Greece does not offer many discounts for seniors. Some museums and archaeological sites offer discounts for those 60 and over, but the practice is unpredictable, and in general these are restricted to citizens of E.U. nations. Tip: We've heard reports of car rental agencies in Europe that will not rent to people over a certain age -- usually 75 but as young as 70. Inquire beforehand.
For general information before you go, visit the U.S. Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov for information specifically for older Americans.
Try mentioning the fact that you're a senior when you make your travel reservations. Although almost all major U.S. airlines have canceled their senior discount and coupon-book programs, many hotels continue to offer discounts for seniors.
Members of AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons), 601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049 (tel. 888/687-2277; www.aarp.org), get discounts on hotels, airfares, and car rentals. AARP offers members a wide range of benefits, including AARP: The Magazine and a monthly newsletter. Anyone over 50 can join.
Many reliable agencies and organizations target the 50-plus market. Elderhostel (tel. 800/454-5768; www.elderhostel.org) arranges study programs for those ages 55 and over (and a spouse or companion of any age) in the U.S. and in more than 80 countries around the world. Most courses last 5 to 7 days in the U.S. (2-4 weeks abroad), and many include airfare, accommodations in university dormitories or modest inns, meals, and tuition. In Greece, groups typically settle in one area for a week or so, with excursions that focus on getting to know the history and culture. ElderTreks (tel. 800/741-7956; www.eldertreks.com) offers small-group tours to off-the-beaten-path or adventure-travel locations, restricted to travelers 50 and older. Britons might prefer to deal with Saga Holidays (Saga Building, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1AZ; tel. 0800/096-0084; www.saga.co.uk), which offers all-inclusive tours in Greece for those ages 50 and older.
Recommended publications offering travel resources and discounts for seniors include Travel 50 & Beyond (www.travel50andbeyond.com) and the best-selling paperback Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50 (McGraw-Hill, 2003) by Joan Rattner Heilman.
