All youth, ages 15-18, who commit to and follow the rules and safety standards of Travel For Youth can attend this trip.

Safety is, by far, our number one priority when we choose a location for our trips. We are keenly aware of the intense trust that is placed in us to provide a safe and life-changing experience for your child. As parents of three children, we do not take that trust lightly. Because of this, we will never take your child to a place that we, as the founders, do not deem safe for our own small children, and that we have not PERSONALLY visited and vetted from top to bottom.

Greece is an amazing country with a high level of safety and hospitality. The most common types of violence experienced by tourists are petty theft (pickpocketing) and local demonstrations in large, public areas.

We have several layers of safety in place to prevent all that we can. You can read more about our robust safety precautions here.

Greek food can be described in one word: AMAZING. Gyros, bougatsa, gelato, pitas and hummus, olives, dolmadakia, mousakka, Greek salads, etc. A typical meal involves some kind of meat, cheeses, vegetables and bread. Our hosts are always very willing to accommodate and help with food allergies when they can. Traveling with a gluten or dairy allergy is manageable in Greece, but it takes some additional planning and preparation.

Again, safety is our number one priority. When we consider new locations, we always go beforehand and scout out the safest, highest quality housing and neighborhoods available. We never stay in hostels and we personally go and vet every accommodation for cleanliness, location, safety, and privacy. In order to provide a more immersive cultural experience, and to better support and give back to the community we are visiting, we prioritize Airbnb’s or privately owned bed and breakfasts for the majority of our stay.

First and foremost, get a passport if you don’t already have one!

Next, keep your eye out for the information and resources that we will be sending you about your trip. The more you know and understand, the more this experience will mean to you and the more prepared you will be to make a meaningful difference.

While we will use the metro in Athens, you will also need to be prepared to do a good amount of walking each day as you explore the better, less touristy, parts of the city and the island. While you will be required to wear a lifejacket during your kayak adventure, it is important that you know how to swim in order to fully participate in other parts of this trip. Knowing how to ride, and being comfortable on a bike, will also be important for this trip.

Lastly, practice getting uncomfortable: try new foods, start conversations with people you don’t know, put away your phone for a few hours every day, etc. Traveling is exhilarating and life-changing, but it can also be full of moments that are new, hard, or uncomfortable. New people, new cultures, new languages, and new food can be a lot to take in at times. Everything you do to get ready now will make it that much easier. Just know that we’ll be there to walk you through all of it and help make the experience amazing!