Athens, Mykonos & Santorini

Customer Reviews

• A

  A

  · July 5th, 2025
  Long review so people know what it's like. If you have a basic knowledge of how to book a holiday yourself, you should do it instead of going on this tour. Basically nothing is included except accommodation and the ferries between the islands, and we had a particularly bad tour leader who didn't even bother with most of the orientation tours except the one in Athens. The hotels were nice, they were a bit out of the main areas but we knew that would be the case and there was still a bus nearby to get us into the main area - but I could have booked it myself. I could have booked the ferries too. There are literally no activities included, so if you didn't pay the overpriced optional excursions you'd have to find your own way to the touristy areas. I signed up for all 3 optionals in Mykonos and Santorini. The Rhenia and Delos cruise is worth doing but you're paying €100 when literally at the stand advertising it, it's €85. What's worse is our tour leader treated it like a personal holiday, she was off swimming and drinking without a care in the world. The €140 day tour was 100% not worth it at all. We went to a lot of free areas, a really bad beach, and tasted 3 wines. And then we were hissed at by the TL to tip the local guide even after paying the huge tour cost. And finally the Caldera boat tour. Be warned that it's a crammed boat with lots of people not from different groups (so was the first boat trip) and to go onto the actual caldera is €5 not included in the price you pay to the TL. We also went to the hotel springs, except I was one of the last people to get in the water that I think I had 30 seconds in the actual hot springs before we were told to come back - no opportunity to get in the mud for me! To make this trip worse, we were told we had to pay for a bunch of public transport that we shouldn't have - that has now been sorted by Expat and I should be getting a refund. If they tell you to pay for buses on non-free days, contact expat because you shouldn't be. Despite my negative review, I did have some good times on the Islands but I really do not think this is value for money which is what I look for in an Expat tour. Also, most other Expat tours have almost half of dinners provided, this one had only 1 in Athens, which I'm guessing is because the price of meals (and everything else) in the Greek Islands is €€€€
  Show more
  Trip date: June 2025
• RM

  Russell

  · October 17th, 2023
  We loved the tour of the Greek islands. In future we suggest that the tour details be emailed earlier, like a week before the trip at the very least. And the tour leader should set up a group chat eg WhatsApp and send the daily times and schedule out that way. It could be used to announce birthdays daily weather etc. I know not everyone uses WhatsApp but those few who’s phones don’t have the capability can be advertised via text or verbally. We feel there was a lack of information on this tour. The last hotel we stayed at was very close to the airport and very loud. The first hotel in Athens was the worst hotel we have ever stayed in Europe. We also believe that the tour is falsely advertised. The first day was non existent. We met the tour group at 10am on the second day. The last day is also non existent. We headed to the airport at 6.30am. The tour should be advertised as a 6 day tour not 8.
  Show more
  

  Expat Explore Travel commented on this review

  Thank you for your review, we value your feedback. We will aim to improve communication and review accommodation for future departures. We hope you enjoyed your time in Greece and welcome the opportunity to host you again soon!
  Trip date: October 2023
• AD

  Angelica

  · September 17th, 2022
  Our tour guide was great!
  Show more
  Trip date: September 2022
• LM

  Larcy

  · July 22nd, 2022
  It was a wonderful tour. Though the weather was so hot but we managed. It's Greece! Matt, our tour guide was amazing. He really took care of everybody. Good job!
  Show more
  
  Trip date: June 2022
• WE

  William

  · August 31st, 2021
  Matt was fantastic at giving us many ideas and options. He also managed and cared for the group very well.
  Show more
  Trip date: August 2021
• 

  Penelope

  · October 17th, 2019
  fantastic time with filip and an amazing group of people...
  Show more
  Trip date: August 2019
• 

  Penelope

  · October 14th, 2019
  fantastic guide filip took care of everything... a great group of people and very well run tour... i can highly recommend this 8 day tour..
  Show more
  Trip date: September 2019
• 

  Jean

  · October 11th, 2019
  First day in Athens, the itinerary has not been objectively accomplished as per described. We did not stop at the Parlement, but only pass in front. Same for the temple of Zoeus and Arch of Adrian. We did not even saw the Olympic Stadium. Other then that, everything was fine.
  Show more
  Trip date: September 2019
• N

  NormaAliciaRubio

  · September 21st, 2019
  I feel fortunate that I had Filip as my tour guide during my first solo traveling experience, which was key to decide to keep traveling with Expat Explore in the future. Filip goes above and beyond to make sure all the tour participants feel included and confortable being part of the group. He delivers all the information and makes the necessary arrangements to make the tour a success, all this while portraying a contagious smile on his face. Thanks Filip ! I hope to have you on my next tour!
  Show more
  Trip date: September 2019
• T

  TimSowder

  · September 21st, 2019
  Our guide Filip was the worst guide I have ever experienced in all my tours with expat. From the first day to the last he completely avoided all of his responsibilities. He never even bothered to introduce himself on day one never wore a expat shirt so it was difficult to find him in crowds never offered advice or recommendations and basically left every person to fend for themselves. Having been on tours before I always had great guides that were engaged and informative but Filip disappears for long lengths of time and doesn’t even answer his phone for several hours if called. He ruined our trip as we missed things we would have liked to see and undoubtedly did as little as possible to help people get around. He is an utter disgrace to expat and the other tour leads who work so hard to make sure everyone gets the most out of there trip.
  Show more
  Trip date: September 2019