ULTIMATE GREECE ISRAEL

We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you a better sense of this experience. The actual program may vary, and an itinerary will be distributed no later than two weeks before the program begins. Even after the itinerary is sent, adjustments may still be made in coordination with tour guides and the tour operator—both leading up to and during the program—based on local conditions.

DAY 1 | DEPARTURE FLIGHT
Meet your staff and teens at the airport before traveling together to Europe on an overnight flight. This program starts with our Greece Discovery program. 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.

DAYS 2–4 | ATHENS, GREECE
Welcome to Athens! Upon arrival, meet your tour guide at the airport and travel to your accommodations along the Athens Coast. Relax and enjoy lunch at the Glyfada shopping center before heading to Varkiza Beach for swimming and water sports. The next day, start with an e-bike tour of Athens' historic center, stopping for amazing views of the Acropolis from Pnyx, visiting the New Museum of Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus, and more! Explore Plaka and important Jewish sites in the area, and enjoy free time for lunch in Old Athens. Visit the iconic Acropolis and observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city.

Spend a relaxing Shabbat with free time at the hotel pool or a nearby beach. Enjoy a buffet lunch at the hotel, a leisurely walk to the Glyfada shopping center, and end the day with dinner at the hotel.

DAYS 5–9 | SANTORINI, GREECE
After breakfast and checkout, take a ferry from Piraeus Port to the stunning island of Santorini. Tour Fira, the capital of Santorini, and admire the breathtaking Caldera Volcano view. Check into your accommodations in Oia Village and enjoy a half-day tour of Santorini’s most beautiful spots, including the famous Oia sunset.

Explore the narrow paths of Fira on a walking tour, take the cable car down to the old port, and return via an exciting donkey ride. Spend time at the black sand Kamari Beach enjoying water sports and relaxing. Embark on a Red Cruise from Athinious Port, sailing on an open-style catamaran into the Caldera, with stops for swimming and snorkeling at the Red and White Beaches and the hot springs. Discover Pyrgos Village and its castle before dinner in a traditional restaurant.

Continue your exploration with the most scenic hike on the island from Fira to Imerovigli, offering stunning views of the Aegean Sea and the island's key villages. Visit the Perissa ‘grey’ Beach for more swimming and water sports. Wrap up your Santorini stay with a visit to Megalochori Village, where you’ll walk through traditional white houses, churches, and explore the intriguing underground cave houses. Then, transfer to the port for a high-speed ferry ride to Piraeus and return to Athens for dinner and an overnight stay.

DAYS 10–11 | THESSALONIKI, GREECE
Travel to Thessaloniki, exploring the city’s rich history with visits to Jewish landmarks, the White Tower, and other significant sites. Celebrate Shabbat with dinner at a local restaurant. The next day, enjoy a guided walking tour of Thessaloniki’s City Center and more Jewish landmarks, followed by a light activity and a Shabbat lunch. Spend the afternoon walking around the beautiful port area before having dinner at the hotel.

DAYS 12–13 | KALAMBAKA & DELPHI, GREECE
After breakfast, head to Waterland, one of Europe’s biggest and most fun waterparks. Enjoy the slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools. Visit the Museum of Illusions in Thessaloniki before driving to Kalambaka for dinner and an overnight stay. The next day, visit the breathtaking Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage site with monasteries perched atop towering rock pillars. After lunch in Kalambaka, drive to Delphi, check into the hotel, and enjoy dinner and some free time.

DAY 14 | DELPHI & ATHENS, GREECE
Explore the Sanctuary of Delphi and Museum, once the religious center of the ancient Greek world. After lunch in Delphi, return to Athens and enjoy a fun visit to Allou Fun Park, Greece’s largest amusement park. Relax at the hotel pool before your final dinner in Athens.

DAY 15–16 | JERUSALEM
Teens will continue to build on this awe-inspiring adventure by connecting into one of our Israel Journey trips. Once we arrive and settle in, spend the morning hiking in the Jerusalem hills, followed by lunch at Mahane Yehuda, and then pool time at the hotel. We’ll have our first group dinner, then a discussion about visiting Israel post-October 7.

