Walking on the Greek Islands

Great introduction to the Greek Islands!

This walking trip to the Greek Islands was a fantastic introduction to Greek food, culture, and the fun of island hopping!

Nice walks. but a lot of down time

I really enjoyed the walks and the scenery they provided. Walking around the villages was also fun. Our guide Cecile was great. She explained a lot about Greek culture, plants, cuisine and history. The hotels we stayed at were were just ok for the most part. Nothing memorable but everything appeared to work. On most days I was really disappointed with the breakfasts that were included in the tour. They were sad, cold, boxed meals that didn’t contain much food I would eat. With the exception of the hotel on Naxos, I ended up having to buy something to eat later. The restaurant dinners organized by Cecile were very nice however and I certainly did not end up starving. Perhaps the aspect of the tour that I wish I had appreciated first was just how much time was spent getting to, riding on, and making our way to hotels from the ferries. I just don’t feel the pleasure of the walks and sightseeing visits were offset by the down time spent in transit. I would definitely recommend visiting the Greek Islands, but before recommending this trip I would make sure the person was comfortable with all of the time devoted to logistics.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk on Santorini was my favorite.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was professional and provided a lot of informational content to the tour. She was also clear about where and when to meet to catch buses and ferries.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the itinerary carefully before deciding if you will enjoy a tour the visits 3 islands in such a short time. The ferry rides might be relaxing for some people, but I found them boring.

Reply from Exodus

We’re really grateful for Janeen’s review, and are so pleased to hear that she enjoyed the walks on this trip and that she was impressed with her tour leader, Cecile. We were, however, sorry to hear that she was disappointed with the structure of the tour and felt there was a little too much down time. This is a relaxed walking tour which offers our groups the chance to trek the most scenic routes of Naxos, Santorini, and Paros, as well as allowing them the time to explore each island at their own pace. We understand that the ratio of free time to activities is a delicate balance to strike on any trip, and we are confident that our trip notes provide an accurate reflection of what our customers can expect on this particular tour.

Having reviewed each of the feedback forms we have received from Exodus clients in 2023, we can see that this tour scores an average of 4.5 out of 5 for its itinerary, and an average of 4.67 overall, which we feel is a really positive rating and indicates that our customers’ expectations are being met. We will, of course, continue to monitor the feedback we receive, and will not hesitate to make changes should more of our clients express views similar to Janeen’s.

– Vivien Urban, Exodus Product Manager

Bad value for money

This was my first trip with Exodus. The Greek Islands were beautiful but this trip is extremely bad value for money. The hotels, with the exception of the one on Santorini, were barely adequate – they were certainly not 3 star. In the last hotel I actually got bed bug bites. I really enjoyed the company of the group on the holiday but I’m appalled by the standard of accommodation on offer. Our guide was just ok

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ok

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Lesley for her review, though we are extremely sorry that she was disappointed with the accommodation provided on her trip to the Greek Islands last year. We understand that, unfortunately, the pandemic hit the Greek hospitality industry particularly hard and that hotels across the islands struggled to keep up the standards they maintained in 2020 and prior. That said, our local manager, Thanos, was confident that the hotels we carefully selected would be suitable for our clients, as they were all 3* properties or above, chosen for their location and service, though it is a matter of real regret that this was not Lesley’s impression. We can assure her that the hotels Exodus uses receive regular cleaning and visits from pest control experts.

We are confident that, for the 2023 season and beyond, the hotels we use on this trip are comfortable, clean, run by local families, and often in stunning locations, with pools at each property. From the feedback we have received from our clients who have done Walking on the Greek Islands so far this year, we are delighted to say that all rated the accommodation on this trip as being ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’.

We take pride in our team of fantastic leaders in Greece, who are experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated to ensuring a high quality experience for our clients, so we are regretful to hear that Lesley was lukewarm about her tour leader, as this is not the feedback we are used to receiving. We are confident that, if Lesley returned to do this trip now, she would come back with a much more positive impression.

