Amazing Trip to Greece
Greece | May 17 - Jun 6, 2025

Stan
Stan S.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jun 18, 2025

I can summarize our trip to Greece in one word, "outstanding". Angela (Aggeliki) worked with us for many weeks over an eight month period putting an itinerary together for our three week trip. We started with a preliminary outline and over time with Angela's guidance we refined our trip to accommodate our interest. As architects and builders our focus were on architectural sites, historical references, time on the water and embracing the Greek culture. We put our trust in Angela to help pick out daily tours to fulfill our interests. To summarize our itinerary we started in Athens-two nights, day trip to Hydra. Flew to Paros for four nights with day trips to Iso and Antiparos via private boat and captain. Ferry to Naxos for two nights, ferry to Santorini for three nights, ferry to Heraklion (Crete) for four nights, Chania for two nights and back to Athens for two nights. On each island Angela set us up with amazing tours with spectacular well educated local tour guides. We learned so much about the architecture, foods, history of Greece, culture, etc. Our guided tours took us to many small villages and ruins on each island that most tourist do not have the time to experience. Our guides had personal relationships with most of the restaurant owners in the small villages in the islands back country areas. The host's were so gracious, inundating us with massive amounts of local culinary treats. I think we actually ate our way through Greece. Over three weeks we had one or two bumps in the road based on our schedule and Angela was so easy to make contact with. Either through the Kimkim site or Whatsapp she always responded and solved any situation that arose. One of the best features was that Angela would send us all our ferry passes for each excursion and there was always an on time driver to pick us up at the airport, ferry or hotel to take us to our next destination. Not being familiar with the country, this was extremely comforting. All the drivers were very friendly and always made us feel comfortable. To top off our trip Angela really stepped up her game and was able to satisfy one desire while in Athens. She obtained tickets to the Roman amphiteater, Odeon of Herodes Atticus completed in 161 AD at the base of the Acropolis to see the Puccini-Turandot opera. What a way to end a trip. I highly recommend Angela, she was always so supportive and engaging. Our trip to Greece was absolutely fantastic.

Hotel Reviews
Ava Hotel & Suites
Athens

Hotel is in a great location. One block from Hadrian's Arch. Five minute walk to Platka and easy access to anywhere. Buffet breakfast was excellent. Our room had a mini kitchen which made is so convenient to cook or put together some food if we wanted to.

Authenticity & Character
Small and quaint.
Location
Easy access to the Plaka and surrounding area. Felt very safe walking to and from the hotel at all times.
Staff
Staff was very helpful whenever we had questions. Even provided us beach towels when needed.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Senia Hotel
Paros

Senia hotel was in a great location. Easy to walk to the heart of Naoussa. Beach was just down the hill from the hotel. The main pool area overlooking the ocean was great. Wonderful views from our room and breakfast area. Breakfast buffet was fantastic. So nice to sit on the pool deck and eat breakfast with a great water view.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Galaxy Hotel Naxos
Naxos

Galaxy Hotel was our least favorite hotel during our trip to Greece. Rooms and bathrooms were extremely small but that is typical for Greece and most of Europe. The hotel has been renovated but they could have done a better job. The hotel shared a common pool and breakfast area with a newer hotel wing. We would have preferred to stay in the newer building. We had a lower floor (pool level) room and on the last morning a floor drain in the hallway overflowed and water came into our room. Things happen so we didn't make to much of a deal about it. Luckily we were leaving that morning and had everything packed. We only stayed two nights, we were comfortable but we would have preferred to stay somewhere else.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Happy Cretan Suites
Malevizi, Crete

The hotel is top notch. Unfortunately it is a forty-five minute drive from Heracklion, the heart of Crete. The hotel buffet breakfast by the pool deck was beautiful with a full view of the ocean. The rooms are well designed and very comfortable. Since most of our excursions were to the east we would have preferred to stay on the east side of the island before going to our second destination of Chania on the farwest side of the island. Since the hotel is centrally located you need a car to go anywhere. We took a taxi down the hill to the seaside village for dinner two times. The hotel overall is a beautiful design, quiet and very relaxing. If you are use to going out at night to shop or just walk around like we did on the islands of Naxos and Paros, this location is not for you. There is nothing around but other hotels and houses.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
SanSal Boutique Hotel
Chania

Beautiful hotel and located within a five minute walk of Old Town. Our large balcony overlooked the beautiful clear ocean. Even got to feel a small earthquake while sitting on the balcony. We stayed in one of the two executive suites (#602) which had great views of Old Town to the north and the ocean to the west. The staff was fantastic. They breakfast buffet was exceptional. The hotel offers a beach bag with towels for your use for the beach. The manager George was so helpful with anything we needed. The roof top pool deck was so wonderful. Again, great views, bar for your drinks and a bite to eat if you want any food. One of the best hotels during our stay in Greece.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spitia Tzitzi
Caldera, Santorini

This place was amazing. Our host explained that history behind our apartment style accommodations. At one time it was a cave and in the late 1980's renovations took place and the front living room and second floor bedroom and roof deck were added. The apartment had a full kitchen and two bathrooms. The views from both the lower and upper roof decks were amazing. Full view of the Caldera. Our location was in the middle of the village of Imerovigli which was quite and relaxing. Most of the tourist venture to Fira to the east and Oia to the west. This location was in between so it was quiet and not the throngs of tourist walking by. Our host cooked us breakfast every morning based on our likes. The food was fantastic. The location was an easy fifteen minute walk to Fira and other points of interest. A number of grocery stores and restaurants were less than a five minute walk away. Great accommodations, access and service. It was our best stay while in Greece.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ivis 4 Boutique Hotel
Athens

Mixed feelings on our stay at Ivis 4. Our room was wonderful and the location was easy walking distance to the Psyri area, market place and other locations of interest. The pictures in the marketing brochures show a roof deck with great views of the Acropolis. When we opened the curtains to our second floor room, our balcony view was of a two story abandoned building that was falling apart. When I inquired about our room location and asked about the views of the Acropolis I was told that room is a large suite on the top floor. The first night we arrived we were going to bed and there was loud music from the adjacent restaurants around the corner. I called down to the desk to inquire about when the noise would subside. I was told "around 2:00 am, because it was from the local bars". The desk person asked me if I wanted ear plugs. That was not a good sign. The second night was not as bad. Maybe our first night was just one of those nights. The breakfast was by menu only, not buffet like most hotels. The food was very good though. The hotel lobby and bar area is very comfortable and the front desk staff was very helpful with questions. To sum up our stay, I would say if you want a quiet place to sleep, this isn't the best location. The hotel was very nice, clean and in a good location, just not what we expected.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Angela (Aggeliki) Giannioti
Angela (Aggeliki)
Angela (Aggeliki) Giannioti
Local specialist in Greece | Replied on Jun 19, 2025
Yeia sou Stan, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thorough review.
I am honestly really happy to know that you had an overall great time here in Greece with us.
Learning so much about my country's architecture, history, and culture, visiting small villages and ruins that most tourists do not have the time to experience, and eating your way through Greece is exactly what my team and I strive to offer!
Super excited to know that you enjoyed the performance in Herodus...
Read more

Yeia sou Stan,

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thorough review.
I am honestly really happy to know that you had an overall great time here in Greece with us.
Learning so much about my country's architecture, history, and culture, visiting small villages and ruins that most tourists do not have the time to experience, and eating your way through Greece is exactly what my team and I strive to offer!
Super excited to know that you enjoyed the performance in Herodus Atticus, and I am delighted that I was able to assist you with booking great seats. 🙂
Safe travels!
Best regards,
Angela & the GA Trips team