July 23 – Aug 5, 2027 Available
Aug 8 – Aug 21, 2027 Available
Newark, NJ
17 – 18
Includes round trip airfare
Greece is an incredible place to learn how to travel.
Over fourteen days, a small group of participants moves from the streets and ancient sites of Athens into the Cyclades, traveling by ferry between Naxos, Amorgos, and smaller islands of the Aegean. We’ll hike mountain trails, paddle along rocky coastlines, sail between islands, swim in clear blue water, cook Greek food, explore villages, and experience thousands of years of history along the way.
But this trip is about more than seeing Greece. Participants learn how to move through an unfamiliar country, manage their belongings, navigate ports and towns, contribute to group decisions, communicate well, and take increasing responsibility for the journey.
At the beginning of the trip, Wild Traveler leaders provide most of the structure. As the journey unfolds, participants take on more responsibility for navigation, timing, group logistics, meals, and everyday decisions.
By the end of the trip, participants have gained more than new skills and experiences. They’ve learned how to travel well, live and work with a group, navigate uncertainty, contribute to a shared experience, and take greater responsibility for themselves.
Head into the mountains of Naxos and hike to the summit of Mt. Zas, the highest point in the Cyclades and a place deeply connected to the mythology of Zeus. The trail takes us through rugged Mediterranean terrain before opening onto sweeping views across Naxos and the surrounding Aegean islands.
Explore Naxos from the water with experienced local sea-kayak guides. We’ll learn paddling skills as we travel along rocky coastline, stopping to swim, snorkel, and explore beaches and coves along the way. Summer winds are part of life in the Cyclades, so our exact route will depend on sea and weather conditions.
Long before roads crossed Amorgos, historic footpaths connected the island’s villages, monasteries, mountains, and coastline. We’ll spend a day traveling some of these old routes on foot, experiencing a quieter and more rugged side of the Greek islands while learning how geography has shaped life here for generations.
Spend a day traveling the Aegean by sailboat with a professional skipper, exploring smaller islands, secluded coves, and swimming spots away from the busiest parts of the Cyclades. We’ll swim, snorkel, relax on deck, and experience the islands from the perspective that has connected them for centuries: the sea.
Food is one of the best ways to understand a place. On Naxos, we’ll take part in a hands-on cooking experience, learning about local ingredients and traditional dishes before preparing and sharing a Greek meal together. It’s a chance to slow down, meet local people, and experience island culture around the table.
As the trip unfolds, participants take on more responsibility for the journey itself. They’ll help navigate towns and ferry ports, manage personal equipment and timing, contribute to meals and group decisions, and learn how to adapt when plans change. By the final days, participants are doing far more for themselves and the group than they were when they first arrived in Athens.
A closer look at the journey, from arrival day through the final goodbye.
Meet your Wild Traveler leaders and fellow participants in Newark, then fly together overnight to Athens.
Settle into the city, explore the Acropolis and Ancient Agora, and begin learning how to navigate and travel together as a group.
Cross the Aegean by ferry, hike Mt. Zas, explore the coast by sea kayak, visit inland villages, and cook a traditional Greek meal.
Travel deeper into the islands, hike historic paths, explore villages and coastline, swim and snorkel, and spend a day sailing the Aegean.
Participants take greater responsibility for navigating the journey back to Athens, then spend a final day exploring, celebrating, and reflecting together.
Fly back to Newark together after two weeks of islands, mountains, ferries, new skills, and a much deeper understanding of what it means to travel well.
Participants meet their Wild Traveler leaders and the rest of the group at Newark Liberty International Airport before flying together to Athens.
We’ll spend some time getting to know one another before boarding our overnight flight. From the beginning, participants are responsible for keeping track of their own belongings, staying aware of the group, and beginning to learn what it means to travel well together.
We’ll arrive in Athens, settle into our neighborhood, and start exploring one of the world’s great historic cities on foot.
Over the next two days, we’ll visit the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, and surrounding neighborhoods while getting oriented to the city and learning how to move through an unfamiliar place as a group. Wild Traveler leaders will provide most of the structure early in the trip, modeling how we navigate, manage time, use public transportation, and make decisions together.
Athens is our starting point, but it is also where the travel skills begin.
We’ll leave Athens by ferry and cross the Aegean to Naxos, where the program shifts from city exploration into mountains, coastline, villages, and island life.
Over four days, we’ll hike to the summit of Mt. Zas, explore the coast by sea kayak with experienced local guides, swim and snorkel in the Aegean, visit inland villages, and take part in a hands-on Greek cooking experience.
