Reflections Of A BP Traveler: Unveiling Unique Personalized Travel Experiences In Greece

Greece is teeming with undiscovered treasures and unique, behind-the-scenes experiences, making it a worthy destination for even the most discerning travelers. Its vibrant culture is complimented by epic outdoor adventures, exquisite culinary delights and picture-perfect landscapes – not to mention the selection of luxurious properties that offer a perfect base for daily adventures.

In an effort to share the wonders and insider experiences that await our travelers in Greece, we interviewed one of our recent travelers, Susan Kairis, to find out more about her experience with Blue Parallel and her bespoke luxury Greece tour…

How Did You Hear About Blue Parallel?

My husband spent a lot of time researching suitable tour companies in search of one that could tick all of our boxes and meet our travel needs. We’ve only used one tour company before, so we had nothing to compare to when looking, but we knew we wanted to work with a tour company with a great reputation.

After a lot of investigating, we came across Blue Parallel. As well as being impressed with the reputation of the company – it appeared as though Blue Parallel was the best of the best – it looked as though the tours and offerings were everything we were looking for.

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What Was Different About Working With Blue Parallel Compared To Trips You’ve Organized Previously?

The most significant difference I noticed between our Blue Parallel curated journey and vacations we have organized on our own was the access to lesser-known destinations and “secret” locations.

When you organize a trip yourself, you often rely heavily on what you see on the internet and have to hope the information is accurate and images are up to date. With Blue Parallel, we had access to a travel expert ahead of the trip who had extensive knowledge of the country and the different experiences available. It seemed as though Blue Parallel had access to resources that the internet did not.

The team at Blue Parallel really got to know who we are, what we’re interested in and our travel preferences. They were then able to tap into their bank of expertise and recommend destinations throughout Greece that were really tailored to us.

Another significant difference was the ease of moving around the country. The organization and reliability of our drivers and guides was exceptional. We knew we could get in touch with our travel expert easily, but we could also rely on the team on the ground too.

Additionally, we really felt as though the guides and drivers were an extension of our travel group which was a welcome addition to our tour of Greece.

Please Summarize Your Blue Parallel Experience In 5 Words/Phrases…

1. Full service
2. Reliable
3. Dependable
4. Thorough
5. Professional

How Did You Find The Pre-trip Experience With Your Personal Travel Expert?

One of my hesitations about working with a tour company was being tied into a rigid plan, but from the get go we were given a myriad of options.

The initial experience with our personal travel expert was wonderful; we were given an a la carte menu for Greece and could pick and choose what we liked and didn’t like. They then hand selected regions and experiences tailored to us and we picked the pieces and elements we were most interested in. From that, they discerned what else we might be interested in and over a short period of time, they crafted a completely bespoke luxury tour.

Did You Feel Supported By The Blue Parallel Team During Your Trip?

We felt beyond supported. Blue Parallel were on top of everything and the tour ran like a well oiled machine. We had complete trust in them and knew we could rely on them for anything. What’s more, the team on the ground – our guides, drivers and hosts – were spectacular.

We were given all the information we needed at the beginning of our Greece tour and knew if we needed anything, we had numerous people on hand to help.

On a whole, all of the accommodations, restaurants and experiences matched our needs wonderfully which made us feel very supported and understood by the team. There was also certain flexibility written into our Greece itinerary and if we ever had any doubts, Blue Parallel were quick to offer alternatives and make other recommendations.

DOWNLOAD OUR BESPOKE GREECE PRIVATE TOURS JOURNEY PDF

Can You Share Your ‘Wow Moments’ Of This Trip?

We’ve been married 29 years and so this Greece tour was our anniversary vacation, and it was the perfect way to celebrate. The entire tour was full of wow moments and it truly was an unforgettable experience from start to finish, however if I had to pick just a few, I would say:

Sistine Chapel, Rome

Our whole experience in Rome was memorable, helped by our superior guide Alessandro. He took us to the Vatican and shared lots of tips on how to witness the Sistine Chapel without the crowds. During our visit, we had plenty of space to ourselves and it was extremely peaceful. If we had done this ourselves, we would have been lost among crowds of people and the experience wouldn’t have been as special.

While in the Sistine Chapel, the Priest prayed blessings for us. In itself, this was an unforgettable moment. However, in the presence of the incredible artwork, it was truly a wow moment in our trip to Greece.

Local Monastery, Crete

Again, our guide in Crete was absolutely wonderful. We told him we were interested in spirituality and he decided we needed to take a quick detour to a small, beautiful monastery off-the-beaten path.

We wouldn’t have known about this monastery or been able to visit it without our expert guide. What’s more, it was an unexpected, truly tailored experience to us and an authentic insight into Crete.

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Family Home, Crete

Another unforgettable moment was being invited to our guide’s private farm where we got to enjoy a meal specially prepared for us. He also showed us the artisanal products his farm produces, including oils and soaps.

Alongside unbelievable birds eye views of Crete’s spectacular natural landscapes, we were given the opportunity to view an authentic Cretan countryside home and enjoy an intimate time with our local guide and his family. This was above and beyond our expectations for our Greece tour.

