
Kimberly & Vicki's family trip to Greece
WHAT THE CLIENT ASKED FOR...
WHAT WE BOOKED FOR THEM...
TESTIMONIAL
“You will not find another travel team like this one related to travel in Greece anywhere! We just returned from a 13-day (including travel) trip to Santorini, Naxos, and Athens and had an absolutely incredible time. Carole Heiman-Kezios and Basil Kezios provided our group, consisting of two families of four traveling together, with everything we needed: travel advice and recommendations, boat reservations/transfers, a detailed trip itinerary accessible via an app on our phones, excellent accommodations, restaurant reservations, tickets to events (such as a rare Yo-Yo Ma concert at Theatre of Herodes Atticus!), private tours and drivers for day trips and transfers, and much more. Our travel experience was unbelievable. We were able to really immerse ourselves in the experience and everything about Greece and had no worries about how we would travel between islands and to and within mainland Greece and whether we were staying in the best neighborhood or picked the right island, etc. We can’t recommend Real Greece Travel enough! Don’t hesitate. Greece is stunning and this travel team is #1. You will not be disappointed! We cannot wait to return. Epharisto, Carole and Basil!”

Stefanie & Rob's vacation to Greece
WHAT THE CLIENT ASKED FOR...
WHAT WE BOOKED FOR THEM...
A 2 week curated journey through Greece that took them from Athens, where they got to experience both the ancient and the modern while staying in one of the city’s finest design boutique hotels, to iconic Santorini where they enjoyed marveled at the sunset from their Caldera view traditional cave luxury hotel to Crete where they split their 8 nights between the east and the west. Understanding Stefanie’s interest in art, we booked them into a small beachside resort with a contemporary art theme. Their eastern Crete stay included a road map with suggestions so they could explore the sites on their own, as well as a private guide at the Palace of Knossos. Moving west to Chania we organized their hike to one of the islands magnificent gorges where they ended up on the beach in a roadless village. From here we arranged their boat trip back to the nearest town with a road, where their driver waited to return them to their hotel on the harbor in Chania’s Venetian old city.
TESTIMONIAL


“ Each day was filled with jaw dropping history, incredible mouth watering food, and gorgeous environs.”

MEG'S DREAM TRIP TO GREECE
WHAT THE CLIENT ASKED FOR & WHAT WE BOOKED...
Meg joined one of our Escorted Journeys, the Flavors of the Greek islands. We lead these small group trips once or twice a year so we can share some of our most favorite destinations and experiences. Her trip included two Cycladic islands, Naxos and Santorini as well as some time in Athens. All focused on food and culture. We visited charming villages where we dined in family run tavernas and tasted the locally produced liquors. We did cooking classes, one where we picked our ingredients from the family’s farm before we headed to the house to cook, wine tasting and pairing as well as having some down time to enjoy our magnificent villa accommodations and the beach on Naxos.
TESTIMONIAL
“Why did I wait so long to visit Greece? The ‘Flavors of the Greek Islands’ tour with the owners, Carole & Basil blew me away in every sense and I am already looking to plan my next trip with them. Prior to landing in Greece, I was provided with an incredibly thorough itinerary, so much so, that I could already taste what was to come (or so I thought!). Each day was filled with jaw dropping history, incredible mouth watering food, and gorgeous environs. All conducted and beautifully orchestrated by the thoughtful experts of Real Greece Travel. This was truly the trip of a lifetime, and it won’t be my last!”
a perfect & happy place
for a family vacation



Everything from pre-planning to the end of our trip was thoughtfully organized and coordinated. Their attention to detail was 5-plus stars. On a regular basis throughout the trip, Danai would contact us with suggestions, updates and confirm times and reservations. They could be reached within minutes and responded promptly to any questions we had during our trip.
Their local insight and recommendations were very much appreciated. We ate at some of the best local restaurants! One of our most memorable ones was the authentic Greek barbeque our last night in a small town between Athens and the Temple of Poseidon. All the lodging, excursions, tour guides, inter-island flights and ferry were meticulously arranged and resulted in a smooth and unforgettable experience.
We are just gushing with praise for Greece! When we return to Greece, we will definitely use Carole and her team again!
