"Touring with Patricia & Manolis is the only way to go
​ if you want your trip to be experience of a lifetime."
​
Laura A. Davis, Bentleyville, OH

"Best vacation EVER!"

Jim and Linda H.
​Akron, Ohio

"5 Star Tour Guides -
Just the right cadence of activities and free time.
They use boutique hotels and everything is first class.
We will surely travel with them again!"

Barbara and Doug C.
​Iowa U.S.A.

"Our trip with Olive Odysseys was the trip of a lifetime.
All better that we had imagined!"

Brenda G. and Harry L.
U.S.A.

More on How we choose our hotels...

One of our clients  is a world traveler and has chosen to do six tours with us. She always asks us, "How do you do it? How do you choose these great hotels?"

Our criteria is central and quiet. We look for hotels that you can roll right out of and into the action. We do not want to have to take transport to get into the heart of any place we are staying. Then our hotels should also be on a quiet side street so that we are not awakened by traffic or noise.

We also do not like to stay in resorts or chain hotels, because quite frankly, once you are inside the gates you could be anywhere in the world. Our goal is to bring you excellent boutique hotels with local flavor and helpful staff. 

More on our dinners together...

Many experts agree that Italy has one of the finest cuisines in the world. (Click here to read about UNESCO recognizing the Mediterranean Diet). We work with every restaurant to make sure that the food you will be eating is in season and fresh. We usually start with abundant appetizers (primi piatto) so that you can sample a lot of good food. Then we let you choose from a selection for your main course. 

In addition, you have filled out a form before our trip, that notifies us of your food preferences, food allergies, and foods you avoid. We keep this in mind each time we are eating out, so that you get the foods you want/ need.

We also have local wines with each meal-both red and white, as much as you would like. And we always end each meal with dessert. Many of our guest rate the food as one of the highlights of the trip, or is it the wine drinking, or maybe it is both :)

More on Time together and time alone 
a perfect mix...

Our past tour participants really love the daily mix of some time together seeing the sites and then some time alone to do what it is that you want to do. We usually head out together in the morning, see the archeological wonder for that day, or head out on the Byzantine trail for breathtaking views to the sea, absorb the meaning of what it is we are seeing, and then have a perfect break for lunch.

Then the afternoons or the time before dinner is usually on your own. This is the time to grab a beer at a sidewalk cafe, an iced coffee at the hotel, or return to the room for some quiet time reading. Not to mention that some of these stops have one-of-a-kind boutiques which are a real pleasure to visit, where you can spend some time picking up simple treasures that you cannot find back home. 

In addition, we do not eat each meal together as a group. This allows you to have some time by yourself or with your partner, explore other parts of the town, and find your own special dinner spot.

​One note-When we have dinners together we supply you with really exceptional food in the quantities you want, so some people when we are not eating together, are satisfied with a 'gelato dinner'!

More on Why our clients repeat with us...

We run our tours as we try to live our lives, with these guiding principles-
Integrity-Honesty-Generosity-Humor.
​
We pay attention to the details of your trip way ahead of time so that when we are leading the trip it is as if it is unrolling by itself.

​We also are there to help you with any needs that arise. We do not stint on those cornerstones of fine tours- comfort, enjoyment, views, food, wine, and respect for our fellow travelers.

We also believe that humor is sometimes the best way to enjoy yourself and is especially needed when navigating this amazing planet. 

Who are your leaders?
Manolis & Patricia have had the pleasure of leading trips to Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Greece & Turkey for more than 23 years. They split their time (when they are not on tour) between Ohio and the island of Evia, Greece. In Greece, they live in a rock house off the grid. There they play their guitar (Manolis) and like to sew and garden (Patricia). They adore leading tours and hope that they get the pleasure of traveling with you.