Who we are
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!
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.
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……..”
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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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