GREECE
TURTLE & CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
Learn about marine conservation and sea turtles as you explore the island of Kefalonia and the historical wonders of Athens!
Program Overview
Set sail for Greece, where we will explore one of the world’s oldest cultures and learn about important marine conservation work. Climate change and human impact have placed Loggerhead sea turtles and other native wildlife at risk of extinction.
Learn about the importance of preserving these magnificent creatures and their unique role in marine ecosystems. Get to know Athens and discover its ancient sites, such as the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora. Immerse yourself in the Mediterranean island lifestyle of Kefalonia and dive into marine conservation efforts. Wrap up your adventure with a visit to Patras and learn about bees at a local bee farm. Meet with friendly locals, taste incredible Mediterranean cuisine and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this vibrant culture!
On GLA’s Greece: Turtle & Conservation Adventure program you will:
- Visit the Acropolis in Athens and embark on a food tour around the city
- Explore the island of Kefalonia and learn all about Loggerhead sea turtles in the area
- Leave a positive footprint by volunteering with a local organization that supports the conservation of this magnificent species
- Learn how to conduct snorkeling surveys and collect valuable data on seafloor coverage
- Visit a bee farm to learn firsthand about bees and their contribution to sustainability worldwide
Program Menu
GREECE
TURTLE & CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
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 in, enjoy your first Greek meal with new friends, and rest up for an exciting day ahead!
Day 2: Athens and the Acropolis
After breakfast, we’ll head out to meet our guide and explore both the modern city and ancient sites, including the Acropolis. Enjoy a food tour to sample Greek cuisine throughout Athens.
Day 3: Turtle Visitor Center & Travel to Kefalonia
Today, we’ll visit Archaelon, Greece’s largest sea turtle protection organization, for a tour of their facilities and a chance to see rescued turtles. This will prepare us for our work in Kefalonia. Afterward, we’ll bid farewell to Athens and journey by bus and ferry through the Peloponnese to Kefalonia, our home for the next week.
Days 4-9: Sea Turtles, Marine Conservation, & Service Project
This week focuses on sea turtles and marine conservation! In Kefalonia, you’ll assist a local organization dedicated to protecting Loggerhead sea turtles. Your tasks include early morning beach surveys to identify and protect nests, harbour surveys to monitor turtle activity around fishing boats, and snorkeling surveys to assess marine ecosystem health. You’ll also participate in beach cleanups to maintain turtle nesting sites.
In addition to hands-on projects, you’ll attend workshops on climate change, seagrass ecology, fish identification, sea turtle biology, and drone use in conservation.
Expect long, adventurous days! Beach surveys start at 5 a.m. to avoid heat and tourists, while other activities like beach cleanups and harbour surveys begin around 8 a.m. You’ll also have time to enjoy Kefalonia’s stunning beaches and visit the famous Melassani Cave.
Day 10: Ferry Back to Mainland & Bee Farm
It’s time to leave Kefalonia. We’ll return to the mainland by ferry and bus. In the afternoon, we’ll visit a local bee farm, where we’ll learn about bees and their role in the ecosystem. After donning beekeeper suits, we’ll interact with the bees up close. We’ll spend the night at a cozy countryside hotel, experiencing the charm of Greece’s village life.
Day 11: Last Day in Athens
As our adventure nears its end, we’ll drive back to Athens. In the afternoon, you’ll have time for souvenir shopping, packing, and a final group activity. In the evening, we’ll dress up for a farewell dinner at a special location.
Day 12: Departures
Our trip to Greece has come to an end. After breakfast, we’ll head to the airport, where the staff will assist with check-in and bid you farewell as you begin your journey home.
Program Map
GREECE
TURTLE & CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
Community Service
Each year, Loggerhead sea turtles come to the Greek islands to lay their eggs. You’ll spend a week on the island of Kefalonia assisting a local organization that supports the conservation of this magnificent species. Early each morning, you’ll survey the beach for sea turtle nests, measuring, recording and marking the nesting sites to protect them from both predators and human activity. Additionally, you’ll conduct harbor surveys, as sea turtles often frequent the areas where fishing boats arrive to deliver their catch. Learn how to conduct snorkeling surveys, an exciting technique commonly used by marine scientists worldwide to monitor marine ecosystems. The data from these surveys is highly valuable for local organizations to inform decisions and advocate for stronger laws that protect the sea turtle population. Finally, you’ll participate in beach cleanups in the nesting areas to help keep the site as healthy as possible.
Hands-on Learning
This is a highly educational program. You’ll learn first-hand from biologists and ecologists, taking your first real steps into the world of marine conservation. In addition to hands-on community service projects, you’ll participate in workshops and discussions about climate change, seagrass ecology, fish identification, sea turtle biology and the use of drones in marine conservation. For a more holistic experience, you’ll also visit a bee farm to learn about bees and their contribution to sustainability worldwide.
Adventure
Explore central Athens by bicycle, taking in stunning views of the Acropolis from different angles. Take a ferry to Kefalonia, one of Greece’s most beautiful islands, and enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean on a snorkeling adventure. Visit Melissani Lake and take a boat into an awe-inspiring limestone cave.
Lodging & Meals
This is a moving program. You’ll be staying at three hotels in different parts of Greece. You will stay in shared double or triple rooms with private bathrooms and AC.
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
TURTLE & CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
Dates & Tuition
12-Day Program
2025 Session Dates
June 30 – July 11, 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
“The trip was extremely well organized and my daughter had an absolutely transformative experience. The leaders and mentors were excellent and the program provided the perfect balance of service, sightseeing and cultural activities. She returned home energized, full of insights and confidence.”
Sonya C. | Parent | 2021
GREECE
TURTLE & CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
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