hiking and cycling in GreeceHeracles, the guide for cycling and hiking ba...
Greece | Mar 22 - Apr 6, 2026

Rob
Rob C.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 12, 2026

Heracles, the guide for cycling and hiking based in Nafplio, showed us some very unique and off-the-beaten-track places. The Avgou monastery hike was probably the highlight of the trip, but there was some smaller old hidden monasteries that weren't on the agenda that he showed us as well.
Manos, the foodie tour guide in Chania, was entertaining and knowledgeable. He made sure we had no room in us for any more food.
The guide in Mystras was also good, although the hike did not include a lunch as indicated on our itinerary.

Hotel Reviews
Carpe Diem Boutique Hotel
Nafplio

Breakfast was quite good but this was the smallest hotel room we have ever stayed in.

Authenticity & Character
Location
in old town
Staff
The lady who seemed to run the place was great but there was seldom anyone at the desk. The young woman was sometimes at the desk in the daytime was aloof.
Cleanliness & Comfort
clean but room was tiny
Mystras Grand Palace
Sparta

beautiful spacious buildings and location (near mountains and ruins). Not great if you want urban setting

A for Athens
Athens

great location and view

DOM Boutique Hotel
Heraklion

Nice room. Terrible wifi. No view. Good location for walking to waterfront, museum and restaurants.

SanSal Boutique Hotel
Chania

Modern. Great location. Good breakfast. A gym would have been nice

Activity Reviews
Knossos Palace Experience
Knossos Palace Experience
Greece

Interesting site, but it was really the museum (which wasn't on our itinerary ) that had the most interesting artifacts to see

Private Delphi Day Trip
Private Delphi Day Trip
Athens

Driver was great. Guide was pedantic and uninspiring but knowledgeable.

Hiking Among the Olive Groves with Lunch in Monemvasia
Hiking Among the Olive Groves with Lunch in Monemvasia
Greece

Interesting young guide who taught us everything we wanted to know about olives. Really nice lunch too

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ancient Athens Acropolis & Mythology Walk
Ancient Athens Acropolis & Mythology Walk
Athens

very good guide. Acropolis was very busy especially considering the time of year.

Private transfer from {{start_location}} to {{end_location}}  with stop in Corinth
Private transfer from {{start_location}} to {{end_location}} with stop in Corinth
Greece

Corinth museum and ruins were closed. Driver was great. Canal was interesting to see

Quality of Experience
Nafplio Cycling Adventure
Nafplio Cycling Adventure
Nafplio

The ride was a bit short but at least we had a couple hikes to interesting locations added in.

Hiking to Avgou Monastery through Wildlife Refuge
Hiking to Avgou Monastery through Wildlife Refuge
Nafplio

Highlight of the trip. A nice 12km walk. Very interesting monastery and location.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
They detoured a bit to let us buy some fantastic oranges from a roadside stall
History & Foodie Walk in Old Town
History & Foodie Walk in Old Town
Chania

Great food and guide

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fun and interesting
Sacred Paths of Taygetos: The Faneromeni Hike
Sacred Paths of Taygetos: The Faneromeni Hike
Greece

Nice hiking trails and location.

Quality of Experience
Food
There was no food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Apokoronas Countryside Day Trip with Tastings & Lunch
Apokoronas Countryside Day Trip with Tastings & Lunch
Chania

This would have been much better as a private tour, given that we had an incredibly self centered woman in our group who wouldn't stop talking. The guide was good but the woman wore him down and he didn't get many chances to speak. Too much driving and not enough walking.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Siena Mueller