Athens Tour Company

[HARRIST3C1]

I second Lady Chew's report of Nikos as above. We used him just 2 weeks ago in Athens - 1st class act reliable, responsive, Mercedes A/C SUV/ van - very informative surrounding historical details. Beat 3 other major competitors (some mentioned hereinon this thread) rates too.

Thanks Lady Chew for the recommendation.

 

Highly recommend Nikos!

Leah, RN

 

 

We'll be in athens for our 10 years anniversary and I looking at a private tour. From all the post I see, I believe Nikos might be a good choice. Could somebody please email me back and tell me about how much did they pay. You can email me privately if need be. Thank you

[beckntom]

We'll be in athens for our 10 years anniversary and I looking at a private tour. From all the post I see, I believe Nikos might be a good choice. Could somebody please email me back and tell me about how much did they pay. You can email me privately if need be. Thank you

 

 

Nikos has quoted me $250 Euros for two people for our tour next September. It has been an absolute delight working with him to set up the booking. He is very responsive and followed through on all my questions perfectly. I am very confident that our tour will go just as smoothly and pleasantly as the booking!

[deniuh]

Since I neglected to read the rules for posting, my post about Athens By Taxi from last week was removed. So, I’m rewriting it and adding it to end of this thread because I wanted to be sure to add my recommendations for this professional company. We had amazing service from my first email to when we dropped off at the airport.

 

Our ship was disembarking in Athens, so we decided to hire a private driver to take us around for the day, stay overnight, then fly to our connecting airport the next day. Well, Olympic air cancelled our flight and we had to scramble for a flight that unfortunately gave us only three hours in Athens. Well, I contacted Paul and he changed us to a half-day tour.

 

His son, Nick, was waiting for us and we were one of the first off the ship. He quickly loaded our luggage and off we went. I still can’t believe all we got to see in such a short period of time. We started at the Acropolis and were able to explore it thoroughly before the crowds arrived. Since we weren’t in a bus, he was able to drive us right to the ticket building and just a short walk and we were to the top. Then, off we went to the Plaka, agora, Olympic stadium, pictures standing right next to presidential guard, changing of the guard, etc. It was amazing to sit back and have him whip through these small streets taking us all around. I guess it helped that it was a Sunday – light traffic – but it was something we never could have accomplished on our own or a ship tour. I even got in a little souvenir shopping. We really enjoyed our short time with Nick.

 

Since we don’t speak Greek and never been to Greece, it made perfect sense to hire a driver rather than try to go on our own. If we had tried to do any of this with public transportation or renting a car we would have spent time getting lost, trying to park, and having many tense moments between us which would have ruined this trip. Another important thing we took away from this experience was when you actually get to speak one on one with someone rather than listen to a bus tour guide drone on and on, you really get this connection and understanding of another culture. That was something that we really valued from this trip. Now that we are back home, I can definitely say that all of my private tours were worth every euro.

 

I second the recommendation for Athens by Taxi. We also had Nick as our driver, impeccably dressed, brilliant guy who showed us both the historical sites but 'his' Athens as well without hassle or hurrying. We beat the crowds at every site it seems, fantastic meal at local restaurant, and amazing vistas at Lycabettus Hill. As mentioned above, the tour was worth every Euro spent.

[Lady Chew]

I second Lady Chew's report of Nikos as above. We used him just 2 weeks ago in Athens - 1st class act reliable, responsive, Mercedes A/C SUV/ van - very informative surrounding historical details. Beat 3 other major competitors (some mentioned hereinon this thread) rates too.

Thanks Lady Chew for the recommendation.

 

Highly recommend Nikos!

Leah, RN

 

 

You're very welcome!

 

This week I received an email from Nikos - he's doing a customer service review and wanted to know what he could do better. We couldn't think of a thing!! Our day in Athens was perfect.

[marigubob]

We spent about 5 hours with Jordan while in Athens....he was waiting for us just outside the terminal with a private car. He was the most knowledgeable guide we'd ever had....he had a great sense of history and made sure we saw it all...even got us to the government buildings to see the changing of the guard!!! He also took us off the beaten path to a restaurant that was fabulous...and he ordered on our behalf (since we couldn't read the menu) The whole meal including beer and alot of wine was 44 Euros. The 5 hours flew by and it was a wonderful experience. He also recommended a guide in Katakolon (Andreas) who was equally good and who also made sure we saw the historical sights as well as taking us off the beaten path to un-touristy sights...Both of these guys gave us a true sense of the Greek Culture and history

 

Jordan;s website: http://www.athens-tours.gr/index.htm

Andreas website: http://www.taxikatakolo.gr

[ajpack]

Hi there,

We are using Spiros in October. I saw a post today indicating that they would not recommend him. Can you tell me what your experience was like? Thanks.

