Greece and the Island of Naxos

Passports and Money

Citizens of the US must possess a valid passport to travel to Greece. There is no visa required. If you do not have a passport, APPLY NOW! You should always carry two extra photos, just in case of emergency (i.e., if your passport is stolen).

*Credit cards are widely accepted in Greece and ATM machines are accessible in many towns (see the next paragraph!). You should bring a few hundred dollars in cash, which you can exchange into Euros, for your spending money and any extra meal expenses.

*Important information about credit cards! Please note: You should bring at least one smart card, usually referred to as a chip card, or chip-and-PIN credit card for travel to Europe and to other overseas destinations. These new cards are more secure and you are more protected from credit card fraud.

These so-called smart cards have embedded microchips in them. You will see the silver or gold microchip on the front of your card. They also have the traditional magnetic stripe, so can be used the same as your regular credit/debit card. You’ll either sign for purchases, or enter a 4 digit PIN into a terminal. (Confirm with your bank that your PIN, or 4 digit number, will be the number that you use the FIRST time that a PIN is required for use with your new card. So just make sure you remember it for all future transactions!)

It is best to have your chip card as a VISA or MasterCard, since American Express is often not accepted in many places. In Europe and in parts of Asia, they simply don’t acknowledge magnetic-strip cards anymore unless they are chip-and-PIN enabled. In addition, in any automated transactions such as train stations and gas stations, ONLY chip-and-PIN cards are accepted.

Chip-and-PIN cards have become standard in many European countries because of their superior fraud-prevention abilities. Now countries in Asia, North America and South America, and Canada are doing the same.

Health Requirements and Physical Condition Required

This AdventureWomen trip is rated as Moderate and requires that you be in very good physical condition, and be able to walk/hike 5 – 8 miles a day. Some of the walking landscape is quite hilly. Many of the walks are on footpaths with uneven footing, while others are on well surfaced roads. The most you will carry is a small day pack with your rain gear, camera, water, etc. Good, lightweight hiking boots with ankle support are recommended.

You MUST have your own health insurance, and not have any physical problems or conditions that would be adversely affected by participating in any of the planned trip activities and the rigors of international travel.

Traveling to Greece: Arrival and Departure

Please work with us to coordinate your flights into and out of Athens.

You will need to be in Athens at the Electra Palace Hotel on September 13, 2017, by early afternoon, approximately 3:00 pm. At 5:30pm we meet in the hotel lobby for trip orientation and a sightseeing tour of Old Athens. You don’t want to miss that!

For the majority arriving at the same or similar times on September 13, there will be a free group pickup and transfer to the hotel. All others arriving individually, or prior to September 13, will have the following additional transfer costs:

1 Passenger : €135* per person (taxi with an assistant)
2 Passengers: €68 per person (taxi with an assistant)
3 Passengers: €67 per person (deluxe minivan with an assistant)
4 Passengers: €52 per person (deluxe minivan with an assistant)
5 Passengers: €42 per person (deluxe minivan with an assistant)
6 Passengers: €35 per person (deluxe minivan with an assistant)
*(As of August 2016, 1 Euro = $1.13 USD)

On September 23 we will fly as a group from Naxos to the Athens Airport. You can arrange your international flight for any time after 12 noon.

If you wish to stay longer on Naxos, or travel to somewhere else other than the Athens Airport, arrangements can be made at a later date. However, if you do not depart Naxos with the group transfer to the airport on September 23, the cost for a private car to the airport or the port of Naxos will be €30 total for 1-3 passengers.  If you cannot coordinate a flight out on September 23, you will have to arrange a hotel night near the airport. Again, arrangements can be made at a later date.

Making Travel Arrangements to Greece

We are happy to help you make your flight and travel arrangements. Please contact us for more information.

NOTE: The recent trend in travel is for travelers to finalize their plans much closer to departure time than was customary in the past. While we try to be as flexible as possible booking last minute registrants, we must often relinquish hotel space and air reservations up to 6 – 12 weeks prior to departure!

Please keep this in mind when making your travel plans.

Final Payment

Final payment is due to AdventureWomen, LLC in a cash form (check, money order or wire transfer) on or before June 15, 2017.

What to Bring:

September weather in this Mediterranean climate generally has daytime average temperatures in the comfortable 70s, with nighttime temperatures in the 50s. As in all outdoor activities, you must be well prepared for weather changes.

Ideally, you should bring one suitcase or duffel bag, and your daypack should act as your carry on bag.  Your carry on bag should contain one change of clothing, your camera equipment, all medications and your important travel documents.  PACK LIGHTLY!