The team was available 24/7 to smooth challenges, make recommendations, arrange tours, lodging and much more. It was like having a local friend guide us to the best experiences.
I am deeply grateful that I found Real Greece.
I was suffering from analysis overload after months of research online, and that is when a friend recommended that I reach out to Carole. From the first phone call, Carole was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about helping us plan the perfect itinerary. She took the time to understand what we were looking for and our preferences. Carole understood that we didn’t have a lot of time but suggested a plan that included destinations like Athens, Naxos, and Santorini.
The accommodations were top-notch, ranging from 5-star hotels to luxurious beachfront resorts. I need to make a special call out to the cliff-side room with our own plunge pool that we stayed in on Santorini. I have never seen such a beautiful room in my life! Also, each place was perfectly located, allowing us to explore the beautiful surroundings of Athens and the islands easily and avoid the crowds from the Cruise Lines. The recommended restaurants were also a highlight, showcasing delicious local cuisine and great wine!
The private guided tours Carole arranged were phenomenal. Our guide for the Acropolis/Parthenon, Stelios, was friendly, funny, and informative. His knowledge of Greek history and mythology made the history of this amazing place come alive. We also had a private guided hike in the Chalki region of Naxos. George was local to the area and gave us an authentic view into the life on the island. Finally, we had the most beautiful sunset cruise on the island of Santorini. We cruised around the island learning the history and the volcanic origin as well as local life. Then we were treated to dinner (followed by sunset) grilled right on the boat. This was of course complemented with lots of Greek side dishes and wine!
Transportation was seamless, with all transfers organized efficiently, so we never had to worry about logistics. Carole booked our local flights and ferry in addition to all the taxi transfers. This allowed us to maximize our time in each location and fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of the islands and local culture.
What truly stood out was our local contact, Danai (at Real Greece), and her attention to detail and customer service. She met us at the hotel the day we arrived and checked in with us daily during the trip to ensure everything was going smoothly. She was quickly responsive on our group What’s App chat with answers to any questions that arose or directions needed.
In short, our trip to Greece was nothing short of magical, and I owe it all to Carole and Danai at Real Greece Travel. If you’re considering a trip to Greece, I highly recommend reaching out to them. You won’t be disappointed!
We hope to return to Greece again, and I am sure if and when we do, we will rely on Real Greece to provide us with another exceptional travel experience.
Thank you again, RealGreece travel team for making this a memorable vacation for our family!!
From the initial planning stages to our arrival in Greece, Carole and Danai made the entire process seamless. They maintained constant communication, ensuring everything was on track and met our expectations. I really appreciated their attention to detail and the personalized touches they incorporated into our itinerary. The excursions they arranged featured some of the most fantastic tour guides! The hotels chosen were gorgeous
and in the most perfect locations for us to get the most out of each location.
Our Greece vacation was amazing, and I will definitely be using Real Greece Travel again in the future.
Thank you to everyone at Real Greece for making our family trip so memorable!
We truly appreciated the consistent communication both before and during our trip, which gave us complete confidence that this was going to be a fantastic journey. Every single detail was carefully planned, allowing us to fully enjoy every moment without any stress. It was clear that their expertise was woven into every aspect of the trip.
The entire team was amazing, and we can't imagine traveling to Greece again without Real Greece Travel by our side. If you're looking for a flawless, personalized travel experience, look no further!
They had the perfect itinerary set up for us. From the excursions, hotels, and dinners they booked for us, everything was wonderful and we had the best trip. 5/5 stars- I will definitely be using them again for my next trip to Greece!
The McGovern Family - USA Michigan
Throughout the trip we truly felt taken care of and comfortable every step of the way. Carole and Danai even surprised us in Athens (was great to meet in person)! I would encourage everyone to visit Greece and to use Real Greece to make the trip even more wonderful.
Don't go with anyone else!
The hotel recommendations presented by Carole were outstanding, and the one we chose, Avaton Hotel, exceeded our expectations. Our room boasted a private jacuzzi on the balcony with breathtaking views. The manager and staff at the hotel were not only professional but also incredibly accommodating. Carole orchestrated a tour of two wineries that showcased exceptional wines, delectable food pairings, and stunning landscapes. Additionally, the island tour she arranged, covering the archaeological site of Akrotiri, the traditional village of Megalochori, and an authentic taverna (Ta Dixtya), provided us with a well-rounded and immersive experience.
