Greece · Summer 2027
Teen travel programs to Greece
On Rustic Pathways teen travel programs to Greece, students run dawn loggerhead nest surveys and harbor monitoring with Wildlife Sense on Kefalonia, the largest island in the Ionian Sea, or, on a separate culture and food program, explore Venice and Verona in Italy before the Acropolis, Delphi and a Greek cooking class.
- 2 programs
- 9 or 12 days
- Ages 14–18
- From $3,495 Program Tuition
From $3,495 Program Tuition2 programs · Ages 14–18 · 11 departures
See the programs- Operating in Greece
- Since 2024
- Language
- Greek, plus Italian on Italy & Greece; none needed to join
- Flight from New York
- 9 hr 10 min nonstop
- Getting there
- Optional chaperoned group flight from Newark
Two Greece programs for summer 2027
Rustic Pathways offers two Greece teen travel programs for summer 2027: 9-day Island Turtle Conservation with service hours on Kefalonia and 12-day Italy & Greece focused on food and culture.
Compare the Greece programs
The two Greece programs vary by length, Program Tuition, where students stay and what they do.
Show program
| Island Turtle Conservation$3,495 | Italy & Greece: Culture, Food & Exploration$5,395 | |
|---|---|---|
| Choose this if… | Your teen wants field research with sea turtles on a Greek island. | Your teen wants food, culture and ancient sites in Italy and Greece. |
| Length | 9 days | 12 days |
| Program Tuition | $3,495 | $5,395 |
| Where students stay | Lodging within walking distance of the nesting beaches on Kefalonia, in the Ionian Sea | A base property in the Venice and Lake Garda region, then a central hotel in Athens |
| Service or learning | 20 service hours with Wildlife Sense: nesting beach surveys, seagrass mapping and harbor turtle monitoring | No service hours: a Venetian mask-making workshop, Italian and Greek cooking classes and a Greek dance class |
| Adventure | Cave of Melissani, a full-day boat outing along the coast, island hopping, a sunset dinner | Venice canals, the Acropolis and Parthenon, Mycenae and the Lion Gate, Delphi |
| See dates→ | See dates→ |
Prices are in U.S. dollars. Program Tuition is not the total cost. Flights to and from the program, the enrollment fee, medical insurance (required), travel insurance (optional) and personal expenses are separate.
Which Greece program fits your teen?
Greece has two separate programs in different places: sea turtle fieldwork on Kefalonia, and a culture and food program that starts in northern Italy and ends in Athens.
Choose in Greece…
- For sea turtle field research with marine biologists on Kefalonia: Island Turtle Conservation.
- For food, culture and ancient sites in Italy and Greece: Italy & Greece: Culture, Food & Exploration.
Look beyond Greece if…
- Your teen wants marine science for longer at lower tuition: Italy, 12 days at $3,395.
- You want two countries at $5,395 with community service hours: Portugal, from Lisbon to Barcelona.
- You want lower tuition and a shorter flight from the U.S., with a sea turtle program among the choices: Costa Rica, from $2,495.
What Greece Program Tuition includes
Greece Program Tuition ranges from $3,495 to $5,395 for 9 or 12 days, including accommodations, scheduled meals, ground transportation, airport transfers within designated windows, and planned activities. The flights between Athens and Kefalonia, and from Italy to Athens, are also included.
Included
- Accommodation for every program night
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, from the first meal after airport pickup through the last meal before airport drop-off
- Airport transfers within the published arrival and departure windows
- Ground transportation during the program
- Flights between Athens and Kefalonia and from Italy to Athens
- All scheduled activities, excursions and entrance fees listed in the program itinerary
- Gratuities and donations, so students never need to bring money to give away
- Program Leaders housed on site and available overnight
- 24/7 emergency support line for families
Not included
- Flights to and from the program, including the optional chaperoned group flight
- A one-time $100 enrollment fee, which rises closer to departure
- Medical insurance with coverage in Greece and Italy (required)
- Travel insurance (optional, and strongly recommended)
- Personal expenses, such as spending money, laundry and phone data
Summer 2027 teen travel departure dates by program
Rustic Pathways’ Island Turtle Conservation and Italy & Greece programs depart between June 16 and July 28, 2027 (11 departures). Compare these dates program by program in the timeline below.
