I was really fortunate to be invited to experience on an Escorted Tour with Just You. This Tour Operator specialises in Escorted Tours for solo traveler’s. Escorted Touring is a great way to experience destinations with a group, a Tour Director and local Tour Guides. It’s a great way for solo travellers to meet new people and never feel alone. The tours are flexible and can be adapted to most abilities. We experienced a 6 day tour in Mainland Greece taking in the sights of the Acropolis, Olympia, Epidaurus, Cornith Canal & Delphi.
Day 1
We met our group and our Tour Director at London Heathrow, our flight was with British Airways to Athens. We all checked in together at the British Airways Desk. The whole Check In process and Security was good, we didn’t have any hold ups, our flight was only half an hour delayed. The flight was smooth and the seats were comfortable with plenty of room for a 3 hour flight. When we arrived into Athens, passport control was empty. We were directed through the EU gate now Greece have eased the restrictions for UK citizens with UK Passports so we didn’t have to contend with the EES system. From getting off the plane, going through passport control and collecting our bags it took us just over 1 hour. On arrival we were met by our transfer guide who directed us to our coach. Once we boarded the coach it was approximately 1 hour drive from Athens Airport to our City Hotel in central Athens. On our drive to the hotel our Tour Director was very informative about Mainland Greece and Athens. On arrival at the Athens Tiare Hotel, the porters and hotel staff were there to meet us, check in was effortless as they had all our keys ready and the porters then tagged our cases with our room numbers and they brought the cases to our rooms.
After we arrived and settled in we had a few hours to chill out before dinner.
Dinner was hosted at the Athens Tiare Hotel, our Tour Director checked all food allergies and dislikes with the group in advance and made sure these were communicated through to the kitchen. The food was really tasty but so much of it. After dinner our group then ventured out into Athens towards the Monastriaki area, this area has lovely rooftop bars that has views of the Acropolis. We had a drink at the MS Rooftop bar before heading back to the hotel.
Day 2
An early start for our group this morning as we headed off to the Acropolis. We boarded our coach at the hotel for our drive to the Acropolis. It is better to arrive early here as during the height of season it can get extremely busy, crowded and hot. On arrival at the entrance we met our local guide who stayed with us the whole time at this attraction, we were given whisper headsets as the guides talk to you through these. As we arrived early and we managed to beat the crowds so we were able to take a gentle walk up the hill. The Acropolis dates back to the 5th century BC and it sits towering above Athens city, getting to the top was great achievement as from the bottom it looks so daunting how high it actually is. Once at the top seeing the Parthenon was incredible, this historic building has stood for over 2000 years. After a steady walk back down we visited the Acropolis Museum, this houses original artifacts from the site. The museum is really intriguing and there is plenty to learn about Ancient Greek Mythology.
After the Acropolis Museum we got back on the coach for a short city tour taking in the sites of Athens. We then stopped for lunch in the Plaka area of the city at a place God’s Restaurant. It was amazing Greek food and again plenty of it.
In the afternoon we had some free time, I took a trip on the Hop On Hop off Sightseeing Bus, we chose to do the City Tour as we only had a few hours spare time but there are other routes you can do as well. This is a great way to get around the city taking in the history and culture along the way.
This evening, we had dinner a local restaurant called Lithos in the city, again another fantastic meal.
Day 3
Another early start today, after breakfast we checked out of the Athens Tiare Hotel and onwards to the Corinth Coast, the drive is approx. 3 hours but we did take some stops on the way.
First Stop: Corinth Canal
We passed over the bridge of the Corinth Canal, taking in the views of the narrow, steep-sided passage which connects the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf. Ships and only pass through one at a time is it is so narrow.
Second Stop: Epidaurus
At the entrance to the Epidaurus Museum we met our local Guide Natalia, she was extremely enthusiastic with her stories about Epidaurus. Epidaurus is an ancient Amphitheatre and dates back to the 4th Century BC. The Amphitheatre is still used for
performances today. We had bit of free time at Epidaurus so we climbed to the top of the Amphitheatre. Once up the top the views down to the centre were amazing.
