Meet passionate travellers Logan Presnel, 29, and Emerald Presnel, 31, from the USA. In August, the couple joined Expat Explore’s Best of Greece tour which was our first Europe tour of 2021!
After months of travel restrictions and various lockdowns, it was wonderful to finally start exploring again! Following their Greek adventure, Logan and Emerald shared their trip highlights and travel insights with us.
Back on the road with Expat Explore and feeling almost “back to normal”
The Best of Greece tour showcases the highlights of Greece; from ancient monuments that have stood the test of time to idyllic islands which boast sun-drenched beaches and blue skies. It’s an incredible travel destination and one that Logan and Emerald were finally able to experience first-hand after many months without international travel.
“We were looking forward to this trip for a long time. We felt somewhat like we were ‘back to normal’ getting to travel again,” Logan shared. The couple has now travelled twice with Expat Explore; Europe Explorer in 2019 and Greece in 2021. “Expat Explore has the perfect itinerary and the tour leaders are awesome! We like the convenience of not having to plan everything out,” the pair said.
As many of us will know, travelling can be chaotic and stressful at times! Logan and Emerald believe that Expat Explore helps make travel easy and affordable.
“Going somewhere new can be scary because you don’t always know what to expect and there may be language barriers,” note Logan and Emerald, “We realised that travelling on a tour just makes the most sense and is also more affordable. To recreate the same itinerary ourselves would have been more expensive. Group rates are awesome! You always have something to do and plenty of free time to do your own thing. You also meet great people along the way. We also felt very safe with a tour leader.”
Travelling with new Covid-19 safety measures
According to Logan and Emerald, Covid-19 may have affected their ability to travel locally and internationally, but it did not affect their willingness to travel. If anything, after over a year of uncertainty and restrictions, it made them want to travel even more!
There were a few differences on tour this time around due to new regulations:
“With Covid-19 rules still in place during our travel, we wore masks on the coach and indoor facilities. Other than that, our travel experience in Greece was pretty normal. Expat Explore provided a safe environment for travel throughout the tour.” the couple shared.
Meeting new people and seeing the best of Greece!
One of the best things about travel is meeting new people along the way. Logan and Emerald definitely experience this benefit during their adventures. “Travelling gives us a better understanding of different ways of life and different cultures; we learn that everyone has a unique and interesting story as to why they love travelling.”
Group tours and travelling with a group of “strangers” may seem daunting to some, but Logan and Emerald love getting to know their travel buddies! “After a few days, no one is a stranger. We have made friends for life from the tours we have been on,” the couple explained. One of their favourite memories from their Greece tour was sharing an amazing dinner at Pidalio Tavern in Nafplion (also known as Nafplio) to celebrate a fellow tour member’s birthday. A smaller group explored the town after dinner and ended up finishing off with a few drinks at the hotel. Simple, fun and memorable group travel bonding!
Greece truly is a spectacular destination to visit. Athens, Mykonos and Santorini are popular with travellers from around the world who come to discover the ancient history, mouthwatering cuisine and natural beauty. It’s home to a number of highlights and unforgettable experiences. Logan and Emerald both agree that the South Coast Boat Trip around Mykonos was their favourite experience of their Greece tour! The boat trip, which cruises along the island coastline and stops at various beaches en route, is a great optional add-on for future travellers embarking on this tour.
Related: Discover more idyllic destinations with Expat Explore on our Croatia, Greece and Turkey tours.
Advice to people who want to travel again in the near future
What advice does the couple have for future travellers? “We both agree that life is too short not to travel and see new places. So what are you waiting for? Stop talking about it and just do it! It can be more affordable than you think,” said Logan and Emerald.
There are a number of destinations that Logan and Emerald would like to explore on future travels including Japan and Eastern Europe. Hopefully, they will be on the road again soon!
Are you feeling inspired to get back on the road again, too? Then start planning your next trip with us! You could experience Greece, more of Europe and even Egypt, Turkey and more. The choice is all yours!