PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
- We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
Click here to jump down to the most recent post!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 13
Greetings from Greece!
The group has all arrived safely in Athens, and we could not be more excited. The city is alive with energy, and we have a beautiful view of the Acropolis from our hotel’s terrace. This is such an incredible start to the summer.
Over the next twelve days, we are going to have the adventure of a lifetime as we travel from Athens to Crete to Santorini and back. Student written blogs will keep you informed about the highlights of our program. Blogs should be posted every couple of days and will have plenty of great pictures, so you can see what we have been up to.
We know this is going to be an incredible experience and can’t wait to tell you all about it. We hope you enjoy following along on the blog, and we will come home with plenty of stories to tell. From exploring ancient sites, doing service to help the local community, learning about Greek mythology, exploring the beautiful islands, and swimming through the refreshing waters of the Mediterranean, it is going to be a blast.
Cheers,
Greece Mythical Cities and Island Expedition June Programs
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 14
This morning we took a bike tour around the city center of Athens. We enjoyed taking pictures at the sites and buying local goods from the market areas. We then enjoyed a delicious Greek lunch, followed by refreshing ice cream and frozen yogurt.
Following this light break, we began a bus tour guided by a native citizen who taught us cool tidbits about Greek history and mythology, which was very interesting! Most of it was about the Acropolis and particularly the Parthenon, which was where the tour was headed anyways. And in the interludes, one of the students played music on a speaker they brought along.
Arriving there, we ran across the cobblestone path to get to the bottom of the main attraction. It was actually a short walk up the stairs and we were at the base of the acropolis. We scanned in the passes provided by our international director, and then we were in!
There was so much foot traffic that the stones were worn smooth, like slippery smooth. There were multiple temples in various states of ruin, but the Parthenon was definitely the most well-maintained. You could pick out the pieces where the marble was replaced, and you could kind of imagine what the whole thing would look like if it was still bright white.
We all took lots of pictures before getting back on the bus, and of course we played music on the speaker. Getting to the hotel was relatively painless, we loaded up on snacks, had dinner, cleaned up, packed up (because we’re going on an overnight ferry tomorrow!!!)
That’s about it, peace out!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 15
The gla students had yet again another great day. To start the morning, the gla group hopped on a bus and went to help the local Athenian food bank. It was interesting to see them working together and communicating with the locals while preparing a meal. After the service work, the group took a fun bus ride to a picturesque beach. There, they were able to enjoy the ocean activities including swimming, socializing, and relaxing. From the beach they jumped on a ferry to take the group to Crete for yet another day of fun and activities.
The ferry was great, it was honestly more of a cruise. We all had cabins! After a delicious dinner we played games on top of the boat, feeling the sea breeze with a beautiful sunset in the background. We sure signed up for the right trip. It has been great and seems like it keeps getting better!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 16
We woke up in on the boat in Crete, we had a group breakfast then disembarked. It was thrilling to wake on the water. We took a bus into the village of Margarites. It was beautiful with a capital B. There we learned about pottery making and the history behind it. We got to make our own pots out of clay. After we went down into the village to the shop which has an array of plates, bowls, trinkets, etc. It was time for souvenirs round two.
From there we had a group lunch all together. After lunch we used a scenic route to get into our hotel. From there we drove into a small mountain village; we stopped and looked at the major valley. The view was priceless. In the village we had a very large dinner prepared for us. We watched traditional mediterranean dances. We then got a chance to learn in the dances, we spent the rest of the night learning dances! It was so much fun. This trip was been an extraordinary transformative experience, and it only keeps getting better.
More pics coming soon!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 18
Today our GLA group woke up in Rethymno, Crete. We started off the day with a nice hotel breakfast and then we embarked on our food tour. Our friendly guide led us through the town and we visited multiple restaurants and tried various Cretan dishes such as baklava and a bread with cheese and honey as well as a wide variety of drinks. We bought souvenirs and gifts for friends and family. Then after stocking up on gum, energy drinks, and other various snacks and drinks, we started our journey to Zaros, Crete. The journey was long but very entertaining. We sang, chewed gum, and played music for the whole 2 hour trip. It was a movie.
Once we finally arrived at our hotel in Zaros we had a little downtime then we went straight to the pool and hammocks. Lots of fun was had. After the pool we found and ate oranges from a nearby orange orchard. Best oranges ever. Then we went to dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. There was a huge fish tank with a ton of cool looking fish as well as some not so cool looking fish. Finally we finished our day by hanging at the playground. We laughed and got even closer as a group. Overall, the day was a big success and we enjoyed almost every second of it. It’s been fun so far and our group can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19
Another busy day for the gla students! The group started off the day by attending a guided tour of the Knossos Palace. After the tour, they had a little time to shop for souvenirs/ buy food. From there, the gla group drove to a nearby restaurant and had a long, relaxed lunch. After lunch, the group took a short bus ride to the hotel.
At the hotel, the gla students changed into their bathing suits and put the bags away. Then it was off to the beach!! the group had a fantastic time! After a few hours, the group packed up and got back on the bus.
Back at the hotel, the group had around an hour to shower/ prepare for dinner. Then, the Local Director, Margarita, took the students on a short walking tour covering some of the interesting places near the hotel. For example, old churches, fountains, ect. From there, they went to dinner at a nice restaurant in the heart of downtown (FIX). That meal also lasted a couple hours and it was very enjoyable.
Overall, the gla group had a great time today! They saw so many awesome historical sights, items, and places! The next update will be in Santorini, and the group is super excited to arrive!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 20
Today the GLA students had an early morning in Crete. After saying goodbye to the largest island in Greece we were on our way to Santorini. We departed from the island shortly after leaving the hotel and took a short ferry to Santorini.
Once at Santorini the GLA group took a stop at a black stone beach to catch some sun and enjoy the waves. After an hour or two at the beach, the group headed to a restaurant for some lunch.
After lunch the group got on a bus to head back to the hotel, and get ready for a bus tour to the highlights of Santorini. The bus took students to Oia, the town known for its white buildings and blue roofs, surrounded by a caldera.
After a couple hours of sightseeing and touring the town, students got back on the bus and went to a secluded lookout to catch the sunset over Santorini. After the sun dipped below the mountains, the GLA group went to a restaurant for a group dinner.
GLA enjoyed another delicious traditional Greek dinner. After a filling meal full of laughs and delicious food the GLA group took a short walk back to the hotel filled with reminiscing and conversation.
After a full day the trip is ready to rest up and hit the ground running to explore Thera and embrace the caldera on a boat tours.
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 21
Hello blog readers!! What an amazing last day in Santorini! From getting to see inside a historical cathedral, to sailing around santorini, our day took us from one end of the island to the other. We started off the day with a relaxed morning breakfast at our hotel and then started off on our walking tour of Thira. We walked up to an amazing overview of the ocean and got to walk inside and spend some time in a historical cathedral at the top of the hill. Then we made our way through dozens of shops, markets, and charming little pathways. Then we finished our tour by walking to a restaurant with a beautiful ocean view and had some amazing food.
After lunch we had a quick turnaround and got on a bus that took us down the mountain and to the port where we boarded our boat. The first stop on the boat tour was the Santorini volcano where we had the opportunity to hike up to the top and enjoy the views. After that we were taken to two coves where we swam, hung out, and had some delicious bbq dinner made right from our boat. Later we got to watch the sunset from the boat and then danced the whole ride back to the port. Finally we finished off our night by stopping to get some greek fro-yo on the way back to our hotel. It’s been a great day and we will see you tomorrow!
