29 independent reviews for Greece hiking vacation, Kythnos
Reviews for Greece hiking vacation, Kythnos
Teresa Biancardi review 10 Oct 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Hiking the scenic and mountainous trails. Stopping at secluded beaches for an afternoon swim. Trying the different restaurants at night- all of them serving fresh and delicious food! The company of the hikers.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Wear long pants for hiking. Wear hiking boots for better traction and if you are not too sure footed, bring hiking (not walking) poles. Take snacks on the hike to tide you over till dinner. Take plenty of water.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I would have liked to avoid purchasing so much bottled water, but on the islands, that's the only water that is consumed. By dining at different restaurants each evening we were able to benefit the locals. We also purchased our water and hiking snacks at the local markets and bakeries.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
An exceptional and different vacation. It totally met and went above our expectations.Joan Lahart review 8 Oct 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The tranquility and authenticity of the island. All the walks were memorable and the beautiful beaches that we swam in every day. Good company of fellow hikers.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring walking sticks and long trousers as the terrain can be uneven and the vegetation prickly.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes as we ate in different restaurants every night and bought lunch supplies in local shop and bakery.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent vacation. Well looked after throughout. Excellent local guide Molly who shared all her local knowledge of the island. Third time taking this vacation with this operator which is testament in itself.Frank McConnell review 21 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
All the walks were very enjoyable, but the ancient ruins at vryokastro were quite interesting.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Wear long trousers, even when it's warm, as some of the routes have quite thorny bushes around calf height3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We ate in a different restaurant each night, and the guides are mindful of environmental issues and the impact we can have on the areas where we walked.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
5 stars. Nigel and Molly were excellent guides, very friendly and knowledgeable about the local area.Keith Knight review 10 May 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Walking for the first time in Greece, new language, food, and having a leader on our walks. Usually my small group walk Inn to Inn. Our leader Molly had a feast of information regarding plants and herbs, and the old medicinal uses of them.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Definitely use of boots and sticks for stability, the tracks are often very rocky underfoot, but the views were always worth the walk.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The locals seemed very pleased to meet us and were very helpful answering questions. They were also pleased to see the local councils were cutting and cleaning the the walking tracks hoping for more tourists.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I will write a report to you shortly giving more detail. Talking to my group for their opinions, they all rated and recommended it highly, especially that the walks visited the many coves each day.Helen Bishton review 2 May 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The company, including our fantastic guide. The scenery seen from the hikes. The variety of interesting places we visited. Eating in a different place every night.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The hikes are reasonably challenging on very uneven terrain.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefitted local small business. Hiking has little environmental impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
FantasticRick Chima review 28 Apr 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The Island was wonderfull with great views.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Maks sure your fairley fit and capable of walking on slopes.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I cerainly belive the vacation benifited local people and supported conservation4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Rate vacation very highly, everything was well plannedMaggie Cormack review 19 Oct 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It was a delight and I thoroughly enjoyed the tranquillity of the island. Nigel was always helpful.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It is a place for long trousers because of the scrub and walking poles were very helpful for quite a lot of steep and rocky terrain.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Probably.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent.Adrian Larkin review 6 Oct 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The excellent combination of walking, visiting historical sites and swimming.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Follow Nigel's advice and wear long trousers no matter how warm the weather.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It definitely benefited local people in local service industries - shops, restaurants, etc..4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent walking vacation - well guided by a hard working very knowledgeable guide. An great introduction to the history, flora and fauna of Kythnos.Renate Hauser review 7 May 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Footpaths I would never have discovered on my own. Wonderful spring flowers. A nice walking group.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take walking sticks (I needed them, others did not). Be prepared for medium tough walking (heat, uneven paths, up and down)3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, visit to cheese factory. Our kind of tourism maintains footpaths.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent.Rosemary Knight review 17 Jun 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The walking and incredible views2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The vacation was excellent. Nigel is an excellent guide who has a passion for Greece. However, for me, there was one major issue which would prevent me from booking a walking vacation with a small company again. I had specifically asked for a group walking tour. When we heard back from Nigel Tutt, I asked how many in group and eventually he told me it was a 'small group'. I asked again how many exactly and he said he was still confirming numbers. When we arrived we found it was just myself and my husband for the whole week. I was extremely disappointed and would have cancelled vacation if I had known. This however is a personal opinion but shall individual tours need to be honest with clients when they ask a question. I will in future only go on walkong vacations where a minimum number of guests is required before vacation goes ahead.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Difficult to say. We ate locally and enjoyed the local food and drink. Accommodation was excellent!4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was an excellent vacation but let down badly by no other walkers.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for your broadly complimentary review. I am sorry you were disappointed by the size of the walking group. However on our Responsible Travel website page it clearly states group sizes of between 2-15. We always try to get well above the minimum number. For your tour. I was getting interest but no firm bookings right up until just before the start date. Probably worries about upcoming hotter weather. I should point out that this spring, we have had very solid demand with groups of between 3-15 with a lot of groups of 6s and 7s up until the end of May. We expect similar size groups in September and October.
