アテネからメテオラへの日帰り旅行

What a shambles. This is a very VALUABLE LESSON. We booked this trip trough TripAdvisor. No problem great communication. It was their AGENT that let us down. Got to the meeting point well before time, as directed. There were 3 bus tours going from the same place. No bus tour had our name on their list. Two buses completely booked out. One had spare seats. Tried ringing the booking agent. No reply. This kind bus driver tried for us. No success. He told us he would take us if we paid for the new trip. This we gladly did. The driver was Christos, from Metora Thrones Travel Centre. What a saviour, what a trip. MUST DO IT AND SEE IT. Words do not describe it. An excellent and brilliant guide, Clement. Thoroughly recommend but beware the on line booking. We corresponded with booking agent whilst on the bus. Apologized saying it it was an "administative error." NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Refunded back full cost witin 3 days. This part was excellent by them.

Certainly worth the cost, and the time (4 x hours by coach from and to Athens). The local experience wa excellent, made greqt by the very knowledgeable guide (Clement) and the great driving of Dino. The scenery is spectacular, and the monastaries have to be seen (and visited) to be believed. Put it on your list to-do.

The bus was gross. Gum splattered on the back of seats, windows unclean and grimy. We were there during a heat wave of the 90s and humid. You’d think they’d turn on the ac? Nope. At one point it was told to us it was broken. Sweaty people crammed in the bus after hiking up stairs etc. they’re lucky no one had a heat stroke. I know my traveling companions were showing signs of heat exhaustion.

The one day tour was good. The tour guide Anastasia was very knowledgeable and Kostas was a great driver. The roads were not easy for a large tour bus but he did awesome. The train ride going to Meteora was good and timely. The train ride back to Athens was delayed by more than an hour. it stopped on the road and did not announce the reason. We were supposed to arrive Athens at 10:00 PM but did not make it until midnight. My private driver George was super excellent. He patiently waited for me. I kept him posted with the delays. The monasteries tour were amazing. I took lots of photos. The history shared by the Anastasia was very informative. I highly recommend this tour.

Trip was well worth it. Our guide, Vasilis was great! Couldn’t ask for more. Wealth of knowledge about the area, good sense of humor, friendly and personable. Really enjoyed it. The only reason I rated this a 4 is the long trip to and fro Kalambaka. That was really long-not anybody’s fault.