Participants will also begin taking more responsibility for the journey itself, including managing personal gear, helping track timing, navigating towns and ferry ports, and contributing to everyday group decisions.
From Naxos, we’ll travel deeper into the Cyclades by ferry to Amorgos, a rugged island of mountain villages, historic footpaths, monasteries, and dramatic coastline.
We’ll hike old trails that once connected communities across the island, explore villages, swim and snorkel, and enjoy a slower pace away from the busiest parts of Greece.
We’ll also spend a day sailing with a professional skipper, exploring smaller islands, coves, and swimming spots in the Aegean. Wind and sea conditions will help determine exactly where we go, and adapting to those conditions is part of the experience.
By this stage of the trip, participants are doing much more to help the group move well from place to place.
The journey back toward Athens becomes an opportunity for participants to put what they’ve learned into practice.
With Wild Traveler leaders still responsible for safety and major decisions, participants take greater ownership of ferry logistics, timing, navigation, meals, personal gear, and group movement.
Once back in Athens, we’ll have time to explore markets and neighborhoods, pick up souvenirs, enjoy one final meal together, and reflect on how much the group has changed since the first days of the trip.
After breakfast, we’ll head to the airport and begin the journey home together.
Fourteen days earlier, participants arrived with Wild Traveler leaders managing most of the structure. They leave having navigated unfamiliar cities and ferry ports, traveled between islands, hiked mountains, paddled and sailed the Aegean, contributed to a group, and taken much greater responsibility for themselves.
The trip ends in Athens, but the ability to travel with confidence goes home with them.
That last line is the one I’d use to close the whole itinerary. It captures what makes this Greece program different without sounding like we’re handing out diplomas in ferry-catching.
Packing for an adventure doesn’t need to be complicated. Your trip-specific packing list covers everything you’ll need, while our Gear Recommendations page offers practical guidance for choosing the items that matter most.
Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often about our Greek Islands teen adventure. Still have a question? Send us an email or submit an inquiry online. We’re always happy to help.
01. WHAT WILL OUR DAYS BE LIKE?
The rhythm of the trip changes from place to place. Some days involve hiking, sea kayaking, sailing, swimming, or exploring ancient sites. Other days are built around ferry travel, navigating towns, shopping for food, cooking, or simply learning how to move through a new place together. Participants should expect active days, changing schedules, and plenty of involvement in the everyday decisions that make travel work.
02. DO I NEED PREVIOUS TRAVEL OR OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE?
No previous international travel, sea kayaking, sailing, or hiking experience is required. Participants should arrive ready for an active trip, comfortable spending full days on their feet, and willing to take increasing responsibility for themselves and the group. One of the goals of the program is to help participants become more confident and capable travelers over the course of the two weeks.
03. HOW PHYSICALLY DEMANDING IS THE TRIP?
This is an active trip, but it is not designed as a high-intensity expedition. Participants should be comfortable walking several miles in a day, hiking on uneven and rocky terrain, carrying a daypack, spending time in the sun and heat, swimming, and participating in activities like sea kayaking. The hike to Mt. Zas and some of the trails on Amorgos can be steep and exposed, so a reasonable level of fitness will make the trip more enjoyable.
04. DO I NEED TO BE A STRONG SWIMMER?
Participants should be comfortable in and around water. We spend time swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and sea kayaking during the trip. Participants do not need to be competitive swimmers, but they should be able to swim independently and feel reasonably comfortable in open water. Appropriate safety equipment is used during guided water activities.
05. HOW ARE PARTICIPANTS SUPERVISED?
Wild Traveler leaders travel with the group throughout the program and remain responsible for supervision, group management, and overall safety. For specialized activities such as sea kayaking and sailing, we also work with experienced local guides and professional operators. Because participants are 17–18, the trip also includes age-appropriate opportunities for greater independence. These happen within clear boundaries and only when leaders feel the group is ready.
06. WHAT DOES “LEARN TO TRAVEL WELL” ACTUALLY MEAN?
Participants gradually take on more responsibility for the journey. That can include navigating streets and ferry ports, managing personal belongings and time, helping with food decisions, reading maps and schedules, communicating with the group, and adapting when plans change. At the beginning of the trip, Wild Traveler leaders provide most of the structure. By the end, participants are expected to contribute much more to how the group moves and functions.
07. WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE IS NERVOUS ABOUT AN ACTIVITY?
That is completely normal. Participants receive instruction and support before activities such as sea kayaking, hiking, and sailing. Leaders help participants understand what to expect and approach challenges progressively. The goal is to help participants build confidence while also communicating honestly about how they are feeling.
08. WHAT HAPPENS IF A FERRY OR ACTIVITY IS CANCELED BECAUSE OF WEATHER?
Summer winds are part of traveling in the Cyclades, and occasionally ferry schedules or water activities need to change. Wild Traveler leaders and our local partners monitor conditions and adjust plans when necessary. That might mean changing the timing of an activity, using a different ferry, modifying a route, or replacing an activity with another experience. Learning to adapt when plans change is also part of becoming a capable traveler.
09. WILL PARTICIPANTS NEED SPENDING MONEY?
Yes, participants should bring a modest amount of personal spending money. Trip tuition covers the major program expenses, but participants may want money for souvenirs, snacks, optional personal purchases, or other small expenses. We provide more detailed guidance before the trip about how much to bring and the best way to carry or access money while traveling.
10. WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE GETS SICK OR INJURED?
Wild Traveler leaders prepare for medical issues and changing conditions as part of every program. Minor illnesses and injuries can often be managed within the group. If someone needs additional medical care, we will arrange appropriate local treatment and communicate with their family. For more significant situations, plans may include changing the itinerary, transporting a participant to a clinic or hospital, or arranging additional support as needed. Families provide medical information before departure so leaders are aware of relevant conditions, medications, allergies, and other health considerations.
11. WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
We provide a trip-specific packing list covering clothing, footwear, personal items, travel essentials, and gear for the activities included in the program. Participants should pack light enough to manage their own luggage comfortably through airports, ferry terminals, accommodations, and island travel. Our Gear Recommendations page also includes examples and suggested options for items that can be harder to choose.
12. DO I NEED ANY ADDITIONAL VACCINATIONS?
Health recommendations can change, so families should review current travel guidance and speak with their healthcare provider before departure. We provide pre-trip information about the areas we visit, but individual vaccination and medication decisions should be made with a qualified medical professional.
13. WILL WE DO LAUNDRY DURING THE TRIP?
Yes. We will have opportunities to wash clothing during the trip using washing machines, dryers, or drying lines depending on where we are staying. Participants should still pack lightly and expect to rewear some clothing.
14. WHAT DO WE EAT?
Food is an important part of the experience. Participants can expect a mix of Greek meals, casual restaurants, bakeries, markets, and some meals that the group helps organize or prepare. Typical foods include grilled meats, seafood, vegetables, salads, bread, yogurt, fruit, pasta, rice, and traditional Greek dishes. Families should provide complete information about allergies and dietary needs during enrollment so we can determine whether they can be accommodated.
15. DO I NEED A PASSPORT OR VISA?
Participants need a passport that meets the entry requirements for Greece and the Schengen Area for the dates of travel. Visa requirements depend on citizenship, so families are responsible for confirming the requirements that apply to their traveler. We recommend checking passport validity well in advance rather than waiting until summer.
16. CAN I CALL HOME DURING THE TRIP?
Participants will not have regular unrestricted access to their phones throughout the program. We want participants to be present with the group and engaged in the experience rather than constantly connected to home. There will be opportunities to check in with family during the trip, and participants can contact home at other times if there is a reason they need or want to. Families can also reach Wild Traveler leaders if they need to contact the group.
17. HOW DO WE TRAVEL AROUND GREECE?
Travel is a major part of the program. We move between Athens and the Cyclades primarily by ferry, then travel locally by foot, public transportation, private transfer, taxi, boat, or other appropriate transportation. Participants also learn how to navigate ports, manage travel days, keep track of belongings, and understand the logistics of moving through another country.
18. WHERE DO WE STAY?
Accommodations vary as we travel through Greece. We stay in hotels, guesthouses, hostels, or other locally run accommodations in Athens and the islands. Rooms are shared with other participants, and exact accommodations may vary depending on availability and the route. We choose places that work well for the group and make sense for the way we are traveling.
19. WHICH ISLANDS DO WE VISIT?
The core route includes Naxos and Amorgos, along with time exploring smaller islands and coastal areas in the Cyclades. Our exact sailing and day-trip routes may vary depending on weather, sea conditions, and local logistics.
20. ARE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
Yes. Round-trip group airfare between Newark and Athens is included in the trip tuition. Participants are responsible for getting to Newark at the beginning of the program and traveling home from Newark after the group returns. Detailed arrival and departure instructions are provided before the trip.
