Mountains & Villages of Evia

Customer Reviews

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  Ani

  · March 26th, 2024
  The trip offered a blend of hiking, cultural, historical and gastronomical experiences and therefore exceeded my expectations. Besides being a very experienced guide, Thanos did everything to meet our needs and offer us the best of Southern Evia. If there is a similar trip organised in Northern Evia, I would sign up without hesitation.
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  Exodus Adventure Travels commented on this review

  We would like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to post a review of your experience on our Mountains & Villages of Evia tour and we are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your adventure. We were especially happy to hear your feedback on Thanos... Show more
  Trip date: March 2024
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  Andrea

  · November 25th, 2021
  Thanos was amazing . The tour well organised and walks everyday. Amazing hotel and food
  

  Exodus Adventure Travels commented on this review

  We would like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to post a review of your experience on our Mountains and Villages of Evia Tour and we are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your adventure. We were especially happy to hear your feedback on your... Show more
  Trip date: November 2021
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  William Walton

  · October 23rd, 2013
  Exodus has once again provided a truly memorable walking holiday. Evia is beautiful and unspoiled and the holiday was everything we expected. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Arriving at the peak of Mount Ohi in cloud and seeing the 'Dragon House' through the mist.  Standing inside this 3000 year old Megalithic temple and listening to Thanos was an experience to remember. There were other inspirational moments but this was the highlight for us.What did you think of your group leader?Thanos was excellent.  His expert knowledge of the terrain and of Ancient Greek and Evian History made every walk special.  His organisational skills were first class; everything worked perfectly and nothing was too much trouble.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Do read the Trip Notes, the level of walking ability seems accurate; Moderate, needing an average level of fitness. Is there anything else you would like to add?Thanos, understandably, had to cater for all in large mixed ability group (18).  However one person was unable to keep up even on the easiest of walks and slowed progress considerably on the harder walks, resulting in long, cold, waiting periods for others in the group. The brochure appears to describe accurately the walks as Moderate. So the person in question had either not read the Trip Notes, or had a mistaken belief in her own abilities. However, Thanos worked hard to ensure everyone had an enjoyable experience and added an extra walk on his day off to make up for our disappointment in missing Mount Kliossi, mentioned in the Trip Notes.We think two leaders would be better for a large  group. Also the brochure might more directly question fitness levels by asking, for example; 'Are you able to walk, say 12 miles, in hilly country such as in the Lake District?'The Galaxy Hotel ws excellent in every respect and taverna food very good, as were the luncheon rolls provide by Thanos from the local bakery.This was a great holiday and we would happily recommend it.
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  Trip date: October 2013
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  Gordon Anthony Webster

  · October 12th, 2013
  An excellent trip.Lovely weather.Really nice family run hotel,right on the sea front.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The walk down the Demosaris Gorge & swimming inthe lovely blue green Agean sea at the bottomWhat did you think of your group leader?Thanos was brilliant.His enthusiasm,knowledge of cultural,political& historic issues was incredible.Nothing was too much trouble for him.One of the best leaders I have walked with.
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  Trip date: October 2013
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  Stephanie Van Tatenhove

  · September 16th, 2013
  Ceciile was an excellent guide and the walks were varied and beautiful. Very good hotel and tasty meals.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Climbing to the top on the last dayWhat did you think of your group leader?Very efficient, good humoured, helpful and patient.Is there anything else you would like to add?I was very impressed with my week in Evia, having spent several holidays in different parts of Greece, with different companies
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  Trip date: September 2013
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  Robert Robinson

  · June 17th, 2013
  A way to experience authentic Greek cuisine, take part in guided walks in areas you couldn't find on your own and learn something you probably didn't know about the inhabitants and history of this island. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Realising the history of the island, being able to see the marble columns still insitu at the quarry and marvelling how they ever got them down to the sea, as well as across the world!What did you think of your group leader?Thanos was absolutely brilliant, extremely helpful, an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide.  Nothing was too much trouble for him - a great credit to Exodus.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?For walking, long trousers or zip-offs are a good idea, as some of the bushes/grasses can scratch!Is there anything else you would like to add?If you want to walk in fantastic scenery, experience the Greek way of life and eat authentic (non-touristy) Greek food, then come to Evia! Being hotel-based and undertaking guided daywalks combined the best of both worlds and the fact that the group ate out together at different tavernas each night made it even more special.  (Having the contents of different dishes explained to us by our guide was also extremely helpful!)
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  Trip date: June 2013
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  Judith Wood

