Program Directed by
Julian Hartmann-Russell
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Leadership
From ancient marvels to contemporary charm, explore the rich Mediterranean cultures of Greece and Italy on this summer adventure for middle school students. Begin in Greece and explore the ancient hilltop Acropolis of Corinth, soak up the sun in Kefalonia, and discover the wonders of Athens. Then head to Italy to visit the Colosseum and marvel at the Eternal City that is Rome, before experiencing Italian life in the countryside at a family-run sustainable farm in Pulicaro. Throughout the program, engage with vibrant cultures, sample delicious cuisine, and embrace the spirit of these magnificent destinations.
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Meet your fellow student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in New York, and fly together to Athens, Greece. Transfer via private bus to Corinth. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Travel by private bus to Corinth and settle into your comfortable guest house as you get acquainted with the cities of the ancient world. Explore Greece’s oldest and highest acropolis, with stunning views of the ancient city coast. Visit the impressive Corinth Canal and the ruins of Ancient Mycenae to learn about the prehistoric city that dominated Greek culture during the Bronze Age. Along the way, continue to immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of the country, sampling moussaka, souvlaki, and dolmades.
Travel by private bus to Patras port, then hop on a ferry and head to Kefalonia, an island in the Ionian Sea. From your seaside hotel in town, explore the beaches and cuisine of this hidden island getaway. Kayak in the crystal clear coastal waters, and visit the ancient lighthouse of Sami to learn about its significance for the residents of the island. Learn to prepare traditional dishes with a local family at their organic farm and bask in the turquoise Ionian.
Travel by bus and by boat back to Athens, and get to know the cosmopolitan center of Greece. Explore the neighborhoods and contemporary culture of Athens during a street art tour, and create your own print based on your inspiration. Head to the Parthenon and explore the history of the Acropolis with an expert guide, visit some of Athens’ renowned archaeological museums, and ride to the top of Lycabettus hill by cable car.
Travel to Rome and continue your adventures in the iconic Italian capital, alive with history. Explore the Colosseum with an expert archaeologist and witness the city’s stunning architecture as you stroll the streets. Venture underground into the Capuchin crypts, and learn about the city’s history from a new perspective. Take a lesson in pasta making from an Italian chef, and sample traditional Roman dishes such as pasta carbonara and maritozzi.
Travel by chartered bus to Pulicaro to stay at a restored, family-run organic farm with your hosts, Marco and Chiara. Join hands-on farm rotations and learn to care for animals, assist with planting and harvesting, or make canned preserves. Practice Italian in afternoon lessons with your hosts, and get experience rural Italian life as you relax under the shade of one of Pulicaro’s many mulberry trees. Pack a picnic and take a day trip to the nearby cliffside town of Orvieto or to swim in Lake Bolsena. Celebrate your accomplishments with your group over a delicious outdoor banquet.
Fly from Rome to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Meet your fellow student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in New York, and fly together to Athens, Greece. Transfer via private bus to Corinth. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Travel by private bus to Corinth and settle into your comfortable guest house as you get acquainted with the cities of the ancient world. Explore Greece’s oldest and highest acropolis, with stunning views of the ancient city coast. Visit the impressive Corinth Canal and the ruins of Ancient Mycenae to learn about the prehistoric city that dominated Greek culture during the Bronze Age. Along the way, continue to immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of the country, sampling moussaka, souvlaki, and dolmades.
Travel by private bus to Patras port, then hop on a ferry and head to Kefalonia, an island in the Ionian Sea. From your seaside hotel in town, explore the beaches and cuisine of this hidden island getaway. Kayak in the crystal clear coastal waters, and visit the ancient lighthouse of Sami to learn about its significance for the residents of the island. Learn to prepare traditional dishes with a local family at their organic farm and bask in the turquoise Ionian.
Travel by bus and by boat back to Athens, and get to know the cosmopolitan center of Greece. Explore the neighborhoods and contemporary culture of Athens during a street art tour, and create your own print based on your inspiration. Head to the Parthenon and explore the history of the Acropolis with an expert guide, visit some of Athens’ renowned archaeological museums, and ride to the top of Lycabettus hill by cable car.
Travel to Rome and continue your adventures in the iconic Italian capital, alive with history. Explore the Colosseum with an expert archaeologist and witness the city’s stunning architecture as you stroll the streets. Venture underground into the Capuchin crypts, and learn about the city’s history from a new perspective. Take a lesson in pasta making from an Italian chef, and sample traditional Roman dishes such as pasta carbonara and maritozzi.
Travel by chartered bus to Pulicaro to stay at a restored, family-run organic farm with your hosts, Marco and Chiara. Join hands-on farm rotations and learn to care for animals, assist with planting and harvesting, or make canned preserves. Practice Italian in afternoon lessons with your hosts, and get experience rural Italian life as you relax under the shade of one of Pulicaro’s many mulberry trees. Pack a picnic and take a day trip to the nearby cliffside town of Orvieto or to swim in Lake Bolsena. Celebrate your accomplishments with your group over a delicious outdoor banquet.
