Chris Leontopoulos
Hello, my name is Chris
I am Canadian by birth, but my family’s roots can be traced centuries back to two beautiful mountain villages in Greece.
One in the shadow of Mount Olympus, and one very near Ancient Delphi on Mount Parnassos.
As a boy, when my family would visit Greece, my father would take me to see the ruins at Delphi, Olympia and other historical sites. He would fill my head with a images of how life was in ancient times, tell me stories about Socrates and Alexander the Great.
Our family moved back to Greece when I was a teenager, and I have been living in Greece all my adult life.
This was a turning point in my life.
I was intoxicated by the landscape, the culture, the lifestyle. To this day, I am constantly reading and learning about the history of Greece, crisscrossing the mountains on my motorcycle, or sailing Poseidon’s beloved Aegean sea, eagerly uncovering new aspects of the diverse culture.
Now, as a father myself, I love taking my children to those same sites, reading with them tales of Odysseus and Jason, and inspiring them to dig into the vast wealth of the culture themselves.
My passion for exploring Greece, for learning new things, for meeting new people, combined with my high standards for quality services, has lead me to be employed in various aspects of the travel and hospitality industry since I was a teen. From summer jobs at souvenir shops, to cooking at traditional tavernas, to reservations desks, to managing small hotels.
So it is no accident that I created a vocation based on these experiences, becoming a Greece travel specialist.
Actually I consider myself to be somewhat of an ambassador of Greece. I am always excited for the opportunity to “show off” this stunning country to travelers from abroad.
Whether it is for a romantic honeymoon, for some fun in the sun, and especially for those who want to dig beneath the surface, and uncover the many layers of this timeless and beautiful country.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I specialize in all things Greek!
There are so many unique islands, so many beautiful settings and sites on the mainland, so many distinct “shades of Greece” that it could take a lifetime to explore them all! So many options for amazing and exciting activities depending on one’s interests. Then, there are so many ways of getting around, some scenic, some adventurous, some comfortable, and some not very efficient! Boats, planes, cars, trains etc. Given that most visitors only get to visit Greece once in a lifetime, and they have limited time to do so, it is essential to make the right decisions when planning.
This is where I come in.
I make a special effort to understand my client’s special interests and needs, their budgets and time constraints. I strive to make each custom trip that I design exciting, memorable, and efficient so that no time or money is wasted. After so many years of exploring Greece myself, I apply my extensive experience, my passion for the culture and history, quality services and accommodations, to suggest the best locations, activities, and accommodations for each and every traveler.
Over the past few years, I have extended my area of expertise to Italy. I’ve planned several custom trips, and I’ve had the pleasure of exploring many parts of our neighboring country myself, comparing our similarities and learning about our cultural differences. "
How did you get involved in travel?
"I think that it goes back to my early love for mythology and for the Greek language.
When I first started to read the adventures of Jason and the Argonauts, of Odysseus, and the labors of Hercules, I realized that the backdrop for all these amazing tales was travel and exploration.
The Odyssey begins with this phrase:
"Sing in me Muse, and through me tell the story of that man skilled in all ways of contending, the wanderer, harried for years on end…..he saw the town lands and learned the minds of many distant men…"
As I began to learn the Greek language at an early age, I would frequently come across the term “tetraperatos” (τετραπέρατος) and I understood it to mean someone who is very intelligent, or smart.
At a later age, when I began to dig deeper into the semantics of the language, I realized that the literal meaning of the word is “one who has seen the four corners of the world” (tetra= four, + perata= distant ends).
So the Greeks have coded into their language the concept that intelligence is a direct result of travel.
As you can understand, I was left with little choice. If I wanted to cultivate myself and broaden my horizons, reading books would not be enough.
I had to get out and explore the world! "
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"I always like to think that the most exciting journey is the next one that is in the planning!
If I look back at my travels in Greece and abroad, I have a hard time selecting one specific trip over the other as the most unique. But I can recall highlights from many.
As a novice sailor, my first actually trip as a skipper, my wife and I chartered a boat from Athens, and on the first afternoon we dropped anchor for the night in the little gulf under Cape Sounion. It was a night with a clear sky and full moon, (planned by accident of course!) and I spent the night captivated by the spectacle of the full moon rising above and illuminating the ruins of the majestic temple of Poseidon. I don’t think that I’ll ever forget how beautiful the sight was. It was like the sea god was giving me his consent for my first trip, nodding to me that he would ensure calm seas along the way. Clearly I misinterpreted the sign, because the trip turned out to be quite an adventure in the end!
A few years earlier, I took advantage of a short hiatus between positions, and decided to “take off” on my motorcycle, to destinations unknown! Armed only with basic biking gear, a couple of changes of clothes and a map, (this was before smart phones, GPS, and Gopro cameras!). I flipped a coin to decide if I would go north or south, (it came up north) and took off! I rode for hours on end, mountain top to mountain top, tiny village to tiny village, sea side town to sea side town, only planning to get to whatever destination made sense by nightfall. I saw so many hidden corners of Greece, tasted so many local delicacies, met so many wonderful people along the way, made so many friends that I am still in touch with to this day. I still remember the sinking feeling that I had in my gut, about 10 days later as I traversed the last few miles to return to my “base” and get back to “normality”.
