Greece

Introduction

Welcome to Greece! The birthplace of Western civilization has a lot to share with travelers from all parts of the world.

Join us as we explore Greece from Athens to the beautiful Greek islands.

Experience the Cycladic Islands’ quaint villages--lined with whitewashed houses, rocky cliffs, crystal clear water, and white sand beaches.

Combining historical sites with active adventures, our Greece experience hits on the country’s main highlights. Explore the best-kept secrets on kayak and foot.

Your senses will guide you through a spectacular experience of delicious cuisine, lively music, and wonderful sights.

Duration: 9 days & 8 nights

Start: Meet at Athens International Airport (ATH) by 2:00 p.m

Finish: The trip ends in Santorini, Greece

Plan to depart any time on Day 9. Travelers are responsible for their transportation back to the airport or can choose to extend their stay.

Airfare booking details will be sent after registration--please wait to book your flight until you receive further instructions.

What's Included

  • 9 days & 8 nights shared accommodations in boutique hotels
  • 8 breakfasts & 5 dinners
  • Guided walking tour of Athens
  • Professional Athens Guide for Acropolis
  • Entrance fees for the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, & Panathenaic Stadium 
  • Economy class ferry from Athens to Paros
  • Economy class ferry from Paros to Naxos
  • Economy class ferry from Naxos to Santorini
  • Local ground transportation in Athens, Paros, Naxos, and Santorini
  • Beach days in Paros & Naxos
  • Private Greek cooking class in Paros
  • Private boat tour on Paros
  • Hiking & cultural experience in Naxos
  • Volcanic crater hike in Santorini
  • Sunset kayaking experience in Santorini
  • Airport pick-up upon arrival at Athens International Airport (ATH)
  • Over30Experiences Trip Leader
  • Expert recommendations for optional activities
  • The chance to meet kick-ass people
  • Access to the Over30Experiences Community
  • Taxes are always included, never hidden fees, & NO blackout dates

Travelers responsible for international airfare to and from Greece

Highlights

  • Walking tour of Athens, one of the most ancient cities in the world
  • Breathtaking whitewashed villages of the Cycladic islands
  • Local Greek delicacies and a private cooking class
  • Hiking the volcanic crater of Santorini
  • Visiting black, red, and white beaches
  • Sunset kayaking in Santorini

Is this Trip for You?

Do you want to experience a historic and beautiful country actively and authentically? 

You’ll be island hopping through some of Greece’s most picture-perfect destinations and participating in activities off the typical tourist path. 

Visit quaint villages, eat at traditional taverns, and learn about Greece’s rich history.

Hike, kayak, and boat through this beautiful country.

-Age requirement: 30s & 40s

-Group size: 16 max, average 13

-Physical rating: Moderate. This trip is active and includes moderate to challenging physical activities. There are two hikes, on the islands of Naxos and Santorini. Expect to sweat on these hikes since there are some hills along the paths. However, there is built in relaxation time spent on the beaches throughout the trip. Generally speaking, expect to be active 3-4 hours most days. An active lifestyle is helpful to enjoy the trip.

Travel Community

Travel connects us. Community keeps us connected.

Before your trip you'll have the opportunity to join a custom WhatsApp Group and connect with others members of your group. Many travelers meet in the airport, or for pre-trip drinks if they are from the same city. Others coordinate plans to stay in a country after their trip.

During your adventure, our Trip Leaders do their best to foster an open, supportive environment, where people feel safe to truly be themselves.

After your trip, you'll be an official O30X Alumni, and part of our community where you'll have access to our network of thousands of past travelers. We are constantly hosting meetups that range from simple happy hours, to hikes, to outdoor movie nights.

More than 70% of our travelers come solo, but they all leave with friends.

Itinerary Disclaimer

Travel can be unpredictable. Our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience.

While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into it and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Meals

Breakfasts will be served at your hotel. Dinners will be in local taverns serving Greek dishes recommended by your local Trip Leader.

Sample Breakfast Menu:

  • Greek cheese, fresh bread, Greek yogurt, honey, marmalade, fruit, ham, fresh eggs, filter coffee, Greek coffee, fresh juice, fresh milk, cake, and cookies.

Sample Lunch Menu:

  • Greek salad, ham and cheese pie, tzatziki (traditional yogurt garlic dip), gyros, souvlaki.  

