About us Travel, made personal
More than a vacation. A journey designed around you.
Asimina Tours is a U.S.-based travel company with deep Mediterranean roots, specializing in tailor-made journeys throughout Greece, Italy and Turkey.
For more than 20 years, we have helped travelers experience these destinations in a more personal way — thoughtfully planned, beautifully paced and supported by people who truly know the places they recommend.
Because the best trips aren't pulled from a package.
They're created around you.
The most sought-after travel operators are those who can bring visitors into direct contact with local culture and people in a meaningful way. Our goal is to give you the experience to explore parts of the world you have only imagined and to do so with confidence and marvel. Every culture has its own personality. To begin to know it, one must slip beneath the surface of tourism. From our family and team members, we wish to share this with you!
Why choose us?
Top 5 Reasons
ASTA
Our membership with ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) an advocate for the travel industry, travel agents and the traveling public assures our credibility within the travel industry.
BBB
Asimina Tours is a member of the Better Business Bureau with "A+" reviews!
You are never alone
Our representatives are there to offer assistance at all times. This is true for every country featured. Aid is only a phone call away 24/7.
Knowledge & Understanding
Rest assured we know our product with over 25 years of experience. We have a high level of expertise about the logistics, hotels, locations, excursions, attractions, food, and whatever other requests may come our way.
References
Why take just our word? We can provide you with current client references who will give you feedback on their recent travel experiences using our services.
Asimina Tours - Travel Done Right
How do we create your journey?
Speak to an expert travel advisor
Our travel advisors are genuine and have a passion for travel. Most of us have lived or traveled extensively throughout Greece, Italy, and Turkey and have first-hand knowledge that we are excited to share with you.
We do this by first discussing your travel plans on the phone. Yes, we prefer a phone conversation although if you prefer we can also communicate through email. Discussing your travel expectations gives us a better feel of what you are looking to experience. We will also never send you one size fits all type of quotes or travel packages.
With our expert advice, you'll have the perfect tailor-made curated vacation.
We will plan and refine
After your initial conversation, your personal travel advisor will then carefully design your trip into a detailed itinerary personalized just for you. It will look like this CLICK HERE FOR ITINERARY SAMPLE
We will also follow up with a phone discussion (or by email) as to why we chose the specific services and to ensure you understand your tailor-made vacation proposal and to answer your questions.
Naturally, some adjustments may occur and we’ll keep perfecting your itinerary until you feel contented and all questions are answered at which point you’ll be ready to pay your deposit and confirm your trip.
It’s time to prepare & travel
After your trip is confirmed and final payments are made it’s time to prepare.
You will receive an impressive online travel document itinerary that will showcase your trip on a daily basis. Your online travel document will include all aspects of your trip to include the services purchased such as hotels, transfers, tours flights, etc. You will also receive details about your destination, personalized restaurant recommendations, and best of all you’ll be able to message us 24/7 while you are on your trip. In addition, you'll be able to print your online itinerary into a beautiful PDF file, or you can download it on your smart-phone and have access to it both offline or online while traveling.
We will have a final discussion about 2-3 weeks prior to your trip and will review your travel documents together to ensure all your questions are answered.
Staying in touch
Our service continues once you are on a flight traveling to your destination. When you are overseas our local partners will be available for you 24/7. Don’t be surprised if you receive a phone call to see “how are you doing”. Sometimes depending on the season, even your own personal travel advisor might be available to stop by and say hello in person. We are there because we care.
Welcome back
Our job is not done until your return back from your trip with amazing memories. We will follow up to ensure your safe trip back home and to hear your very personable and positive feedback regarding your trip. Our job is not done until we hear rave reviews coming from you!
Services
Defining our services
International and Domestic Air
We work with all the major carriers and can get you the best available price to be included with your land package.
Independent Travel
Asimina Tours specializes in Flexible Independent Travel (FIT) with one-stop convenience. We will take care of all your vacation requests such as Hotels, Transfers, Car Rentals, Sightseeing, Hydrofoil tickets, Cultural Performances, Wine Tasting, Cooking Classes, and more. Have Asimina Tours orchestrate the vacation of your dreams and spend your time enjoying your vacation rather than arranging it! After all, this is our specialty.
