We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you a better feel for this experience. The actual program will vary. A confirmed itinerary is distributed no later than two weeks prior to the start of the program.
DAY 1 | DEPARTURE FLIGHT
Meet your staff and teens at the airport before traveling together to Europe on an overnight flight. The program starts with a tour through Greece. Once we land, your trip officially begins! We’ll break the ice with some fun and engaging activities so that you get to know everyone in the group. To learn more about how we organize travel to and from the program, click here.
DAY 2 | ATHENS, GREECE
Our adventure begins with a tour of the ancient city of Athens. See Syntagma (Constitution) Square, the central square of Athens. Just a stone’s throw away from Herodou Attikou Street—considered one of the most beautiful streets in the city—the Presidential Palace and its lush gardens await you. We’ll also stop at Panathenaic Stadium—the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble—where the first Olympics of the modern era took place in 1896.
DAY 3–5 | NORTHERN GREECE
We’ll drive to Thessaloniki, a Greek port city on the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. Evidence of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires remain, especially in upper town. The group will tour this area to see the medieval walls, main harbor, and Arch of Galerius, a magnificent stone structure built around 300 AD. As the sun starts to set, teens will celebrate their first Shabbat together in Greece.
Spend the Sabbath relaxing before we continue touring Thessaloniki. You’ll walk by White Tower, a monument and museum on the waterfront of the city. See how the Roman Empire’s influence is still sprinkled throughout the city when you stop at the Rotonda, where frescoes that were painted on the walls in the 4th century survive today. Learn about La Madre de Israel—translated to Jerusalem of the Balkans—Thessaloniki’s historical Jewish community. We’ll spend our final evening here exploring the city center, which is bustling with shops, bakeries, clothing stores, and more. Before leaving the city, we’ll visit the Jewish Museum.
After, we’re southbound! The group will stop in Kalambaka—located in central Greece—to visit Meteora. This impressive rock formation hosts one of the largest complexes of monasteries in the world at the top. We’ll rest for the night before continuing south to Delphi.
DAY 5–8 | SOUTHERN GREECE
Step back in time and unearth some of history’s oldest artifacts at the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Greece. We’re going to continue south to Olympia, spending time swimming at a nearby beach before we arrive. Then, we’ll visit the site where the first Olympic Games took place in the ancient world. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia features some of the most significant exhibitions of Ancient Greece. See breathtaking sculptures from the excavation of the sanctuary of Zeus, masterpieces from the long history of the Olympic Games’ birthplace, and thousands of years of art.
On our journey to Nafplio, we’ll stop in Mycenae, a prominent site in Greek mythology that inspired poets, writers, and artists. Teens will have more time on the beach to play some water sports before we walk through the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, dedicated to the Ancient Greek god of medicine, Asclepius. Famous for its acoustics, this awe-inspiring marble theater sits in the lush hills of the Peloponnese. It’s argued to be the grandest and best-preserved in all of Greece.
Before we head back to Athens, the group will enjoy a folklore dinner in Plaka. Teens will learn Greek dances and enjoy live, authentic Greek music.
DAY 9–11 | ATHENS, GREECE
Our second visit to Athens will be more meaningful than when we arrived now that we’ve learned so much about Greek culture and can take a deeper dive to understand the city and all its glory. During a full day tour, we’ll visit the Athens Jewish Museum, Monastiraki Flea Market, and the Acropolis, an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above Athens. This area contains the remains of several historically significant buildings, the most famous being the Parthenon. The Parthenon was dedicated to the Greek goddess, Athena. Enjoy spending your second Shabbat in Athens with the group before we embark to Santorini.
DAY 12–14 | SANTORINI, GREECE
One of the most famous islands in the world, Santorini has some of the most breathtaking views in the world. You’ll stop for a few photos on Red Beach. One of the most stunning beaches on the island, it stands out for its red colored cliffs that were formed due to volcanic eruptions and is situated near the ancient site of Akrotiri. You can see how volcanic activity formed the beautiful black sand beach of Perissa. Sigh as you watch the sun set from the village of Oia, infamous for its whitewashed houses and blue-dome churches.
Feel the island come alive as you walk through Fira, the captivating capital of the island and the biggest settlement of Santorini. You’ll take the cable car down to the old port and return up via donkey ride—you read that right! Learn about the pirate hideaways that are sprinkled throughout the hidden gem, Megalochori. This village has traces of settlements that date back approximately five thousand years and offers a wonderful view of the Aegean Sea.
We’ll return to the mainland and spend one final evening in the Greek capital of Athens. Spend time shopping for last minute souvenirs, exploring the streets, and indulging in your favorite foods one last time before we head to the airport for our flight home.
DAY 15 | RETURN FLIGHT
It’s never goodbye, just see you later. Give your friends one last hug and part ways once your flight arrives at the airport. While your summer trip with us is over, the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!