Third Stop: Nafplio
Nafplio was the first capital of modern Greece, it houses the Palamidi Fortress with 999 steps leading to it. Nafplio has a Venetian feel about this town, it has a lovely square with 3 streets leading off the square with shops and restaurants. We had lunch in Nafplio before heading back to the coach. Our drive then was to our next hotel, Hotel Nafpaktos, in the town of Nafpaktos. This hotel is a 3* family run hotel. On arrival we check in and were given our room numbers. We had a few hours spare time before heading for dinner. The Dinner was hosted at the hotel and again lots of food to eat.
Day 4
Today, after breakfast, we headed out on a 2 hour drive to Olympia. On arrival at Olympia we met our local guide Zoe, we explored the Museum and then explored the Ancient site. Olympia is home to the original Olympic Games which was first held in 776 BC. Olympia is set on the banks of the River Alfios, it is home to the Temple of Zeus, the Palaestra where athletes practiced Wrestling. We also visited the original stadium where the Olympic Games first begun.
After our visit to Olympia, we made our way to an Olive Oil Farm, Magna Grecia, this is family run business. We were welcomed with a glass of wine and olive bread which was homemade. We had a talk about their production of Olive Oil, we then tried various Olive Oil’s with flavourings which they sell in their shop. We were shown around the their Olive Groves and also met the resident Goat, Marguerite, and Dog, Gina. We also had watched a demonstration of how they make Olive Oil soap. At the end of the Tour we had the most amazing lunch. Before getting back on the coach we had time to look around the shop and purchase some amazing things.
We started our journey back to the hotel, and he had a lovely scenic drive back to the hotel to take in. We had a bit of free time before getting ready for Dinner. Tonight we visited the Restaurant Apiko in the town of Nafpaktos, again lovely food. After dinner we had a walk back to the hotel before bed.
Day 5
After Breakfast we boarded the coach for a 2 hour drive to Delphi. Delphi is one of the sacred sites in Greece. This is one of the most important religious sites and is home to the famous Oracle of Delphi. It houses the Sanctuary of Apollo and pilgrims would come an leave offerings to the gods in Ancient Greek Mythology. As Delphi is built into a mountain
side, on arrival at Delphi, the views were incredible. On arrival at Delphi we met our local guide Georgia, she took us around the Museum and she was extremely informative, after the museum we the walked around the site of Delphi.
After our tour, our next stop was lunch at a family run restaurant, Villa Symposium. On arrival we were greeted by the owners who were lovely and friendly and they had a surprise in store of us, before lunch we had to put on our aprons and we learnt how to make Traditional Greek Cheese Pies which was a real laugh.
After Lunch we headed back to the hotel. We then had the rest of the afternoon at leisure so we ventured out climb to the bell tower in Nafpaktos and took in the lovely views of the harbour, we then treated ourselves to a glass a wine by the Harbour before heading back to the hotel to get ready as our hotel was hosting us with a traditional Greek Evening of singing and dancing. Tonight was quite a late night for us all after plenty of food and drink was consumed.
Day 6
Toady was our last day in Greece, after breakfast we had a 3 hour coach drive to Athens Airport but on the way we stopped off for lunch at a Winery, Ktima Bairaktaris, we had a tour of the winery and cellar and had a talk on how they produced the wine using unique grape varieties you will only find in Greece. This Winery is set in the picturesque countryside of Greece which has a lovely peacefully atmosphere about it. We had a lovely cooked meats and cheese lunch along with wine tasting before heading back to the coach to make our way back to the Airport.
Once we arrived at Athens Airport, check was easy, there was hardly any queues for this or security. Our flight was more or less on time and we landed back in to Heathrow in the evening.
This was a great experience for me to see how an Escorted Tour works and I would defiantly recommend any people looking to travel who are solo and a bit unsure about going alone to consider an Escorted Tour, you meet new people, your tour can be flexible but you have the security of having a guide or Tour Director with you.
Thank you Just You/Travelsphere for this amazing experience.
Kayleigh Allen-Supervisor, Burbage Office