These vacations are aimed at walking on the Greek island of Kythnos, enjoying its countryside, beaches, historical sites, meeting its people, eating traditional local food, and sharing experiences with other walkers.
Sarah Daniels review 1 Nov 2021
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Everything about this vacation was memorable! Hiking up the steep hills and swimming in the beautiful clean clear sea was exciting!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared to be flexible as the itinerary may be subject to last minute change (which added to the charm of this vacation for me).3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we stayed at a local establishment, ate and drank locally and had the benefit of an excellent local guide !4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Surpassed my expectations!Helen Liebling review 15 Sep 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It was a fabulous vacation. There was a very good choice of routes with a variety of stunning views of the island which is beautiful and stops for swims. The beaches are also quiet and unspoilt with excellent snorkelling. It was great to also include other local activities including wine tasting, visiting Nigel's hotel under construction and caves etc... We also enjoyed sea kayaking and found a cave. The handout we received was useful and had rough timings of activities. It was great to receive Nigel and Katerina's walking guide in book form which included helpful walk descriptions and information. Nigel took a flexible approach to each day which was appreciated.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
I would highly recommend this vacation as a great experience. Wear long trousers for walking so as not to get scratched legs and bring anti-histamines if the pollen count is high3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes Nigel made sure we visited locally run restaurants which he supported having built up relationships with the local people running them. We also met local people included Nigel's co-author on the island and visited caves and enjoyed wine tasting in the port. Nigel was very environmentally aware and the vacation is carried out in a way that reduces any environmental impacts and supports conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was a fabulous vacation and Kythnos is very beautiful I would highly recommendRichard Greer review 6 Oct 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The walking was good and ending at the beach most days2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure you have hiked before and not scared of heights3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
BrilliantLynda Sather review 6 Oct 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Memorable: hiking all over the sparsely populated, non-touristy island to beautiful beaches with tavernas, sometimes massages, swimming. Exciting: Trying not to break my leg on loose rocks going up and down steep inclines2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Wear long light-weight hiking pants and good shoes! My zippered lightweight pants and sturdy tennis shoes were just right. The paths are overgrown with thorny bushes that can scratch your calves. Bring hiking poles!! The terrain is extremely steep and I could not have done it without my trusty hiking poles. The arthritis in my hips flared up and although the hiking lengths were doable, the constant up and down was difficult. So bring whatever you can in the way of preventative and treatment meds. Also, take a taxi back whenever you want IF ITS FEASABLE. It is your vacation! While some of the (younger) heartier walkers hiked back, I was happy to take a cab back several times. However, this was not always possible. And this alternative was not really offered. My friend and I had to almost insist. It was very hot in September and very little shade. Be prepared with sunscreen, sun hat, lightweight shirts, etc. Lots of water!!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, responsible tourism brings much needed income to the island as well as jobs for the local guides. Our local guides were wonderful!4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I loved Kythnos but not so much Serifos. I was glad I did it but would never do it again due to the challenging terrain day after day. I would tack on a day or two in Kythnos just to relax and wander on our own. Maybe return to one of the remote beaches. If I went to Serifos, I would only hike a day or two. It was worth seeing, but the terrain was even more rugged than Kythnos. The hotels, the guide, the town of Hora were all fantastic.Catherine Mclaren review 23 Sep 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The walks were lovely, the food was great & the company fabulous2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just to book it, a lovely relaxing vacation,3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely, we ate in restaurants that used local food, we walked from our base or used local taxis when required.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was a great vacation, very relaxing, we felt looked after but not herded. We had hot sunny weather, remember to carry plenty of water, especially on the longer walks. The daily beach stops were a much appreciated cool down opportunity.Sandra Forrester review 18 Jun 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Impossible to choose one as every day was a different kind of adventure. I enjoyed every single hike and the fact that most of them included a beach with azure waters for a refreshing dip was very welcome after a hot walk. Being there at the beginning of the season also had its unique charm as there weren't many tourists around and we could enjoy deserted beaches and have the churches and chapels to ourselves. The other hikers were fun to be with and Nigel chose fabulous restaurants for us - I fell in love with the fava, the fish, the sardines, the yogurt and the grilled vegetables. Having a local guide showing us round the archaeological sites and ruins also made the experience authentic and interesting.