Sample Dinner Menu: 

  • Greek salad, spinach pie, tzatziki (traditional yogurt garlic dip), fava (chickpea dip), zucchini balls, stuffed tomatoes and peppers, lamb with potatoes, chicken with rice, rooster with lasagna.

We do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. Most meals can be modified for special requests and food allergies.

Transportation

You will travel by private ground transportation and economy class ferries throughout your trip.

  • Private ground transportation from Athens International Airport (included)
  • Private ground transportation to and from your hotel and activities in Athens, Paros, Naxos, and Santorini (included)
  • Economy class ferries from Athens to Paros to Naxos and Santorini (included)

Accommodation

You will be staying in shared boutique hotel rooms for the duration of your trip.

Laundry service is available at some hotels for an additional fee. Ask your Trip Leader for details.

Accommodations may vary but will be the same quality.
Solo travelers are paired with someone of the same gender.
Private room options are available upon request, subject to hotel availability, for an extra charge.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory in order to participate in any of our trips.

When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all travelers must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of 200,000 USD for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please ensure that all the activities you plan on participating in are covered by your travel insurance.

We recommend using either Wanderwell or World Nomads to purchase your policy. The Wanderwell “Preferred Plan” or the World Nomads “Explorer Plan” will cover all included activities on U30X trips. Wanderwell donates at least one percent of your insurance purchase to Explore Austin, a sustainable youth outdoor education program, via 1% for the Planet, selected by Under30Experiences.

If you have travel insurance with your credit card we require proof of purchase of the trip in the form of a receipt or credit card statement on a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage, and emergency contact telephone number.

Cancellation Policy

Flexible

Give us at least 60 days notice and you can switch your trip for free, or we'll hold your Experience Credits for future use.

If you have an emergency cancellation that is less than 60 days before your trip, please refer to your travel insurance company as they may cover you for some expenses. We are not able to transfer trips or hold experience credits within 60 days of the trip because we have already secured reservations on your behalf.

Trip Leader Expectations

All Over30Experiences trips are accompanied by experienced Trip Leaders.

The goal of the Trip Leader is to facilitate an awesome experience and help our travelers have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends.

You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.

Packing List

Please be eco-friendly!
  • Bring a reusable water bottle to refill where clean water is available.
  • Bring a reusable straw to limit the amount of single-use plastic waste.
  • Use as little plastic as possible by declining straws and plastic bags at restaurants and when shopping.
  • Please avoid aerosol bug sprays as they negatively affect the environment.

We recommend using a travel backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage.

Below includes our staff picks of the best items on the market that we travel with! All products selected are 3 ounces or less to comply with TSA carry-on size and organically inspired when possible.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you Over30Experiences will earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

Passport & Visas

Guidelines for U.S. Passport Holders

Make sure you have an updated passport with you. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the last date of your trip. Please consult the U.S. Department of State with any more questions.

Make sure there is no damage to your passport. Conditions that may constitute damage requiring you to replace your passport include water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing or torn out visa pages, a hole punch, or other injuries.

Health & Insurance

Check out our Travel Alerts Page for up-to-date COVID requirements.

The tap water in Athens is safe to drink, however the tap water on the Greek islands is not safe to drink. Please bring a reusable water bottle and join us in our efforts to be environmentally friendly and keep Greece beautiful.

Our suggested travel insurance vendor is World Nomads and has a minimum of 200,000 USD coverage.

Please consult with your doctor before traveling regarding physical activity and vaccinations.

No inoculations are required to enter Greece from the United States but the US Center for Disease Control suggests routine vaccines for all travelers. Required vaccines should go through CDC, recommended vaccines should be through your doctor.

More specific Health information for Travelers to Greece can be found at the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Money & Currency

We suggest bringing €300 EUR (~350 USD) in cash to be used at establishments that do not accept credit cards.

This is not the total cash amount that you should expect to spend on your trip. Please consider your own spending habits for additional expenses such as snacks, souvenirs, and optional activities.

The official currency in Greece is the euro (EUR).

Remember to call your bank and credit card company and let them know you’ll be traveling overseas.

ATMs are available in the cities and towns we visit. Although you can withdraw euros from any ATM in Greece, it's a good idea to come with some local currency just in case.

