Route: Venice, Lake Garda, Jesolo and Verona in northern Italy, then a flight to Athens for the Peloponnese and Delphi
How is safety managed, and where do students stay?
Rustic Pathways prioritizes student safety with a written risk management plan for every program. Students spend five nights at a base in northern Italy and five nights at a central hotel in Athens.
Supervision and safety
- Supervision Median 4.37:1 student-to-staff ratio, maximum 7:1. Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.
- 2026 Incident Record 12 incidents logged on the earlier 16-day version across four 2026 sessions (79 students): 11 at the lowest (green) severity and 1 at the next level (yellow).
- Emergencies Enrolled families receive a 24/7 emergency number for use during programs and travel days.
- Medical Dr. William R. Smith, a board-certified emergency physician, supports leaders and families. Teams keep lists of medical facilities for every major program location.
- Program Leaders Background checks through Sterling, more than 80 hours of training (40+ in person), CPR and First Aid certified. Rustic Pathways staff members completed Viristar’s month-long Risk Management for Outdoor Programs certification course.
- Italy to Athens The flight from Italy to Athens is included, and a Rustic Pathways staff member flies with students.
- Transport Every owned, leased, rented, or contracted road vehicle used to transport students is licensed or registered as required in the country where it operates. Staff who drive students hold a valid in-country driver’s license and pass a motor vehicle background check.
Where they stay
Five nights at one base in northern Italy and five nights at a central hotel in Athens.
- Base in northern Italy · 5 nights One base property in the Venice and Lake Garda region, with shared common spaces and outdoor areas.
- Hotel in Athens · 5 nights A central hotel in Athens for the Greek half.
- 2 to 4 students to a gender-separated room
- Program Leader supervision
- Roommate requests accepted
Accommodation can change by session and availability. We confirm where each group stays before departure.
Who leads it, and who went in 2026?
In 2026 this program ran for 16 days, with a week of sea turtle conservation on Kefalonia in place of the Athens half. 79 students traveled on four sessions, from 28 U.S. states, holding passports from 12 countries. At travel start, 1 was 13, 7 were 14, 35 were 15, 22 were 16, 9 were 17 and 5 were 18.
Students outside the 14–18 age range are approved case by case.
Who runs it
Teryn Williams
Delivery Coordinator
Teryn manages operations in Italy and Greece and has been with Rustic Pathways since 2022.
2026 Program Leaders
Sergio Ryan
Melido Perez
Emily Tyler
Jessica Woche
Nicole Moore
Angela Culver
David Mota de la Parra
Inika Bhatia
Ashley Gladden
Emma Pryre
“As soon as I landed in Italy, I automatically felt so welcomed.”
Taylor M., Pittsburgh, PA · takeover on Instagram
The 2027 Program Leaders are confirmed closer to departure.
Students in their own words
Students describe the people they traveled with.
“Going into the trip, I was definitely nervous about traveling with people I had never met before. However, those two weeks turned into one of the best experiences of my life thanks to the amazing people I met from all around the world.”
“This trip taught me to slow down and take time to learn and appreciate others.”
“I loved learning about two new cultures, and I can’t wait for the reunions with all of my friends.”
Student takeovers
After the program, students take over the Rustic Pathways Instagram with their own photos and stories.
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“Hi, my name is Lyla and I attended the Italy and Greece trip from June 23-July 8th. At first I was really nervous about this trip and traveling with people I’d never met before, hoping I’d make friendships and learn lots of new things about these countries and I did!
I made best friends of a lifetime that I still talk to from the trip to this day. The counselors were amazing, they were always there for me and helped me be more in the present than missing my life back home and helped me get through things to make this trip more memorable.
On this trip I learned new things about myself that I never knew I would. This trip helped me realize the meaning and how special it is to give back to others and helped me learn to get out my comfort zone and try new things and talk to people.
This trip was the best experience I’ve had my entire life and I will forever hold this experience in my heart!!!”
Lyla P., Windham, NH
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“This trip has made me become more independent and it has opened me up to more cultures around the world.
Traveling without my parents changed my perspective because it opened up my point of view and I learned about how different people do things around Italy and Greece.
I thought that traveling without my parents was going to be super hard for me, but this trip was the best two weeks of my life and I wouldn’t want to change anything about it.
A memory that I will carry with me for the rest of my life is meeting my new best friends Caroline and Lola. This trip gave me them and I’m so happy to have them.
A huge shoutout to our leaders Inika, Angela, David, and Sergio for being so awesome!”