Calendar tip: Each bar runs from the day a program starts to the day it ends. Select one to view that departure.
Greece vs. Italy, Portugal and Costa Rica
Greece differs from Italy, Portugal and Costa Rica by offering two programs: 9 days of sea turtle fieldwork on Kefalonia or 12 days exploring food and culture in Italy and Greece. Italy offers marine biology in Imperia; Portugal features coastal conservation across Portugal and Spain; and Costa Rica offers turtles, surfing or service at the lowest tuition.
Greece vs.
| This pageGreece$3,495–$5,395 | Italy$3,395 | Portugal$5,395 | Costa Rica$2,495–$3,495 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choose this if… | Your teen wants turtle fieldwork, or Italian and Greek food and history. | Your teen wants Mediterranean marine biology for less Program Tuition.1 | Your teen wants coastal conservation across two countries in 12 days.2 | Your teen has one interest: turtles, surf or service.3 |
| Length | 9 or 12 days | 12 days, 10 nights | 12 days, 10 nights | 8 days, 7 nights |
| Program Tuition | $3,495–$5,395 | $3,395 | $5,395 | $2,495–$3,495 |
| Language | Greek, plus Italian on Italy & Greece; none needed to join | Italian; none needed to join | Portuguese and Spanish; none needed to join | Spanish; none needed to join |
| Time difference in July4 | 7 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern | 6 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern | 5 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern | 2 hours behind U.S. Eastern |
| Travel time from New York5 | 9 hr 10 min nonstop | 7 hr 55 min nonstop | 6 hr 55 min nonstop | 5 hr 9 min nonstop |
| Travel time from Los Angeles | 14 hr 20 min, 1 stop | 13 hr 50 min, 1 stop | 11 hr nonstop | 5 hr 41 min nonstop |
| Travel time from London | 3 hr 25 min nonstop | 1 hr 55 min nonstop | 2 hr 45 min nonstop | 11 hr 30 min nonstop |
| Travel time from Hong Kong | 15 hr 5 min, 1 stop | 13 hr 10 min nonstop | 17 hr 30 min, 1 stop | 20 hr 35 min, 1 stop |
| Getting there | Passport. Optional chaperoned group flight from Newark, to Athens or Italy by program. | Passport. International flight to Italy. | Passport. Starts in Lisbon, ends in Barcelona. | Passport. Optional chaperoned group flights from three U.S. cities. |
| Land vs. water | Kefalonia turtle beaches, or Venice to the Peloponnese, by program. | Marine biology on the Ligurian coast at Imperia. | Surf and a beach cleanup near Lisbon, then eco-snorkeling service near Barcelona. | Volcano, turtle beach or surf coast, by program. |
| Service | Turtle fieldwork, 20 hours; none on Italy & Greece | Marine biology study | Coastal conservation, 14 hours | Schools, trails, turtles or beaches, 12 to 26 hours |
| 2027 departures | 11 across two programs | 2: Jul 1, Jul 15 | 6: Jun 24, Jul 1, Jul 8, Jul 15, Jul 22, Jul 29 | 18 across four programs |
| See the Greece programs↑ | View Italy programs→ | View Portugal programs→ | View Costa Rica programs→ |
Prices are in U.S. dollars. Program Tuition is not the total cost. Flights to and from the program, the enrollment fee, medical insurance (required), travel insurance (optional) and personal expenses are separate.
Is teen travel to Greece safe?
Yes, teen travel to Greece is safe on a supervised Rustic Pathways program. The U.S. State Department rates Greece Level 1, its lowest level,6 and summer falls in Greece’s warm, rainless season.7
Rustic Pathways has run programs in Greece since 2024, with Program Leaders housed on site and available overnight and a 24/7 emergency support line.
Why book Greece with Rustic Pathways
Booking with Rustic Pathways brings a chaperoned flight option, a parent portal and an advisor you can call.
In Greece since 2024
Rustic Pathways has run Greece programs since 2024 and student travel since 1983. Island Turtle Conservation students work with Wildlife Sense marine biologists on Kefalonia; both Greece programs visit Athens.
Chaperoned group flights
U.S. students on either program can join an optional chaperoned group flight from Newark: to Athens for Island Turtle Conservation or to Italy and back from Athens for Italy & Greece. Program Tuition includes flights between Athens and Kefalonia and from Italy to Athens, but not the chaperoned group flight.
