Group tours of Greece/Greek islands for solo traveler
Jun 19th, 2013, 08:17 PM
#1
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Group tours of Greece/Greek islands for solo traveler
I'm looking for some advice on Greece tours with an island cruise. I'm a 28-year-old female from the U.S. and I'll be traveling alone. A tour wouldn't be my first choice, but I'd feel more comfortable having some structure, direction, and other people around, especially since I'll be alone and I've never been to Greece before.
I'm mostly looking at Cosmos, Contiki, and Gate1. I don't mind traveling with older/younger people, but it would be nice to have some within a few years of me up and down. I'm not the party-a lot type, so that's a concern I have with Contiki. I've heard not all trips are like that though. I like Cosmos and Gate1 because they both visit Meteora, which I really want to see. Of course, I'd like hotels closer to the attractions, but I don't mind taking public transportation, especially the metro/trains. Food is important to me, but as long as I can venture out at least a few times and get good, local food, I should be okay. I'd like to spend a night or two on Santorini or Mykonos, but I see most tours just stop for the day.
I'm wondering if maybe scheduling land and island tours separately would be a good call? Or perhaps going on a combo land/island tour and then scheduling a Meteora tour on my own? I've linked to the tours I'm thinking about. I'm thinking about going in August/September/October. Are most places, especially on the islands, open during those months or are people on vacation/closing for fall?
Contiki:
http://www.contiki.com/destinations/...-island-cruise
Gate1:
http://www.gate1travel.com/greece-tr...4dgicla13.aspx
http://www.gate1travel.com/cruises/g...lagraeg13.aspx
http://www.gate1travel.com/cruises/g...lagraeg13.aspx
Cosmos:
http://www.cosmos.com/Product.aspx?t..._Greece_Turkey
http://www.cosmos.com/Product.aspx?t..._Greece_Turkey
I'm mostly looking at Cosmos, Contiki, and Gate1. I don't mind traveling with older/younger people, but it would be nice to have some within a few years of me up and down. I'm not the party-a lot type, so that's a concern I have with Contiki. I've heard not all trips are like that though. I like Cosmos and Gate1 because they both visit Meteora, which I really want to see. Of course, I'd like hotels closer to the attractions, but I don't mind taking public transportation, especially the metro/trains. Food is important to me, but as long as I can venture out at least a few times and get good, local food, I should be okay. I'd like to spend a night or two on Santorini or Mykonos, but I see most tours just stop for the day.
I'm wondering if maybe scheduling land and island tours separately would be a good call? Or perhaps going on a combo land/island tour and then scheduling a Meteora tour on my own? I've linked to the tours I'm thinking about. I'm thinking about going in August/September/October. Are most places, especially on the islands, open during those months or are people on vacation/closing for fall?
Contiki:
http://www.contiki.com/destinations/...-island-cruise
Gate1:
http://www.gate1travel.com/greece-tr...4dgicla13.aspx
http://www.gate1travel.com/cruises/g...lagraeg13.aspx
http://www.gate1travel.com/cruises/g...lagraeg13.aspx
Cosmos:
http://www.cosmos.com/Product.aspx?t..._Greece_Turkey
http://www.cosmos.com/Product.aspx?t..._Greece_Turkey
Jun 19th, 2013, 08:39 PM
#2
You could also look here: http://www.adventurecenter.com
Or just go straight to Peregrine and Intrepid Travel.
I traveled solo in Greece aside from the Peloponnese, where I used a tour. I used buses in northern Greece and ferries and one plane to get around the islands. I found traveling in Greece very easy.
Or just go straight to Peregrine and Intrepid Travel.
I traveled solo in Greece aside from the Peloponnese, where I used a tour. I used buses in northern Greece and ferries and one plane to get around the islands. I found traveling in Greece very easy.
Jun 19th, 2013, 11:05 PM
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When in Athens and on the mainland it's easy to find group tours with Greek-based companies. Suggest you do a Google for Chat, Key, and G.O., all Athens companies with a wide selection of tours. For Athens itself, suggest http://www.athens-walks.com, a company owned by a former Evzone (presidential guard), which has received a lot of good reviews.
For the islands you could pick a short cruise with a company such as http://www.louiscruises.com/en/index.html. Actually, though, I would recommend picking the islands you wish to visit, and going by ferry instead. Spend at least a few nights on each island, and you get a much better experience than only a few hours ashore from a cruise ship.
Greeks are very friendly and hospitable, so even if you are a solo traveller you won't feel alone. It helps to avoid the busy high season (July & August) when islanders are so busy they don't have time to stop and talk. June or September are perfect times to go to the Greek Islands. As a solo traveller myself, I prefer going to small islands, staying in rooms (domatia) rather than hotels, and eating in family-run tavernas, where repeat customers get treated like old friends.
For the islands you could pick a short cruise with a company such as http://www.louiscruises.com/en/index.html. Actually, though, I would recommend picking the islands you wish to visit, and going by ferry instead. Spend at least a few nights on each island, and you get a much better experience than only a few hours ashore from a cruise ship.
Greeks are very friendly and hospitable, so even if you are a solo traveller you won't feel alone. It helps to avoid the busy high season (July & August) when islanders are so busy they don't have time to stop and talk. June or September are perfect times to go to the Greek Islands. As a solo traveller myself, I prefer going to small islands, staying in rooms (domatia) rather than hotels, and eating in family-run tavernas, where repeat customers get treated like old friends.
Jun 20th, 2013, 02:16 AM
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Hi
We did the Best of Greece tour with Cosmos. It was fantastic. We've used Cosmos three times and cannot fault them. Go in September - the weather is ideal. August is hot and being peak season it will be expensive and crowded. October is getting too cool to enjoy the islands. I like independent travel but I'm also a big fan of tours (and cruises). Unless you specifically wanted to do a cruise I wouldn't take this extra option. It's very easy to do a couple of the islands independently. From Athens you can fly to Santorini then ferry to another island. Paros is a good choice - cheaper and less touristy then Mykonos. Then from Paros you can ferry back (or fly). A couple of tips. Flights to the islands are popular so pre book ASAP with Aegean or Olympic Air. Secondly, check that your tour has a Guaranteed Departure (GD) date. Otherwise the tour company reserves the right to cancel.
We did the Best of Greece tour with Cosmos. It was fantastic. We've used Cosmos three times and cannot fault them. Go in September - the weather is ideal. August is hot and being peak season it will be expensive and crowded. October is getting too cool to enjoy the islands. I like independent travel but I'm also a big fan of tours (and cruises). Unless you specifically wanted to do a cruise I wouldn't take this extra option. It's very easy to do a couple of the islands independently. From Athens you can fly to Santorini then ferry to another island. Paros is a good choice - cheaper and less touristy then Mykonos. Then from Paros you can ferry back (or fly). A couple of tips. Flights to the islands are popular so pre book ASAP with Aegean or Olympic Air. Secondly, check that your tour has a Guaranteed Departure (GD) date. Otherwise the tour company reserves the right to cancel.
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