Greece Joyce Helfand of OPA Tours Greece (137 Genoa St., Ste. B, Arcadia, CA 91006; phone 800/672-7155 or visit www.greecetravel.com/opa) usually conducts only two tours a year, one in May and one in October, and limits her tours to 20 people or fewer. (Note: in 2006 there is also a tour in July.)

We toured with her to Athens, Delphi and the less-traveled provinces of Macedonia and Thrace (cities of Thessaloniki, Alexandroupolis and the Isle of Samothrace), May 10-24, ’05. We traveled at a leisurely pace in a full-size bus, staying in 5-star hotels for two or three nights each.

This itinerary had variety and diversity, and Nanda Kontopoulos, Joyce’s Greek associate, offered us her comprehensive and broad perspective on ancient Greek art, architecture and mythology as well as current political and cultural developments. She spiced her commentary with music, poetry and character sketches of leading personalities. She provided the depth of an “educational tour” without the sometimes-rote recitation of facts.

The land price, $4,240, was a real value for what was provided. The group agreed: this was a “top end” tour.

— STEPHEN WEST, Fisher, WV