 2 month trip and just go from Island to Island. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos could not do enough for you.  I thought he was really attentive and caring.  I thought he got the balance right for time to yourself and time with the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The itinery may have to change slightly. Ours did but it did not spoil the holiday in any way.  If you want a ridgid timetable plan your own holiday.

Suggestions

I was concerned going as a single person. I thought couples would go off and do their own thing on an evening.  There were four of us single Women who got on really well and did a lot together.  The 3 couples mixed in with all of us. It is a very single friendly holiday company.  I would definately choose Exodus again.   I laughed from start to finish.  

Most Inspirational Moment

Santorini was the highlight

Thoughts on Group Leader

Poor- she hadn't walked the trails and got lost on Naxos. Her communication skills were not good and too much was left to our memory on matters such as timing etc., Furthermore we didn't see her at all until breakfast on Day 2. We were just deposited at the hotel in Athens - there wasn't even a notice at the hotel and we had to ask check in staff at the hotel for information!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not like most Exodus walking holidays- the walking is no more than a stroll.

Most Inspirational Moment

Santorini was fabulous. I would definitely like to return for  a longer stay than the  2 nights, which we had.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cecile was a very good guide.  Cecile was French and  fluent in English and Greek. Her knowledge of wild flowers,  herbs and tress was of great value during our walks. Eating mulberries straight from the tree. Cecile also helped us with ordering Greek dishes in the restaurants and discussing items in the shops.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be careful when travelling on the train from Athens to the port.  One of our group was nearly at the receiving of an attempted pick pocket, while boarding the train.

Suggestions

Walking poles are not necessary on this trip as there is no difficult terrain.If you wish to spend more than half a day in Athens, I would recommend booking a few days eithr at the beginning or end of the holiday.  It  was not an issue for me personally, as I have visited Athens several times over the years.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sharing a public bus with 30 Greek school children and various locals on the way up to one of the mountain villages for lunch, with all sorts of public arguements and discussions going on around us!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - highly knowledgable, entertaining, and tireless. Helped out with dinner every night (including serving and clearing!), dealt with all the various needs of the group well and went beyond the call of duty in showing us the local nightlife!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of camera batteries and memory cards, be ready for several hours on ferries (weather was very calm for us). I'd recommend booking an extra few days to see Athens at the beginning or end (if you haven't already) as there is no time on the trip for this (beyond the first evening).

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Acropolis and a great education on all things Greek and Island from the tour leader.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos was great. Clearly loves everything about the area so every question on everything (from asparagus to Zeus) wasn't just answered but expanded upon (eg: what's that flower, answer: it's camomile, used in XYZ and prepared by ABC, for ... etc).Also, extraordinarily, instead of cutting our tour schedule due to the poor weather and strike he actually managed to expand it by adding in another island and throwing in his own tour of Athens - which I thought was incredible. I've been on a few tours and have always been impressed by the leaders, but he was outstanding.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Maybe April was too early to go and I think it would have been more fun with a bigger group (only 4 of us).

Suggestions

Exodus (I think annoyingly) do this with other trips but I can't understand why you'd fly into a city like Athens, then leave it without a tour. It's a great missed opportunity. So I flew in a day early to do a walking tour of the city, and was lucky enough at the end of the trip to get another tour wtih Thanos who knows the city very well.