Walking holiday in Greece
Highlights
Athens | Rafina | Evia | Mount Kliosi | Acropolis of Styra | Styra Valley | east Aegean coastline | Karystos | Mount Ohi | cave of Saint Nicholas| wild flower meadows | castles and hamlets | chestnut forests and sandy beaches | Porfyra Gorge | old Albanian villages | Montofoli Winery Estate | Optional activities include day trips to Athens or further walks in or around Karystos |Description of Walking holiday in Greece
Evia is a really beautiful hidden gem and if you’re looking for a walking holiday in Greece that features well worn stone path ways and characterful sleepy villages sandwiched between rugged mountain countryside then this eight day guided group itinerary is well worth investigating further.From the warmth of the sun and the scent of rosemary and salty sea breeze, Evia is an absolute delight for all the senses with atmospheric local towns and villages waiting for walkers to arrive without the usual merry-go-round of hustle and bustle associated with mass tourism.
Make the most of walking from one local taverna or seaside café to the next is only matched by opportunities to learn more about the island’s ancient cultural heritage with Roman and Byzantine architecture appearing just as readily as tucked away coves from where to take the plunge into the Med.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.com
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Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
Activity:As a walking holiday, this trip has very limited detrimental impact upon the environment, residents and communities in the regions we visit. Adverse effects like pollution and threatening wildlife are not an issue and although erosion on popular paths can be problematic, guides can advise pre-planned routes to avoid this. Trekking also allows for flexibility and allows for easy access to the local population, shops and restaurants, which facilitates cultural exploration. We use local transport and taxis throughout the trip, having a positive effect on infrastructure and small transfer companies. By operating consciously with a ‘leave no trace’ policy, we are able to raise local awareness for a kind of tourism which refuses to sacrifice the environment and real connections with local people.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
The Impacts of this Trip
Accommodation and Meals:
We spend the week in a hotel which has been run by a local family for over 30 years. So we can ensure that our visit benefits local people by generating income and employment for them. The hotel uses a range of environmental regulations to minimise impact on their surroundings e.g. solar panels provide clean energy and separation and recycling of rubbish is thorough. Produce used at the hotel is locally sourced wherever possible as there is so much on offer and this is a way to support local suppliers. Different tavernas and restaurants are also frequented throughout the trip, where clients can sample authentic Greek specialties like Evian gnocchi, rabbit stew, bean soup, olives, fresh grilled fish or meat, seasonal vegetables and regional cheeses.
Local Craft and Culture:
The Evian region has a rich history and culture as well as dramatic landscapes and beautiful coastlines. The week starts in the ancient city of Athens, before heading towards the beautiful Karystos and villages of Gourna, where there are whitewashed houses, castles, and architectural ruins. We also visit the Montofoli Winery Estate, which has been producing wine there for 2000 years, where we can try the exquisite Vin De Liqueur. On the free day, clients can explore the thriving market town of Karystos or take a day trip into Athens. Popular locally crafted items include ceramics, engravings on Evian slate and woven tablecloths. Money spent at these various locations on souvenirs, entry fees and donations goes towards preserving local crafts, culture and heritage sites.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
Activity:As a walking holiday, this trip has very limited detrimental impact upon the environment, residents and communities in the regions we visit. Adverse effects like pollution and threatening wildlife are not an issue and although erosion on popular paths can be problematic, guides can advise pre-planned routes to avoid this. Trekking also allows for flexibility and allows for easy access to the local population, shops and restaurants, which facilitates cultural exploration. We use local transport and taxis throughout the trip, having a positive effect on infrastructure and small transfer companies. By operating consciously with a ‘leave no trace’ policy, we are able to raise local awareness for a kind of tourism which refuses to sacrifice the environment and real connections with local people.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
The Impacts of this Trip
Accommodation and Meals:
We spend the week in a hotel which has been run by a local family for over 30 years. So we can ensure that our visit benefits local people by generating income and employment for them. The hotel uses a range of environmental regulations to minimise impact on their surroundings e.g. solar panels provide clean energy and separation and recycling of rubbish is thorough. Produce used at the hotel is locally sourced wherever possible as there is so much on offer and this is a way to support local suppliers. Different tavernas and restaurants are also frequented throughout the trip, where clients can sample authentic Greek specialties like Evian gnocchi, rabbit stew, bean soup, olives, fresh grilled fish or meat, seasonal vegetables and regional cheeses.
Local Craft and Culture:
The Evian region has a rich history and culture as well as dramatic landscapes and beautiful coastlines. The week starts in the ancient city of Athens, before heading towards the beautiful Karystos and villages of Gourna, where there are whitewashed houses, castles, and architectural ruins. We also visit the Montofoli Winery Estate, which has been producing wine there for 2000 years, where we can try the exquisite Vin De Liqueur. On the free day, clients can explore the thriving market town of Karystos or take a day trip into Athens. Popular locally crafted items include ceramics, engravings on Evian slate and woven tablecloths. Money spent at these various locations on souvenirs, entry fees and donations goes towards preserving local crafts, culture and heritage sites.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
5 Reviews of Walking holiday in Greece
Reviewed on 28 Oct 2019 by Gill Matthews
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
(Holiday was in Greece not Madeira). Most memorable was walk from Mt Ohi through the gorge. Most exciting was the walk up to the Acropolis of Styra. Early morning ferry to Athens was breath taking. Views from the hotel at sunrise and sunset were really memorable
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Remember warm clothing for the start of Mountain hikes even when the daytime temp is 26 degrees. Go to Evia now before the hideous wind farms change the scenery and mountain way of life forever. There are plans for many thousands in the next hew years.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Only the hotel staff and taxi drivers. The local tavernas were in reality nothing more than seaside waterfront restaurants. This was disappointing as there appeared to be much more truly local choice in the side streets. The impact of the building of wind farms was ghastly. Ancient tracks being replaced by roads to take heavy traffic.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very enjoyable - chilled, glorious weather - hotel comfortable though sometimes very noisy at night due to traffic noise.The day in Athens was exhausting and the impact of mass tourism there was very sobering .
Read the operator's response here:
Reviewed on 27 Nov 2017 by Angela Carroll
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Some of the history lessons and views of the island
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book it you'll love it
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Reviewed on 16 Nov 2017 by David Crabtree
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Meeting the other people in the group
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Leave you worries at home and pack your bag
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent
Reviewed on 30 Jun 2015 by Glenn Tobin
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The walk in which we ascended Mount Kliosi and the Acropolis of Styra - visiting
the 'ancient gate' the cave of ST.Nicholas and the ruins of Castri Armeno -
fantastic views of the coast!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Not a good destination unless planning to do walks from the area or spend much of the time on the beach and in the bars (not a lot of interesting things to do in Karystos)
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Ok - one or two nice walks but they were a little short- leaving more free time
than you needed afterwards and there is little of interest in Karystos itself
Reviewed on 07 Dec 2012 by Jan Pryer
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Visiting the Temple of the Dragons on the top of Mount Oci, Evia.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you have stout walking boots.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. Will book again.
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