Overview
A compact island trip that starts and ends in Athens. After a day at the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum, the group takes the ferry across the Aegean to Naxos for three days of beaches, the old town and its Venetian castle, an introductory SCUBA session and a Greek cooking class in a village.
Then on to Santorini: whitewashed Fira on the cliff edge, the cable car down to the port, a boat to the Nea Kameni volcano for a short hike and a swim in the hot springs, dinner in Oia, and a guided sea-kayak trip to the island's red, white and black sand beaches. The last evening is a farewell dinner back in Athens.
Departures are split by school grade — including middle-school dates and “ON TOUR” dates for 16–18 year-olds — and on some dates the group continues as the first part of a longer 20-day Greek Islands & Italy trip.
What's included
The itinerary
- Day 1 Flight to Athens — The official start: the group flies overnight from New York. Teens joining from Europe meet the group in Athens the next day.
- Day 2 Athens — Welcome activities, the Parthenon and the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum and the shops and markets of the Plaka.
- Days 3–5 Naxos — Ferry to Naxos: the old town and Venetian castle, beach time, an introductory SCUBA dive and a Greek cooking class in the village of Galini.
- Days 6–8 Santorini — Fira and the cable car, a boat trip to the Nea Kameni volcano with a swim in its hot springs, dinner in Oia, and a guided sea-kayak and snorkelling trip along the coloured-sand beaches.
- Day 9 Athens — Back to Athens for last souvenirs in the Plaka and a farewell dinner at sunset.
- Day 10 Athens — Goodbyes and flights home from Athens.
Where teens stay
Central Athens hotels around the Plaka. On Naxos, modern hotels in the island's traditional style, close to the beach and the main town; on Santorini, resort hotels in the heart of the island. The exact hotels are confirmed before departure.
Meals
Breakfast (a buffet at the hotel) and dinner are included every day — dinners are either with the whole group or in smaller groups at a restaurant the teens choose. Lunch is not included: teens eat in small groups at local cafés and bistros, so plan for it in their spending money. Vegetarian, kosher-style, gluten-free and lactose-free diets and most allergies can be catered for if you tell us in advance.
More photos
Frequently asked questions
Which departure is right for my child?
Groups are put together by US school grade, so each departure has teens of a similar age. Grades 7–8 (roughly ages 12–14): Jul 16–25, Jul 17–26. Grades 9–10 (roughly ages 14–16): Jun 27–Jul 6, Jun 29–Jul 8, Jul 14–23, Jul 15–24, Jul 16–25, Jul 21–30, Jul 23–Aug 1, Aug 3–12. Grades 11–12 (roughly ages 16–18): Jun 28–Jul 7, Jul 1–10, Jul 14–23. The grade is the one your child is in during the 2026–27 school year — we'll help you match it to your school system. Dates are the operator's official start and end dates.
How do flights work if we live in Europe?
The official dates count from the group's overnight flight out of New York, so the trip itself begins in Athens on day 2. Families in Europe usually book their own flight to Athens and the staff meet their child at the airport and handle the transfer — as long as the flight lands within the operator's arrival window, so please check with us before booking anything non-refundable. At the end, teens fly home from Athens; the leaders help with check-in and stay at the airport until flights in the set window have left. (There's also a chaperoned group flight back to New York, mainly used by American participants.)
What exactly is included in the price?
Accommodation, breakfast and dinner every day, all the activities in the itinerary, airport transfers for flights within the set time windows, tips and local taxes. Not included: flights to and from the trip, lunches and snacks, spending money, laundry (done along the way at wash-and-fold services or laundromats), the operator's application fee, and travel insurance — optional, but we strongly recommend it.
Is there a discount for enrolling early?
Yes — at the moment the operator offers US$200 off the tuition for early enrolment. It's a limited-time offer and the operator can end it at any point, so ask us whether it still applies and what the final price would be before you decide.
Does my child need to be a certified diver for the SCUBA day?
No — it's an introductory session with a local dive operator, no experience needed. Dive operators do refuse participants with some medical conditions, so if your child has asthma, ear problems or anything similar, tell us early and we'll check before you book.
What are the “ON TOUR” departures?
Departures for older teens in grades 11–12 (roughly 16–18). The route is the same, but the activities are pitched at a more mature group and teens get supervised time to explore in small groups — finding a café or a boutique on their own — within the structure parents expect.
Who else will be in the group?
Mostly American teens — on most programs around 85% of participants come from the US, and the operator tries to limit how many teens from any one other country join each group. For an international teen that means a genuinely English-speaking group, which is a big part of the appeal.
How good does my child's English need to be?
At least a confident beginner level — the operator recommends A2 or above, since everything on the trip happens in English. Your child can ask for an English-speaking roommate, and one-to-one English conversation time with a staff member can be arranged daily or a few times a week.
Can my child come on their own?
Yes, and many do. The first days are built around icebreakers and getting-to-know-you activities, roommates are assigned and rotated, and the staff actively help everyone settle into the group.
Are phones allowed?
Yes. Teens can bring their phone, so you can call or message them directly. The operator also runs a communication centre that's staffed every day of the summer, with someone on call around the clock for emergencies.