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't miss out on this fabulous experience. Kythnos is a beautiful, unspoilt island and hiking around the island is a great way to see the towns, sights and countryside. The hiking isn't that strenuous and if you're lucky you'll also see baby goats.......3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes! Nigel and Katerina have advocated for the mapping, clearing and conservation of old trails and paths that locals used to use to cross the island until they began driving - I think the people who saw us hiking on them got a real kick out of seeing these historic routes being used by visitors. We also made zero environmental impact while we walked. Our custom benefitted many local businesses - the hotel, shops, the local bakery, bars, cafes, taxis and the supermarkets.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Absolutely brilliant!Joan Lahart review 7 Jun 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The beautiful beaches that we arrived on every day- all to ourselves and the peace and quiet of the island.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure to wear full length walking trousers as the shrubs on the paths are very prickly.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes local guides were used and we ate in different restaurants and tavernas and also picked up lunch in the bakery.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Surpassed my expectations. The beautiful landscape and flora of the island. This vacation offered far more than walking with visit to mining caves and archaeological site and wine tasting. You get a real sense of the island. It is so unspoilt.Steven Handley review 27 May 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Everything, from initial contacts, booking, and most importantly the entire trip. Enjoyed it all.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make contact, ask questions, be a little bit flexible on the hiking and just enjoy.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes definitely, we used locally owned restaurants in several villages, visited local cheese makers, visited local village based community, museums, walked virtually completely off road, hoping to encourage the local landowners and business owners to appreciate the value of their old traditional tracks and how these assets could be used to have a sustainable tourist attraction. We were encouraged and invited to get involved in local celebrations and customs.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Absolutely Fantastic.Julia Morris review 23 Apr 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The beautiful island of Kythnos and the interesting walks.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure what is included in the trip. We were under the impression that lunches were part of the package but were not included as there was not a mini bus.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we ate in local restaurants and stayed in a local bed and breakfast.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We enjoyed it.Georgina Kyriacou review 23 Jul 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The peace and beauty of the island. On a few of the days we had secluded beaches to ourselves. Driving down the spine of the island at sundown and seeing the sea down both sides, the distant islands silvery in the sea mist, was beautiful. I also really enjoyed the snorkelling Nigel arranged for us, and sitting in the pool where the hot spring empties onto the beach at Loutra (on the free day I'd booked onto the end). The tour of the archaeological site with Katerina was very interesting - she was very informative.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The paths were not clearly marked and many were very overgrown with thorn bushes. This made for hard going at times, even when wearing long trousers (definitely take trousers, even if it's due to be hot when you're going; trainers were absolutely fine in dry conditions - I did not think boots were necessary). Unfortunately the week I was there Nigel was somewhat incapacitated with an injury which meant he could not properly lead the walks, and his other guides were not available. This meant we lost out on the insights a good guide gives, and also got quite lost at times. I would check for certain that there will be an experienced guide available who knows the trails. (And I would also hope that the trails would be cleared more of vegetation after our group's reports back to Nigel on the issue during our trip.) Also, even if there is a beach taverna stop scheduled for the afternoon, be aware that this might not come until as late as 3pm so I would recommend taking sufficient snacks. Breakfast at Stamati's bar is delicious - Greek yogurt, fresh fruit and local honey - but not that substantial when you're walking and swimming. I didn't take advantage of the watersports options on one of the days and regretted it - you could do stand- up paddle boarding or kayaking (or both!). There was a beach massage option which looked great (and was good value) but the timing didn't work - we didn't get to the beach until 3 by which time I really needed to eat! So it might be worth negotiating these details with Nigel/the guides so you can take better advantage of all the possible options on offer. I would also ask lots of questions about the day so you know exactly what is happening when, so you can plan your food, water quantities etc. properly. This information wasn't necessarily forthcoming without asking. In terms of the journey, be aware that it is easy to get the bus from the airport to Lavrio and it only costs 4 Euros (as opposed to 40-50 for a taxi). The stop is opposite the Sofitel hotel, straight ahead as you come out of arrivals. I am noting this as I could not find very much info online! You have to change at Markopoulo but that is easy enough - there are people there to put you on the right connecting bus. The whole journey took me about an hour.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I do feel it benefited local people - Nigel took us to different tavernas every night, which were all very good. Plus we used the snorkelling company and there were other options to use local facilities, as I've mentioned above. We also used the local taxi service quite a bit (arranged by Nigel, which made things easy). I stayed in Filoxenia studios in Hora, which was lovely, especially the renovated/refurbished room downstairs to which I was moved on the last night (ask for a downstairs room!).4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