Private & Luxury Travel
We have a solid reputation for managing numerous high-end types of luxury travel. For the discerning clients who want the absolute best and to the finest detail or even for those who are on a budget, our carefully selected private services will certainly meet your trip expectations. Our appreciation for excellence derives from the quality and excellence earned for a job well done and all of it is done on a personal level.
Cruises
We work with a collection of cruise lines that include the most popular itineraries visiting Mediterranean locations to Greece/Turkey and Italy. Cruises range from 3/4/7/12 days or more. We can also include private & personalized shore excursions to each destination visited. Have Asimina Tours experienced personnel reveal the advantages of taking a cruise to the Greek Isles, Turkey and Italy for a memorable experience!
Yacht & Catamaran Charters
Asimina Tours is here to organize the perfect yachting holiday for you. With our experience and network, we are happy to provide skippered and fully crewed yacht charters anywhere in Greece. Don't have the time to rent a yacht for a week but still want to visit some of those incredible island beaches that are only accessible by boat? Our one-day sailing cruises are also the perfect solution! We also cater to special occasions such as celebrations or team building trips. We offer only the finest yachts with top-quality equipment, the most professional service, and the most dedicated personnel in order for you to be entirely satisfied.
Group Travel
Asimina Tours expertly organizes family reunions, small group vacations, small group corporate trip incentives. We also offer two pre-arranged small group themed tours a year, organized by one of our family members or, well connected appointed hosts. Call us to arrange your next Group Travel.
Ancestry Travel and Genetic Exploration
With genetic genealogy testing becoming significantly more accessible to millions of people worldwide, ancestry travel has become really important to many. You can now use your DNA to determine your next family holiday, visiting the places where once your ancestors once lived. Greece, Italy, and Turkey are countries that we can help you organize this very special vacation.
Destination Weddings
Whether you are interested in a Civil Wedding, or a Vow Renewal Ceremony, Asimina Tours will be happy to provide all the information and care necessary to organize the ceremony of your dreams in Santorini. From the translation of documents to organizing the proper paperwork, your wedding plans are a piece of cake for Asimina Tours.
History
Find out how we started and why are we called Asimina Tours
9 NOV 1952
Stella Solomon
Grandmother Stella Salomon begins her dynasty. Having 2 children of her own (Richard and Irene) from a previous marriage, Stella gives birth to her third child, daughter Asimina Louisa Glinos from her second husband Louis Glinos. Baby Asimina was born November 9, 1952.
4 OCT 1957
Louis Glinos
A few years later grandma Stella passes and Asimina is estranged with her father Louis Glinos and her two half siblings Richard and Irene.
4 OCT 1958
Baby Asimina
As time went by, grandfather Louis remarried to his third wife. Times were difficult and Richard and Irene were separated from baby Asimina who was estranged from the Solomon family for over 50 years! “I had lost my mother at a very young stage. Thoughts that I may have two half siblings somewhere never ceased” said Asimina.
<blockquote>“I had lost my mother at a very young stage. Thoughts that I may have two half siblings somewhere never ceased”</blockquote>
said Asimina.
16 JUN 1971
Petros and Asimina
Asimina now at 19 years old met and married math professor Petros Gressis. They met at Penn State University where Petros Gressis earned his Masters’ Degree in Physics and Mathematics. After marrying they decided to move back to Greece. They lived in Greece for a total of 16 years. Asimina had 3 children, Stella (named after her late mother), Joseph and Dennis.
2 JUL 1987
Gressis siblings
The Gressis family decided to come back to the USA and start their lives from the beginning. They wanted to live the American Dream! ?Petros became the head of the math department at a major private school in Virginia. Asimina worked various jobs and then devoted herself in to her children and eventually their businesses. Grandfather Louis Glinos passed away and never gave any details regarding the long lost siblings of Asimina. Each of Asimina’s children had unique qualities. Stella the eldest child decided to work in the tourism industry. Joseph, was more interested in hands on type of things. He opened up a Greek restaurant in Waldorf Maryland. Dennis was the intellect of the family and followed his fathers’ footsteps and became a mathematician.