Fly from Rome to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Greece and Italy are renowned for their historical significance, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures. Greece, birthplace of democracy and ancient civilization, beckons travelers with its rich history, archaeological wonders like the Acropolis in Athens, crystal-clear waters, and delicious cuisine. Italy, with iconic cities like Rome, captivates visitors with its ancient ruins, Renaissance art, and world-class cuisine. From the ancient Colosseum to the small hillside towns of Kefalonia, this program offers a range of experiences, encompassing stunning coastlines, rolling hills, and magnificent architecture.
Greek and Italian are the official languages of Greece and Italy, respectively.
Summer weather in Greece and Italy is generally hot. Average daytime temperatures range from 80–90°F (26–32°C), while average nighttime temperatures range from 70-80°F (21–26°C).
Greek cuisine includes staples of the Mediterranean diet with an emphasis on olive oil, fresh seafood, tangy feta cheese, vibrant vegetables, and traditional dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, and spanakopita. Italian cuisine is known for its diverse regional flavors, incorporating fresh ingredients, aromatic herbs, and rich sauces, with popular dishes like pasta, pizza, and risotto.
Greece and Italy are renowned for their historical significance, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures. Greece, birthplace of democracy and ancient civilization, beckons travelers with its rich history, archaeological wonders like the Acropolis in Athens, crystal-clear waters, and delicious cuisine. Italy, with iconic cities like Rome, captivates visitors with its ancient ruins, Renaissance art, and world-class cuisine. From the ancient Colosseum to the small hillside towns of Kefalonia, this program offers a range of experiences, encompassing stunning coastlines, rolling hills, and magnificent architecture.
Greek and Italian are the official languages of Greece and Italy, respectively.
Summer weather in Greece and Italy is generally hot. Average daytime temperatures range from 80–90°F (26–32°C), while average nighttime temperatures range from 70-80°F (21–26°C).
Greek cuisine includes staples of the Mediterranean diet with an emphasis on olive oil, fresh seafood, tangy feta cheese, vibrant vegetables, and traditional dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, and spanakopita. Italian cuisine is known for its diverse regional flavors, incorporating fresh ingredients, aromatic herbs, and rich sauces, with popular dishes like pasta, pizza, and risotto.
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
To help students fully engage and immerse themselves in the Putney travel experience, we do not allow use of cell phones, tablets, or laptops on our Middle School programs. Students may have their cell phones during travel to and from the program. During in-country orientation, leaders facilitate a call home, then collect and securely store all phones until departure day. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—create a recipe book with staple Greek and Italian recipes from your cooking classes, learn a traditional song and perform it for your group, or compose poetry based on your experiences in each destination.
This is a physically active summer travel program. Activities include hiking, swimming, kayaking, and exploring cities on foot in high summer heat. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Proficiency in Greek and Italian is not required. However, if you speak or study these languages in school you will have opportunities to practice while communicating with local people. If you don’t speak Italian and Greek you will have the opportunity to learn some basic language skills.
Throughout Greece and Italy, we stay in small family-run hotels and comfortable hostels.
We begin each day with a traditional breakfast at our residence. While we eat many of our lunches and dinners in restaurants, we also purchase supplies for healthy and delicious picnic lunches full of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, and cheeses.
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
To help students fully engage and immerse themselves in the Putney travel experience, we do not allow use of cell phones, tablets, or laptops on our Middle School programs. Students may have their cell phones during travel to and from the program. During in-country orientation, leaders facilitate a call home, then collect and securely store all phones until departure day. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—create a recipe book with staple Greek and Italian recipes from your cooking classes, learn a traditional song and perform it for your group, or compose poetry based on your experiences in each destination.
This is a physically active summer travel program. Activities include hiking, swimming, kayaking, and exploring cities on foot in high summer heat. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Proficiency in Greek and Italian is not required. However, if you speak or study these languages in school you will have opportunities to practice while communicating with local people. If you don’t speak Italian and Greek you will have the opportunity to learn some basic language skills.
Throughout Greece and Italy, we stay in small family-run hotels and comfortable hostels.
We begin each day with a traditional breakfast at our residence. While we eat many of our lunches and dinners in restaurants, we also purchase supplies for healthy and delicious picnic lunches full of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, and cheeses.
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Providing immersive summer travel programs for middle & high school students since 1951.
June 27 — July 13
July 2 — July 18
July 9 — July 25
Duration
17 days
Tuition
$8,290 + airfare
Eligibility
Currently* in grades 7–8
*Your grade as of the day you apply
Typical Group
14–16 students, 2 leaders
Group Flight
Departs from New York
Additional Info
Questions? Visit our FAQ or call us at (802) 387-5000
June 27 — July 13
July 2 — July 18
July 9 — July 25
Duration
17 days
Tuition
$8,290 + airfare
Eligibility
Currently* in grades 7–8
*Your grade as of the day you apply
Typical Group
14–16 students, 2 leaders
Group Flight
Departs from New York
Questions? Visit our FAQ or call us at (802) 387-5000