Vivien Urban, Exodus Product Manager

A good trip.

The trip to the Cycladic islands of Naxos, Paros & Santorini was lovely! We had a great group and our guide was the Lovely Cecile.
Although it was very, very cold and windy, the plus point was that the islands were very quiet from the overload of usual tourists. The walks were beautiful and the views were stunning. I’d much rather walk in Santorini during the quiet season than what I have seen (in pictures) during peak season.
Eating out every evening with the group was fun.
My only complaint was the accommodation in Paros. Frankly, it was shocking! I think I didn’t expect this from Exodus. The room was freezing as the heating wouldn’t work and the shower was leaky and broken. I think Exodus needs to rethink the accommodation in Paros.
If you fancy the islands all to yourself, even though it may be freezing, then give this holiday a try in March.

Disappointing

I really looked forward to this trip but unfortunately the trip was spoilt by poor planning and one really horrible hotel. We travelled in March and unfortunately the weather was very cold when we arrived. No effort had been made to prepare the first hotel on Naxos and it was bitterly cold, many of the aircon units didn’t heat up and we had to sit in coats to eat breakfast. If you’re walking, you need somewhere warm and comfortable to relax afterwards. It’s a shame as it’s a nice hotel

Being March, a lot on the islands was closed as the season doesn’t start until Easter and it would have been good to know that from the trip notes as tavernas on the walking routes weren’t open and toilets not available. In some instances it was difficult to find somewhere to eat at night. Full of praise for our Guide, Cecile who did her best to resolve problems with great kindness and humour. She’s a gem

The islands are very lovely at this time of year, full of spring flowers and without the crowds. The walks are lovely and very varied, taking in little villages and mountain scenery. The terrain can be rocky but the pace allows for that, so this would be a wonderful holiday if Exodus didn’t insist on using cheap, poor quality hotels. The Hotel Pandrossos on Paros sadly left a particularly sour note. The beds and pillows were filthy and the sheets full of cigarette burns. Heating didn’t work, no hot water, everything was broken and the whole place could do with a good clean. I don’t know what’s happened to Exodus as I’ve always rated them highly, but my experience post-Covid is of obnoxious staff and couldn’t care less responses. Very sad

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the walks, particularly on Naxos, walking the ancient tracks between villages. The scenery was stunning

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cecile was lovely, very funny, very knowledgeable and managed the shortcomings of this trip really well. She knows the islands inside out and is well received wherever we went. On one walk, the owner of a closed taverna opened up to offer us a coffee and toilet because of her friendship with Cecile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I’d avoid this trip until Exodus sort out the hotels. Exodus trips aren’t cheap and no one needs their holiday spoilt by cheap, filthy hotels

Reply from Exodus

We’re genuinely grateful to Ally for taking the time to review the experience she had on this trip in March of last year, though it’s a matter of huge regret that she did not have as positive an experience as she had hoped. We corresponded with Ally following her trip and explained that, unfortunately, temperatures during the first few days of her trip were much lower than is usual or anticipated for March in Greece, and we could only apologise that her hotel had not taken measures to ensure adequate heating.

Regarding the Pandrossos Hotel, we would mention that this property has renovated its bedrooms and bathrooms since Ally’s group stayed there last year, and the hotel receives regular cleaning. From the feedback we have received from our clients who have done Walking on the Greek Islands so far in 2023, we are pleased to say that all rated the accommodation on this trip as being ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. However, we sincerely regret that Ally’s experience last year was not so positive.

We’re glad to hear, however, that Ally found the walks and scenery to be a real highlight of her trip; as she alludes to, we run departures of Walking on the Greek Islands in March as it allows our clients to experience a different side of the islands, without the crowds.

We are extremely confident that Ally’s experience of this trip does not reflect what our clients can expect should they book in 2023 and beyond, though we remain regretful for her disappointment. We were also saddened to note that Ally’s impression of Exodus was not a positive one; we would mention that having spoken to Ally, our team resolved her dissatisfaction following this trip.

