10 independent reviews for Self drive holiday in Northern Greece, hike & tour
Reviews for Self drive holiday in Northern Greece, hike & tour
Richard Hawkins review 6 Sep 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Visiting the monasteries in Meteora and walking the Vikos gorge.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Definitely have a stay at the coast at Sivota3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes by staying in local accommodation and eating in restaurants4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
ExcellentBarry Madge review 20 Sep 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The tour operator organised, at our request, a self-drive holiday exploring the Peloponnese region of Greece, followed by six days on the island of Kythira. We had a great time exploring the region staying at lovely hotels (the best of which was undoubtedly Limeni Village Hotel). Hard to say what was the most memorable – I would say it was a toss-up between the ancient Byzantine cities of Monemvasia and Mystra, but we also loved the Diros Caves, Areopoli, Nemea, Corinth, Nafplion, Karitena, Messene, Pylos and Kythira as well!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We possibly tried to cram in too much, which was undoubtedly tiring, so perhaps we should have either visited slightly fewer sites, or taken longer over it, but this is with the benefit of hindsight – when we were there it was just great! We were pleased the very high temperatures experienced this summer in Greece were on the way down for our holiday in late August/September as this sort of tour (especially involving such a large amount of climbing) would be really difficult in the height of summer.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We obviously supported hotels, restaurants and shops (and therefore the people who work in them) while we were there. We did travel some considerable distances by car in order to see as much as possible, but we also walked, and climbed, for miles. Most of the historical sites we visited are not available on many tours (they’re mostly too far from Athens) but we believe and hope that the entrance fees contribute to their conservation4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We would rate it very highly, as being one of our most enjoyable and memorable holidays ever. The Vamoos app which held all the paperwork and gave maps, weather forecasts, and loads of valuable information was very useful. We would also like to thank Responsible Travel, whose planning enabled our itinerary to run really smoothly. When things went a little awry on our return journey (the airline managed to mislay one of our cases), it was really reassuring to be able to call the local contact, which the company provided, for much-needed advice. This support continued in the days before the case was eventually returned to us.Diane Millar review 11 Jun 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Impossible to choose one thing as it was so varied and everything met our expectations2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Research walking itineraries thoroughly3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Certainly the remoter community we stayed in in The Pindos Mountains seemd to need tourists4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Our holiday was a great success. The only downside was the scrapheap of a car we were given. Allegedly upgraded to a Fiat Tipo ( leave off the o for an indication of its condition) Every panel except the bonnet was dented and scratched, the aerial was in the glove compartment, so no radio function, no handbook, had to Google all the warning lights that came on, eg, service required, oil change urgent. It was underpowered for mountain roads and filthy when we collected it. Fortunately there were no quibbles about the damage on return, but I don't think we had the right class of car for the cost we paid.Kate Thurman review 10 Oct 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Meteora and Vikos Gorge.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take comfortable shoes. Summer and winter to be .avoided. Some places were starting to close by early Oct.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefitted local people by spending money on villages.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent.Ann Schofield review 15 Apr 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Several highlights….visiting the Acropolis, driving into the Deep Mani, the scenery (and much more)2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do it!!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Certainly benefitted locals in the hospitality business…not sure about other impact4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Top marks!Bill Wright review 27 Nov 2021
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Metora was amazing but North West Greece was beautiful love the hills.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Leave Athens (if you are driving!) on a Sunday morning we sailed out into the country side no mad cars in town3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I can only assume that we added to the economy with meals out - it was way past end of season and one restaurant we were the only people !4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Was a great holiday went way to quickly !Eileen McCarthy review 26 Sep 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The ancient sites and the mountain walks.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared to walk.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We ate local food and stayed in hotels etc that were family run. Monodendri Hotel would be better washing glasses daily than providing plastic disposable glass in bedroom.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent.Charles Fox review 23 Sep 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Whilst in Corfu we booked a day trip to Albania which was very interesting and the couriers were excellent. We loved the mountain areas of NW Greece.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Get out into the Greek interior.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It will have benefited the Greek economy. Also the area of the Vicos gorge was a unrecorded site and rightly so. It was beautifully maintained and provided much info for visitors.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very varied and interesting.Richard Tookey review 13 Sep 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The opportunity to undertake self-guided walking in areas of fantastic and dramatic mountain countryside, having been thoroughly and expertly prepared by the local tour guide. Our trek to Gamila peak, one of the highest mountains in Greece was truly breath-taking as was our walk through the Vikos Gorge.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Explain what level of walking you are comfortable to undertake and the tour staff are happy to modify the walking programme for you accordingly.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We stayed each night in small family run hotels and guest houses. They were extremely friendly and helpful. The food served was superb and the vast majority of ingredients used were locally sourced.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely excellent. I would very highly recommend to anyone looking for superb walking , beautiful food , unbelievable scenery and very friendly and helpful hosts. A brilliant holiday thank you.Penny Thomson review 29 Aug 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Excellent holiday, we enjoyed it all - highlights were Meteora, where we did a hike to view the monasteries and walking in the Vikos Gorge, stunning, our photos don't capture the majesty of it all.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take a portable GPS! The directions were good as far as they went, but the Greeks seem to be very sparing with their signposts, it took us some time to find our way in and out of Ioanina (having stopped to eat and go to the bank) in both directions! We booked a guided walk at Meteora and that was definitely worth doing rather than just arriving at the monasteries by car.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We would hope so, all the accommodation was family run, all very welcoming and anxious we should get the best from the area. We only used the car to get from place to place and did lots of walks. The area is clearly trying to increase the number of visitors with more hotels etc., but we hope it doesn't get overwhelmed.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Epic!!Holiday Reviews
You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
