Greece Camp for Teenagers: Athens and Santorini

The stay is built in two halves. Athens, which the operator calls the cradle of European culture, is where the group starts: the Acropolis, the Agora and the lanes and atmosphere of the Plaka district. Santorini follows. Its volcanic geology has given the island a spectacular landscape, often tied to the myth of Atlantis, and the programme uses the sea as much as the land — a traditional caïque along the steep coast, hidden coves, black volcanic sand beaches and sea caves, a kayak outing past the rock formations, and the sunset seen from Oia.

The price published by the operator covers accommodation, meals, the activities and excursions of the published programme, and insurance. Zigo Tours takes out cover for every participant — assistance and repatriation, individual accident, third-party liability, legal costs and baggage — and advances medical expenses during the stay. Travel is by scheduled flight, Paris to Athens and back. Pre-travel from regional cities can be arranged by the operator's transport department; it is quoted case by case and is not part of the published price.

Accommodation follows the two halves of the stay: youth hostels in Athens, apartments on Santorini. Rooms hold four to six people.

Breakfasts and picnics are co-managed by the group, and the remaining meals are taken in small local restaurants.

In Athens the group visits the Acropolis and the Agora and walks the lanes of the Plaka. On Santorini the programme moves to the water: a boat excursion aboard a traditional caïque along the steep coastline, reaching isolated coves, beaches of black volcanic sand and sea caves, and a sea kayak outing to look at the rock formations from close up. The sunset is watched from the village of Oia. The activity team also runs games, veïllées and surprises of its own.

The group stays in youth hostels in Athens and in apartments on Santorini, in rooms of four to six. Movement is by local and private transport — bus, metro and boat — which the operator states meets the country's safety standards. Supervision is by a qualified director and activity leaders, one adult for every eight young people.

A group of between twelve and eighteen older teenagers moving between a capital city and a volcanic island, sleeping in hostels and apartments in rooms of four to six, sharing the breakfasts and picnics, and travelling on ordinary local transport. A qualified director and activity leaders supervise throughout, one adult for every eight participants.