The Galleries

Γεια σας! Yah sahs! Hello!

We are the Rescorl Family - Steve, Rachel, Ziana and Leo. In 2018 we took our first Rick Steves Tour, Family Europe: London to Florence. The tour was extraordinary! The experience inspired confidence in us to travel independently as a family in Europe. The next year we went to the Azores. Two years later, Northern Italy, Lake Garda and the Dolomites. When it came time to commemorate Ziana's high school graduation, summa cum laude, we knew another tour was the perfect way to celebrate! We hope you enjoy this scrapbook and journal of our wonderful Athens and the Heart of Greece tour in June 2023. The destinations, the guides, the other tour members and everyday wow! moments were as memorable as the first tour!

Cats

Ruins

Food

Artifacts

The Destinations

The major stops on this tour, where we stayed at least one night, were Athens, Delphi, Lagkadia, Olympia, Mani Peninsula, Monemvasia, Nafplio and the Island of Hydra. One of the highlights of a Rick Steves tour is visiting other destinations while on the way to the main ones, as shown below! A lunch, a coffee, or an activity, takes you to a new town, or region, to explore and appreciate. More information about this great tour here: https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/greece-turkey/greece.

Why we Loved our Tour of Greece!

Ancient Sites and Museums: Learning about the history of each site we visited. The guides brought every place to life. Viewing the well-preserved art and architecture of antiquity.

Delicious Food: Great meals are essential to a memorable trip for our family. Greece exceeded our expectations!

Engaging Tour Guides: Our main guide Dafni, and all the guides for the ruins and museums, were exceptional! They Knowledgeable and entertaining.

Effortless Transportation: Traveling in a comfortable bus with super driver Χρίστος, who perfectly navigated the tightest corners (within inches!), while Dafni shared stories, history, mythology and music.

Expertly Planned Itinerary: Every stop and activity was arranged and timed seamlessly. We saw much more of Greece than if we’d traveled on our own.

Affordability: Let’s acknowledge it, travel is pricey, especially for a family of four. Greece was more affordable than many other destinations in Europe.

Mountains, Olive Trees and Seas: Spectacular scenery! The captivating, beautiful blue of the Ionian and Aegean seas. Elegant, bright pink blooms of oleander dotting the landscape.

Fantastic Tour Members: Every member is a friend! A group of energetic, like-minded individuals to share meals, go shopping, and laugh with. By the end it feels like one large family who shared an epic adventure!

Greek Hospitality: Every local we interacted with was friendly, helpful and welcoming!

1/1

Tips for Family Travel

Have kids pack their own bags. That way they know exactly what they’re bringing and where everything is located. In Greece, Ziana and Leo had their own room and they could easily pack/unpack on their own. Just double check they have necessities, like prescriptions and contact lenses. Pack early and pack light! We start to gather items about two weeks in advance, making sure everything fits easily in carry-on luggage.

With four passports to keep track of, we find it best if one person holds all the passports. Rachel/Mom has a small zipper pouch that holds all four and attaches to the inside of her tote bag. This lessens the chance of someone having a passport fall out of a pocket. We try to follow the same process with tickets, too.

For teens, allow them to have some independence and explore on their own. We make sure we’re never far away and they know the location of hotels. Getting a break from Mom and Dad to go shopping, or get a sweet treat, keeps things running smoothly.

Let them choose an activity. This could be something as thrilling as an adventure park, kayaking or ziplining, or a more laid-back option, like a Lego store, relaxing on the beach or strolling a through a park. Whatever they like, it’s their vacation too!

For Rick Steves tours, call to inquire if there are other teens on the tours you’re interested in. Having peers in a similar age group helps them adapt much easier into tour life.