Description

Join us this summer on a tour of two of the world's most ancient cultures. Wander the Acropolis, the Coliseum, St. Peter's Basilica, Greek markets and back streets; snorkel or scuba dive, soak up the sun on a day long Greek island cruise, eat authentic gyros and pizza; learn how to make Greek food, see Michelangelo's David, and dance the night away in a club! Let our expert guides share their passion for these cultures as they take you on this incredible journey through Greece and Italy.

DAY 1: NEWARK (FOR THOSE WHO OPT TO TAKE THE GROUP FLIGHT)
As the group flight takes off, the trip officially begins!

DAYS 2 - 5: ATHENS, AEGINA (OPTIONAL EXCURSION), DELPHI
Our tour of the city takes us through the millennia, and we begin our adventures by visiting the Acropolis, the high point of the ancient city that houses the most important ancient Greek building, the Parthenon. We'll continue on, visiting the Roman Agora, the Temple of Zeus, and Hadrians arch. Then we'll change gears, whizzing through the modern markets of Athens. By night, well eat fabulous Greek food and learn to make it ourselves, and well also get to celebrate Greek-style with traditional dance lessons. Climb to the top of Lykavittos Mountain for sunset photography and enjoy hidden Athens walking tours from your counselors who have lived and studied in Athens. As with all TFT trips, you have options and choices as to how to make your Mediterranean sojourn your very own, and those who are interested can take a day-trip to the island of Aegina.

DAYS 5 - 9: LEFKADA
Leaving city life behind, we journey to Lefkada, one of the largest of the splendid Ionian Islands. On our way, well stop at Delphi, one of the four sites to host the original Olympic crown games over 2,600 years ago and one of the most spiritual places in all of Greece. Then its on to the island of Lefkada, where we will fill our days with island cruises, water sports and the most beautiful beaches you may have ever seen. Ever wanted to try windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving or sea kayaking? Now is your chance. Ever wanted to spend the day sailing between private islands in the Mediterranean on a sailboat? This is your trip! Lefkada and the Ionian islands are much different from the well-known Cyclades and the scenery will leave you wanting more! Our time spent on the island will bring us deeper into the nuances of this island life with behind the scenes access to olive making shops and wood carving factories as well as hikes to incredible lesser-known archeological sites and waterfalls.

DAYS 9 - 13: ROME, PISA, POMPEII, FLORENCE
After gorging ourselves on sun and waves, we hop over the Adriatic Sea to Italy. Our first stop in this markedly different land is Pompeii, a thriving ancient Roman port city that met an abrupt end in 79 AD when the volcano Mt. Vesuvius erupted, covering the town in a deep layer of volcanic ash that perfectly preserved its treasures for visitors today. There is no other archeological site in the world like Pompeii, where you can walk down actual Roman streets, read original 2,000 year old graffiti on the walls, and pop in and out of original ancient Roman houses, often still bearing their original paint jobs!

Its time for Rome, the Eternal City, and capital of the most expansive empire in the history of Western culture. Walking through the ancient ruins that line the Roman Forum, you can still feel the shadows cast by figures like Julius Caesar, Emperor Augustus, Marc Antony, and Cicero. From the Forum we head across the Tiber River to the Vatican, seat of the Roman Catholic Church and home to one of the most spectacular collections of art in the world. Touring its endless hallways and galleries, you can see marvels from ancient and modern times, and as well stand in awe of masterpieces from the Renaissance like Michelangelo's gorgeous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and Raphaels School of Athens. You will also have the chance to climb the dome of St. Peters for an incredible birds eye view of the city.

But Rome isn't just ancient art and culture. Its also a center of glamorous shopping, amazing cuisine, and all the energy and buzz of a modern cosmopolitan city. By night we will be taking nighttime photography lessons, interacting with street performers in Piazza Navona, and tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain to ensure a speedy return.

Highlights

- Enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of Athens
- Explore the birthplace of the Olympic Games at Olympia
- Lounge on incredible Mediterranean beaches on the idyllic Ionian Island of Lefkada
- Walk the ancient streets of Pompeii, buried by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD
- Wander the golden halls of the Vatican and stare in awe at Michelangelos Sistine Chapel ceiling

Where We Go:
* Athens, Greece
* Aegina, Greece (optional excursion)
* Delphi, Greece
* Lefkada, Greece
* Pompeii, Italy
* Rome, Italy

Travel for Teens is the only teen travel company featured on the Travel Channel! It was also recently featured on the Forbes Traveler website! For more information on these programs, please contact Travel for Teens through the contact link at the top or at the bottom of this page.

Type of Programs

• Cultural Exploration
• Adventure Travel

Languages

• English
• Italian
• Greek

Cost in US$:

4,185 plus airfare

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Travel For Teens's Mission Statement

Travel for Teens believes that teen travel should be both fun and enriching. Our programs feature choice in what you do, see, and experience, a dynamic that sets us apart from superficial tours that herd large groups from one site to another. We visit the best of the mainstream attractions while offering the opportunity to explore the culture from a less touristy perspective. We interact with our host cultures, taking cooking and dance lessons, performing valuable service work to help local communities, and conversing with the people who have spent their lives living in the places we journey to. We have crafted our unique programs to engender love for travel, hunger for learning, curiosity about differences, appreciation of similarities across cultures, and an understanding of what it means to be a global citizen.

Year Founded

2003