After breakfast the next day, we’ll say the Shehecheyanu blessing—prayer to mark joyous occasions—followed by taking in a panoramic introduction to Jerusalem at the Haas Promenade. After a few group bonding activities, we’ll enter the Old City’s Zion Gate and walk through the ancient squares and over rooftops of the Jewish Quarter. Teens will have free time to explore and shop before time for reflections at the Kotel, the Western Wall. We’ll end the with a group night out on Ben Yehuda Street and free time for dinner.

DAY 17–21 | NORTHERN ISRAEL
We’ll check out once we’ve had breakfast the next day and continue to City of David Excavations—discover the foundations of Jerusalem dating back to King David's time, and then cool off in the spring-fed Hezekiah's Tunnel below Jerusalem. After, we’ll leave Jerusalem and head north to the Galilee along the Mediterranean Coast, stopping for lunch along the way. Teens will explore the Caesarea archeological complex—Herod's Roman amphitheater and grand palace on the beach. We’ll continue north, stopping to view the Sea of Galileealong the way. Then, after we arrive at the accommodations and prepare for our first Shabbat in Israel, we’ll have a Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner experience together.

On Shabbat, we’ll spend the day relaxing with staff-led Shabbat programming and activities before a group lunch, then free time at the accommodations. After dinner and Havdalah, teens will enjoy an evening group night out in the Galilee.

Spend a day at Aqua Kef—experience the thrill of Israel's floating water park on the Sea of Galilee. Visit Sindyanna of Galilee and learn about the female-led non-profit that actively promotes the concepts of “business for peace” and Fair Trade in Israel through a Za'atar making workshop. Enjoy an Ethiopian experience at the Garmachin Center in Beit Shan—drink coffee, learn Ethiopian dance, and enjoy an Ethiopian-style dinner.

Hike on Mount Gilboa and Nahal HaKibbutzim, then swim in the natural spring pools of the Sachne. We’ll drive to Haifa and check into our accommodations before having a Maccabi Tzair camp mifgash (cross-cultural encounter) in Pardes Chana. Meet with teens from BBYO’s sister movement in Israel, have dinner, and participate in a staff-led discussion at our accommodations.

Take part in a volunteer project making food for soldiers, then visit Atlit Detention Camp—learn about the challenges faced by Jews fleeing the Holocaust when they arrived on the shores of Israel during the British Mandate Era. After this, we’ll enjoy a surfing class and beach time along the Haifa coast followed by dinner at the beach.

DAY 22–25 | TEL AVIV
Teens will take a guided tour of the beautiful Bahai Temple and Gardens on Mt. Carmel in Haifa, then stop at the Ahmeddiya Mosque and meet with a local Imam (prayer-leader.) Then, we’ll head to Louis Boardwalk for a food tour. After, the group will travel down the Mediterranean Coast to Tel Aviv. Our first stop will be to Hostages Family Square, where families await the return of their loved ones. We’ll check into our accommodations and have dinner, then meet with a survivor of the Nova Music Festival.

The following day, we travel south to the Gaza border region where we will visit Sderot, one of the communities most impacted by the October 7 attacks (including personal testimony.) After a quick break for lunch, visit Kibbutz Magan to meet teens who have been displaced by the October 7 attacks, who are now rebuilding their lives in the Gaza border region. Then, stop for a solemn visit to the Nova Music Festival Memorial Site. We’ll return to Tel Aviv in the late afternoon and have dinner at hotel followed by a staff-led processing session with the group. Our evening ends with a BBYO Alumni Gathering at the Mishkenot Ruth Daniel rooftop.

