My husband and I will be in Athens for four days in the middle of May. We would like to optimize our time in Delphi with a competent guide. I know that Rick recommended a good native guide in his book but I was wondering if anyone had a great experience with a round trip day tour plus guide from Athens. We generally do not like those canned package tours which only skim the surface and lure you into tacky tourist spots along the way.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
My personal experience is that guides recommended by Rick do not steer you into tourist traps. Mention you are booking on Ricks recommendation for extra assurance.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3340 posts
Joanne, yes, avoid a "canned" day-tour to Delphi; I did one 10 yrs ago, hated it. In May 2011 I did a D-I-Y Loooved it! The key problem; the only guides allowed IN Greek sites/museums are licensed, typical fees €60-70 per hour. Delphi is a 3+ hr drive each way. If u hire guide in Athens, that's €600 PLUS car rental!!! If using car-driver, total over €800. Best use local pvt guides if possible. 2 options: #1 12 hours. www.tourist-guides.gr lists one local Delphi guide w. e-mail: Ilektra Togia [email protected] Try her, or Ricks OR e-mail Delphi Museum, it may have a list of local licensed guides (€90-100 for 2 hours). 1-day Delphi visit u need rental car or taxi hire starting at 6:30 am to arrive by 9 AM, do museum first then site( strategy to avoid the tour-bus mobs; they arrive about 10:30 and do site first). Rental car = €50-60 VERY expensive gas. #2 24-26 hrs. Arrange w. hotel for a night away (they r used to this). Take 1:30 pm intercity bus to Delphi, check in hotel (we loved PAN @€50dble), walk to Museum (fab view down mtn!), meet guide for 1 hr; NO tourists! Next AM, meet guide at 8:30 am for 2 hrs on site. 1:30 bus to Ath. Intercity bus = €15 1-way, so €60 total for 2. So, you could do this option w rental car vs. bus.
Posted by
Cesena, Italy
791 posts
I did a trip to Delfi with "George the famous taxi driver". About a 12 hour day, 300 euro. He won't guide you in the ruins (let's you borrow a guide book though) but he will give you plenty of info on the drive. The only complaint I had with the day was that we stopped at Ousia Louka monastary on the way, which was cool and definetly worth seeing, but got us late into Delfi. I think it's pretty much a standard thing for him to stop there but you could skip it (don't recommend that) or tell him to stop on the way back. Delfi ruins close at 3pm, the Monastary at 6/7 pm. We also did a couple of quick stops on the way for some WW2 sights. If you want, pm me and I can give you his contact info.
Posted by
OP
Towson, Maryland, USA
3 posts
Thank you so much for your insight.
Posted by
OP
Towson, Maryland, USA
3 posts
Thank you all so much for your input. I am looking into everything and I am appreciative of your ideas. WOW!!!
What an amazing place!
Posted by
Phoenix
17 posts
My husband and I were in Athens last May and we booked a private tour with George the Famous Taxi Driver. He did not drive us but Kostos one of his other drivers was great. We did not stop at the monastery but we stopped for a quick breakfast and a leisurely lunch and had a wonderful time. You can customize your tour anyway you like and you don't have to deal with a busload of people! Highly recommend.