Have you ever seen a face more likely to be someone you could make friends with? This is Christos, and Enid and Bob happily got the chance to see just how handy a friend can be.
1. Our most recent Untour was two weeks of hiking, sightseeing and immersing ourselves in the beauty of the alps in Kuchl, Austria. Particularly memorable was the rainy day we spent at the local thermal spa which was open to the general public. It was like an indoor water park for adults! But, probably our most fascinating Untour was to Nafplio where we explored the Peloponnese Peninsula. Highlights included: Epidaurus Theater where we could literally hear a pin drop from the upper rows, Mycenae which was the headquarters of Agamemnon, Corinth, and best of all running on the track of the very first Olympic Games!
2. Despite all the wonderful experiences we had in Naflpio the story we tell again and again is how we were rescued by Christos. We returned from a day of touring to find the outside lock on the apartment building had broken. We called our Untour “host” Christos, who by this time had become our “friend” Christos. He came within 5 minutes but found he could not fix the lock from the outside. He had to get inside. No problem for “Spider-Man” Christos, he shimmied up a downspout until he reached the second floor window ledge from which he was able to propel himself onto the balcony of our apartment and jimmy open the door! We then went to Mary’s for some quick, wonderful gyros while he went to the hardware store. When we returned in 45 minutes he was gone and the door lock had been replaced!
3. We are independent people whose interests often differ from other travelers. We can easily spend 4 hours in a museum when others would find 2 hours taxing and can be frustrated on a group tour. Also, love to go to tourist sites that are not in the major tour books, places we haven’t seen so many times on TV that we feel like there won’t be any surprises left. UnTours gives us the time, insight and support to explore unique, local attractions and the access and time to establish relationships with local people.
4. Bob suggests non-pharmacological mind expansion. (and he is serious, but I said let’s not go there). Other choice would be Confidence (that facilities, services and staff will be quality), Exploration, and Self determined.