Our time in Tel Aviv is only just beginning. We’ll visit ANU, the Museum of the Jewish People at Tel Aviv University, then spend free time for lunch in the Carmel Market (shuk) and browse the Nahalat Binyamin street festival. Teens will learn about Tel Aviv’s LGBTQ culture on the Rainbow TLV Tour and discover the complexity and beauty of Hebrew graffiti art in Tel Aviv's Florentin neighborhood—including the post-October 7 murals. We’ll return to prepare for Kabbalat Shabbat, which will be held at a local shul like Neve Tzedek Synagogue, then have dinner together. Teens will participate in Shabbat service options on Saturday, then have lunch at the accommodations before free time to enjoy Tel Aviv’s beach culture. After dinner at our accommodations and Havdalah, we’ll end our second week in Israel expressing ourselves with a Guru Zuzu “silent rave” through the streets.

DAY 26–28 | CENTRAL ISRAEL
Visit Machon Ayalon and honor the bravery of the pioneers who helped establish modern Israel at this secret underground munitions facility. Then continue south, stopping for a tasting tour in Be’er Sheva and free time for lunch. Break to view the Ramon Crater—the world’s largest erosion crater! After, we’ll check into desert kibbutz accommodations in the Arava Valley and have a BBQ dinner and pool party at our accommodations.

Our next day, we’ll have an early breakfast at the accommodations. Then, we’ll stop to view the Red Sea and Israel’s border with Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Teens will participate in a conversation about how the resort city was transformed into a city of refuge for displaced communities. After we arrive in Eilat, teens will have time for guided snorkeling in the Red Sea as well as beach time and adventure water sports like banana boating. We’ll take some time for lunch before cruising on the Red Sea on a boat with waterslides.

Learn how Israel thrives in the desert and protects its ecology during a kibbutz workshop, then spend time in the pool there before we travel to the Judean Desert via the Arava Valley, shared by Israel and Jordan. Experience effortlessly floating at the Dead Sea's Ein Bokek beach—the lowest point on Earth! We’ll check into accommodations in Arad and make our way to Kfar Hanokdim encampment and embark on a camel trek, followed by a traditional Bedouin tent dinner feast and bonfire experience.

DAY 29 | MASADA
The group will have an early wakeup and pre-sunrise hike to the summit of Masada, where they’ll enjoy a tour of Herod's desert mountaintop fortress and the bastion of an ancient Jewish rebellion. After, descend Masada via the Snake Path and eat breakfast before we take a nature walk in the Ein Gedi National Park to cool off under the waterfalls. We’ll have lunch in Ein Gedi before returning to Jerusalem, checking into our accommodations, and resting from the long day. We’ll design a group t-shirt to remember the trip, then have time for friends and family to visit the group at the hotel.

DAY 30–34 | JERUSALEM
Learn about Israel's unique democratic system by taking part in a "Junior Knesset" workshop at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. We’ll have some free time for lunch at the Jerusalem First Station Market before meeting with a member of Jerusalem’s Arab community at the Feel Beit cross-cultural center. Spend the afternoon cooling off with a game of “water tag” in a park outside of Jerusalem and then enjoy dinner at the hotel followed by a staff-led activity.

Take an emotional tour of the Mount Herzl, Israel’s National Cemetery, then experience the colorful Mahane Yehuda open-air marketplace and free time for lunch. We’ll return to our hotel and prepare for our final Shabbat in Israel. Teens will re-enter the Old City to experience a moving Kabbalat Shabbat experience at the Kotel, or Western Wall. After, enjoy a special dinner in the Old City.

Spend Saturday morning enjoying various Shabbat service options, then have lunch at the hotel. Teens will have an afternoon of free time at the park before preparing for our Yad Vashem visit the next day. We’ll have dinner and Havdalah, then a group night out to Cinema City.

Engage in a Bringing Israel Home talk with Neil Lazarus, an expert on the Middle East. Contribute to Israel’s food security volunteering at Tachlit or Pantry Packers in Jerusalem. Visit Yad Vashem—The World Holocaust Remembrance Center—before dinner at the hotel, followed by a group night out on foot.