If I could give half stars, I would rate this 3.5. Overall, this was a fun vacation on an unspoilt island with opportunities for beach relaxation as well as exploration. It was great staying in the capital, Hora, which is a picturesque, labyrinthine, typically Greek little town (a big village by UK standards) and I appreciated the options to eat at different tavernas every night. I was a little disappointed with the overgrown nature of the paths and the lack of good guiding - for me, the walking experience was not up to the standard I have had on other walking vacations.Chris McCawley review 17 Jul 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Walk to castle. Fabulous views and interesting information from our guide for the day.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Check that you will have a guide every day. Check walking times ...lunch was often at 3.30 and we were hot and tired. Take a picnic even if you are advised that there is a lunch stop to avoid this problem. If visiting in July be aware that walks are planned for the hottest time of day...unlike other Greek walking vacations which tend to avoid this. Wear long sleeves as well as trousers as some paths are totally overgrown. Check what is included in the price.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We visited local tavernas4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Kythnos is a beautiful island but I would not book with this company again as walks were not planned well or explained clearly.Richard Martin review 14 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Unspoilt island with few if any foreign tourists seen. Local people friendly and helpful. Beautiful whitewashed villages and churches against blue sky and even deeper blue sea.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Wear long trousers and good walking boots, swimming costume, use sunblock and just go with everything! Wonderful3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentChristine Preston review 4 Sep 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The views, the villages, the sites we visited, the beaches, the clear warm sea, the accommodation, the food and the company so basically everything!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Go with a relaxed frame of mind so as you can go with the flow and be flexible with others in your group.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes as our money was spent on the island in accommodation and restaurants. As we hiked we were using mainly old mule tracks that need to be regularly used to keep vegetation at bay and to demonstrate to farmers and landowners that these are important links around the island.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The best time ever! I can't thank Nigel enough for his care and concern for us, his knowledge and expertise, his flexibility in working the programme to our abilities and to what we wanted from the vacation.Rebecca Selman review 30 May 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
There were so many bits! The walks are great, it was good to look around the beautiful villages, and we ate very well in the local restaurants.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The walking is fairly tough - wear long trousers (because the paths are very overgrown, often with spiky plants) and be prepared for a certain amount of clambering over rocks and slightly insecure surfaces.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The local walking company is run by an English man who now lives in Kynthos. He works closely with locals - small hotels, local restaurants, a local guide who knows about the archaeology of the island.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
10/10Leonie Loudon review 20 Mar 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The quiet seductive beauty of the island of Kythnos and the sea.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don’t go when it’s too hot - spring or autumn ideal. I was there in October. A lot of things closed but enough open and easily warm enough to swim in the sea.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, all the places we ate in and stayed were very much local. Used water bottle and refilled from springs. Island needs tourism and very little known by non Athenians. Our walking the paths will help persuade farmers to maintain them and keep to the unique old ways of the island and prevents opportunistic hotels springing up - there is a wealth of archaeology and history you can only reach via these paths and that’s helping protect them, though they deserve to be better known and appreciated.