Hi, this will be my first time in Greece and on a RS tour -We'll be in Kardamyli (Hotel Panorama) on "Good Friday" and in Monemvasia (Panorama Hotel) on Orthodox Easter, and I am concerned it will be very difficult to find a dinner restaurant for either day. I even tried to email the Elies restaurant in Monemvasia to try to make a reservation for Sunday, but haven't heard back from them and wonder if they no longer monitor their email(?) I also called client services at Rick Steves and shared my concern but they just recommended I speak to the tour host on day 1 of the tour, which starts Monday of that week, and I feel as if that may be too late to reserve for a table of 4 or 6 people (I'm alone but expecting to gather others from tour) since I imagine some of these restaurants aren't that large. We may not have access to taxi's either, so can someone who is familiar with these areas or Orthodox Easter customs give me some advice on how to handle? Thanks!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11181 posts
Yours cannot be the first time RS will have a tour there for Greek Easter. The guide and bus driver have to eat, so there will be somewhere to get a meal, and they will know where.
There have been no reports of a tour group going without food.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA
20 posts
Thanks Joe, but I'm also wondering if almost everything will be closed and no taxi available on those two days (or Saturday in between in Kardamyli when we have the whole day off). Does anyone else know more about this situation since 3 days out of 14 day tour could be disappointing if there's almost no shops and restaurants open and impossible to get a ride nearby....
Posted by
Bend, OR
758 posts
If I remember correctly, you have a cooking demonstration at your hotel one night in Monemvasia. We made Moussaka and ate it that night for dinner. On our free night we walked to restaurants along the waterfront. There were quite a few all within walking distance of the hotel. Don’t worry, I’m positive your tour guide will have solutions and will not let you go hungry.
And the town on the Mani Peninsula was very small, no taxi needed
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11181 posts
Kardamyli is 'walking size', or it was for us, and we are NOT in the 'super fit' category. Have no recollection of seeing a taxi there, but wasn't looking for one. Some folks spent the day at the beach. We did some walking into the hills to an old 'fort' that was interesting. Did laundry. What shops will be open is something I cannot address.
In Monemvasia, you will be able to wander 'the rock'. Fascinating to just wander, and unlike when we were there, I believe you can now go all the way to the top of the rock. Hopefully the bus will be running across the causeway to cut down on the walk, but from the hotel to the Rock is ~half hour walk.
Again no recollection about seeing taxis ( wasn't looking for one)
Day 8: Medieval Monemvasia
This morning we'll cross the causeway to tackle the massive rock that shoots straight up out of the blue-green Aegean Sea. After an orientation walk around Monemvasia's cozy little Lower Town, you'll have free time to wander more of the romantic walled town or take a swim in the Aegean. Those who want a workout can hike to the very top of the rock. You'll be rewarded with sweeping Aegean views and a chance to explore the ruins of the Upper Town — a living museum of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Venetian history. This evening we'll enjoy a cooking demonstration, followed by dinner together.
Looks like dinner that night is not a problem
Posted by
Washington, DC
207 posts
We were on this tour last Easter. Easter is a family holiday but it is also a community holiday. Our guide did an excellent job ensuring that we were able to experience some Easter traditions. We had Easter dinner (lunch) at long tables in the square of a tiny hill village. It was a fun time to be in Greece. We never had a problem finding a place for a meal or finding things to do when we were on our own. As someone said, the guides have managed this before and know all the tricks.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA
20 posts
Thank you for your encouraging responses, especially Joe32F and Kim. @Margie, we will be having the cooking demonstration in Monemvasia on the day after Easter, Monday. I'm looking forward to this trip so much -it's just 2 weeks away, if you have any other advice or tips let me know. Happy traveling!
Posted by
Bend, OR
758 posts
So Day 7 must be Easter. If I remember correctly that’s a bus ride day where we stopped for lunch along the way to Monemvasia. On all our 11 RS tours, the tour guides have been very resourceful when things don’t go as normal. They already know it’s Easter, they will have something planned. Have a wonderful trip!