5 DEC 2005
Stella and mom Asimina
Stella (the eldest child), after having worked for the airlines for 10 years and after September 11th lost her job. A year later she landed a job working for a small tour company located in Virginia. Stella became a top sales person for travel to Greece and Turkey/Italy. Two years later, Stella decided that she was ready to start her own business! It took countless hours, tons of determination, and passion to make ends meet. Stella decided to dedicate and name her tour company Asimina Tours, after her mother Asimina. It was an honor and a way to say “THANK YOU MOM” for being there for me. Since Asimina didn’t know what it was like to have a mother and never felt “the love of a mother” it was another way for Stella to give back to her mom….. Asimina Tours was born in 2005
22 JUL 2013
Blast from the past
The years passed and Asimina was always thinking of her long lost siblings. Were they still alive? Until the summer of 2013……. An email was sent to the Asimina Tours website coming from a lady called Angela. Angela was in search for her honeymoon travels and landed on the Asimina Tours website. She wrote a detailed email about her honeymoon request and also on a personal level, stating that her father “Richard” and her aunt “Irene” were looking for their lost long sibling Asimina and that they tried to contact her through facebook. The email had a brief description of Stella Solomon. Could it be the Asimina they are looking for?
12 OCT 2013
Reunion 50 years later
Contact information was included in the email and a polite request for an urgent reply because in case there was an error they would still want to keep searching….. When the email reached Asimina Tours, Stella was astounded!!! She knew immediately what it was pertaining too. Her mother happened to be close by “Mom” Stella said, “Please come here I want to read you this email……..”
The children now grown up adults were re-united in October of 2013 at Angela’s wedding in Virginia….. it was a dream come true and an ending to the uncertainty……
21 OCT 2017
Present
Asimina and her siblings see each other every year. Richard and Irene live in Las Vegas and Asimina lives in Maryland in the winter and Greece in the summer. Every year they try to spend their vacations together in Greece. Asimina known as “Louisa” works for Asimina Tours.
Stella the owner of Asimina Tours met Dimitri in Santorini during a hotel inspection in the summer of 2009. She married in July 2014 and now have a son baby Antonio. They run Asimina Tours together.
Trust your trip with our experts!
Our travel advisors are experts with in-depth knowledge of Greece, Italy, Turkey and can provide you with personalized recommendations and advice.
You can rely on their expertise to plan a truly authentic and immersive travel experience.
Also being available 24/7 to provide you with support throughout your journey.
Stella
Greece Specialist
Hello John, how can we be of assistance? What is that you 're looking for in your new trip?
John
Traveller
Hello Stella, We are a family of four with two small kids and we would love to visit Santorini but Athens as well!
Stella
Greece Specialist
That would be the experience of a lifetime and we will build your itinerary together! Are there any specific activities you are keen on?
John
Traveller
Yes, my kids love sailing and myself and my wife are really excited about visiting archaeological sites!
Our team
A Team of Genuine Travel Experts
While many travel companies claim to have experts, we believe few, if any, match our specialists for genuine first-hand knowledge. The travel advisor who designs your trip, like all of our travel advisors, will hold a strong connection to the country they have expertise in because either they have lived there or they have explored it time and time again.
When you plan your trip with us, you'll be in the safe hands of one of our specialists throughout the journey.
Stella Gressis
Hello! My name is Stella Gressis and I am the founder of Asimina Tours. Born and raised in Greece, my family decided to return back to the USA when I was young to better our family and experience the American dream! When in the USA, I always experienced the nostalgia of returning back to Greece. Traveling and culture has always been strong interests of mine.
After graduating from a specialized travel school in Pennsylvania, I immediately secured a position with a major airline where I held supervisory positions at National and Dulles airports and in marketing & sales positions in Pennsylvania. My career in the airline industry lasted for 10 beautiful years which gave me the opportunity to learn many aspects of the travel industry and to travel extensively to many parts of the world and to my motherland, Greece.
Thereafter, I expanded my travel knowledge by working at a tour company which broadened my horizons in the travel industry as a whole. This was the time that I finally decided to start something of my own. My experience in the travel industry, my appreciation for culture, and joy in planning vacations (especially to Greece) inspired me to create Asimina Tours. Please read "our story” for the reason why I called it Asimina Tours. I can't say it's been easy but my passion and dedication to Asimina Tours brings it to what the business is today! A very successful travel company comprised of very dedicated and passionate team members (and some family members) that really care about what they do.
