WHY GREECE?
"How can any educated person stay away from the Greeks? I have always been far more interested in them than in science." Albert Einstein
Some refer to Greece as the cradle of civilization! Many of the great thinkers hailed from there. As Rick Steves says, (Another great thinker like Einstein) "Democracy and mathematics, medicine and literature, theater and astronomy, mythology and philosophy - all of these, and more were first thought up by a bunch of tunic-clad Greeks in a small village huddled at the base of the Acropolis." There is so much history in Greece! Another reason for visiting Greece is because it is an incredibly beautiful country with its gorgeous coastlines and mountainous terrain. I could not wait to see historic places like the Parthenon on the Acropolis, the place of the first Olympics in Olympia, and the wonderful remains of scenic Delphi!
WHY RICK STEVES?
Europe through the Back Door - Rick's philosophy in travel, embodies the way I like to go. I had used his practical guidebook when traveling on our own in Spain. My husband and I went on his Best of Scotland tour and thoroughly enjoyed it! Friends and I did his Germany, Austria, and Switzerland tour and found it incredible. Listed below are some of the other reasons why I appreciate a Rick Steves' tour.
- One of the things I like about Rick Steves' tours is that there is so much variety in the things we do. There is always something that appeals more to one person or another.
- There is also a nice balance of tour time and free time to allow the traveler to have a little down time. Although the tours are ambitious, there is time to relax.
- Every guide I have met on a Rick Steves' tour, whether the tour guide or individual city or site guides, have been the most knowledgeable, professional, interesting leaders.
- Even the bus drivers are friendly, fun and highly skilled at what they do - driving!
- Also, the type of traveler that a Rick Steves' tour attracts has been the most delightful, fun, interesting and interested people. I have made some superb friends while on his tours; many that I email with or have visited in other circumstances.
- Another thing I like is the value of his tours. We do not stay in the most expensive hotels but all are of good quality and most are family owned with good service and the locations are handy.
- I appreciate that many times we spend more than one night in the same hotel which helps me sleep better and feel more situated.
- Another factor is that one gets a $50 discount for every trip they have taken with RS. That adds up after awhile.
- To fill a trip, there is sometimes a discount. I have taken advantage of that!
- Paying by check, rather than credit card can get you a 2.5% discount too.
- The size of the tour groups is small enough to be intimate but large enough to be interesting!
- On a Rick Steves' tour, one is responsible for their own luggage and so I have learned to pack lightly, do laundry in the room (another reason why 2 nights in the same hotel is good) and be free from all the "baggage" I used to bring.
- His tours are active! Some vacations involve no activity and lots of eating. One gets to hike and move around quite often on his tours.
This is me, Vickie, on the left and Pat.
So, my friend, Pat, and I decided to embark on a Rick Steves' Athens and the Heart of Greece tour in April 2012. Pat had never traveled with a tour group before and was hesitant. This was my third Rick Steves' tour and I assured her she would love it. (She did!)
Below is a map of the route of our tour. The numbers indicate how many nights we stayed at each place. We came to Athens three nights before our tour was to begin to get acclimated to Greece.