FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Is It Safe To Travel in Greece and the Greek Islands?

Yes! Millions of people visit Greece every year and return safe, fulfilled, inspired, and happy. Greece is generally safe for tourists, but like any other destination, it’s wise to take normal precautions.

How far in advance should I book a trip?

We encourage you to make your reservation just as early as possible – especially if you are limited to the time period in which you can travel.  America Greece Tours journeys are popular and tend to fill quickly.

Can AGT help make arrangements for pre-tour and post tour hotel nights?

Definitely! Arranging hotel accommodations in the city where your journey begins for the night preceding your AGT tour not only gives you more time to explore on your own, allows you to become better acclimated to time changes before your journey begins and helps to relieve stress from potential travel delays.  As a service, AGT will make hotel reservations before and/or after your journey at the tour program hotels at a special rate so there is no worry of having to change hotels or rooms at the start or end of your trip. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis, and the cost will be added to your tour cost.

What’s Included in AGT Tours?

Most of your land tour travel expenses are included in the tour price – airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, many meals as specified in the itinerary, entrance fees, porter fees and more.

What’s not included?

Air tickets, tips, meals not specified as included, and Travel Protection – click here for information on Travelex Protection plans

Can AGT help me book airfare?

Once you have booked your land tour, we would be happy to help you book your airfare.  Please note that we do not receive any special rates, and typically there is a booking fee applied to your air ticket.  Please also note that any air ticket purchased with the help of AGT are usually non-refundable.

What is the best time to travel?

For all of our Tours, Spring or Fall is the best time to travel as the weather is ideal for touring.

Greece:  Greece has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters in the south and cold winters with snow in the north. The best time to visit is late spring and fall, when the weather is comfortable and the crowds are smaller. 

Italy:  The best months to visit Rome are typically April to June (spring) and September to October (fall). During these times, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, with fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months of July and August.

How Active are AIT Tours?

All AIT tours have an Activity rating of Low, Moderate, or High.  For your convenience, on our itineraries we have listed the average amount of walking required for each touring day.

Low Activity level:   This would apply to cruise only tours where most hours are spent on the ship and passengers should be able to walk 1-2 miles throughout a full day.

Moderate Activity Level:  Passengers should be able to easily walk two to three miles during the day, with 8-9 hour touring days, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

High Activity level:  Passengers should be able to easily walk 3+ miles during the touring day and tours may include multiple land border crossings during the tour where passengers will need to port and carry their own luggage, standing for 1+ hours during the touring day, 8-9 hour touring days, 9+ days of touring with no scheduled rest days between touring days which will include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement or hilly terrain, or groomed trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more will be required.

Can I stay in the hotel room if I don’t feel like touring on one of the scheduled touring days?

Because our itineraries involve staying in different cities most nights of the tour in order to maximize the sightseeing time while minimizing your time driving to and from sights, you will not be able to skip a touring day to hang out at the hotel on most days of the tour because you would miss being transported on the bus to the next city that we will stay overnight.  There are exceptions where we stay at hotels/cities for multiple days, but our tours are designed to see as many sights as possible, so skipping a days’ sightseeing is not recommended, and rarely an option.

Do I Need a Passport to Travel?

You’ll need a passport valid for at least six months after the date your tour ends to Greece, Rome, and Turkey. As of March 3, 2025, United States passport holders will be issued tourist visas free of charge at every port entrance terminal to these countries.  Passport policies are subject to change without notice – it is your responsibility the current regulations before traveling.

Do I Need a Visa to Travel?

For passengers holding passports issued from countries other than the U.S. – please note that you may be required to apply for a Schengen Visa before you travel to Greece – below is a link to the website that will show which passport holders need to apply for a Schengen Visa, and walk you step by step through the process to apply if needed:  

Do I Need a Schengen Visa? – Find Out If You’re Required to Apply (schengeninsuranceinfo.com)

For ALL travelers to Greece:   **In 2025, Greece plans to implement a new ETIAS VISA policy – it is expected to start in the Spring of 2025.  As of March 3, 2025 – the ETIAS visa policy has not been activated.  Please see these websites for information on the ETIAS visa:

https://etias.com/what-is-etias/who-needs-etias

https://etias.com/etias-countries/greece-etias

To check the requirements for applying for Visas, please contact the Consulates in your area for the countries you will be visiting on your tour.  Visa polices are subject to change without notice – it is your responsibility the current regulations before traveling.

Do I need shots or immunizations?

No. Greece is a developed country with a level of health and hygiene equal to that of the United States. Visitors entering Greece are not required to undergo vaccinations prior to their arrival. No special shots are required for any of the countries we tour. If in doubt, or if you are currently under the care of a doctor, please check with your physician.

Do I really need Trip Protection/Travel Insurance

Yes!  Absolutely!  While encountering the unexpected is part of any adventure, it can range from inconvenience to major emergency.  Whether it’s an inconvenient flight delay, a last-minute cancellation due to illness, or even a serious medical emergency, it’s crucial to be prepared.  And while our cancelation policy is one of the most generous in the industry, there are many instances where tours are not refundable by the tour operator, and where Trip Protection will reimburse you.  We recommend that every passenger purchase a Trip Protection plan and Travelex offers comprehensive travel protection plans that include 24-hour Travel Assistance.  CLICK HERE to learn more about Travelex Protection plans.

TEN REASONS WHY YOU NEED TRIP PROTECTION

Here’s a list of some of the most important travel tips from the U.S. Department of State:

What Currency is used ?

Greece and Italy:  Euro

Make sure to check the exchange rate before you go. Many businesses in Greece and Italy accept major credit cards (Mastercard and Visa),  but for smaller vendors and kiosks you will want to have cash, specifically Euros as U.S. dollars are not accepted in Greece. You can always change money in country – your guides will can direct you to a reputable location to change money and there are ATMs located in convenient locations that will dispense local currency. Airports have notoriously high exchange rates.  

How Far Are the Major Cities From Each Other?

In Greece, cities are at a moderate distance from each other, with an average distance of 218 km between the 10 most populated cities.

 How can I get around on my own in Greece:    

What Languages Are Spoken in Greece?

The vast majority of the 10.7m population of Greece speak Greek, which is the country’s official language. The other languages spoken there are Macedonian (called “Slav-Macedonian” in Greece), Albanian, spoken in the centre and the south, Turkish, spoken by Muslim communities around the Aegean, Arumanian and Bulgarian.  English is widely spoken in Greece, especially in tourist areas.

How Can I Talk With the Locals?

To talk with locals in Greece, you can try to learn a few basic Greek phrases like “hello” (kalimera), “thank you” (efharisto), and “please” (parakalo), as even a little effort goes a long way; however, in tourist areas, most people will speak English, especially younger generations, so you can also simply converse in English while showing interest in their culture and experiences.