Stella F., Metairie, LA
Before you enroll: what parents ask
Most asked
What is the student-to-staff ratio?
Rustic Pathways maintains a median of one staff member per 4.37 students (4.37:1), with no program exceeding 7 students per staff member (7:1).
New Program Leaders go through a four-month selection process, and every Program Leader holds current CPR and First Aid certification.
How can I stay in touch with my child?
Italy is 6 hours ahead of New York in summer, and Greece is 7.
- After the final scheduled activity of the day, students have their phones.
- Routine help: call +1 440-975-9691, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
- Emergencies: use the 24/7 number in your pre-departure materials.
If a student has an urgent, medical, or significant personal need during activities, a Program Leader helps them contact home.
Do students come alone or with friends?
Most students join on their own, and some join with friends or siblings. Roommate requests are accepted during enrollment for students coming together. Program Leaders run icebreakers on day one, and friendships form quickly.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations within 24 hours of enrollment receive a refund of all amounts paid to Rustic Pathways.
Cancellations before midnight ET on March 31, 2027, receive a full refund of the program tuition. The enrollment fee and any airfare already booked become non-refundable.
For cancellations after March 31, 2027, see the enrollment terms.
If your family experiences a serious, documented emergency, contact us. We review these situations on a case-by-case basis.
Flights
How do flights work?
U.S. students can join a chaperoned group flight from Newark (EWR) to Venice (VCE), and fly home from Athens (ATH) with the chaperoned group. Families can also book their own flights: into Venice and home from Athens.
The flight from Italy to Athens partway through is included, and a Rustic Pathways staff member flies with students. International flights before and after the program are not included in tuition.
Flying independently? See the arrival and departure dates below.
Who books each flight?
Whichever option you choose, Rustic Pathways staff meet every student at Venice airport on the arrival date and see them off on the departure date.
Option 1: the chaperoned group flight
Cost: Chaperoned group flight fee, plus airfare.
- A Rustic Pathways chaperone meets students at Newark (EWR) and flies with the group to Venice (VCE), and home from Athens (ATH) to Newark (EWR) on the departure date.
- Getting to and from Newark (EWR): Rustic Pathways can book the connecting flights between your home airport and Newark (EWR), or your family can. Students fly that leg on their own, with an airline unaccompanied-minor service if the airline requires one.
- Every student on the group flight pays the chaperoned group flight fee, even if your family books the connecting flights.
Option 2: independent flights with support
Cost: Flight Support Fee, plus airfare.
- You choose the flights and Rustic Pathways books them, into Venice (VCE) and home from Athens (ATH).
- Students fly on their own, and you get 24/7 travel support if plans change.
Option 3: book your own flights
Cost: No Rustic Pathways fee, just airfare (for students not on the group flight).
- Your family books and manages the flights, into Venice (VCE) and home from Athens (ATH).
- Students fly on their own. Changes and rebooking are between your family and the airline.
Arrival and departure windows
Students who are not on the group flight land within the arrival window and leave within the departure window, about four hours each. Your Personal Travel Advisor shares the exact times before you book. Flights outside the windows carry an additional fee.
Flights during the program
- Italy to Athens (ATH): included in tuition, and staff fly with the group.
What are the arrival and departure dates for students flying independently?
Dates on this page run from the day the group flight leaves Newark to the day the group leaves Greece. The group lands in Italy the day after it leaves the U.S.
| Session dates | Arrive Venice (VCE) | Leave Athens (ATH) |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 17 – Jun 28, 2027 | Fri, Jun 18 | Mon, Jun 28 |
| Jun 24 – Jul 5, 2027 | Fri, Jun 25 | Mon, Jul 5 |
| Jul 1 – Jul 12, 2027 | Fri, Jul 2 | Mon, Jul 12 |
| Jul 8 – Jul 19, 2027 | Fri, Jul 9 | Mon, Jul 19 |
| Jul 15 – Jul 26, 2027 | Fri, Jul 16 | Mon, Jul 26 |
| Jul 22 – Aug 2, 2027 | Fri, Jul 23 | Mon, Aug 2 |
When your student flies independently, book flights that arrive and leave on these dates. Flight times can change, so contact your Personal Travel Advisor before you book.
Before you book
- Fly into Venice (VCE). Staff meet students there. Double-check the airport code before you pay.
- Book the flight home from Athens (ATH). The program ends there.
- Stay within the arrival and departure dates and times. Your Personal Travel Advisor shares the exact windows. Flights outside them carry an additional fee.
Where does the program start and end?
