Walking on the Greek Islands

This was my first Exodus holiday and was a marvelous experience. I found the balance between organized walks, free time and traveling to be perfect. The group was friendly and diverse so I enjoyed the whole week. Our guide - Cécile- was good. She really knows the islands and how to beat the crowds. I especially enjoyed using local busses and ferries and staying in small individual hotels.

This was a wonderful holiday with just the right amount of hiking. Some was a bit strenuous, but very doable. The accommodations were good-commensurate with the cost of the trip. The best part was our guide, Thanos. He was knowledgeable, accommodating and went out of his way to make the trip wonderful.

The holiday includes one night in Athens, one night on Paros, two on Santorini and three nights on Naxos. The walks are relaxed and although rugged in places the description of leisurely is appropriate. The ferry trips between the Islands could be a down side of the trip, the first one seemed quite long. However, the group learnt the best area for sitting, up at the top of the ferry, under cover but with plenty of air and the best views and the trips became enjoyable as we were well prepared and appreciated time to chat with the group. The trip was extremely well organised and we had many wonderful experiences packed into one week.

The holiday started in Athens as we established our group and departed for Paros. The hotel was perfect on the edge of the coast with stunning views, the gentle walking helped to break us in for what was to come later. Then on to Santorini, a beautiful island with narrow alley-ways full of shops and café/bars. The coastal walk was exquisite meandering up and down the coastal path away from the tourist elements. Followed by a trip to the Centre of the volcano the following morning (lots of steps down!). On to Naxos and a feel for the real Greece as the walks inland showed much of the normal way of life. The walking was leisurely, but you needed to be comfortable with your balance. A beautiful countryside village was the destination. Absolutely fantastic holiday which was made all the better by an excellent guide and friendly group of travellers.

A well organised trip with an outstanding guide and very nice fellow walkers. The walks were just right for our age and fitness.

A really enjoyable week, The walks are easy/intermediate. Food was good. Hotels were satisfactory & the people were great company.

This is an ideal trip to get a flavour of three Greek Islands, Paros, Santorini & Naxos. Also it is a good way of experiencing the culinary delights of the islands. I would question the classification of the trip, which is Leisurely. While there is plenty of time to relax on the ferry crossings betwen each island, all the walks while, relative short have ascents and decents on rough country paths. The path on Naxos is graded Difficult on the local trail board. However our mixed aged group (50 to 70+) coped with only a few minor difficulties.

Wonderful hoilday, great group and the right balance between sightseeing, walking and time for ourselves. Note, however, that you do not see Athens on this trip - you need to add this on yourself at the beginning or end of the holiday.

The trip to the Cycladic islands of Naxos, Paros & Santorini was lovely! We had a great group and our guide was the Lovely Cecile. Although it was very, very cold and windy, the plus point was that the islands were very quiet from the overload of usual tourists. The walks were beautiful and the views were stunning. I'd much rather walk in Santorini during the quiet season than what I have seen (in pictures) during peak season. Eating out every evening with the group was fun. My only complaint was the accommodation in Paros. Frankly, it was shocking! I think I didn't expect this from Exodus. The room was freezing as the heating wouldn't work and the shower was leaky and broken. I think Exodus needs to rethink the accommodation in Paros. If you fancy the islands all to yourself, even though it may be freezing, then give this holiday a try in March.

This was a trip comprised of 15 Canadian women all of whom I knew. Hiking was what appealed to me the most. Second was supplementing the knowledge I'd gained from sailing in the Cyclades (2013) as well as hiking in Corfu last May. Moving beds every three days on average and catching ferries on five occasions. although spelled out in the tour's monograph, didn't seem so onerous until one actually lived it.