Caldera Hike, Santorini

The several hour hike to the Saint Marco church was magnificent, offering breathtaking views of white houses kissing the edge of the caldera and the sparkling Aegean Sea. The hike pushed us to our limits, but in a positive way and the vistas were a nice reward.

However, what made this a definite highlight of our Greece tour was both the private gourmet picnic as we watched the sunset and the surprise musical performance from traditional Greek musicians. The two musicians played in front of our picnic table as we enjoyed champagne and the most wonderful, fresh cuisine.

As if this couldn’t be topped, our driver was waiting for us at the top with my mobile phone which I had accidentally left in Crete. Blue Parallel had arranged for it to be transported by a flight, boat and then drive right back to me. Wow.

What Were Your 3 Favorite Accommodations?

All of our accommodations were exquisite, and hand selected just for us. If I had to pick three, I would choose:

• J.K. Place Roma, Rome – this boutique hotel was very chic and had exceptional customer service. They were accommodating from the get go, including giving us a room just to shower and change in upon arrival before we could move into our suite.
• Verina Astra Hotel, Sifnos – a small and intimate hotel that offered us plenty of space. It felt as though it was just us there at times. The onsite restaurant was incredible too.
• Canaves Oia Suites, Santorini – I can’t not mention Canaves Oia Suites! The amenities, including the pool, were crazy and the views were out of this world.

Did All Of The Experiences, Guides, Properties, Transfers etc. Meet Your Expectations?

It was clear that all of Blue Parallel’s guides, properties and experiences had been rigorously vetted. Many of our guides explained their training to us and two had been to a specific and prestigious university for travel guides; they were the best of the best.

All of the guides knew when to give us our time and when to step in and lead the day; they were exactly what we needed them to be at each moment. They were extremely accommodating and we never felt judged for our requests.

What was truly special was how each guide felt synonymous with the region they were located. From Anna, who matched the serenity and slow pace of Sifnos, to Vangelis, a true renaissance man who represented Crete’s history and charm so wonderfully, we were blessed with an outstanding selection of on the ground staff.

Throughout the trip, I was given the impression that everyone we interacted with had one goal: to make us completely happy. And they did.

How Valuable Was The Team’s Insider Knowledge And Experience?

Blue Parrallel’s insider knowledge and experience in the areas we visited was priceless. The experiences we were able to access throughout our time in Greece were unmatched and we wouldn’t have been able to enjoy these moments without the help and connections of Blue Parallel.

DOWNLOAD OUR BESPOKE GREECE PRIVATE TOURS JOURNEY PDF

Do You Think The Team Created An Itinerary That Was Ideally Suited To You?

Like many people, our time is very valuable and so when we were looking for the perfect tour company, we knew we needed to work with a team that could manage our trip and do so in a timely manner.

During the initial stages of the booking process, we had conversations with our travel expert that highlighted what we did and didn’t want from our Greece tour. Within a short period of time, we were looking at the first draft of our itinerary. Blue Parallel welcomed our input and feedback on the itinerary and set about making small tweaks and changes until we were happy.

We were reassured from the get go that there would be flexibility in our plan and they would be able to accommodate changes if required. This was reassuring, especially as we’re used to the “freedom” of planning and executing our own vacations.

During the tour, the guides – who were spending a lot of time with us and quickly getting to understand our interests – made each day a truly personal experience with even more recommendations for activities and experiences outside of our itinerary.

I would say that our Blue Parallel travel expert provided a solid framework and this was further enhanced and tailored to us during the tour by our guides.

Is There Anything You Would Have Done Differently?

I don’t think we would have done anything differently. If we could have spent more time there, we would have. I think the order of our Greece tour was perfect and took us on a journey through time, from the unparalleled architecture and history in Rome and Athens to the slow speed of Sifnos and charm of Crete.

As Greece requires some traveling by boats – if you want to access the remote islands and secret beaches – travel plans are weather permitting. However, on the day we weren’t able to follow the itinerary because of the weather, our guides and travel expert had a back up plan in place and we were just as delighted with that option.

What Do You Think Makes Blue Parallel Special?

As I haven’t worked with a travel company before, it’s hard to compare it to anything else. However, I think the really special thing about Blue Parallel is the personal touch from start to finish. The team understood that this was an important vacation for us, and went above and beyond to make our Greece tour full of memorable and magical moments.

The guides they work with are outstanding and I believe they’ve truly mastered Greece and the unique experiences available there.

I couldn’t recommend it enough for people looking for a once in a lifetime travel experience.

Tailor-made Luxury Tours To Greece

With over 6,000 islands to choose from and an array of unique experiences at your fingertips, Greece provides endless opportunities for bespoke, luxury tours. From land-based boutique properties with private boats for daily adventures, to a sea-based chartered private yacht tour, we can craft the perfect itinerary for you.

Contact one of our Travel Experts today and discover how Blue Parallel can help you create an unforgettable tour of Greece

Tailor-Made Itineraries To Greece

From sea-based journeys on private yachts to land-based adventures in exquisite hotels, discover the epic outdoor adventures, picturesque landscapes, rich culture and indulgent cuisine in Greece with a bespoke, luxury tour…

VIEW OUR BESPOKE GREECE TOURS