It starts at Venice airport (VCE) on Day 2 and ends at Athens airport (ATH) on Day 12. The group flies from Italy to Athens on Day 7.
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for Italy and Greece?
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for Italy or Greece. Other passports may need one: check your nationality on the EU’s list of visa-free countries.
Cost & enrollment
What is the enrollment fee?
The enrollment fee is a one-time fee, separate from tuition, covering enrollment, pre-departure advising, and trip planning. It begins at $100 and increases closer to the departure date.
The enrollment fee is refundable for cancellations within 24 hours.
Does Rustic Pathways offer payment plans?
Yes. Rustic Pathways offers a 4-Pay payment plan that splits program tuition into four payments over six weeks. This plan is only available for enrollments more than 90 days before departure and only for U.S. bank accounts.
Need-based financial aid and merit scholarships are also available. Explore scholarships and financial aid.
What insurance do we need?
Medical insurance with coverage in Italy and Greece is required. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, not required.
Neither is included in program tuition. Rustic Pathways recommends Arch RoamRight: get a quote.
How much spending money does my child need?
$150 to $200 per week is recommended for shopping, snacks, or souvenirs. Meals, scheduled activities, and gratuities are included in program tuition.
Safety & wellbeing
Are rooms gender-separated?
Yes. Two to four students room together in gender-separated rooms, and Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.
How are medical needs handled?
Personal Travel Advisors review all medical forms and plan with families to manage medication, allergies, and dietary requirements on the program.
Program Leaders are first-aid and CPR certified, and teams keep lists of medical facilities for every major program location.
How is my child supervised during the program?
Rustic Pathways Program Leaders supervise students from the moment staff meet them at Venice airport until they depart for their flight home.
- A median student-to-staff ratio of 1 staff member for every 4.37 students, never exceeding 7:1.
- Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.
- Two-Deep Leadership: No staff member is ever alone one-on-one with a student.
- Each student has a personal check-in with a Program Leader within 24 hours of arrival.
- Families receive a Safe Arrival email within 12 hours of arrival in Italy.
Will my child have any unsupervised time?
Students do not have unsupervised time in public areas. Free time is structured, with Program Leaders always nearby. At night, students stay in their rooms with their roommates. Program Leaders are housed on site and conduct nightly room checks.
What is the phone and smart device policy?
Rustic Pathways follows Trip Before Scroll: staff store phones and connected devices securely during daytime programming and hand them back after the final scheduled activity.
Students keep them overnight, subject to quiet-hours and lights-out rules. Travel-day, medical, and accessibility exceptions apply. Wi-Fi is available at all accommodations.
Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?
Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ inclusion policy.
The group
What is the group size and age range?
Each session is limited to 20 students, ages 14 to 18. On the earlier 2026 version, sessions ran with 16 to 22 students, and most were 15 or 16.
Can non-U.S. students join this program?
Yes. Non-U.S. students can join this program. Rustic Pathways alumni come from 53 countries. International students fly to Venice to arrive within the designated arrival window for their session.
Rustic Pathways staff meet them at the airport and ensure safe departure within the designated window at the end of the program.
Visa requirements depend on the passport, so ask an advisor.
Day to day
Is this a service program?
No. This is not a service program, and it carries no service hours.
How physically demanding is the program?
Not demanding, but expect a lot of walking, public transportation, and busy sightseeing days in both countries.
Does my child need to speak Italian or Greek?
No. No Italian or Greek is needed. Program Leaders and local partners speak English and help with everything in Italian and Greek.
Can dietary needs and allergies be accommodated on program?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other diets, plus common food allergies can be accommodated. Dietary needs and allergy information are collected after enrollment and shared with meal providers and project partners in advance.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. The itinerary may change due to weather, safety concerns, transportation issues, or site availability. Program Leaders may adjust activities and schedules to keep students safe and ensure a positive program experience.
Ready, or one question first?
$5,495 at checkout ($5,395 Program Tuition + $100 enrollment fee), about $458 a day with lodging and all meals. Full refund within 24 hours.
What happens after you enroll
- You have 24 hours to change your mind for a full refund, including the enrollment fee.
- Rustic Pathways calls every family for a welcome call.
- Fill in the traveler details form. That opens your MyRustic family portal, with your payment schedule, forms to complete, the full itinerary and the packing list.
- Before departure, MyRustic adds the flight itineraries and the Wheels Up packet: arrival instructions, contacts and the program emergency number.
- During the program, you get daily photo updates. After it, Rustic Pathways calls every family.
Rather talk first? Call Scott Ingram at +1 (440) 975-9691, schedule a call, or ask an advisor.
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