 

We had Spiros booked for the day....he assured us many times that he would be the guide. He never showed..sent someone else... and the 4 of us were crammed in a taxi that should have held 2 or 3 people. I am going again to Athens in 2010 and will not be using him.

[cruisin'tex]

We just got back from Athens, and used Paul for a 9hr tour. We actually had his son Jim drive us, and he was wonderful. I highly recommend this company. They are reliable, knowledgeable, friendly, and affordable. We felt that we didn't need a licensed guide with us, since Jim and/or Paul know so much about the area, and were able to give us so much info as we drove. However, they will get you a licensed guide (for an additional charge) if you want one. Do NOT get conned by the guides at the Acropolis. For 85 euros they will accompany you for one hour. They are horrible. If you want a guide, book one with Paul when you book your tour.

 

Great suggestion...thanks

[fllchick]

We had Spiros booked for the day....he assured us many times that he would be the guide. He never showed..sent someone else... and the 4 of us were crammed in a taxi that should have held 2 or 3 people. I am going again to Athens in 2010 and will not be using him.

 

That's frustrating! What company is Spiros from?

[Love Cruis'n]

We’re going in June of 2010, and this string is a wonderful start for our Athens research.

Thanks. :)

Terry

[surfbikeswim]

We used this company for the 4 of us when we were in Athens this November and had a wonderful day with our driver Makis. He was so enthusiastic about showing his city and could not have been better. Spiros was the company

[RHayes8793]

We used Spiros a couple of weeks ago, and it was not so great. His driver was almost an hour late to pick us up at the port (figure he had an airport run and got tied up in traffic). Spiros sent the driver's wife who escorted us to the port entrance on foot to save time. The driver had no idea what itinerary we had booked. He was nice enough, and the van was comfortable, but we lost an hour and no price adjustment. We also had to track down Spiros in the parking lot at the port, and he chastised us for being 20 minutes early. Lots of stall tactics and lack of communication over the driver's late arrival. We were dropped off at the Acropolis (which was fine) with no definite directions on where he would meet us. We ended up getting a waiter at a taverna to call his cell phone for confirmation. A nice day otherwise.

[Tedar]

We just returned from a 10-day cruise on Solstice in November 2009 and used Nikos Loukas to ferry us through the sights of Athens. Nikos responded promptly to emails and required a 50E to reserve our tour. He met us promptly at the port, and at his suggestion, got off the boat before 8 am. As a result, we reached the Acropolis about 30 minutes before our thousands of shipmates arrived on the Celebrity tours. This made all the difference in our visit of the Acropolis. To be able to enjoy the Acropolis with few people on the mount was worth the cost of the private driver (but you could also achieve this by getting a taxi cab at the dock). Nikos then took us to view the changing of the guard, the highest point of Athens for the views, and dropped us off at the Agora and flea market, where we had lunch and spent most of the afternoon. We enjoyed the Agora that we decided to forego the National Museum. While Nikos was personable and explained the sights, he could not accompany us on our visits to the Acropolis and Agora. If I had to do this again, I would have paid the extra 200E for a licensed guide to accompany us on the tour. We hired one of the licensed guides at the Acropolis for 15E per person for the six of us and that guided tour made the difference for that visit. It would have been nice to have someone explain the Agora to us during our actual visit, but we did enjoy the freedom of exploring the site on our own. FYI, Nikos charged us 400E for 6 of us.

[travelgrandpa]

In Nov. 2009, our group of 10 also toured with Paul Kalomiris of athenstaxi.org. We were on the Grand Princess Med. Cruise. We would highly recommend Paul-he will follow your itinerary or suggest one and will make sure you get to your sights at the best times. We found him to be pleasant, knowledgeable, and reasonable. You will thoroughly enjoy your time in Athens with Paul. His email is admin@***** Enjoy your cruise.

 

 

I would like recommendations for an Athens Tour Company. Either group or private. Would prefer air conditioned transport with a guide to take us into the sights and explain Historical signifigance. Has anyone tried Grayline or a private company?

[drmikemd]

When we went to Athens the first time, we hired a licensed guide and driver. She told us that Greek law required that a licensed guide had a separate driver for safety reason. She accompanied us into all the sites and was extremely knowledgeable every museum, monument and area we visited.

 

In subsequent trips, we have hired a taxi only to go to Corinth, or a guide only at the Acropolis. Having been with both a licensed guide that we hired before we left home and an on-the-spot at the Acropolis, I would say you need to be careful about believing everything those on-the-spot guides have to say.

 

Cindy

[cruisemom42]

When we went to Athens the first time, we hired a licensed guide and driver. She told us that Greek law required that a licensed guide had a separate driver for safety reason. She accompanied us into all the sites and was extremely knowledgeable every museum, monument and area we visited.

