GREECE
TURTLE & CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
Learn about marine conservation and sea turtles while you explore the island of Kefalonia and historical sites of Athens.
Program Overview
Set sail for Greece, where we will explore one of the world’s oldest cultures and learn about important marine conservation work. Due to climate change and human impact on this ancient land, Loggerhead sea turtles and other native wildlife are at risk of extinction.
Learn about the importance of preserving these magnificent creatures and their unique role in marine ecosystems. Get to know Athens and discover its ancient sites, such as the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora. Immerse yourself in the Mediterranean island lifestyle of Kefalonia and learn all about Loggerhead sea turtles and marine conservation. Wrap up your adventure with a visit to a local bee farm. Meet with warm locals, taste incredible Mediterranean cuisine and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this vibrant and warm culture!
On GLA’s Greece: Turtle & Conservation Adventure program you will:
- Visit the Acropolis in Athens and embark on a food tour around the city
- Explore the island of Kefalonia and learn all about Loggerhead sea turtles in the area
- Leave a positive footprint by volunteering with a local organization that helps towards the conservation of this magnificent species
- Learn how to conduct snorkeling surveys and collect valuable data on seafloor coverage
- Make (and taste!) your own Greek food at a cooking class
- Visit a bee farm and learn firsthand about bees and their contribution to sustainability worldwide
Program Menu
GREECE
TURTLE & CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
Sample Itinerary
Let’s take a sneak peek at what your program experience might look like this summer! Please note that the order of activities may differ for each program session. The details provided here represent a general outline of what you can anticipate, though community service projects and activities are subject to change based on the needs of our local community partners, cultural celebrations and traditions, weather conditions and the specific requirements of the student group.
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Greece! GLA staff will greet you at Athens airport and accompany you to your new home. Settle in, enjoy your first Greek meal with new friends, and rest up for an exciting day ahead!
Day 2: Athens & the Acropolis
After breakfast, we’ll head out to meet our guide and explore both the modern city and ancient sites, including the Acropolis. Enjoy a food tour to sample Greek cuisine throughout Athens.
Day 3: Turtle Visitor Center & Travel to Kefalonia
Today, we’ll visit Archaelon, Greece’s largest sea turtle protection organization, for a tour of their facilities and a chance to see rescued turtles. This will prepare us for our work in Kefalonia. Afterward, we’ll bid farewell to Athens and journey by bus and ferry through the Peloponnese to Kefalonia, our home for the next week.
Days 4-9: Sea Turtles, Marine Conservation & Service Project
This week focuses on sea turtles and marine conservation! In Kefalonia, you’ll assist a local organization dedicated to protecting Loggerhead sea turtles. Your tasks include early morning beach surveys to identify and protect nests, harbour surveys to monitor turtle activity around fishing boats, and snorkeling surveys to assess marine ecosystem health. You’ll also participate in beach cleanups to maintain turtle nesting sites.
In addition to hands-on projects, you’ll attend workshops on climate change, seagrass ecology, fish identification, sea turtle biology, and drone use in conservation.
Expect long, adventurous days! Beach surveys start at 5 a.m. to avoid heat and tourists, while other activities like beach cleanups and harbour surveys begin around 8 a.m. You’ll also have time to enjoy Kefalonia’s stunning beaches and visit the famous Melassani Cave.
Day 10: Ferry Back to Mainland & Bee Farm
It’s time to leave Kefalonia. We’ll return to the mainland by ferry and bus. In the afternoon, we’ll visit a local bee farm, where we’ll learn about bees and their role in the ecosystem. After donning beekeeper suits, we’ll interact with the bees up close. We’ll spend the night at a cozy countryside hotel, experiencing the charm of Greece’s village life.
Day 11: Last Day in Athens
As our adventure nears its end, we’ll drive back to Athens. In the afternoon, you’ll have time for souvenir shopping, packing, and a final group activity. In the evening, we’ll dress up for a farewell dinner at a special location.
Day 12: Departure
Our trip to Greece has come to an end. After breakfast, we’ll head to the airport, where the staff will assist with check-in and bid you farewell as you begin your journey home.
Program Map
GREECE
TURTLE & CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
Program Details
Dates & Tuition
2027 Session Dates
June 29 – July 10, 2027
July 13 – July 24, 2027
What's Included in Tuition
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
to hold your spot on-program.
Program at a Glance
Program Location: Greece
Program Type(s): Career Exploration, Exploratory Travel, Service-Learning
Every GLA Program is Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recommended by Students and Parents
Sonya C. | 2021 Alumni Parent
“The trip was extremely well organized and my daughter had an absolutely transformative experience. The leaders and mentors were excellent and the program provided the perfect balance of service, sightseeing and cultural activities. She returned home energized, full of insights and confidence.”
The Program Experience
Career Exploration
Take your first real steps into the world of marine conservation under the direct mentorship of professional biologists and ecologists. Through a series of interactive workshops and field discussions, you’ll dive into core environmental topics including climate change, seagrass ecology, fish identification and sea turtle biology. You’ll also learn cutting-edge research methods, exploring how marine scientists utilize drone technology, field data collection and snorkeling transects to assess aquatic ecosystems and advocate for stronger environmental laws.
Service Learning
Spend a week on the island of Kefalonia assisting a local conservation organization dedicated to protecting endangered Loggerhead sea turtles. Early each morning, you’ll survey beaches to identify, measure and mark nesting sites to shield them from predators and human disruption. You’ll also conduct harbor surveys to monitor turtle activity near fishing boats, carry out snorkeling surveys to track marine health and participate in beach cleanups to keep nesting habitats pristine.
Exploratory Travel
Gain a broader perspective on regional ecology and cultural history through unique hands-on learning experiences across Greece. In addition to marine protection efforts, visit a local bee farm to discover the vital role bees play in global sustainability and food systems. Beyond conservation, explore how local communities interact with their natural environment, starting from ancient landmarks in Athens to rural agricultural traditions on the Ionian islands.
Adventure
Begin your journey in Athens, taking in breathtaking views of the Acropolis from every angle before ferrying across to Kefalonia—one of Greece’s most stunning Ionian islands. Dive into crystal-clear Mediterranean waters on thrilling snorkeling excursions, and cap off your island experience with a boat ride through Melissani Lake, gliding across underground waters inside an awe-inspiring limestone cave.
Country Spotlight
Experience the dynamic natural beauty and rich culture of Greece as you travel between historical cities and pristine island coastline.
Lodging: This is a moving program with stays at three comfortable hotels in different parts of Greece. Students stay in shared double or triple rooms equipped with private en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning.
Meals: Savor world-renowned Greek cuisine packed with fresh vegetables, olive oil, Greek yogurt, crisp salads, feta cheese and delicious locally prepared meats all richly seasoned with Mediterranean herbs.
GREECE
TURTLE & CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
Photo Gallery
GREECE
TURTLE & CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
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