More recently, I had the extreme pleasure of traveling for a week on the largest full-rigged sailing cruise ship in the world, the Royal Clipper. We embarked from the port of Piraeus, with Rome as our ultimate destination. We rounded the Peloponnese, stopping at Monemvasia and Olympia. Then after a full day at sea, we reached the coast of Sicily, the town of Naxos, where we were met be a huge sign on the dock informing us that Naxos was the first Greek colony on Sicily in the 7th century BC. After a day of exploration with a rented car that took us up to Mount Etna, we sailed through the mythical straits of Scilla and Haryvdi (as Odysseus did so long ago!) and we stayed up on the deck till very late at night to see the live volcano on the isle of Stromboli as we passed it by. A puff of smoke and a bursting red hue lighting up the night sky every few minutes. Unforgettable! After exploring the stunning towns on the Amalfi coast, witnessing the amazing ruins at Pompeii, we reached Rome where we spent a couple of days taking in as many of the sites as possible, and of course enjoying the amazing food!
What made this particular trip memorable, besides the incredible cruise ship, like a setting taken out of a story book from the 1900’s, besides the amazing sites and places, was the fact that this was my first “father and son” adventure! I got to see all these things not only through my eyes, but through the wild and excited eyes of my 8 year old boy as well. A priceless experience that I wish for every parent. "
Chris's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Experience the best of Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini on this romantic 13-day luxury voyage. You'll explore the ancient ruins of the Acropolis and sample local delicacies before...
Soak up the sunshine on this 11-day luxury tour of Greece, Naxos, and Santorini. Enjoy a guided tour of Athens' ancient Acropolis, an escorted drive of the coastline, and a...
Offering the perfect balance of outdoor activities and gourmet pursuits that provide insight into Greece's history and culture, the pleasures of Athens, Crete, and Santorini...
Family itineraries
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Greece has a multitude of wonders to attract you and your family for 10 days of adventure. It's one of the sunniest places in the world, so catch some rays as you explore the...
Two weeks gives you and your family plenty of time to traverse the nearly 1,000 miles of coastline that Greece has to offer. Whether you're going for a deep dive into the...
Luxury itineraries
Experience the best of Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini on this romantic 13-day luxury voyage. You'll explore the ancient ruins of the Acropolis and sample local delicacies before...
This luxury tour of Greece starts in the bustling capital of Athens, discovering its incredible architecture and charming neighborhoods, followed by the exploration of the...
Cruise like a celebrity through the glittering waters of the Cyclades on this nine-day itinerary. The Cyclades are some of the most quintessential Greek islands, and you'll see...
Road trip itineraries
Travel from Athens to the vineyards, castles, and archaeological sites throughout the Peloponnese with this itinerary. After exploring the Acropolis and the local delicacies of...
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Recent trip reviews for Chris
All 3 guides were wonderful and added SO much...
Greece
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Mar 31 - Apr 10, 2024
Fabulous custom trip in Greece!
Greece
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Nov 4 - Nov 15, 2023
KimKim is great!!
Greece
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Sep 28 - Oct 8, 2023
All in all Kimkim was fantastic. They truly ...
Greece
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Sep 14 - Sep 23, 2023
1) was looking to snorkel this trip. Found out the boat did not have equipment, a quick text to KimKim and we had snorkels for the rest of the trip
2) at out first port stop we were charged a docking fee. We had specific email prior to... Read more
35th Anniversary in Greece!
Greece
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Sep 6 - Sep 20, 2023
Honey/baby moon of dreams!
Greece
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Sep 2 - Sep 12, 2023
Amazing Engagement Vacation!!
Greece
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Aug 28 - Sep 12, 2023
We had an enjoyable overall trip to Greece, ...
Greece
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Jun 25 - Jul 10, 2023
I'm very happy to hear that you all enjoyed your trip, but I must say that I'm a little perplexed to hear that you are not satisfied with the communication with me and our team during your trip. Especially given that your co traveler, John W, posted a great review a few days ago and did not mention having a similar issue. We had an enormous amount of messages back and forth during the 18 months of our planning phase, and especially in the... Read more
A dream vacation thanks to the KimKim team
Greece
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Jul 2 - Jul 13, 2023
Mark
I am sooo happy that you and your wonderful family were able to enjoy this great trip, and experience the beauties of our great country!
I really enjoyed speaking with you all the time leading up to your trip, and I'm really greatful for the opportunity that I had to plan your special trip,
I wish you and your wonderful family all the best!
Chris
Don't worry! PHENOMENAL EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!!! ...
Greece
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Jul 7 - Jul 15, 2023
Just kidding!
Hi Gail,
I've had a lot of great reviews, but none that made me laugh as much as your's did!
If I knew that you had concerns that I was not real, I'd have suggested that we do a video call right off the bat!
I thank you Gail for the fantastic review, and for the pleasure and honor of allowing me to plan your special family trip! It was a real blast working with you, and I'm really happy that it all went off without a hitch!
I've passed... Read more