Vivien Urban, Exodus Product Manager

Perfect introduction to Greek islands

I had never been to Greece before and decided that this trip might be a good place to start. I wasn’t disappointed. It was well organised with walks of just the right distance and variety for me and in good company. All hotels were comfortable although plumbing a little variable! Thanos was an excellent guide and insured that we got the most out of the trip. Nothing was too much trouble. He was particularly good at organising mealtimes; choosing excellent restaurants and swiftly calculating everybody’s individual bill at the end. I thought all three islands were beautiful but particularly Paros . Santorini is definitely worth a trip for sensational views and a great walk but not somewhere I would return as just too busy in the main centres -a forest of selfie sticks! My only regret is not spending a few days in Athens at the beginning or end but all round a superb trip. Thank you Exodus. I’ve already booked the next one!

Fantastic Week

A really enjoyable, relaxing trip. Accommodation was excellent in all places, our guide Cecile was fantastic, Greek food is wonderful, and the walks were brilliant. Everything was well organized. I hadn’t been to the Greek Islands before, and this tour was the perfect introduction to this beautiful corner of the world. Santorini was overflowing with tourists (there were three cruise ships there when we arrived, and the chaos at the ferry terminal–which is not where the cruise ships go–was truly something to experience) but everyone should visit this stunning and unique island once in their lifetime. The walk on Santorini was incredibly beautiful (although hot–very little shade). Naxos and Paros were more laid back, also stunningly beautiful, and exactly what I dreamed the Greek islands might be like–I took SO many photos! You have some time to explore on your own. The walks are not difficult, and the pace matches the group–steady but no rush. You need sturdy walking shoes for sure, but not boots. If you often walk with a pole, bring it as paths are rocky and uneven in many places. You do spend a fair few hours on ferries but that’s part of getting around between islands, so bring a book and enjoy the experience. I’m sure all groups are different, but ours was a really nice mix of people from the UK, NZ, Australia, and the US, with a median age in the 50-65 range. If you’re even thinking about this trip, don’t hesitate–just book it.

Walking on the Greek islands

I really enjoyed the holiday. Our guide Cecile was excellent and really made for a lovely trip in terms of looking after us and recommending and arranging meals at local restaurants. The accommodation was very good.
My only disappointment was that most of the journeys were on Catamarans rather than ferries. Not what I expected from the brochure which said the journeys between Athens and the islands would be on ferries. I did not now catamarans would be regarded as ferries. I made my own arrangements from Rafina to Naxos when I found out the journey was not on a ferry. I really would have preferred to have traveled from Paros to Athens on the last day by ferry instead of 5 hours inside a catamaran on which we could not move around or go outside apart from a few minutes at each port.
That is my only complaint.
Overall it was a great trip.

Enjoyed but could be better

Didn’t get off to a good start because exodus didn’t inform us and several others of an itinerary change, although some others in the party did hear about it. Although the reverse order for the visits is better we ended up with a 1/2 day on Paros with not much to do and no useful suggestion from the tour leader. He was generally a very good guide but occasionally not as flexible as one might wish. The walks were generally good and not hard apart from the odd steep climb. Just wish there had been more of them (see above). We were recommended to go to the buried town of akrotiri, which was well worth the trip together with the museum in Thira. Can’t understand why Exodus don’t make this part of the trip if time permits. If we hadn’t gone we would have had another wasted morning on Santorini, to add to that on Paros.
Hotel beds generally rock hard and in 2 out of the 4, some of the smallest shower cubicles we have ever experienced. I think we would have preferred to pay a bit more for a better hotel on Santorini & Paros
Ferry journeys were always longer than anticipated but luckily weather was OK so we could go on deck apart from Naxos to Rafina on the catamaran where you have aircraft type seats

Brillian introduction to Greece!

Had an amazing holiday island hopping with Thanos as our inspiring leader. The three islands were so different in character to each other (Naxos = relaxed/laidback / Santorini = busy/picture postcardish / Paros = picturesque mountain villages and pathways). Loved the holiday!