• A well-broken-in, comfortable pair of lightweight hiking boots for all the walking and hiking we will do. ANKLE support is absolutely essential, and they should be sturdy, as well as comfortable, due to varying terrain, footpaths, uneven cobblestone, etc. throughout our adventure.
• One pair of sneakers or sport sandals for evenings and other walks.
• Comfortable shoes for the evening in hotels.
• Rain gear: You should be well prepared for whatever conditions occur. Therefore, it is very important to bring a good waterproof (not just water repellent) rain suit (jacket and pants). A rain jacket or poncho will not keep your legs and feet dry, and it is important that your entire body is covered in a downpour. Many outdoor stores carry inexpensive rain suits, but beware of cheap vinyl gear that may tear easily at the seams. Your rain parka can also act as a lightweight wind jacket.
• Socks – it is best to wear 2 pair of socks inside your hiking boots, such as a pair of wool socks, and a thin pair of liner socks underneath the wool socks. We like Thorlo hiking socks and polypropylene liner socks which wick moisture and reduce blistering. Bring plenty of socks!
• Medium-weight jacket, fleece jacket, or sweater for cool evenings.
• Pants (loose and comfortable for walking) and two pairs of walking shorts (if you like to wear shorts). Zip off pants are often the most versatile.
• Shirts (long- and short-sleeved) and a few T-shirts.
• Underwear, sleepwear.
• A set or two of “smart casual” (skirt or pants) for dinner out and evenings at the hotels. We are staying in hotels that are very nice!
• Sun hat and sunglasses with securing strap.
• A spare pair of glasses (if you wear glasses).
• Swimsuits.
• Day pack that is water resistant for carrying rain gear, camera, water bottle, etc., on day trips (you can use this for your carry-on bag). If not waterproof, bring a garbage bag to line the inside of the pack.
• Money belt, waist pouch, or a way to carry your money, passport, and airline tickets. You can leave these valuables at the hotels while day hiking.
• A one-quart water bottle that is suitable for both warm and cold beverages. We recommend plastic or metal options such as Nalgene, Klean Kanteen, or Hydro Flask bottles.
• Bandanas. Bring 2 or 3 (100% cotton) for instant sweat bands and other uses too numerous to mention, some of which you have never even dreamed! Besides, it’s a tradition at AdventureWomen!
• Swiss Army knife or equivalent (for picnics, opening wine bottles, cutting cheese, etc.). Be sure to pack this in your checked luggage.
• Sunscreen, lip balm with sunscreen.
• Small flashlight with spare batteries and bulb to use if you need to get up at night and don’t want to wake your roommate by turning on the lights.
• Earplugs. We recommend Mack's Pillow Soft White Moldable Silicone Snore Proof Earplugs, which you can buy at most drug stores, or at www.earplugstore.com. Good to 22 decibels!
• Small travel alarm clock.
• Toiletries, prescription medications, and a washcloth (sometimes not provided in Europe).
• Pre-moistened towelettes or baby wipes.
• Hand sanitizer (alcohol based).
• Ziploc bags in various sizes for dirty boots and dirty clothes, etc.
• A collapsible walking stick (to fit into your suitcase) if you prefer to hike with one.
• Book, notebook, pen, lightweight binoculars (optional).
• Guidebook to Greece (we like the Insight Guides).
• Electricity: Greece uses the standard European non-grounded socket, the most common in the world. This adapter is also known as type C.

Camera Equipment

For many women, photography will be a very large part of this trip. The opportunities are endless, and the scenery spectacular! We suggest that you bring many more memory cards and batteries than you think you could ever use!

• Digital camera, memory cards, battery chargers. You will be able to charge all of your batteries in hotels.
• Any camera gear you carry during the trip should be in a backpack or in a bag that will leave your hands free. It is also recommended that a tight sealing camera bag be used to protect your camera equipment from moisture, dust, sand and dirt. Large Ziploc bags are especially handy.

Personal First-Aid Kit (bring in small amounts in small containers)

• Foot powder for moisture absorption; cloth, not plastic Bandaids; about 10 individually wrapped alcohol pads; and a small tube of Neosporin or other antibiotic cream.
• Aspirin/ibuprofen, etc.
• Cold-symptom relief tablets, antihistamine, cough drops.
• Tweezers.
• Ace bandage.
• Systemic antibiotic (prescription)/optional (but not a bad idea to always take this on international trips.)
• Prescription medicines in their original bottles.
• Acidophilus enzyme (available in capsules in health-food stores). This often helps your digestive system get in shape for “new” flora.
• Immodium, Lomotil, or similar anti-diarrhea medicine.
• Pepto-Bismol tablets and/or liquid (in leak-proof bottle).
• Laxative tablets.
• Visine or similar eye drops.

Last Minute Reminders

• Make photocopies of your airline tickets and the first two pages of your passport, and put them in different locations (suitcase, carry-on bag, etc.).
• Bring 2-3 extra passport size photos to use in emergencies.
• Your valuables should be insured for the duration of the trip, but better yet, leave them at home.
• Remove extra credit cards, driver’s license, and personal items from wallet or purse.
• Make sure passport and airline tickets are valid and in the correct name.
• Check with airline to reconfirm reservations and departure time.

Some Extra Items to Add to your "What to Pack" List 

We are always updating and adding items for all international trips. With years of experience flying around the world, we think these items help make your long airline flights much more comfortable and even more bearable:

• Neck pillow - Inflatable neck pillow for blissful support and deep sleep. For packing, it folds into itself. Self-sealing valve means nothing to close. Soft microfleece cover removes for washing.
• Sleep mask /Comfort eye shade - Ultra lightweight and comfortable, the Comfort Eye Shade screens out light and distractions for a cozier flight. Ultra-soft micro fleece for comfort. Adjustable elastic strap for a perfect fit. Made of Molded Polyester Micro Fleece.
• Travel compression socks - Reduce ankle and leg swelling and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis. These doctor-designed socks stimulate circulation through gradual compression that stops swelling and guards against (DVT).
• Noise canceling headphones - Block out unwanted sounds of children crying and airplane engine drone, and/or enjoy great audio sound. Reduce distortion and increase perceived loudness so you can enjoy sound at a lower volume. Get the around the ear design, which is very comfortable.