Back from Greece, and completed the Athens, Olympia and the Corinth Coast tour. So thought I would write a review. This is my 5th JY holiday.
So lets first give praise to the very hard working and helpful tour manager Sue McCullough, who went out of her way many times to assist our group and sort out issues along the way. Including one medical emergency. She should be given a very large bonus for her commitment and dedication.
Secondly the local tour guides, who were all excellent, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
Final thanks to our coach driver, who I can't spell his name but was something like Paniotis, sorting out the replacement coach after the water pump went on the first one, and his driving around the mountain roads.
So now onto the tour, some very long days on the coach split by visits to various sites. In my view the best where Olympia and Delphi, by coach, and the day cruising to the three islands on the catamaran.
The visit to Cape Sounion was along old ride, but the sunset was worth it, but this meant getting back to the hotel about 9pm which for some in the group, was to late to eat, so I would suggest JY that this trip should have a meal in one of the restaurants closer to the site of Poseidon's temple, and we did pass many on our return to the hotel.
The Mountain Railway trip was a welcome break from the coach and gave some lovely views going up the mountain to Kalavryta.
The visits to the monasteries, although interesting, one would have been enough. The first was very modern and not what I expected, the second was more interesting with many artefacts and a much longer history. So tour wise I think less time in Athens, a little more time in some of the other locations, maybe a stay on one of the islands if possible.
On to the Hotels the best was in Nafpaktos, a real gem, the owner met us on arrival, and all his front of house staff were great, Poppy, Mario and Maria. Really friendly and you knew that they enjoyed what they provided in their hotel. Food was great, Maria, who made the breakfast etc. took so much pride in her food. when you took one of her daily special cakes at breakfast, she always gave you a smile. She also gave advice on local herbs and potions to one of our group and where to buy them. So a very well done to this hotel.
Now for the other two, The hotel Neda was luckily only a one night stay, I won't knock it too much as it was clean and the food was good, but it really needs a lot of repair in places and modernising.
Now for the worst hotel I've ever stayed in with JY. The Hotel Stanley, it was never a 4 star, would struggle to get 2, now before anyone says you only sleep there, you struggled to do that, beds are so hard, like boards, aircon, was noisy and very old, food was warm at best, and two people on our trip were bitten by fleas, one of them saw them in his room. My room stunk of cigarettes, luckily Sue sorted that out. Could go on about the hotel, but lets just say if JY do not change it, they are not listening to their customers. I know it has a great view from its roof bar, but try getting served, takes ages and the coffee had to be returned as it was stone cold. So don't stay at the hotel Stanley.
So I would recommend this tour if JY changes the Athens Hotel, and see what they can do about Olympia hotel, also had a look at changing the amount of time on the coach or at least give us some idea of journey times.
So thanks Sue and the hotel Nafpaktos for saving this holiday and JY get your finger out and sort out the accommodation in Athens
