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Mediterranean Travel
- Frequently Asked Questions

Thirty years of planning private Mediterranean journeys means thirty years of the same questions, asked by different people, in different ways, about different destinations. The answers below cover the ones we hear most often. If your question isn't here, call or email us — the conversation is always free.

About Anemos Tours

What does Anemos Tours do?

 

We plan fully private Mediterranean journeys for couples, families, small groups, and corporate travelers — to Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, and beyond. Every itinerary is built from scratch around the people taking it. We don't sell packages, run fixed group departures, or put strangers in the same vehicle. We plan private travel, and we've been doing it since 1996.

How is Anemos Tours different from a regular travel agency?

 

Most travel agencies sell pre-made packages from tour operators. We build every itinerary from the ground up, starting with a personal conversation about who is traveling and what they want, then designing a journey around those specific priorities. The hotels, guides, restaurants, and day-by-day structure are all chosen for the individual client. Nothing is off the shelf.

Where are you based?

 

Astoria, New York. We serve clients across the tri-state area and throughout the United States and other countries. Consultations are available by phone, email, or in person.

 

Do you charge a planning fee?

 

The initial consultation is always free. Planning fees vary depending on the complexity of the itinerary and are discussed transparently before any work begins. Contact us to discuss your trip, and we'll outline exactly what's involved.

Planning Your Trip

How far in advance should I start planning?

 

For peak-season travel — June through August, particularly to popular destinations like Santorini, the Amalfi Coast, and Tuscany, twelve months ahead is not excessive. The best boutique hotels and private villas in these destinations book out well in advance. For shoulder season travel, May, June, September, and October, six to nine months is generally sufficient. For off-season travel, three to six months usually works. The earlier we talk, the more options we have.

How long does the planning process take?

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After our initial conversation, we typically deliver a draft itinerary within five to seven business days. Refinements, adjustments, and final confirmation can take anywhere from one to four weeks depending on the complexity of the trip and how quickly properties and guides confirm availability. We keep you informed throughout the process.

Can I change the itinerary after it's been built?

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Yes, until bookings are confirmed, everything is adjustable. We build itineraries in stages for exactly this reason. Once elements are confirmed and deposits paid, changes may involve fees from suppliers, which we'll always communicate in advance.

Do you handle flights?

Yes. We can arrange international and domestic flights as part of a complete package, or work around flights you've already booked independently. If you prefer to handle flights yourself, we plan the land content — hotels, guides, transfers, activities — around your arrival and departure times.

What is the first step to booking a trip with Anemos?

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Contact us by phone at (718) 777-5050, by email at tours@anemos.net, or through the contact form on AnemosTours.com. We'll schedule a conversation, ask the questions that help us understand what you're looking for, and take it from there. No forms to fill out, no packages to compare, just a conversation.

Destinations

Which Mediterranean destinations do you cover?

Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, France, Malta, and Cyprus. We also arrange combination journeys that cross two or more of these destinations in a single trip: Greece and Italy, Spain and Morocco, Turkey and Jordan, Greece and Egypt are among the most requested.

Which destination is best for a first-time Mediterranean traveler?

It depends on what kind of traveler you are. Greece is the most consistently rewarding first-time Mediterranean destination; the combination of ancient history, island landscapes, and genuine warmth of welcome is hard to match. Italy is the strongest choice for travelers who put food and art at the center of travel. Spain works best for city lovers and food enthusiasts. Turkey offers extraordinary historical depth at exceptional value. The honest answer is that the right destination is the one that matches how you want to spend your days, which is exactly what our planning conversation is designed to figure out.

Can you combine two or more countries in one trip?

Yes, multi-country journeys are some of the most memorable itineraries we build. We handle all inter-country logistics: flights, ferries, transfers, border requirements, currency, so the transition between destinations feels seamless rather than stressful. See our combination tours page for popular pairings.

Do you cover destinations outside the Mediterranean?

Our primary focus is the Mediterranean and Middle East. Jordan and Egypt are natural extensions of a Mediterranean journey, and we plan both. For destinations further afield, contact us; we may be able to help or point you toward the right specialist.

Destinations

What is the difference between private, escorted, and group travel

Private travel means everything is arranged exclusively for your group: your own vehicle, your own guide, your own schedule. You travel only with the people you came with.

Escorted travel means a licensed guide accompanies your group throughout the journey, at sites, during transfers, for cultural context and local knowledge. This can be private (just your group and your guide) or semi-private (a small group of up to eight travelers).