On our final day, we’ll wake up for breakfast and check out so that we can head to Tel Aviv. We’ll have a workshop at Nalagaat center in Jaffa—a one of a kind non-profit arts and cultural center that represents a meeting place between deaf, blind, and deaf-blind individuals together with the public. Then, take a walking tour of the Jaffa Seaport and have free time for lunch at the Jaffa Flea Market. We’ll close out the day with a tree planting ceremony tour, group wrap-up conversation, and then a closing dinner celebration at Neot Kedumim Park. Return to Ben Gurion Airport for an overnight flight back to the U.S.

DAY 35 | 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!

Our most frequently asked questions about this program are answered below. Additional program-wide FAQs are also available. Still need something? We’re here to help! Schedule a call to learn more about this trip or contact us.

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What are the rules for Israeli citizens or children of Israeli citizens?
If either of your parents is an Israeli citizen, or if you have ever lived in Israel, it is your responsibility to make sure your status with the Israeli Defense Forces is worked out and clear. Moreover, you may still have obligations to the State of Israel that must be resolved prior to your trip, even if you do not have an Israeli passport. These matters must be taken care of before you arrive in Israel.

Note: If you hold an Israeli passport, you must enter Israel with your Israeli passport.

If you do not take care of these matters prior to your trip, you may be obligated to stay in Israel by the State of Israel until resolution. If this applies to you, you will be solely responsible for your own situation and any costs involved. Again, we highly recommend you be extremely cautious about these matters and contact one of the regional Israeli consulate offices if you have any questions.

How will my teen travel to the program?
BBYO requires all North American participants to fly on the group supervised flight for this program. Flight costs are not included in the program’s land cost. BBYO will purchase a ticket for each traveler and charge the family directly. The flight cost for programs with supervised flight options will be announced, along with the flight details for all programs, in the spring. The supervised flight for this program will depart from the New York City area, typically Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Learn more about flying to the program.

Is airfare between programs included when connecting two programs?
All connecting flights are included in the land cost for programs that connect. For more information, please visit our supervised flights page.

Where will my teen be sleeping?
The group stays in a variety of 3-star hotels in Europe. When booking accommodations, we request for each teen to have their own sleeping accommodations in a shared living space. On a rare occasion, your teen may share a large bed with another teen of the same gender. We try to avoid this as best as possible, but sometimes have limitations due to hotel space. In Israel, many of the accommodations we stay at are kibbutz-based guest houses that are located in Israel’s countryside and provide space for exploration within a secure environment. We use conventional hotels when we stay in cities. All accommodations in Israel have security and we book rooms so that each teen has their own sleeping accommodation in rooms that typically accommodate 2 to 5 teens per room.

How is the program staffed?
In Europe, each group is accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors), a local European tour leader, and a bus driver. In Israel, each group is also accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors) and a local Israeli guide. Teens are also joined by an armed guard and bus driver in Israel. Madrichim are not always the same between Europe and Israel.

Senior field staff also circulate between our groups for extra support. Staff names are sent out approximately 2–3 weeks prior to your departure as part of the pre-trip preparation emails. Staff are asked to make welcome calls to teens before departure. Feel free to ask them any remaining questions you may have. Learn more about our staff team.

What’s the summer weather like?
The weather throughout Greece is a typical Mediterranean climate—dry heat, cool evenings, and little to no rain. Temperatures will typically be in the 80s and 90s. Due to the dry nature of the heat in the Mediterranean, the sun is deceptively strong and you should plan to bring plenty of sunscreen and a good hat for outdoor touring.

In Israel, the sun is strong—often stronger than teens are accustomed to—so dehydration, heatstroke, and sunburn are serious concerns, especially in a desert climate. Clothing should be lightweight and comfortable in the heat. Whenever outside for an extended period, teens will be required to have a hat, a shirt with sleeves, sunscreen, and water. The good news is the heat is mostly dry, there is very little humidity and the chance of rain in Israel during the summer is extremely low so no umbrellas are needed. Evenings in Israel tend to get chilly quickly. Because we will not always return to our accommodations to change before an evening activity, always bring a day pack with a windbreaker, long-sleeved shirt, or light sweater. Layers are key!

