TravelPulse Canada joined a recent G Adventures FAM trip through Mainland Greece. (Photo Credit: Ana Santa Maria)
It’s one thing to visit Greece — it’s another thing entirely to feel Greece.
TravelPulse Canada joined a recent G Adventures familiarization (FAM) trip through Mainland Greece. This small group tour brought together and immersed 12 Canadian travel advisors in the company’s community tourism philosophy.
Room with a view. Delphi, Greece (Photo Credit: Natasha Lair-McKenty)
For eight days, Athens to Athens, the small group experienced Greece on a human scale: boutique hotels, story-rich excursions, local dining, and small-group camaraderie.
By day two, the advisors, alongside TravelPulse Canada managing editor, Natasha Lair-McKenty, our chief experience officer (CEO), Nikos Dimitriou and global product specialist (GPS), Ana Santa Maria, had already begun forming as a FAM-ily.
Standing before the Parthenon, strolling the cobblestone streets of Nafplio, and tracing the ancient footsteps of Apollo’s sanctuary in Delphi — Greece is a feast for the senses.
Highlights included a cooking class where advisors learned to prepare and enjoy a traditional Greek meal, hiking to stunning monasteries, stopping at a hot spring, shopping at local stores, exploring iconic sites like the Acropolis, enjoying scenic train travel, and ending the day with group meals that turned into evenings of laughter and conversation.
Greece is a feast for the senses. (Photo Credit: Natasha Lair-McKenty)
Immersed, Not Observed
“Having the opportunity to experience mainland Greece firsthand with G Adventures was truly unforgettable,” said Tina Steeves, Travel by Tina Marie (Fareconnect).
“Travelling in a small group of like-minded adventurers created the perfect balance of connection, flexibility, and comfort — something that’s often hard to find on larger tours.”
Steeves added that the intimate group setting fostered genuine connection. “As this was a FAM, I especially appreciated connecting with other travel advisors and learning from their diverse approaches to business. It was a fantastic opportunity to share insights, ideas, and perspectives while discovering the beauty of Greece together.”
For Sandy McLary, The Travel Agent Next Door, and 20 years in the industry, the impact extended beyond the trip itself. “Reflecting on my recent G Adventures fam trip, the week I returned brought exciting surprises. Clients who saw my Facebook posts about the journey reached out, intrigued, and inspired. This enthusiasm led to three back-to-back bookings: Best of Greece, Sailing Greece, and Absolute Istanbul for next May.”
She added, “Don’t be afraid to combine experiences as these trips are perfect for travellers craving a blend of active exploration and cultural immersion—ideal for those passionate about history, breathtaking landscapes, and authentic local experiences. It’s rewarding to see how sharing my adventure sparked genuine interest!”
Guided by Purpose
For Patrice Beasley, travel advisor with Go Travel, the FAM provided both professional insight and a firsthand look at G Adventures’ mission.
“As a newer agent, I was excited to experience G,” she said.
“When I began researching and learning about G Adventures, I instantly was drawn to them. Being a Canadian company that values giving back and supporting the communities they visit was a huge selling point for me.”
One of Beasley’s standout moments came in Nafplio. “We visited a local restaurant owned by two brothers. I told them the meal was amazing, and one shared that the recipe had been in his family for over 100 years. He explained how they prepare the dish and use only the freshest ingredients. You could see the pride in his face for his family and heritage. Little moments like that are my favourite.”
The experience was elevated by Nikos Dimitriou, G Adventures’ chief experience officer (CEO). “Our CEO, Nikos, was absolutely fabulous! His knowledge, sense of humour, empathy and enthusiasm made the trip exceptional! Past clients who had travelled with G had mentioned how much they enjoyed their CEO, I now understand that,” Beasley said.
The trip also offered a firsthand look at G Adventures’ commitment to responsible travel.
Ana Santa Maria, G Adventures’ global purpose specialist (GPS), explained: “Doing tours firsthand gives a different point of view. It helps advisors know which tours match which clients, so they can sell the right experience. Being there, seeing how every detail is managed, how the CEO connects with the group, makes it easier to guide clients.”
Ana Santa Maria, G Adventures’ global purpose specialist (GPS). (Photo Credit: Natasha Lair-McKenty)
For Dimitriou, leading a G Adventures trip is about more than logistics. “I take pride when people visit my country,” he said. “It’s an honour when people buy a vacation package and come to travel. I have to honour that. You have to be open, flexible, welcoming. People have expectations, and I have to meet them.”
He also emphasized the company’s community ethos. “It’s not a rule — it’s an ethic,” he said. “We’re involved to create awareness about our impact first. It really adds up to the experience of the guests and to the communities we visit.”
Holy Monastery of Grand Meteoron (Photo Credit: Natasha Lair-McKenty)
Dimitriou emphasized that itineraries are carefully crafted but adaptable. “We don’t improvise, but we do things people will enjoy. Maybe a wine tasting, maybe a local experience — it’s about making the trip special.”
Santa Maria reinforced the company’s community-minded philosophy. “Travel with G Adventures gives advisors a unique perspective on how experiences directly support local communities,” she said. “Through initiatives like Planeterra’s Trees for Days program, we’re planting a tree for every travel day, creating positive impact along the journey.”
For Dimitriou, leading a G Adventures trip is about more than logistics. (Photo Credit: Natasha Lair-McKenty)
More Than a Tour
The combination of small groups and dedicated CEOs creates more than a tour — it creates connection.
“All our CEOs share the same passion for showing people their country, culture, and history,” Santa Maria told TravelPulse Canada. “They want travellers to enjoy every detail, and to feel part of the community, not just tourists passing through.”
The advisors agreed that G Adventures’ small-group model fosters personal connection. “For me, travel is about experiencing the culture, people I meet, and appreciating other ways of life,” Beasley said. “This tour exceeded my expectations in all these areas. And did I mention the feta and the Greek food? Amazing!”
Steeves added, “This trip reaffirmed why I love recommending G Adventures to my clients — their dedication to responsible travel, genuine local connections, and creating meaningful, immersive experiences is amazing! Anyone looking to explore Greece beyond the surface will be in excellent hands.”
Finding Meaning
By the end of the FAM, advisors returned home with more than product knowledge. They carried with them a deeper appreciation for what travel can accomplish — for their clients, for local communities, and for themselves.
G Adventures’ commitment to responsible travel includes the Ripple Score, which ensures that every dollar spent leaves a meaningful impact on the local communities visited.
(Mainland Greece, by the way, has a perfect Ripple Score of 100, meaning all trip costs directly benefit local communities.)
“This trip reaffirmed why I love recommending G Adventures to my clients,” Steeves reflected.
“Their dedication to responsible travel, genuine local connections, and creating meaningful, immersive experiences is amazing. Anyone looking to explore Greece beyond the surface will be in excellent hands.”
That’s the power of immersive travel — it creates stories that sell themselves.
That’s the power of immersive travel — it creates stories that sell themselves. (Photo Credit: Supplied)