Havent seen that many recommendations. Anyone out here have anything to recommend? This is a major port for my daughter to see. thanks!
I highly recommend a private tour in Athens. We booked the Private Classical Athens Highlights tour through Tune In Tours. It cost around 600 Euros for four people, which was comparable to similar tours offered by
DCL. However, the value we received was exceptional. Our tour guide met us at the port, along with a separate driver. The tour included Acropolis Hill, a private guided tour of the Acropolis Museum, and free time in Plaka. As a bonus, our guide also took us to the Olympic Stadium and a few other points of interest.
The main advantage of a private tour was that we arrived at the Acropolis before the large crowds. DCL tour groups often experience delays getting to their first destination. DCL makes you wait forever on the ship sometimes, then has the slow disembarkation from the ship, bus boarding (often with additional waiting time), and a slow bus drive. In contrast, we walked directly off the ship, stepped into our van, and our driver used back streets to avoid traffic. They were intentional about getting us to the Acropolis as quickly as possible. As we left the Acropolis, we saw the buses arriving with the crowds, and the same thing happened at the museum. When we explored Plaka, it was relatively empty, and the timing was perfect for enjoying a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant.
Our tour guide was excellent, tailoring her presentation to our interests. The small group size allowed us to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the area and the local way of life. I don't think it would have been the same with a large group.
While I recommend Tune In Tours, other companies offer similar private tours. But I strongly suggest choosing a private tour in Athens. It made our experience there truly unforgettable. Given the possibility of not returning to Athens, we are so glad we prioritized a quality experience rather than trying to save money, especially after hearing about some less-than-ideal experiences with DCL excursions at this port.