I definitely used my hiking poles in Switzerland but I keep looking at things to eliminate from my suitcase. The same question applies to an umbrella ( unless you think I might need it for sum protection). Thanks
Posted by
Wisconsin
158 posts
I absolutely used my poles! I even lent them to another tour member that was having difficulty. Lots of stairs and hills. I was 59 and in fairly good shape, but I was not as prepared as I hoped for the up and down. The poles helped and take a lot of stress off of hips and knees. It was a FABULOUS trip to a part of Greece I had no idea about. You'll love it!
Posted by
Tennessee
480 posts
I did the RS Greece tour in 2022, and it remains my favorite of my 7 RS tours. I don't think you need hiking poles on the RS Greece tour. However, be sure to wear shoes that will grip well on slick marble steps.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
3042 posts
Would you rather bring them and not need them much, or wish you had brought them?
I'm doing the Greece tour next year, and I supect there will be areas with uneven footing at ancient sites, much like the Sicily tour, where I was really happy I brought them.
I brought a light-colored umbrella on the Southern Italy tour to use for sun protection in places like Pompeii. It was good, but I'm going to take a wide brimmed sun hat to Greece instead.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12864 posts
When we did the that tour I cannot recall that anyone on the tour had them; no recollection of seeing other tourists using them.
Unless you plan on doing walking/hiking on your own off designated trails, they are not a necessity. All the tour activities are on designated trails.
If you have some particular issue with steps or inclines then use them. There were occasions when I would extend my arm/hand out to my wife but that was not routine.
As for umbrella, the mini collapsible one we got in Rome for rain, came in handy for her in the Greek sun (July)