MyRustic parent portal
MyRustic (myrustictrip.com) is Rustic Pathways’ free, web-based parent and student portal. It holds enrollment forms, billing, the full itinerary, travel logistics and a moderated daily photo feed.
A travel advisor to call
Scott Ingram, Director of Admissions, and Emily Green, Admissions Counselor, answer Greece questions before you enroll. Call +1 440-975-9691 or schedule a call.
Greece in their words: student takeovers
After the program, students take over the Rustic Pathways Instagram with their own photos and stories. Here is one from Greece programs in summer 2026.
“My favorite part of the trip was swimming on the boat day and getting to spend time exploring a new culture and place alongside new people and friends.” Violet M., on Instagram
“Hi, my name is Violet. I went on the Greece Turtle Conservation trip this June. I was super excited for this trip because I got to go alongside one of my best friends, Havana. While going with a friend from home definitely helped make my experience even more fun, I can confidently say that even without her, I would have made some amazing friends.
I was lucky enough to make friends who I am still in contact with. Going on this trip allowed me to learn more about meeting people who aren’t from my social circle and how to expand my horizons. This trip also helped me learn how much I value my friends from home while making me excited to make so many more friends throughout my life.
My favorite part of the trip was swimming on the boat day and getting to spend time exploring a new culture and place alongside new people and friends.”
Violet M., Greece: Island Turtle Conservation, summer 2026
Greece teen travel FAQ
How is Greece different from other countries for teen travel?
Greece differs from other countries for teen travel through its mix of ancient Greek history, Mediterranean island wildlife and hands-on cultural traditions. Students can study loggerhead sea turtles on Kefalonia or explore Greek cuisine, dance and historic sites on separate itineraries.
Which Greece program is right for my teen?
Choose Island Turtle Conservation for your teen if they prefer field science, or Italy & Greece for food, culture and historic sites. Island Turtle Conservation lasts 9 days ($3,495) and includes 20 service hours with Wildlife Sense on Kefalonia. Italy & Greece lasts 12 days ($5,395) and offers no service hours.
Do students need to speak Greek?
No, students do not need to speak Greek on either Greece program. Program Leaders accompany students, Wildlife Sense biologists lead turtle fieldwork, and cooking and dance classes are hands-on.
Do students get proof of their Greece service hours?
Yes, Island Turtle Conservation students receive proof of their Greece service hours through a certificate of participation and completed-hours record, typically within 30 days. They complete 20 community service hours monitoring loggerhead sea turtles with Wildlife Sense on Kefalonia. Italy & Greece has no service hours. Island Turtle Conservation hours are not college credit.
What is the weather like in Greece in summer?
Summer weather in Greece is hot and dry, with average highs of 84–95°F (29–35°C) during the hottest period from late July to early August. Skies are generally clear, with rare short storms and coastal sea breezes that moderate the heat.8 The final 2027 program ends August 5; students should carry water and sun protection.
What do students need to travel to Greece, and how do flights work?
Students need a passport and medical insurance valid in Greece (and Italy for Italy & Greece). U.S. citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in a 180-day Schengen period; other nationalities may need a visa. Check current ETIAS requirements and CDC travel guidance.
Optional chaperoned flights depart Newark for Athens (Island Turtle Conservation) or Italy (Italy & Greece, returning from Athens). Program Tuition covers staff-accompanied Athens to Kefalonia and Italy to Athens flights, but not the Newark group flights.
Footnotes
- The Italy column covers Mediterranean Marine Biology. Italy & Greece: Culture, Food & Exploration, which also visits Italy, is listed with the Greece programs on this page. ↩
- The Portugal column covers Portugal & Spain: Coastal Conservation. ↩
- The Costa Rica column covers its four 8-day programs. ↩
- Time differences are for July, from the IANA time zone database. Times include daylight saving time where it applies. ↩
- Shortest total travel time, including layovers, for one-way flights on any day from June 22 to 28, 2027, as listed on Google Flights on October 6, 2026. New York and London include all area airports, and schedules change. ↩
- Advisory level as of October 2026. Check travel.state.gov for the current level before travel. ↩
- Summer climate: the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, the climate of Greece. ↩
- Summer climate: the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, the climate of Greece. ↩
Greece has 11 summer 2027 departures across two programs.
Compare the two programs