For an up-to-date exchange rate, download the XE Currency Exchange App.

Please be advised that US Dollar notes that are slightly torn, heavily marked, or faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in good condition, in denominations lower than 100 USD.

Safety & Security

Always carry a copy of your travel insurance, health insurance, vaccination card, and passport with you. A photo of these items on your phone is also a good backup.

Keep your passport and any valuables locked in your hotel room.

Don’t leave valuables unattended.

US Citizens please consider registering with US State Department's “SMART Traveler Program” who can contact your family in case of emergency.

Although Greece is generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering around any town at night. We recommend staying in small groups when traveling at night.

Make sure you have the address of your hotel in the event that you're separated from your Trip Leader.

Weather

The average temperature in Greece from May to September ranges from pleasant (70° Farenheight) to hot (90° Farenheight).

The warmest months in Greece are July and  August. May, June, and September see more pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds.

Athens and the Cycladic Islands enjoy a Mediterranean climate, with comfortable average temperatures throughout the year.

By Greek standards, the winters are mild, and the summers are cool thanks to the seasonal winds known as the “meltemia”.

cultural information

In general, Greeks are very proud of their culture and speak of their historic country with passion.

The modern Greek language was formed over 3000 years ago and is found in fundamental astronomy, mathematics, logic, and philosophy texts.

Greece's rich history is world-renowned and spans back to the Bronze age (11,000-3,000 BC).

Traditions, cuisine, diversity, religion, and language are all pillars of Greek culture and essential in understanding Greek life.

Key Phrases
  • Hello -- Γειά σου (Ya sue)
  • Goodbye -- Γειά σου (Ya sue)
  • Good morning -- Καλημέρα (Kaleemera)
  • Good evening -- Καλησπέρα (Kaleespera)
  • Goodnight -- Καληνύχτα (Kaleeneehta)
  • Thank you -- Ευχαριστώ (Efhareesto)
  • Please -- Παρακαλώ (Parakalo)
  • Cheers -- Γειά μας (Ya mas)
Tipping Customs

While tipping isn’t required, it is expected especially when you have received great service.  Be sure to tip in the local currency (euro) to ensure the recipient does not have to pay additional fees when exchanging. Here are some common guidelines to follow:

  • Dining at a sit down restaurant = Add 5%-10% of your bill. Some restaurants round up the bill to include gratuity so check your bill before deciding whether or not to tip.
  • Taxi drivers = it is common to round up to the nearest euro 
  • Cleaning staff at hotel =  1-2 euros per day 
  • Tour guide (non U30X activity leaders)  =  Add 2-5 euros (double for full day)

Optional Activities

The activities below will be paid in Euros. All amounts are approximate prices in US dollars.

Athens
  • Acropolis Museum: 10 USD
Naxos
  • Water sports (windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand up paddle boarding) on the beaches: 50 USD
Santorini
  • Sailing around Santorini: 115 USD
  • Akrotiri Archaeological Site: 15 USD

While your Trip Leader will assist you with optional activities available, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of the Under30Experiences itinerary. We offer no guarantees on the safety or standard of the activity.

General Rules

Respect the people around you and the environment in which you’re traveling. This includes, but is not limited to fellow travelers, Trip Leaders, the local community, nature, wildlife, and yourself.

Do your best to keep yourself and fellow travelers out of harm’s way.

It’s important to obey local laws and customs while on our trips. This includes, but is not limited to wearing appropriate clothing while visiting certain communities, refraining from taking photos of people without asking, avoiding the use of illegal drugs, having weapons, and soliciting prostitution. If you’re not sure about something, take time to educate yourself, or ask.

Travel involves contact with new cultures. When confronted with a different way of living than you’re used to, do your best to understand that neither way is better or worse. They’re simply different ways of life.

Know your limits! This applies to physical ability, emotional space, social situations, and alcohol consumption. If you can’t participate in something, be upfront about it. If you need a break from people, take it. Stop drinking before you get too drunk.

Trip Leaders are working in the travelers’ best interest. If they say something or ask you not to do something it’s not because they’re tyrants, but because they want you to have a good time!

Lying or withholding information about any physical or mental condition that might affect your ability to participate in any of the activities may be grounds for removal from your trip with no refund.

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