Walking the Mountains & Villages of Evia

Excellent holiday only slightly affected by the Force 9 gales that blew for 5 days of our holiday . Karystos a lovely place , family run hotel clean and welcoming , guide Thanos brilliant in the face of having to rearrange whole of the walking itinerary !

Everything was spectacular - from hiking in the mountains and learning about the history of Evia to swimming in the Aegean Sea and basking in the warm sun. The numerous Tavena's and restaurants added to the experience, making it both adventurous and relaxing.

I would recommend this trip to anyone looking for a great hiking experience on a beautiful safe island in Greece. Our tour guide Cécile was exceptional. She was warm, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable, sharing not only the rich history of Evia but also insights into modern Greek culture and life. The Galaxy Hotel was the perfect setting for this trip. Thank you to the staff who went out of their way to provide the best service I have experienced in a long time.

South Evia is such a lovely island, and this hiking holiday shows it off to it's best advantage. George was a wonderful guide, and went above and beyond what I expected, made everyone feel safe and gave an insight into the area as he grew up around there. Highly recommended this hiking holiday.

Like most Exodus guides, Thano was excellent. However he went beyond expectations, his local knowledge was extensive (he seemed to know everyone on the island). Always approachable. The packed lunches were varied (and filling). He ordered the starters at every meal which meant that we sampled lots of local delicacies that we would otherwise have missed. Lots of little things (sampling the ouzo, beekeeper visit and so on) added to the overall enjoyment. The guided tour of Athens on the final day was a bonus. On a personal note, he spoke to a doctor on my behalf as I was suffering from an injured shoulder.

Wonderful holiday on a wonderful island. Returned home feeling very relaxed. Evia was very unspoilt. A real experience of Greek culture, food and hospitality. Hotel was very comfortable and in a perfect location for the beach and town. Hotel staff were lovely, breakfast excellent for a small hotel. I thoroughly enjoyed every day. Walking was varied, interesting routes and stunning scenery, we barely saw anyone else on the walks. Packed lunches were superb. Having private mini bus for the group made it easy for travel. Everyone on group was like-minded. Excellent guide Thano. Thank you!

A lovely trip led by a very hardworking and knowledgeable guide staying in a welcoming hotel on the waterfront. The walking was graded correctly in my opinion and we saw some fantastic scenery and remarkable ancient relics. The food was wonderful and Karystos is a super little town with plenty of fine restaurants and bars.

Lovely island and not over developed.

Overall great trip. Really beautiful island, miles of gorgeous coastline, great food, comfy hotel and all round excellent week.

This was our 4th Exodus walking holiday and it has lived up to expectations. George lead us on 6 fantastic walks, and planned everything meticulously… transport, lunches, pace of group. The Galaxy Hotel was just as described, friendly, great sea views and ample breakfasts. And, yes, as commented on in other reviews, the bathroom is ready for an upgrade but everything is works and is clean. Exodus remains our go to company when we are looking for a walking holiday.

This trip should be marketed as culinary delights of Evia! A lovely location and a very easy and relaxed week being expertly guided and looked after by Thanos and his connections on the island.

Thanos was an excellent guide and host. He could not have been more helpful. My only complaint was the showers in the Galaxy Hotel. Very dated with clinging shower curtain, leaky shower head and variable hot water. You will never be far from the nearest barking dog on your walks.

Our holiday in Evia was a very memorable and enjoyable one, mainly because Evia, an island which I had not even heard of before we booked our holiday, is such a historic and beautiful island. While I have a particular interest in nature and wild flowers in particular, on this holiday it was the history and antiquities of Evia that were the outstanding experience. Our accommodation in a friendly family-run hotel was excellent, and it was a welcome's bonus to enjoy a quick dip in the sea most days after our walks.

Evia is a Greek island most people of never heard of but it has a central role in Greek history. You are literally walking through time. Comfortable family run accommodation and excellent food in local tavernas. This is a destination not spoilt by international tourism. The 'real' Greece. The walking is varied and most involve an ascent but also long descents. The weather in October was just the right temperature for walking although a bit chilly and windy for swimming.

The trip was excellent from start to finish. The hotel has been described as basic but it has everything you need. It is scrupulously clean & the owner(s) / staff cannot do enough for you. There is a beach 5 minutes walk away at most & the hotel has a bar opposite where you can relax with a book & enjoy the light breeze after a walk.

Breathtaking views, fabulous fresh Greek food and time (if you have the energy left) to stroll 5 minutes to a local beach at the end of each day's walk. Our guide Charlotte (known to literally everyone on the island as Nanou, had an infectious smile, bags of enthusiasm and a motto of 'everything is possible' to help make this holiday memorable. With temperatures being hotter than normal, some of the steeper ascents were a little hard work, and I'd recommend taking walking poles just to help you up and down the steepest parts of the walk to see the 700 year old Roman Columns.. The hotel is quite basic, but the water is drinkable straight from the tap as the supply comes from a stream. Your room will have a kettle and a supply of local tea and coffee, so if you hanker for a brew in your room, you can.

Adventurous walking & scrambling along the dramatic coastline & remote villages of Island of Evia. Tasting delicious cousin of their culture.

If you like sparkling turquoise sea pretty much outside the hotel then this holiday is for you ! I found the walking quite tough as I wasn’t quite fit enough and as other reviewers state it’s more moderate than leisurely especially in June! However, I enjoyed the three walks I did enormously and it was amazing to get up (and down) to the Roman columns the view from which is so memorable and now my screen saver. Solid support and encouragement up and down from Cecile and lovely group members. Plenty to see and do if you want to dip in and out of the walking you can, ie to dip in and out of the sea on comfy sun loungers with inexpensive waiter service from the taverna whilst helping the Greek economy (what’s not to like). One day I went on an astounding snorkelling trip to the renowned Petali Islands : 7 hours for €35 including CAKE !!!

A lovely week walking, plus swim in the sea at the end of each day. The town is nice and laid back.

If you want a really relaxing entirely relaxing atmosphere with few tourists, then Evia is the place to go. The itinerary was varied and exactly as described. The family at the Galaxy hotel couldn't do enough for us. Their breakfasts are fantastic and grandad's home-made goat cheese legendary! It was a pleasure to stay there.