Mountains & Villages of Evia

The delightful island of Evia is a real hidden treasure, close to Athens yet world’s away with old stone paths connecting quaint villages tucked away in the mountains. This walkers’ paradise offers unique history and an authentic atmosphere as you walk past Roman quarries, aqueducts, and Byzantine churches. In the summer there are plenty of opportunities for swimming at a deserted beach or a tucked-away cove, and traditional tavernas and waterfront ouzo-meze shops make eating and drinking here a wonderful experience.

Temporary changes due to COVID-security measures. 

Last updated: 10 November 2020

At Exodus, we acknowledge our responsibility to have the most up to date information on anything that will affect our customers on holiday and to communicate this to our customers as effectively as possible.

Our general global COVID security measures are described in our Travel Safety Charter, and changes will be made to these measures as required by the global pandemic situation.

However, we also expect there to be requirements, measures, and sometimes itinerary changes that apply to certain trips only, and may well be temporary measures. We have highlighted all known changes in the section below.

Greece entered a national lockdown on 9th November with more extensive restrictions than those listed below. This lockdown is due to end on 30th November and at time of writing it is expected that the below will come back into force. 

Entry requirements.

For all trips, having the correct documentation and visa, if required, remains the customer’s responsibility based on their own nationality. We, therefore, encourage all travellers to check entry requirements using the travel advice of their home nation for the relevant destination. For UK passport holders that is https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

 In order to meet the new immigration requirements for Greece you should note the following:

• 24 hours before entering Greece, you will have to fill in a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) where you will be required to share your contact details with immigration officials. Download the PLF here: https://travel.gov.gr/#/

• Greek authorities will be random testing international arrivals, so you must be prepared for the possibility of being required to take a COVID test. Upon being tested, travellers move to their first hotel in Athens arranged by Exodus (name to be confirmed), where you will be required to practice social distancing until receiving the test result which will be available within 24 hours from testing. In the event of a positive result, you will be contacted and placed on 14-day quarantine, with expenses covered by the Greek state.

COVID restrictions

National regulations or guidelines in Greece require visitors to:

• Wear facemasks on public transport (including flights and ferries), at airports, in taxis, private and public transport, in all medical facilities and lifts.
• Wear masks in all public indoor spaces
• Wear a mask in all enclosed spaces and in outdoor gatherings where normal social distancing cannot be observed (recommended but not mandatory)

• Maintain social distancing where possible, at a standard distance of 1.5 meters.

• Visitors should note that certain restrictions are in place for restaurants, shops, and museums.

Specific local restrictions are in place in the region of Attica which includes Athens. These include:

• Mandatory use of face masks in all indoor public spaces;
• Mandatory use of face masks in crowded outdoor areas where minimum social distancing (of 1.5 metres) cannot be maintained, such as in public squares, at bus stops, etc;
• Strong recommendation for the use of face masks by everyone in all outdoor spaces; 
• A ban on gatherings of more than 9 people, either indoors or outdoors;
• Prohibition of operation of all food/catering sector-related shops, services and facilities from midnight - 7am the next day;
• A limit of 4 people per table in any restaurant

Your leader will reconfirm the latest local government advice and requirements on arrival.

Itinerary changes

Following the possible random testing on arrival at Athens airport and consequent compulsory social distancing (for up to 24 hours) in place for those tested, we have decided to rearrange the order of the activities and inclusions of the itinerary for the whole group as follows:

DAY 1 Fly to Athens; transfer to start hotel in Athens; overnight in Athens.

DAY 2 Take a walking tour of Athens including an optional visit to the Acropolis; late afternoon or evening transfer to Rafina and ferry to Evia.*Those tested on arrival will be subject to possible isolation at the start hotel until the test results are delivered. At that point, if the test is negative, they will be able to join the group for an afternoon visit to Athens and onwards ferry to Evia. (B)

DAY 3 Walk through the ravine from Platanistos to the beach at Potami Bay. (B,L, D)

DAY 4 Ascend Mount Kliosi and the Acropolis of Styra. (B,L,D)

DAY 5 Walk through rolling hills and the Gourna villages, passing Roman Columns and visiting the Castello Rosso (B,L,D)

DAY 6 Morning walk in the Bay of Marmari; afternoon free to relax on the beach or wander around Karystos. (B,D)

DAY 7 Gorge walk from Mt Ohi down to the rugged East Aegean coast. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 Morning ferry to Athens; fly to London (B)