7-Day Greece Grand Tour: Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki, Lefkadia

We booked a seven-day Greek tour with Viator. As with most tours with Viator, they sub-contract with a local operator. In this case, they hired Chat tours. When we joined the tour, we were notified that we were going to be transferred to another bus half-way through. It was not only a different bus but another tour operator altogether. We were not aware of this arrangement, however expected a seamless transition. We were transferred during our lunch break and the two companies had different schedules. Chat Tours told us we had 30 minutes for lunch, and G.O Tours informed us we were leaving in 15 minutes. After haggling with G.O Tours the guide gave us 30 minutes for lunch. Viator charges very handsomely for this tour and I expected these transitions to be 100 seamless and not to create unnecessary stress. Up until the last day of the tour With Chat Tours I would have said the tour was nice, and the guide, Xenia, was professional even though she repeats herself a lot, talks too much, and gave us hardly anytime to explore the sites on our own. The last day of the tour though totally changed my opinion of your company based on Xenia's behavior. Xenia had a total emotional meltdown over a misunderstanding that arose regarding our luggage as we were being transferred to another company. She spoke rudely to us, and later attempted to involved the driver in the discussion to prove her point. The interaction between them was in Greek so I don't know what was said, but at the end of their conversation she ended up covering her face and crying. This happened right in the middle of the plaza as others tourists observed what was going on, and as we stood next to her feeling confused not knowing what exactly was going on. In my opinion Xenia is not fit to be a guide since she is so emotionally fragile and obviously unable to handle stressful situations. We had a very bad experience with your company given the way we were treated by your guide. I would not recommend Chat Tours. In regards to hotel accommodations, the tour itinerary calls for first-class hotels. We stayed mostly in Amalia Hotels, some worse than others, stained carpets, bad buffet food, no water in the room and for the most part, no places nearby to buy incidentals, such as water, etc. I think it would have been nice for the guide to stop at a supermarket before getting to the hotel, so we could buy water for less money instead of paying hotel prices. Ruben and Vilma

Amazing tour very well organised. Our guide Effie was incredibly knowledgeable being an archaeologist. Also our bus driver was very good and skilled going around tight corners. She made to tour so very interesting. The days were long, but well worth the trip. The hotels on the tour were good, especially in Thessaloniki where we stayed in 5 star accommodation. Highly recommend this tour.

The guides, drivers and hotels were exceptional. I can recommend this tour. We did the seven day Grand Tour which took us through spectacular countryside and ancient sites. We really felt very well looked after and considered it good value for money. The breakfasts were generous and we were shown an assortment of country restaurants which we very much enjoyed. Katherine Kalaf

The two guides had are very good. They did very good jobs. The hotels are also good. We enjoyed our trip very much.

The tour exceeded our expectations - quality of accommodation was outstanding, included meals were plentiful and of a high quality, tour guide was wonderful, and a decent amount of time was spent at all the important sights. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to see many of the major highlights in Greece in a short time frame.

This was a wonderful tour with two great guides. Really got a good introduction to classical Greece. Hotels, locations, food were great. Would recommend it.

The guides were excellent, the hotels really great, really enhanced my total experience of Greece.

Slightly confusing because of the unexpected change of tour companies and guides mid-stream. Last three days rushed. George, guide for first few days was excellent-professional, friendly and considerate.

It was simply amazing!!! There are no words to express how much I enjoyed this trip!!!! Firstly, the tour guides were so professional, knowledgable, friendly.......one of them is actually an archeologist, wow!!! Learned so much from both of them....... Hotels were excellent, very comfortable, convenient and the food (buffet), introduced me to the local Greek cousin. Highly recommended! I will truly rate this tour with 5 stars as it covers very important sites of Greece......and this company, not only offers the usual sites, but includes Macedonia, the birthplace of Alexander the Great! Not many companies goes all the way to Thessaloniki.....that's why this tour is not to be missed! Thank you all for making my trip a memorable one!!! Katherina, Dimitra....thank you!

The sights covered by this trip were fantastic! Most of the days were jam packed and worth it. The breakfast and dinner meals were plentiful, and the hotels were good. I only have a few negative comments, though. The guides were very knowledgeable, but they were at times sensitive and even unfriendly. The free time in Delphi could have been better spent somewhere else, since there was absolutely nothing to do or see there outside of the temples. The hotel in Meteora was too far away from the town for us to be able to enjoy its nightlife. There wasn't much sightseeing included in Thessaloniki, so I just did that on my own after reaching the hotel. On the last day it was mostly just riding back to Athens except for brief stops at the river and the Leonidas monument. But all in all, I did enjoy my trip and would absolutely recommend it.