Smithsonian Student Travel
Greece & Italy:
Ancient Civilization, History & Myth
Summer 2022
Greece & Italy
Program Highlights
Swim in the turquoise Mediterranean Sea off the Island of Crete
Sail below the cliffs of Santorini and examine the legend of Atlantis
Meet with archaeologists at Pompeii and contemplate the eruption of Vesuvius
Imagine gladiatorial combat in the cavernous Roman Colosseum
Dive into the history and traditions of Greece and Italy, home to vibrant ancient civilizations and rich modern cultures, on this high school summer program in the Mediterranean. Travel from sun-drenched seaside villages and tranquil farms to bustling cities and ancient temples, as you explore the legacy of the Greek and Roman empires.
Watch history come alive in five locations—Athens, Crete, Santorini, Naples, and Rome—that are steeped in myth and history, and boast stunning landscapes.
Travel by ferry from Crete to Santorini as you contemplate Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey; climb the steps of the Acropolis above Athens; and follow the influences of ancient Greece into Italy, where the Roman Empire furthered the evolution of Western Civilization.
Stroll the ancient streets of Pompeii and Herculaneum, hike the side of Mount Vesuvius, and imagine the eruption that tragically buried those Roman cities. With the guidance of a Smithsonian expert, experience how history and the present coexist in Rome, where Renaissance architecture and Roman ruins are integrated in a dynamic modern city.
Trip Itinerary
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Meet your student travel group and one of your trip leaders in New York, and fly together to Athens, Greece.
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Settle into our comfortable hotel overlooking the Acropolis and begin your adventure with an introduction to ancient Greece. Get to know your group and leaders, and explore the city’s sites and archaeological museum.
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Board a ferry from Athens to Crete, the largest island in Greece and birthplace of the ancient Minoan civilization. Hike Mount Ida, the island’s highest mountain, and sample local cheeses and seafood. Explore the Psychro Cave, mythical birthplace of Zeus, and take a refreshing swim from the rocky shoreline at the end of the day.
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Travel by ferry to Santorini, sometimes believed to be the basis for the legend of Atlantis. Spend the next four days exploring the picturesque villages of Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli, and hike above the blue water of the caldera at the center of the island. Take a sunset sail below the cliffs, discover hidden swimming beaches, and visit the ancient ruins of Akrotiri, a village buried in a 16th-century B.C. volcanic eruption.
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Fly from Santorini to Rome via Athens, and explore the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, two sites buried with volcanic ash in 79 A.D. Study the richly preserved objects and living spaces of daily life in the first century, stroll their cobbled streets, and meet with archaeologists who continue to unearth beautiful mosaics from beneath the ash. Take a day trip to the island of Ischia, and join a pottery workshop with artisans who continue ancient traditions and techniques.
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Next, travel north to Rome, where the ancient world coexists with Italy’s vibrant present. Accompanied by your Smithsonian Student Travel Expert, come face-to-face with Imperial Rome in the ruins of the Forum and the Colosseum, and learn about the city’s contemporary side. Discuss modern graffiti with young street artists, learn how to make Rome’s famous cacio e pepe, and interview contemporary Romans about their lives in this fascinating city. Spend evenings at an outdoor concert, practice your Italian at produce markets, and picnic along the river as you contemplate the role of these ancient civilizations in your own modern lives.
