Greece and Italy

DAY 1: NEWARK (FOR THOSE WHO OPT TO TAKE THE GROUP FLIGHT)

As the group flight takes off, the trip officially begins!

DAYS 2 – 5: ATHENS, AEGINA (OPTIONAL EXCURSION), DELPHI

Our tour of the city takes us through the millennia, and we begin our adventures by visiting the Acropolis, the high point of the ancient city that houses the most important ancient Greek building, the Parthenon. We’ll continue on, visiting the Roman Agora, the Temple of Zeus, and Hadrian’s arch. Then we’ll change gears, whizzing through the modern markets of Athens. By night, we’ll eat fabulous Greek food and learn to make it ourselves, and we’ll also get to celebrate Greek-style with traditional dance lessons. Climb to the top of Lykavittos Mountain for sunset photography and enjoy “hidden Athens” walking tours from your counselors who have lived and studied in Athens. As with all TFT trips, you have options and choices as to how to make your Mediterranean sojourn your very own, and those who are interested can take a day-trip to the island of Aegina.

DAYS 5 – 9: LEFKADA

Leaving city life behind, we journey to Lefkada, one of the largest of the splendid Ionian Islands. On our way, we’ll stop at Delphi, one of the four sites to host the original Olympic crown games over 2,600 years ago and one of the most spiritual places in all of Greece. Then it’s on to the island of Lefkada, where we will fill our days with island cruises, water sports and the most beautiful beaches you may have ever seen. Ever wanted to try windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving or sea kayaking? Now is your chance. Ever wanted to spend the day sailing between private islands in the Mediterranean on a sailboat? This is your trip! Lefkada and the Ionian islands are much different from the well-known Cyclades and the scenery will leave you wanting more! Our time spent on the island will bring us deeper into the nuances of this island life with behind the scenes access to olive making shops and wood carving factories as well as hikes to incredible lesser-known archeological sites and waterfalls.

DAYS 9 – 13: ROME, PISA, POMPEII, FLORENCE

After gorging ourselves on sun and waves, we hop over the Adriatic Sea to Italy. Our first stop in this markedly different land is Pompeii, a thriving ancient Roman port city that met an abrupt end in 79 AD when the volcano Mt. Vesuvius erupted, covering the town in a deep layer of volcanic ash that perfectly preserved its treasures for visitors today.  There is no other archeological site in the world like Pompeii, where you can walk down actual Roman streets, read original 2,000 year old graffiti on the walls, and pop in and out of original ancient Roman houses, often still bearing their original paint jobs!

It’s time for Rome, the Eternal City, and capital of the most expansive empire in the history of Western culture. Walking through the ancient ruins that line the Roman Forum, you can still feel the shadows cast by figures like Julius Caesar, Emperor Augustus, Marc Antony, and Cicero. From the Forum we head across the Tiber River to the Vatican, seat of the Roman Catholic Church and home to one of the most spectacular collections of art in the world. Touring its endless hallways and galleries, you can see marvels from ancient and modern times, and as well stand in awe of masterpieces from the Renaissance like Michelangelo’s gorgeous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s “School of Athens”. You will also have the chance to climb the dome of St. Peter’s for an incredible bird’s eye view of the city. 

But Rome isn’t just ancient art and culture. It’s also a center of glamorous shopping, amazing cuisine, and all the energy and buzz of a modern cosmopolitan city. By night we will be taking nighttime photography lessons, interacting with street performers in Piazza Navona, and tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain to ensure a speedy return.