Greek Islands Landmarks

The trips are awesome! Especially when you have a great tour director. The customer service sucks! They will run you around in circles before someone answers your questions. The chat customer service will tell you to call in, make you wait, just for you to get an answer that you could have received via the chat. You just can't get a solid answer. So after you book, you better not have any questions on changes you can make to your trip - you don't get a solid answer or wait for an hour on the phone to get it.

This is such a professional and caring company. They are a great example why it's best to deal with real people instead of internet searches. I booked a condo on Tripadvisor for a month in Greece and found out about a week later that they had double booked and I was out of luck. But not really out of luck--a friend turned me to Wingbuddy and, considering the various curves our party of four threw at them (leaving from and returning to different cities, changing our minds, etc.), they proved to be patient, organized and reliable! They have an equally amazing partner in Greece called Courmouzis Travel. I had my passport stolen on the plane from Montreal and so was detained at the airport for a day. They did not miss a beat in providing logistics for me separate from the rest of the larger group to get me a new shuttle and ferry ticket. And when we did not like one of our accommodations, they immediately changed us the same day to a very acceptable alternative. I needed to extend my stay in Athens and they were kind enough to arrange their special pricing for me at the very nice Jason Hotel. I cannot say enough great things about them, but I do thank both Wingbuddy and Courmouzis in my most sincere way,

Very good in spite of unseasonable weather for September. High winds
cancelled ferries for several days. As a consequence we stayed only one night
on Paros and missed Santorini entirely. But we got to know Naxos very well,
and it is an island with plenty to do. it might have been frustrating, but
leader Cecile Deltreil made superhuman efforts to keep us well occupied.
Although we saw her frequently glued to her cell phone, she never seemed
stressed out and explained changing arrangements in a way that kept us calm
and happy. She was also an excellent guide on walks and in the towns we
visited. If Cecile is typical of Exodus quality of service, it is an
excellent company.

In general accommodation was good and food excellent. Cecile has friendly
relations with lots of good restaurants.

I would certainly recommend this trip, and will be investigating other Exodus
trips in future.
It was all good. I especially enjoyed exploring the small viliages, and the
museum in Naxos was a surprise - really good.


I praise Cecile Deltreil to the skies. She deserves a bonus for this trip and
a raise!


A word of caution about "leisurely," a word subject to interpretation. The
walks were not long, and there were stops for points of interest. But Greek
islands are up and down, and in some cases footing was rocky. So the walking
was easy for hikers of any level, but more challenging if you have any
walking difficulties. ( I had broken my leg 4 months prior, and found the
walks a bit hard. Again leader Cecile was wonderful in figuring alternative
activities for me as needed.)


Did I mention how wonderful Cecile was?

A chance to see the parts of Naxos, Santorini and Paros that maybe most don't
see.

The trip ran smoothly, expertly organised by Cecile, and the weather was
beautiful, late 20's. I travelled on my own and joined a lovely and friendly
group of 15 (3 couples, and the rest of us single, aged between 40 and 70).
We chose to have most meals together. All hotels had a swimming pool, all 3
star and air conditioned.

My favourite hotel was on Naxos and it definitely had the best breakfast. A
lovely traditional island with lots going on, a good beach, excellent
restaurants and beautiful countryside. I would definitely go back to Naxos.

Santorini was beautiful with fantastic views, but very steep, noisy,
expensive and busy, especially when a cruise ship arrived! My knees
struggled a bit on the uphill parts of this, the longest, walk. I cheated
and left early for a bus back to the hotel. Definitely glad I went by cable
car both ways to the boat trip too! Most walked down and got the cable car
back up, which wasn't scary by the way, and avoided using the few little
donkeys still having to walk up and down the hundreds of steps.

Paros was delightful and relaxing, a sleepy traditional island with beautiful
beaches and countryside, lovely shops and restaurants. If you want to shop
wait until you get to Paros, especially for clothes, in the lovely and cool
sheltered streets.

I arrived home from this holiday pleasantly tired and very happy, definitely
one of my favourite trips.
Walking through the countryside in Naxos and Paros.


Cecile was lovely, friendly and attentive, she listened to what everyone
wanted and fitted in with us and what we wanted, always available and giving
advice when needed. Her knowledge and love of the Greek Islands and the
Greek people clearly showed.


Take a small, light and comfortable rucksack, good walking boots/shoes and
stick/s as you will need them, some of the hills are steep and can be slippy.
Get out walking before you go as slightly harder than I had expected of a
Level 1 Leasurely, although, to be fair, I have never been on a walking
holiday before (hats off to anyone going on a Level 10!).


Travel between the islands and mainland was by ferry. A time to relax, maybe
sleep, or chat. Your suitcase is stored down below. Don't forget to take
something warm upstairs to wear as the air conditioning can be extremely
cold!

Excellent Guide, Scenery and organisation. Some of hotels were not of a
reasonable standard.
The walk along the Caldera, Santorini.


Excellent knowledge, very well organised and good personality.


Be prepared for the heat when you are walking at this time of year.
Keep luggage to a minimum as there are trips between the islands where you
have to manage your own luggage.


Some unplanned events occurred which the guide had to deal with and she
resolved the situations very professionally.

I rarely give ten out of ten, but this came close. The sun shone every day, I
slepped well and didn't put on weight. The walks were just right, leisurely
as it said, I didn't want a route march, I do enough of that. The group was
assorted, what more can I say ! J
Thanos eating my chips !


Thanos was a true professional with extensive knowledge of his job. Well
educated, kind,fit, just a great guy. For me he made the holiday, such a
pleasure when some one knows his job. I must thank Thanos for a happy Greek
Islands Trip.


Pack half what you think you need.


The breakfasts could be a little more substantial.