What truly set Carole and Danai apart was the thorough planning of activities that very much suited our tastes, coupled with thoughtful communication (through WhatsApp), keeping us well-informed about our schedule and important details. We visited in October, and the island was blissfully uncrowded. Although we are of Greek heritage and usually make our own travel arrangements, we had never been in Santorini before and are ecstatic that we secured concierge travel support through Real Greece. We wholeheartedly recommend Carole's services to anyone seeking a personalized and stress-free travel experience. Thank you, Carole and Danai, for curating a truly unforgettable Santorini getaway!
Once we arrived, we were greated by Nico, who was our driver, but who also became our new best friend in Greece. Not only did he drive us to our different destinations, he was fun, knowledgeable about Greek history, and had great suggestions for everything that we needed, including the best tavernas in the area. We spent a lot of time with Nico as he drove us around the Peloponnese, and we will sincerely miss him.
Our guides were incredible. We learned so much about Ancient Greek history, mythology, gastronomy, and on, and on. Thanks to Real Greece, the guides are chosen carefully to provide the best experience. Everyday, we appreciated that Danai would check in to see that our day went perfectly.
When we had a minor glitch in Heraklion, Real Greece was readily available and helpful to make a quick change of plan at literally the last moment. We had another amazing day!
We had not considered going to Greece until the unfortunate events in the Middle East. After this trip, however, I can not wait to go back to Greece next year and explore more of this truly fascinating and wonderful country, with it's incredible history, lovely people, fantastic cuisine, and beautiful landscapes. I would only use Real Greece to plan our next trip!
back in February we were sold on it. I am more than thrilled to say every single day of our trip was phenomenal & it was because of Basil, Carol, Dani, Niko our driver, Efi. As well as any one else not named here! For example, Every single day in Athens from our ride from the airport to our day excursions we were very impressed with our professional caring friendly staff from Real Greece! I will never forget Dani coming to meet us at the hotel that first day and she took the time to walk with us to a cafe. It was such a fun afternoon with her.
Thank you to all of you at REAL GREECE in Chicago for your wonderful assistance with our trip to Greece. We will never forget it for as long as we live, that’s for sure!
Real Greece was & is the way to go!
All the best!
Mary Ann & Andrea
Since we moved around quite a bit it was great that Real Greece was in constant contact with us through WhatsApp. Carole and Danai (who is based in Athens) let us know about even minor changes in our schedule. (Your driver to the airport this morning is going to be about 5 minutes late due to traffic!)
All of the guides that Real Greece set us up with were very knowledgeable and personable. The guide that we spent the most time with, Niko, who spent six days with us traveling through the Peloponnese, was outstanding. His knowledge of each location was very helpful even when we had a local guide.
Our experience with Real Greece was great and I highly recommend them.
They prepared us for the trip and were there for us each and every day of the trip. They look care of everything possible which let us focus on having the best time. We really could not have asked for a better trip and recommend Real Greece to anyone traveling to Greece for any reason!
Thank you for ensuring that my Greece visit was custom-made, for me. This trip not only met my expectations, but it also exceeded my expectations.
The Real Greece questionnaire really aids in determining how you want to experience Greece. This is a group of professionals that listened and made the entire process seamless and stress free. All we had to do was be at an assigned location, on time.
Real Greece recommended we download the Trip Plans app, which was priceless because we always knew where we needed to be within 24 hours of the scheduled event. This allowed proper planning for the evening before and the morning of. If we had any questions, the Team was extremely responsive. Real Greece did such a superb job, we never needed them, except to rave about what we’ve seen and experienced.
Every touch point from the car service, island transfers, hotel accommodations, excursions, and communication with the Real Greece Team was exemplary! I don’t know where to start or end with the compliments, so I’ll say, Real Greece is the ONLY way to experience Greece.
Carol, Basil and Dania thank you for an amazing 55th birthday and look forward to seeing you soon to visit the remaining islands.
Thanks for all the wonderful accommodations, tours, local expert guides and special extras you arranged for us on our trip to Crete. We loved Crete! We also appreciated the restaurant recommendations and extra communications from your team. Bravo! 😍
Upon arrival our driver, George was easy to find and quite informative about what to see and do and especially eat in Athens.