Group travel means traveling with other people who were not part of your original party, shared coaches, fixed itineraries, and shared mealtimes. We do not arrange mass group tours of this type. We do arrange private group travel for families, reunions, and corporate groups.

What is the maximum group size you work with

There is no fixed maximum. We have planned private journeys for couples and for groups of thirty. The logistics and approach change significantly at different group sizes, which is part of what the planning conversation is for.

Can solo travelers book with Anemos?

Yes. Solo travelers are welcome, and we plan solo itineraries regularly, particularly for travelers who want expert guidance and private arrangements rather than the compromise of a group tour. Pricing for solo travel reflects single-occupancy accommodation costs, which we discuss transparently upfront.

Costs & Payments

How much does a private Mediterranean trip cost?

There is no single answer; cost varies enormously based on destination, duration, time of year, accommodation category, number of travelers, and what's included. A private ten-day Greece itinerary for two travelers in boutique hotels during shoulder season is a very different budget from a luxury fourteen-day Italy and Greece combination in August. We discuss budget openly in the planning conversation and build itineraries that work within it. Contact us for a no-obligation quote.

Is a private Mediterranean trip more expensive than a package tour?

 

Not necessarily, and sometimes significantly less. The villa math is a good example: four couples splitting a private villa in the Greek islands frequently pay less per person than four separate hotel rooms at comparable quality. The group guide math is similar: a private guide for ten people costs almost the same as for two, meaning each person's per-day guide cost drops dramatically. Private travel rewards groups in particular. We'll show you the numbers.

What payment methods do you accept?

 

We accept all major credit cards, bank transfers, and personal checks. Payment schedules, typically a deposit at booking with the balance due closer to departure, are outlined clearly in your booking agreement.

What is your cancellation policy?

 

Cancellation policies vary by supplier and are outlined clearly in your booking agreement before any payments are made. We always recommend comprehensive travel insurance for international travel. We can arrange travel insurance as part of your package or guide suitable policies.

Visas & Travel Documents

Do I need a visa to travel to Mediterranean destinations?

Most Mediterranean countries do not require advance visas for US passport holders; you enter visa-free for stays up to 90 days. Exceptions include Turkey (e-visa required, obtained online before travel), Egypt (visa on arrival available at Cairo airport), and Jordan (visa on arrival at Amman airport — free of charge for stays of two nights or more). We provide full visa and documentation requirements specific to your itinerary when building your trip.

How far in advance should I renew my passport?

 

Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. If your passport expires within six months of your planned travel, renew it before booking. US passport renewal times have been variable; we recommend checking current processing times at travel.state.gov and applying early.

During Your Trip

What happens if something goes wrong during my trip?

We are reachable throughout your journey, for flight delays, itinerary adjustments, lost documents, medical issues, or any other situation that needs solving in real time. We have direct relationships with hotels, transport companies, and local operators across every destination we cover, which means problems get solved faster than if you were navigating them alone. This is one of the most practical reasons to use a specialist rather than booking independently.

Do your guides speak English?

Yes, all guides we work with are English-speaking and licensed by the relevant national tourism authorities. Many speak additional languages. If you require a guide in a specific language, let us know during the planning process, and we'll confirm availability.

What should I pack for a Mediterranean trip?

It depends heavily on the destination, season, and activities on your itinerary. We provide a detailed pre-departure guide covering packing recommendations, weather expectations, traditional dress considerations (particularly for religious sites), and practical tips for each destination when we confirm your booking.

Honeymoons & Special Occasions

Do you specialize in honeymoons?

Yes — honeymoons are among our most frequently planned itineraries. We understand what makes a honeymoon different from any other trip and arrange accordingly: room upgrades where available, private moments built into the schedule, restaurant tables at the right spots, and the small details that make the first trip as a married couple genuinely memorable. See our honeymoons page for more.

Can you arrange destination weddings?

Yes. We coordinate intimate destination weddings and vow renewals across Greece, Italy, Spain, and France, including venue research, legal requirements, officiant, photography, catering, and guest accommodations. Contact us to discuss your plans.

Do you plan anniversary trips and other special occasions?

Absolutely. We plan milestone anniversaries, birthday celebrations, family reunions, retirement trips, and bucket-list journeys regularly. Special occasion trips benefit from the same private, bespoke planning approach as any other Anemos itinerary, with additional attention to the moments that mark the occasion.

Still Have Questions?

 

If your question isn't answered here, we'd rather talk than make you search further. Every conversation about a potential trip is free, no-obligation, and genuinely useful, even if you're months away from being ready to book.

AnemosTours.com | (718) 777-5050 | tours@anemos.net
Private Mediterranean Travel Since 1996

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