On a personal level, I am happily married to Dimitri Tzimos who also works for Asimina Tours. We met on the island of Santorini in May 2009 (who would have known you could meet your husband on a honeymoon island, right?) and a couple of years later we got married. We have a beautiful son together, baby Antonio, we love spending time raising him. Another passion of mine is food, and cooking is a skill that I am working on perfecting!
Read the full story
Dimitri Tzimos
Hello, my name is Dimitri Tzimos and I am the marketing and sales executive with Asimina Tours. I have been in the Hospitality and Hotel Management industry for well over 25 years, having graduated in Greece from TEI College of Finance and Administration with a major in Tourism. The majority of my experience comes from managing boutique hotels on the famous Caldera cliff side on the island of Santorini.
Meeting Stella a few years back, made us realize that our travel industry expertise from the airlines, tour companies, and hotel and service management combined with our strong passion for travel and our work ethics could greatly enhance Asimina Tours. Therefore we decided to join forces to help Asimina Tours grow as a business to what it is today.
On a personal level being the traditional Greek that I am, I continually thrive in finding unique travel and cultural experiences that are off the beaten path, in which I ensure is all shared with you.
Read the full story
Louisa Gressis
While on your travels throughout Greece,Turkey and Italy, allow Louisa (Asimina) Gressis, for whom the company is named after, to be your reliable and knowledgeable travel advisor. Louisa travels to Greece and to Turkey from April to October and can provide an abundance of information for each country.
In the winter time and during her off time, you'll find Louisa teaching authentic Greek cooking classes at Galazio (her own restaurant) in La Plata, Maryland.
Read the full story
Panos Exarchos
Hello, my name is Panos Exarchos, I am Greek Canadian and a dedicated travel advisor for Asimina Tours! I have a college degree in Marketing Management from the American College of Greece and have had a successful career in Greek Television and Theater as a screenwriter. Now I spend my time planning your dream vacations with Asimina Tours!
I started working with Asimina Tours a few years back. The reason is actually simple - ever since I was young "travel" has been my passion. I have traveled extensively for years in Europe and the US. I have explored and stayed all over Greece and especially in the Greek islands. Working for Asimina Tours gives me the chance to spend every summer in the magical island of Santorini and the gorgeous Aegean islands.
“Life can’t get any better" do you agree?
Typically I travel at least once a year on a transatlantic trip to the USA which is my favorite country. Sharing my insight, knowledge and experience to help my clients create fantastic memories is one of the most fulfilling sentiments for me. Nothing makes me happier than clients’ e-mails and messages upon their return back home telling me that they had a great, once in a lifetime, vacation. Knowing that I played a small part of their unforgettable and successful trip experience brings a huge smile in my face and a warmth in my heart.
Besides travel, I love my friends who I consider my family, animals (especially dogs!), Theater, Movies, American TV shows, all Apple products, reading books and spending as much time as possible in my beloved New York City!
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Accounts Executive
Moema Professor
Hello! My name is Moema Professor and I work as an Accounts Executive for Asimina Tours! ?I graduated from the Federal University of Sergipe, in Brazil, and became a dentist. I did this for a few years but this career path was not fulfilling me personally. I decided to make a big change in my life and find what made me “happy”.
Some of the things I enjoyed were travel, culture, food, children, and family time. I spent time at a close friend's house and got to experience what is life like in the USA. While in the USA I met Stella, the owner of Asimina Tours.
Working for Asimina Tours “felt right” and it was exactly what I was looking to do in life. Since I love Culture, travel, great food, and “family”, Asimina Tours was the perfect fit for me.
I have been in the travel industry for a few years now working with suppliers in Greece, Italy, and Turkey and traveling as often as I can. I am loving every minute of it!
Read the full story
Reviews
What Our Clients Say About Us
Holy Buechel
Oct 30, 2023
We used Asimina Tours to book our honeymoon in Greece and it was the most amazing trip of our lives! Panos guided us in the planning phase and helped us stay in our budget while booking the most amazing hotels and experiences. They were even available during our trip when we had questions about our travel and coordinating transfers. Book with them and ask for Panos!
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