How do you approach security?
The safety of the teens under our care is our guiding consideration. Learn more about our organization’s approach to safety & security.

What’s the typical group size?
Although it varies from year to year, our average group for Ultimate Greece Israel is comprised of 2–3 buses. The average bus size is 34–42 teens. Buses may include teens registered for this trip as well as teens registered for another trip that connects two programs, or teens registered for one of the two connecting programs. For details on bus assignments and friend requests, please visit our General FAQ page.

What’s the food like?
You’ll try delicacies like tzatziki, olives, baklava, and stuffed grape leaves in Greece. In Israel, expect to eat Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods such as falafel, hummus, shakshouka, borekas, and much more. When traveling, your teen may encounter new foods that will not be to their liking, so we ask teens to be flexible and have snacks and other alternatives on hand just in case.

As a travel-based program, our meals take a variety of forms and may include hotel buffets, restaurants, catered meals, and allowance funds for participants to purchase a meal on their own. All food provided by BBYO Passport experiences in Israel is kosher. When a meal is served in a public buffet format (e.g. hotel breakfast), we will always ensure that there are vegetarian, pescatarian, or dairy options available and we will not restrict teens from eating the food of their choice.

Some meals may be provided via a cash allowance where teens will be given money to purchase the food of their choice, called a pizur meal. Such meals are typically arranged in an area where there are multiple restaurant options and teens can choose the food of their liking. When time is limited for meal choice, staff may choose to facilitate meal orders on behalf of teens using their allowance funds.

Participants with special dietary needs (i.e. lactose intolerance, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) should review our dietary restrictions commitment document and contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate your needs during the program. 

Will I need a visa for Europe?
Starting in 2025, the European Commission will roll out a U.S. style electronic travel authorization system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. Additional information about this system can be found here: https://etias.com/.

ETIAS, or the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, must be applied for online prior to arrival to the EU. Each eligible traveller, regardless of age, will require an ETIAS to visit EU member countries. Citizens of countries that have visa-free access to European Union countries will require an ETIAS. Dual citizens that hold passports to an EU and ETIAS-eligible country will not require an ETIAS if they enter and exit Europe using their EU passport.

The following data will be required for each ETIAS application: personal biometric data (e.g. name, gender, data of birth, etc), passport or travel document information, EU member state of entry, background questions on an applicant's health, criminal record as well as previous EU immigration history.

Fee: The cost of an ETIAS is €7, however, individuals under the age of 18, or over the age of 70, will not need to pay the fee.

Will I need a visa for Israel?
Starting from January 2025, visitors from visa-exempt countries are required to obtain an ETA-IL(Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter the state of Israel. An approved ETA-IL, indicates that you are allowed to travel to Israel. Additional information about this system can be found here: https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/.

All travelers to Israel must have a valid visa or an ETA-IL approval before they start their journey. An Israeli citizen or a permanent resident holding a valid Israeli ID number is not required to submit an application for ETA-IL.

The following data will be required for each ETA-IL application: A passport issued by a visa exempt country, valid for the duration of your stay; A valid email address; A valid payment method for the fee payment 25 NIS.

Fee: The cost of an ETA-IL is 25 NIS (You cannot get a refund after you apply)

What are the payment and cancellation terms?
All of these details are available here: Enrollment & Registration Terms.

How do I enroll my teen if we live outside of North America?
Visit this page to find all the information you will need and express your interest.

For more information, check out our general FAQs or the pre-trip guide.

Looking to combine two experiences for an extended summer of adventure, learning, and self-discovery? BBYO makes it easy! This trip connects our Greece Discovery program with our Israel Journey program. Check out these other trips that connect Israel Journey:

• Ultimate Thailand Israel
• Ultimate Spain & Portugal Israel
• Ultimate Central Europe Israel
• Ultimate Mediterranean Israel
• Ultimate Western Europe Israel

Learn more about our trip connections. BBYO will book connection travel for these programs and include it in the land cost of the program.