Accommodations Students will stay at a beautiful property that dates back to the 13th-century and utilizes Venetian Gothic architecture. The residence is immersed in a park with a lake. Here are details: Italy The Villa Bartolomea Castle is located near Legnago. It has two floors with six bedrooms and six bathrooms. The guest house also has large living room gathering spots. Outside there’s a swimming pool area, grass football field, volleyball area, and ping pong tables. Plus, the site is near the banks of the Adige River. It’s a picture-perfect setting for an Italian adventure! Greece The students will stay at the Ammes Hotel and Apartments. It’s a short walk from Ammes Beach, which has been awarded the Blue Flag for the cleanliness of its crystal clear waters. This highly rated hotel property has a pool, gardens, panoramic views, a restaurant, and a poolside eatery. The bedrooms have air conditioning and internet access. Accommodations will be split by gender.
Service Projects Italy Each student will provide about 8 hours of community service. They’ll work on eco-conservation projects in the Euganean Hills outside Padua. The hills formed about 35 million years ago from volcanic activity. The area now includes a regional park that’s visible from Venice. Amid the hills are hot springs and numerous vineyards. Leaders in the area use the park to promote sustainable tourism and offer environmental programs for school children. Rustic’s service work will enhance these efforts. Specific student tasks will depend on local needs. Projects may include removing invasive species or working on hiking trails. While completing these jobs, the teens will learn about the location’s history and geography. Plus, program managers are coordinating with local groups to organize projects that can be completed in conjunction with Italian teens. Greece Each student will provide about 20 hours of community service while on the program. The students will do surveys to track sea turtles and their nests. They’ll do beach cleanups to protect nesting grounds and monitor current nests. They’ll also learn about other important environmental factors, including seagrass and local marine life. Sea Turtle Basics Kefalonia Island is a stopping ground for endangered loggerhead turtles that migrate there every spring for food, mating and nesting. Hundreds of turtles come each year, and on the island, survey teams regularly walk along the beaches to protect nests and monitor those that are incubating or hatching. They also monitor sand dunes and vulnerable seagrass meadows, which are essential nesting and feeding grounds for turtles. Sea turtles play a vital role in the ocean’s ecosystem. Among their roles is to act as a sort of mobile reef. Their carapaces, or shells, are home to species that serve as a food source for other marine life. Threats to Survival Sea turtles face many threats. These include fishing nets, boating traffic, and pollution from plastic and other debris and chemicals. There have also been issues with people feeding them fish, which is not good for their health. Their natural diet primarily consists of various crustaceans and mollusks.
Food Italy Breakfast on most days will be fresh, local Italian pastries, fruit, yogurt, or cereal at the base house. A few of the days students will have the option to visit patisseries and experience Italian breakfast culture. Most lunches will be eaten on the go during activities, service, or exploring different locations. These meals will typically include pizza, pasta, panini, or stops at local markets to create picnics. Dinners will be a combination of eating out at Italian restaurants, local pizza, and local cuisine prepared family-style by chefs at our base house. When exploring places like Verona, Venice, Milan, and Lake Garda there will be frequent snack stops to try gelato, pastries, fresh local fruit, cappuccino, espresso, and all the classics. Greece The students will have grab-and-go breakfast foods each morning at the hotel. This may include items such as bread, fruit and eggs. Lunches and dinners will vary depending on whether the students are on a boat or on land. During the program, they’ll have the chance to try some Greek specialties, such as Greek salads or skewered meat souvlaki. However, there will be other food choices as well. The students may have the opportunity to try some fantastic poolside pizza. Plus, Kefalonia Island is known for its locally caught fish, including tuna and red snapper. Local produce is also often on the menu. If you have a dietary restriction, please let us know in advance so that suitable arrangements can be made. We strive to give all students the chance to explore culinary options while on the road.
My Rustic Pathways trips have positively impacted my young life in many ways. – Ryan Barish, Rustic Pathways Alumni
What’s Included in Your Program Program Leaders & Guides English Speaking Rustic Pathways international and local leaders Airport Transportation Meet and greet with private transportation to and from the airport Comfortable Accommodations All nights of accommodation All Meals Included Breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout your stay Ground Transportation All transportation between program locations and activities All Activities Every activity, entrance fee, and experience in your itinerary 24/7 Support On-call support throughout the program for peace of mind Emergency Coverage Included emergency evacuation assurance plan All Fees & Tips Airport taxes, departure fees, donations, and guide tips What’s Not Included in Your Program International Flights Souvenirs Additional Snacks Visa Expenses Passport Fees