I liked the itinerary and the ship when I saw it in your promotional materials. It sounded unique, educational and fun. And it was! Weather conditions forced this trip to run in reverse. That did not seem to negatively affect the itinerary in any way. The group was international, well-traveled, congenial, curious and just like us!!! The crew was consistently pleasant and competent. Everyone tried hard to please. The itinerary was unique in that popular tourist sites were visited by ship. The pace was comfortable. We appreciated the opportunity to explore on our own at the end of each excursion.
[I most enjoyed the] Ancient theater at Epidaurus, Olympia and Delphi. These are amazing ancient places that I'd heard about for a long time. They were beautiful in the springtime with blossoming trees and wildflowers all about. Sailing through the Corinth Canal was a nice experience too. [I least enjoyed] Monemvasia. This wasn't described on the original itinerary, so I wasn't prepared to know what to look for here. Apparently, the ship passes here in the night when the itinerary is followed the other way around the Peloponnese. Activities seemed to be shopping (never interesting for more than a few minutes) and hiking to the top of the rock. (This would probably have been fine, if I'd been prepared with hiking boots and a walking stick, but not knowing what to expect, I wasn't).
It was mostly an older crowd with a few younger couples thrown in. They came from a variety of English-speaking countries. One evening at dinner we noted that no two couples were from the same place. We had US, Scotland, Canada, England and Australia represented. We love that! They were well-traveled and used to being part of a group like this. Everyone was on time, enthusiastic, and congenial. We enjoyed them!
Accommodations Review
I don't think you would choose to travel on a motor sailor if you want absolutely luxurious accommodations. That being said, our cabin (on the top deck) was spacious enough with full bath. Everything was very clean and comfortable. We appreciated the small safe. Hair dryer, tissues, shampoo, soap and shower gel were provided along with plenty of clean towels.
There were only two negatives: 1) Since we were all on the same schedule, we tended to want to shower at the same time. There was never enough hot water to go around. 2) The boat does not have stabilizers. So, when it was rocky it was impossible to move about. We needed to wear our seasickness patches throughout the trip.
Meals Review
The food gets 5 stars! It was truly outstanding, especially for a group of this size. There were always choices; food was plentiful and varied. What was supposed to be hot was hot; what was supposed to be cold was cold. No one lost any weight on this trip! The only problem was a buffet meal served when the boat was underway in turbulent water. It was impossible to walk with food, even though the staff tried hard to help. Lots of people (not me!) skipped that meal.
Crew & Guides Review
Joseph was on the ball and had everything under control. He was personable and I think he really believes in this itinerary and wants it to succeed. Jenny was charming and knows her stuff. She gave some good lectures in addition to leading most excursions. She was not visible when she was not providing a scheduled presentation and she was not available to be introduced at our initial meeting. That caused me to take a little longer to warm to her and to appreciate her knowledge.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
Andrew always does a great job for us. He is excited about travel and he is always prompt and responsive. I was worried about making connections after this tour and he contacted the ship's folks several times to allay my worries. And sure enough, as soon as I boarded the ship they knew exactly what I needed. It all worked out perfectly! We recommend you all the time.
Traveler Advice
At this season [April], be prepared for all kinds of weather. Bring layers, from short-sleeved shirts to a down jacket. And definitely don't forget the rain gear. Hiking boots were generally not necessary. Good walking/hiking shoes typically did the trick. Read some Greek mythology and history before you go. Spring is surprisingly beautiful. There are wildflowers everywhere and the trees are in bloom.
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