GREECE
MEDITERRANEAN CITIES & ISLAND EXPEDITION
Explore Greece's multifaceted life: from ancient times to the complexities of modern life in Athens, to the picturesque coastline and spectacular sunsets of Santorini.
Program Overview
Your adventure begins in Athens, home to a trove of ancient treasures and ruins that have been incredibly preserved in historical parks, museums and iconic spaces that are still in use today. You’ll also explore some of the most picturesque islands found in the Mediterranean! First take an overnight ferry to Crete, Greece’s largest island. Explore the coastal towns of Heraklion and Rethymno, as well as the quaint mountain village of Zaros. Finally, set sail through the Aegean Sea to the dreamy island of Santorini, known for its whitewashed cube dwellings and incredible sunsets.
On GLA’s Greece: Mediterranean Cities & Island Expedition program you will:
- Visit the ancient Acropolis of Athens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Sail along the caldera of Santorini in a traditional wooden boat and swim in some of the clearest waters of the Mediterranean Sea
- Explore Crete and learn about – and taste! – Greek cuisine on a food tour and cooking class
- Dive deep into Greek culture by participating in a traditional dance night, pottery workshop and an authentic farm experience
- Participate in community service to support a meaningful local cause
Program Menu
GREECE
MEDITERRANEAN CITIES & ISLAND EXPEDITION
Sample Itinerary
Let’s take a sneak peek at what your program experience might look like this summer! Please note that the order of activities may differ for each program session. The details provided here represent a general outline of what you can anticipate, though community service projects and activities are subject to change based on the needs of our local community partners, cultural celebrations and traditions, weather conditions and the specific requirements of the student group.
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Greece! GLA staff will greet you at Athens airport and accompany you to your new home. Settle into your room, meet your fellow travelers, and enjoy your first Greek meal together. Get some rest for an exciting day ahead!
Day 2: Athens Acropolis & Food Tour
After breakfast, we’ll head out to meet our guide and explore both modern Athens and its ancient landmarks, including the Acropolis. Enjoy a Greek food tour to taste the city’s cuisine.
Day 3: Bike Tour, Community Service, & Overnight Ferry to Crete
Before moving on, we’ll explore the city by bike—fast enough to see new places, yet slow enough to enjoy them. After the tour, we’ll volunteer in the community, with our project depending on current needs. Then, we’ll take an overnight ferry to Crete, where we’ll have dinner and stay in the ferry’s passenger cabins.
Day 4: Chania, Rethymnon, Pottery, and Crete Traditional Dances
We’ll arrive in Chania early, explore the Venetian-style downtown, and then head to Margarites village for a pottery workshop. Our hotel for the night is in Rethymnon, where we’ll enjoy dinner at a local taverna and experience a traditional Cretan dance.
Days 5-6: Zaros, Hiking, & Cooking Class
We’ll begin the day with a food tour through Rethymnon’s narrow streets. Afterward, we’ll drive through the Cretan mountains to Zaros, where we’ll spend the next few nights. In this peaceful spot, we’ll hike, enjoy a mountain lake, relax by the hotel pool, and take part in a farm-to-table cooking experience, picking fresh ingredients and learning to prepare traditional Cretan dishes.
Day 7: Heraklion & Beach Time
Today, we’ll visit Heraklion, Crete’s largest town. After a relaxing afternoon at the beach, we’ll explore the pedestrian-friendly downtown at night and grab our last souvenirs before leaving Crete tomorrow.
Days 8-10: Santorini Island
This morning, we’ll take a ferry from Heraklion to Santorini. After settling into our hotel, we’ll explore the island, starting with a tour from Fira to the charming village of Oia, with its iconic white houses and stunning cliffside terraces. We’ll also visit Pyrgos and Megalochori. No trip to Santorini is complete without a caldera boat tour, where we’ll sail, swim, enjoy delicious food, and watch the breathtaking sunset. As our time in Santorini ends, we’ll take a ferry back to Athens, savoring the beauty of the Mediterranean and Greek Islands one last time.
Day 11: Last Day in Athens
Today, we’ll wrap up our time in Greece with a community service project. We’ll also have time to shop for souvenirs, pack, and participate in a group closing activity. In the evening, we’ll dress up for a farewell dinner at a special location.
Day 12: Departures
Unfortunately, our trip to Greece has come to an end. After breakfast, the staff will assist with check-in and see you off at the airport for your journey home.
Program Map
GREECE
MEDITERRANEAN CITIES & ISLAND EXPEDITION
Community Service
For well over a decade, many families and communities in Greece have faced social and economic hardship in the aftermath of the Great Recession, in ways unseen in many other European countries. On this program, you will take part in a service project designed to support the local community in a meaningful way. The form of community service will depend on the most pressing need at the time of your program: It could involve helping at a pantry or food kitchen, participating in a clean-up project or directly supporting a local organization.
Hands-on Learning
Learn about ancient and contemporary Greece by visiting historical sites and touring Athens. Pick the brains of local guides to get your historical facts right and experience multiple aspects of the country’s contemporary life. Immerse yourself in Greek culture by participating in a pottery workshop, a food tour, a traditional dance night, and a farming and cooking experience.
Adventure
Adventure is at the heart of everything we do on a GLA program, and Greece is an adventurer’s dream! Explore ancient ruins and modern landmarks as you discover all that Greece has to offer. See Athens by bike, stopping to explore this ancient city’s historic center, including its world-famous Panathenaic Stadium. Embark on an unforgettable hike around Crete’s mountains and lakes. Unwind from your travels and take a dip in Santorini’s volcanic hot springs and the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean.
Lodging & Meals
Your Home Base on this program will consist of multiple overnight stays, depending on your location in the itinerary. All hotels are standard 3-star accommodations with en-suite bathrooms, AC and 2-3 beds per room. One night will be spent on an unforgettable overnight ferry experience, with rooms shared by up to four students and a private bathroom.
Greece is known for its amazing cuisine around the world. Expect lots of vegetables, olive oil, Greek yogurt, salads, feta cheese, and various types of meats. Greek dishes are delicious and packed with a variety of fresh and dried herbs.
GREECE
MEDITERRANEAN CITIES & ISLAND EXPEDITION
Dates & Tuition
12-Day Program
2025 Session Dates
June 15 – June 26, 2025
July 14 – July 25, 2025
Program Details
Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses
Airport pick-up/drop-off
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
An application fee and $600 deposit are required
to hold your spot on-program.
Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recommended by Students and Parents
“This experience helped me to understand what this community needed and connect that to my own life, making me more in touch with myself and my community.”
Vivian L. | Student | 2024
GREECE
MEDITERRANEAN CITIES & ISLAND EXPEDITION
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