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic - loved it. Such a beautiful place, the walks were lovely and Nigel was very organised and everything was clearly communicated and ran very smoothly. Perfect combination of walking, sea swimming, healthy eating, lovely villages and altogether extremely relaxing and invigorating at the same time. Senses working overtime while out walking followed by a great night’s sleep. Cannot recommend highly enough.Jane Batstone review 26 Oct 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Kythnos is a relaxed, relatively unspoilt island. The walking was enjoyable, not too arduous & included different places of interest on route & the opportunity to swim most days on lovely beaches, which were almost deserted in mid October- and the sea was quite warm. Nigel was very accommodating & flexible & took us to different tavernas around the island each evening. We enjoyed all aspects of the vacation, particularly the peacefulness. Nigel & Katerina were both very informative & good company. The highlight was probably the frescoes inside a ruined church up at Orias Castle with a wonderful view out to sea very unlikely to have found them without a guide. Also the elderly farmer who invited us in for ouzo & calamari - an entertaining meeting despite the complete language barrier- fortunately Nigel was able to translate most of the time!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Consider adding on the 2 day Athens extension. We found it really helpful having a guide there. A good contrast to the island & the hotel Euripides was in a good location & close to a vibrant area for eating at night.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We stayed & ate in locally owned apartments &tavernas. Nigel pointed out local artisans whose products we were able to purchase.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. It was very relaxing having everything arranged together with flexibility.Monique Rothman review 9 Oct 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Exploring the trails and beaches of Kythnos with our Greek guide who has spent every summer of her life on the island since she was a baby.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If possible, avoid taking this hiking vacation in July and August when it is really hot.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Certainly we benefited local people by spending money there. Our guides have been involved in community recycling efforts and are very knowledgeable in conservation efforts on the island.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We loved our trip to Kythnos! Our host Nigel took care of every detail from start to finish - from organizing our ferry tickets, to booking our charming hotel room, to adjusting the program to accommodate our interests. We felt very welcomed. From the moment he met us at the ferry our week was completely care free. With our Greek guide Katerina, we explored Kythnos’ Neolithic ruins, a Byzantine castle, a limestone cave, the thermal springs at Loutra and myriad churches. We learned about the flora and fauna as we hiked along back trails, sometimes enjoying wild figs and grapes that lined the trails. Katerina shared stories from childhood summers spent on Kythnos, giving us an insight into life on this authentically Greek island. Evenings included visits to an open-air concert and listening to traditional music in a bar, as well as enjoying delicious, fresh food at different restaurants. All of this came at an unbeatable price – we can’t wait to return. Bravo to Nigel and Katerina!Jerry Stuart review 6 Oct 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Trying to stop Nigel buying the drinks! Falling into the sea after getting hot walking.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Get to the bar before Nigel! The walking is surprisingly undulating for a relatively low island.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I would guess so, though the guide aims at that all the time.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A perfect short break, balanced walking, swimming and eating.Martin Pollard review 2 Oct 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
On the last night, a music night was organised in a local taverna, with two local musicians playing Bouzouki and violin, and it was well supported by people from the village. The locals joined in with songs they knew, and danced in traditional dances when the music moved them. Four children danced very energetically, wonderfully in time with the music , including the young lad who had been running round the taverna all evening, taking orders, delivering drinks and food to the tables. Everybody joined in clapping, foot stomping and singing and had a great time.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It is possible to extend the vacation by going earlier as I did, or returning later, depending on which days the ferries are operating. It is best to plan for a night in Athens or elsewhere on the mainland afterwards, because the of the timing of the ferries. The paths are fairly clear in most cases, and it is possible to walk independently using the new 1 : 25,000 map, but the Greek maps are optimistic as ever in places. A compass may be useful to take with you if you are familiar with using one to navigate.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The vacation benefited local tavernas, cafes and hotels, because what little tourism they get appears to be concentrated in August.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The walking is relatively easy in terrain similar to the Yorkshire dales, with many old kalderimia still surviving, because when they made new roads for cars, they chose less steep routes and avoided the zig-zags and steps used by the pack horse routes. Because there is very little agriculture on the island, and the old drove roads and pack horse routes have stone walls either side or run along narrow terraces, they have not been widened for pick-up trucks and tractors like in much of Greece. The beaches are quiet, and most that we visited were sandy, shelving gently in to the clear warm sea. The hotel was well equipped and comfortable, and food in the local tavernas was traditional and tasty. The locals are very friendly, and nearly all greeted us as we passed along the roads.Holiday Reviews
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