About
Your Guides George & Peter
About us
Niriis tours is a travel company specializing in private tours in West Crete. Tours are offered in small private groups and can be customized depending on the needs and requests of travelers. We only do private tours, not shared. Our aim is to offer a personalized inland experience of west Crete. We offer a range of services, from touring the popular Chania old town, Elafonisi beach or Samaria gorge, to the more specialized WW2 tour or combination of hiking, wine, food and local experience tours. Niriis tours is managed by the Tsampas brothers who provide most tours. We believe that small scale, personalized tours by locals can provide a better understanding and hindsight of West Crete. Having worked and lived abroad, we provide a better understanding of the needs of travelers, and can give a better understanding of the context of Greek and Cretan culture, history and traditions in relation to the global community we live in.
George
I was born and raised in Chania, travelled extensively the world and spent 10 years in the UK, studying and working. I studied modern history, did two MAs in history and politics and worked for Marriott hotels as a manager for 4 years. I work in tourism for more than 25 years and since 2006 I manage a hotel and offer private tours to various locations. I constantly try to discover the nature, history and traditions of Crete, and show its beauties to visitors. As a member of many local organisations and passionate about the island, I regularly hike on the White Mountains (Lefka Ori), research the local history and discover the endless hidden gems of the island. Every tour, every hike is a discovery and experience, a journey through time, and the Greek civilisation.
My aim is to share my passion of the island to its visitors, and do not just see it as ‘work’ but as a mutual discovery experience. As a traveler myself I have an insight of what a guest needs and try to adapt tours and focus to cater the needs of its participants. Whatever your interest might be, from visiting a beach, hiking a gorge or exploring Chania town, I could be the perfect partner for your trip. I have learned that not only knowledge of a guide is important but also his joyful personality is what make a tour special and leave the best memories for its participants.
I can organize private tours to cater your needs, just send me a message with your broad interests or locations you would like to visit. Have a pleasant stay in Chania!
Credentials
- Work in the tourism industry since 1994
- Manage small family hotel since 2009
- Tour escort and guide since 2006 – Hiked in most places in west Crete
- F&B manager in London Marriott Maida Vale 5* hotel 2002-06
- Studied Modern History in the UK and have two MAs 1994-02
- Reserve officer in the Greek army for 2 years
- First Aid certificate
- Volunteered in Red Cross as Samaritan and in local mountaineering club
- 3rd Rover Scouts of Chania leader – friendly with kids
- Travelled extensively around the world
- Like basketball, exercise, swim and hike frequently
Restrictions
- My car can is a 7-seater Citroen Berlingo
- I am not licensed to guide inside museums or archaeological sites.
Peter
I have travelled around the world and stayed in the United States where I spent my college years. I have been in the local tourist industry for more than 10 years, having been engaged throughout that time in the hotel business and giving tours to travelers. I am excited to show you the beautiful prefecture of Chania, with its vast natural beauty comprising its gorgeous beaches, astonishing nature and its picturesque villages.
Crete is located on the crossroads of civilizations with a strategic position on the Mediterranean Sea, as it is on the pathway from Europe to the Middle East and the Minor Asia. With me you will meet Chania’s rich history from the Ancient Ages, to the Medieval Ages at the times of the Byzantine Empire, as well the Venetian occupation succeeded by the Ottoman rule through its Modern history and liberation. We will blend it with its local culture and traditions and how it formed the fascinating Cretan culture.
My goal is with my pleasant and cheerful personality show travelers a great time and pass through interesting information, so in the near future they will be eager to visit again or at least be nostalgic of the great experience they had on their tour. From my part I will be more than willing to give recommendations for any tour, even for some travelers who have special requests, to be flexible and adaptive according to their needs. I am always here to help and make sure from every single tour, travelers will have something to remember.
I am more than excited to be your future guide and be able to fill you in with as much information as possible!!
Credentials
- Degree in Business Management from USC Upstate, SC, USA
- Licensed to offer private chauffeur tours of Chania and Crete
- Manage small family hotel since 2009
- Manage and work at a private tour company
- Accountant licence and practice
- Coached at Summer Basketball Camps in the U.S.A. - friendly with kids
- Ex-professional athlete - love basketball
- Travel frequently