 

In subsequent trips, we have hired a taxi only to go to Corinth, or a guide only at the Acropolis. Having been with both a licensed guide that we hired before we left home and an on-the-spot at the Acropolis, I would say you need to be careful about believing everything those on-the-spot guides have to say.

 

Cindy

 

I have said this several times as well in regard to the information given out by drivers. Let's just say they often play loose with facts and tell stories that are nice anecdotes but are far from the true history....:rolleyes:

[Rocket4Oh]

I have said this several times as well in regard to the information given out by drivers. Let's just say they often play loose with facts and tell stories that are nice anecdotes but are far from the true history....:rolleyes:

"playing loose with the facts" is a trait shared by many tour guides. There was a guide in the historic district of Philadelphia (PA) who showed his charges the spot where George Washington and Abraham Lincoln had their famous meeting!:rolleyes:

[world_traveler_et]

Another tour company you could google in Athens is Chat tours. I have used them on a one day cruise to some of the near by islands.

[Elizaveta]

In Athens we used Dionisis (dennisprivatetours@yahoo.com). Although he is not a tour guide (he can't go on the sites with you) he was very knowledgeable and we had a great time. I would highly recommend him. All the sites have explanations in English so we were able to to get alot of information from the signs and exhibits. We also read up on the places we were going to beforehand. Sometimes when we went with larger tours you can tune out to what they are saying.

[swatts1]

In 2007, while on a RCL cruise, my daughters and I used George the Famous Taxi Driver of Greece. We had a fabulous tour thanks to Simon, who spent about 9 hours with us in Athens. Here is the website: http://www.taxigreece.com/

[fl-raybee]

We spent about 5 hours with Jordan while in Athens....he was waiting for us just outside the terminal with a private car. He was the most knowledgeable guide we'd ever had....he had a great sense of history and made sure we saw it all...even got us to the government buildings to see the changing of the guard!!! He also took us off the beaten path to a restaurant that was fabulous...and he ordered on our behalf (since we couldn't read the menu) The whole meal including beer and alot of wine was 44 Euros. The 5 hours flew by and it was a wonderful experience. He also recommended a guide in Katakolon (Andreas) who was equally good and who also made sure we saw the historical sights as well as taking us off the beaten path to un-touristy sights...Both of these guys gave us a true sense of the Greek Culture and history

 

Jordan;s website: http://www.athens-tours.gr/index.htm

Andreas website: http://www.taxikatakolo.gr

 

We also used Jordan in Athens---and the one of our highlights was this restaurant---we had stuffed eggplant, tom,olives,cucumbers,one of the best sauces,plate of feta cheese, chicken,pitas, a plate of lamb chops and lots of wine. Again Jordan ordered for us. He also gave us history lessons. Great Guide----Ray

[Texas Fight]

Everyone will have their favorite but we loved the day with Jordan at http://www.greek-tours.gr/. He had two other drivers with him and whisked our party of twelve all around Athens in three yellow Mercedes sedans. He spoke excellent english and had a passion for his country. Visit his website and see his credentials and testimonials. There is even one from me from November 2008. You won't be disappointed.

Tim

 

We hired Jordan for the day and was the best 250 euros. Athens and Cape Sounion. Would reccommend to anyone. We told him where we wanted to go and he was extremely nice and knowledgeable. Car was great. He even took us to an out of the way Gyro shop. It was soooo good. Extremely relaxing for so much siteseeing.

[ScTrny1]

In 2007, while on a RCL cruise, my daughters and I used George the Famous Taxi Driver of Greece. We had a fabulous tour thanks to Simon, who spent about 9 hours with us in Athens. Here is the website: http://www.taxigreece.com/

 

 

Just back from a 7/16/2010 sailing on Celebrity Equinox and we used George the Famous Taxi Driver also. I can't say enough good things about him---took us all over the city quickly and gave us a great taxi tour. Sent us up to the Acropolis with a good tourbook that we could keep for our own. He took us to a great little restaurant far away from the tourist areas, and the food was great. My favorite thing was listening to him speak about his beloved country while on the highest hill in the city, overlooking all of Athens and the Acropolis. I highly recommend him---we got our money's worth and then some.

[cynkr]

We did the Eastern Med on Celebrity this June and contracted by e-mail with Nikos of Private Greece Tours. He picked us up at the terminal, and we were very impressed by his neat and professional appearance. Even moreso, we felt very happy when we boarded his large, comfortable and well-airconditioned van, complete with icy cold water for us. Nikos was a wonderful guide who shared so much information about Athens, past and present. He had books for us to take into the Acropolis so if we had any questions about what we were seeing, we had the answers at our fingertips (of course, he'd told us so much before we got there that we were surprisingly well informed). We spent 8 or 9 hours with Nikos and it was an interesting day from start to finish. Our group was extremely pleased with every aspect of this tour, and I highly recommend it.