Yassas! Hello! |
"True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us."
- Socrates - We are Deryl and Ellen Burzynski, eager travellers from our grain farm in Saskatchewan, Canada!
Yep, the land of Tim Horton's coffee, hockey fanatics, and wide open blue sky! We love to explore, hike, eat! and make new friends so Rick Steves tours are the perfect match! This was our fourth Rick Steves trip (previously Best of Italy in 17 days; Germany, Switzerland and Austria; and Ireland). So, we felt we were seasoned travellers but many of our group had been on 8 -14 Rick Steves tours! One lovely couple even met on a tour and then got married! Which leads us to ask............ |
Why Rick Steves Tours?
Our Tour Group!
Back: L to R: Georgios, (our dedicated bus driver), Iris, (our fabulous guide), Rob, Dan, Rick, Sharlene, Chris, Liz, Front: L to R: Max, Barb, Kathy, Eric, Deryl, Steve and me, Ellen Did you notice there is no large group photo of 26 travellers? Well, the very first morning of the tour, one of our group members tested positive for COVID. How very disappointing! We never did get to travel all together as a whole group! Unfortunately, that darn COVID followed us and, sadly, more of our gang had to leave the tour. Thirteen of the original 26 finished the tour but we all agreed that the ever-changing situation just drew us closer! Our Amazing Guide, Iris Andre
Wow, Iris had her hands full with the challenges of the COVID situation!
Her workload was drastically increased as she juggled COVID testing, doctors, hotel arrangements, etc, but she remained cheerful and patient and showed great compassion and discretion! Thanks so much for everything, Iris! |
1. AMAZING people
Tour members become friends instantly. And many friendships continue to this day! People who travel with RS tours are team players, friendly, cooperative and travel to learn and have fun! 2. EXCEPTIONAL guides Guides are professional, knowledgeable and friendly! Guides know and LOVE the country and inspire that passion in the group. 3. SMALL group numbers 28 members tops! In no time at all, you know everyone's name, you've had an ouzo or gyro with half of the group and hiked up a mountain or church tower with the other half! 4. LOTS of unstructured time This is one of our favourite aspects! We have ample time to explore on our own or join some new friends for an adventure. We don't want to spend our time driving and navigating (aka arguing!) 5. UNIQUE opportunities We've been treated to a meal prepared just for us in a Contrada in Sienna, Italy. We enjoyed an outdoor concert with alphorns in Murren, Switzerland, and flew hawks at Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland. Just to name a few activities! This trip - authentic Greek dancing (with participation, of course) and we made baklava and other Greek specialities! Yum! 6. GOOSEBUMP moments! From listening to our guide, Virginia A., describing, with deep passion, the paintings in a church in Italy (I'll never forget it - I truly got goosebumps!); to hanging over the edge of a cliff in Dun Angus, Ireland; to 'textile free' bathing (you gotta do this!) in Friedrichsbad Spa, Baden Baden, Germany; - these are that moments that are unexpected yet unforgettable! |
Our Tour - Athens and the Heart of Greece 2022
14 Day Tour
14 Day Tour