  · June 9th, 2013
  Our guide Thanos is incredibly well informed with lots of interesting information on the area and is long history.It was well organised and the food was amazing each evening in different tavernas.The walks were at times challenging up and down and along goat tracks and a walking pole was a great help!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Arriving at the top of Mt. Ohi and seeing the magalithic structure of mysterious origins...how was it constructedat 1500 metres with huge hewn rocks??What did you think of your group leader?Excellent source of amazing knowledge and well organised.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?A reasonable level of fitness and suggest you take a walking pole(s).Is there anything else you would like to add?The hotel location is superb overlooking the fishing harbour in Karystos.
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  Trip date: June 2013
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  Helen Ralphs

  · April 18th, 2013
  A lovely week on an unspoilt Greek island with delicious food and good walks.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Reaching the top of Mount Ohi, Thanos' knowledge of the history of the island, the wonderful Greek food and the ice cream were the best moments.What did you think of your group leader?Thanos' enthusiasm for Evia was unmistakeable. He was very knowledgeable and eager to share that knowledge with us. He was well organised and helped wherever he could with the result that the week ran very smoothly.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The walks include a lot of downhill sections on rocky paths so be prepared for this type of walking. Vertigo sufferers may not enjoy some of the walks however each day is optional and there are other activities to enjoy on the island.April was a lovely time to visit - the weather was warm enough to swim in the sea but not too hot for walking.Is there anything else you would like to add?Due to the good weather that allowed us to reach the top of Mount Ohi, the final day was very long. Luckily we had visited the winery earlier in the week however without this change we would not have reached the hotel until around 7.30pm on the final evening. I would recommend that this change is permanently implemented to allow time to relax and enjoy the final meal together on the Saturday night.
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  Trip date: April 2013
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  Andrew Baker

  · April 17th, 2013
  A holiday that ticked all the boxes for me. Some wonderful scenery which came alive through the enthusiasm of our guide.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Not sure inspirational is the right word but the highlights were: The panoramic views atop Mount OchiThe springtime flowers and the heady scent of Orange blossom - April is a fantastic time to travelA different Taverna each evening so a real range of cuisine and all so local and fresh What did you think of your group leader?Thanos is outstanding as a group leader.  I know he has led this trip many, many times before but his enthusiasm for the island, its history and people is infectious and undiminished.  He delights in recounting tales of the mythology asociated with the island, interspersed with more modern accounts of the tragedies of the German occupation.  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Athens on the free day is well worth the journey especially if, like me, you haven't visited beforeSpringtime is beautiful on the island with perfect temperatures for walkingUse the supermarket for presents - much cheaper than the boutiques around the squareAsk for a seaview - there's always something going on to watchA bit of prior reading about the Greek Gods will help you appreciate Thanos' renditionsIs there anything else you would like to add?Just book!  You will not be disappointed
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  Trip date: April 2013
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  Caryl Hartwright

  · January 5th, 2013
  Overall good but there were also some drawbacksWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I would not describe any aspect as inspirational.  However, our favourite aspect of the holiday was our lovely hotel room with a great view out over the sea.  Despite being a fairly basic hotel, the owners were very friendly, helpful and relaxed and the location could not have been bettrer.What did you think of your group leader?We had two group leaders, with a switch mid-week.  One was better than the other and the switch led to some discontinuity and some confusion when plans did not seem clear at all times.  Each day was fine, but not all questions about arrangements for subsequent days could be answered.  Would be better to stick to one group leader.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?If you are a strong walker, don't do this holiday.  Advice for organisers - when the pace is slow, don't stop so often.  One day when we walked to a beautiful beach, we stopped so much on the way there, that we barely had time on the beach.  A small number of us snatched a quick swim then we were off.Is there anything else you would like to add?Overall, rated good, but I would not especially recommend this to others.  It was relaxing and Evia was interesting, but improvements could be made.  Food was good, hotel was good, walks were interesting but very slow.  Group too big.
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  Trip date: January 2013