hx88

I am looking to use a licensed tour guide (not taxi guide, thank you!) when visiting Athens. If anyone has recommendations, please kindly let me know. There is little information on the internet on tour guides and my google search is dominated by taxi guides.

Thank you!

clausar

This is the official website of the Association of Greek Tourist Guides.

http://www.tourist-guides.gr/en.aspx

It is a very useful site, as it gives you all the information regarding tourist guides in Greece.
Their office in Athens is located a few meters away from Syntagma Square.

I don't know when you will be visiting Athens, but if you decide to use a private guide, make a booking well in advance.
Very often from June to September they are very busy on a short notice especially on days when cruise boats arrive at the port of Piraeus.

As an alternative you can always use an organized tour from providers such as GO Tours, Key Tours etc.

hx88

clausar, thank you for your quick response. The website lists many guides. Do you have any personal recommendations for an English guide? We will arrive in Athens late May.

clausar

I only know one, but he is italian speaking....

hx88

clausar, thanks again for the link. I found kelly bourni who is a very qualified guide with 20+ year experience.

Could you kindly confirm that a regular taxi in Athens can only take 3 passengers?

Thanks!

clausar

hx88

A Taxi in Athens can take up to 4 passengers.
( without luggage ).
It won't take 4 passengers if they have 4 suitcases, in that case they will advice you to take 2 taxis.

I phoned the Head office of a Radio Taxi to get a confirmation about the 4 passengers.

hx88

Thank you very much for the confirmation! I really appreciate it! We have 4 carry-on size suitcases and it looks like we might have to pay two taxis.

Heimdall

<i>"We have 4 carry-on size suitcases..."</i>

If they are only carry-on size and will all fit in the trunk of a Mercedes E series, you may get by with one taxi. Clausar can confirm whether or not that is correct.

clausar

It is exactly as Heimdall said.
If your luggage can fit in the trunk of the taxi, then there is no problem at all.
Since you will be standing on the line for a taxi, just chose a big Mercedes one.

hx88

Thanks Heimdall and clausar! You guys are very helpful!

Ewanique

Hi, may I please come on board. From previous post you will note that I am now quite wary of "so called" tourist guides. Clauser, thanks for the website supplied. My worry is now, I have reserved a guide for Delphi, whose particulars are not on this site. Should I be careful?

clausar

Ewanique,

Have you reserved a local guide, or one that is based in Athens?
Only official guides are allowed to go with you into the archaeological site of Delphi and the Museum. They all have studied to become guides,that is why i wouldn't worry about him being listed on the website of the association of tourist guides.

clausar

As a small introduction to your trip to Greece, i would like to share a video clip that i have just discovered

http://youtu.be/A40iNV_e7DU

Ewanique

Thanks Clauser, both for setting my mind at ease and the clip, Loved it. I'm sure we will be having a great time in Greece and cannot wait for our departure 30th.

vklondon

Hi there, wonder if you ended up using Kelly and if you would recommend her? How long was your tour? Thanks!

johanna234

hello,
Would you mind giving us your feedback on Kelly please and help others?
Thank you!