When we arrived at the unit we were met by Danai, another wonderful representative of Real Greece Travel who explained how everything worked. She was a wealth of information and identified where to shop for local food items (beer and wine). She recommended a most perfect restaurant where we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Real Greece Travel, on very short notice, arranged a tour of the highlights of Athens for several of us. Our guide, Nick, was both congenial and knowledgeable. We spent the better part of half a day getting to see the highlights of Athens from the Acropolis to the changing of the guard at the presidential palace. I believe this is where Real Greece Travel excels. We have been to Athens several times and were part of large travel groups. This one on one experience with deeply knowledgeable individuals made this our most interesting and enjoyable trip.
The unit that was stayed in was immaculate and well serviced! The eight of us feel very lucky to have found this organization.
Should we visit Greece again the only agency we would deal with is Real Greece Travel!
Don P.
Communication was great with the team and they were always there to answer our questions and provide recommendations. The entire team was so kind, well informed and thoughtful! We will definitely use them again for future travel to Greece. I could say so much more but the bottom line is you cannot go wrong with RealGreece, book them today!
The moment we arrived in Athens we were greeted by Niko, our driver, and we embarked on a very special and personal tour that was absolutely seamless! How lovely to be gently handed over from one smiling, warm and professional guide to the next as we visited several different areas within Greece during a period of 10 days. Each guide shared their knowledge and provided us unique and thoughtfully planned experiences that were fun-fulled and educational. Everyone made us feel very welcome and comfortable.
During my first phone call with Carole when I shared with her our general idea for an itinerary she was so curious about me and my family members and genuinely took interest in our wishes so as to be able to create a tailored itinerary just for us. And that is exactly what she and her husband, Basil, did!! We spent time in Athens, the Peloponnese region, Loutraki and Santorini. We toured the Acropolis and Olympic stadium, ate fabulous food during our “food experience tour,” watched the sun set at the Temple of Poseidon, toured a local olive orchard and tasted a variety of olive oils, learned how Feta cheese is made, watched how a local store owner makes his pasta, swam in the sparkly clear waters of the Gulf of Corinth, learned about and played Greek percussion instruments and then made our own…. and so much more!
Real Greece Travel is perfectly named as they delivered a “real Greece” experience like none other!
Thank you, Carole and Basil, from the bottom of our hearts for a trip of a life time!!
I can’t wait to use them again.
Kara Joiner
I highly recommend them for anyone traveling to Greece!
know their way around Greece expertly. The hotels were excellent, particularly "The Tanneries" in Chania and our guides were enthusiastic and
well informed. Got to love the Greek food and a day at "the farm" was a
culinary delight! Highly recommend Real Greece Travel.
As an example, we had a large multi-generational family group coming and going from the airport at different times, and it was super helpful to have her team's help with shuttling people to and from the airport.
So grateful for our successful trip!
I travel the world, and usually handle all my own details. For Greece, I was hosting a group, and didnt know the country that well, so i wanted to hire a professional. Real Greece FAR SURPASSED what i expected.
Their trip planning rate is very reasonable, and when you see what they provide, it is an unbelievable bang for the buck!
The owners of Real Greece, Carole and Basil, were personally involved with all details, planning and individuals in our group, This is not a canned approach and they will do as much, or as little, as you desire.
Carole / Basil - thank you very much. You, your US support and your Greek team were all outstanding. Thanks - Dave
She was absolutely amazing! Not only were the accommodations in Athens top-notch and exactly what we needed, she ensured that the rest of our trip through Greece was effortless (on our part) and was designed with the specific needs of our family in mind. The transportation arrangements were flawless, with safe, friendly and efficient drivers. The tour guides were all wonderful. Although we had been to Athens before, Carole managed to introduce us to restaurants we would never have found otherwise.
We never worried about being stuck or having a problem, anywhere. Her knowledgable competent and friendly staff were always there when we needed. Carole herself gave us numerous heads up tips that avoided many of the mistakes we would have made on our own. We could choose freely to follow her suggestions for an afternoon or a day, or head off on our own.
One of the best stress-free family vacations we have ever experienced.