Wanderlust your problem? This trip may be right for you: In nine days of travel, you get to visit Athens and hike on Tinos, Naxos, and Santorini. Not much time to be bored!
This Greek island-hopping trip is designed for the "moderately" fit: If an average of 2-3 hours a day of hiking is a turn-on rather than a turn-off, this is a trip that can work for you.
Most of the Greek destinations are "semi-secret": Heard much about Feletados or Volax lately? Neither have I. With the exception of Santorini and Athens itself, the stops are less crowded than the standard tourist magnets. You should get a good mix of exuberant tourist frenzy on Santorini and sea, sand, and hillside retreats on Tinos and Naxos.
What I Like - Price is right - US $2899- $3175 for 9 days : If you can get a specialty tour for around $300 a day, you're doing well. Do note that the price excludes airfare - but the remaining available dates are in mid-September, when prices drop. Hint: Try connecting through London and taking one of the low-cost smaller airlines for the leg to Athens.
More of What I Like - Minimal Exclusions, low Minimum Participants: They pay for inter-island transit and entrance fees. All meals are included, but of course your alcohol consumption is not.
I also like the fact that the minimum number of participants is just 4; this trip will go through under almost any circumstances.
What I'm Neutral About - Single Supplement fee, standard Athens "Greek" night: The Single Supplement is $499, a bit steep considering a couple of the nights are in small island hotels. But if you're willing to share and they cannot partner you, the single supplement fee drops to $300. And it would be exciting if the evening in Athens was something other than the standard taverna night.
Members Save Big: For the cost of a $15 REI membership, you save several hundred dollars off of the "non-member" price.
Conclusion: Overall, a good deal: You get to some unusual locations, have fun hiking and seeing Greece from up top, and they aren't nickel-and-diming you on transfers and so on. Plus, you have the comfort of knowing there is a major company behind your trip.
More Information on this Greek Island Hopping Tour: 2007 dates are:
May 12–20 Sold out
May 26 – Jun 3 Sold out
Jun 9–17
Jun 23 – Jul 1
Jul 7–15
Jul 21–29
Sep 1–9
Sep 15–23
Sep 29 – Oct 7
Oct 13–21
Weather in Greece is usually spectacular in the September-October period, with cooling temperatures, warmer water after a summer of sunshine, and clear, bright days.
Visit the REI travel website for itinerary details and updates for 2008.
