Road Scholar’s ‘great guides’

My wife, Ginny, and I went on a two-week cruise to Greece and Turkey, “Voyages to Antiquity: Athens to Athens,” Sept. 7-21, 2010, with Road Scholar (Boston, MA; 800/454-5768).

The total cost of this educational trip was close to $16,000 for the two of us, excluding insurance but including round-trip airfare from Washington Dulles to Athens via New York, all land tours and all shipboard and tour tips.

The excellent MV Aegean Odyssey had 179 crew for 333 other passengers on board, and three great guides made this a high-quality learning experience.

Our two Greek guides were with us for the entire two weeks. Vicky Papantoniou and Georgia Papadopoulou both displayed an amazing depth of knowledge about the many historical sites that we visited. Their professional competence was matched by the charm of their personalities.

Vicky is an expert artist and lecturer on Greek iconography. Georgia said she enjoys showing Greece to families with children.

Our local Turkish guide in Ephesus and Aphrodisias, Levant Kaptanoglu (e-mail leeloo@mail.koc.net), was equally exceptional. Very articulate and having an extensive background on Turkey, past and present, he made a 2½-hour bus ride from Kus¸adası to Aphrodisias pass quickly and pleasantly. We greatly enjoyed the two days that we spent with him.

All three guides speak excellent English, and we can heartily recommend them.

GUNTER ARNDT
Solomons, MD