On an August morning in 79 AD, the people of Pompeii were going about their daily lives, oblivious to the disaster that was about to strike them. That afternoon, a massive volcanic explosion from nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted violently, covering Pompeii under a layer of volcanic ash. While some were fortunate enough to escape the disaster in time, thousands lost their lives, and Pompeii disappeared.

The city lay silent for almost two thousand years, until archaeological excavations began in the 18th century. When the volcanic debris was removed, a picture of life in Roman times was revealed. What lay beneath was the town of Pompeii, perfectly preserved as a result of the layer of volcanic ash that had covered it for centuries.

The most horrifying discovery occurred when archaeologists found that many of those who were unable to flee the eruption had been entombed where they lay, and their bodies can still be viewed today.

Visiting Pompeii is an incredible experience. We will take a guided tour of the site, where we will see the houses, theatres, arenas, temples, and public buildings where its original inhabitants lived, worked, played, and worshipped. We will visit the villas of the rich residents of the town, as well as the humbler shops and apartments of the less affluent.

Following our visit to Pompeii, we will continue on to the beautiful ancient resort town of Sperlonga where we will head to the beach to cool off from our morning at Pompeii. Students can relax in the sun and swim, or take a walk around the picturesque town.

We will depart from Rome after breakfast and drive approximately two hours south to Pompeii. We will return to Rome in time for a late dinner at the hotel.

Enjoy a day at the beach and go where the Romans go on their Sunday afternoons in the summer, Lido di Ostia (lido means beach). This ancient town was the launching port for the Roman naval assaults throughout the Empire. Today it is a busy and fun beach resort within easy reach of the capital. Some say this is the Riviera of the Romans.

We will depart Rome after an early breakfast and spend a full day at the beach at Ostia, approximately one hour from Rome. This will be a full day of swimming, relaxing on the beach and playing a little ultimate Frisbee or volleyball.

For those who would prefer to explore the city, Ostia offers something for everyone; quaint little shops, crafts and cosy cafes. There is a yacht harbour and port which forms part of a great walk around town.

We return to Rome in time for dinner.

Experience the spooky side of Rome! Our night walk will take us back in time, through the cobbled haunts of the city. We will wander through fact and fiction, rubbing shoulders with ghosts and Gods of a bygone era. As we explore the city by moonlight, we will collect clues and solve puzzles to piece together a centuries-old mystery. The combination of spine-shivering moments and tricky clues will make for a really fun evening!

Olympia is on the western coast of the Peloponnese. The ancient city was like many others, with one exciting exception: the Olympics! Ancient Olympia had two parts: the city and the Olympics fields situated on the mountains above. The Olympic Sanctuary consists of an unordered arrangement of various buildings. The temples of Hera and Zeus, the Pelopion and the altars were all sites of sacrifice.

Olympia is also known for the gigantic ivory and gold statue of Zeus, sculpted by Phidias. Named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Antipater of Sidon, we will visit the site on which it once stood. Nearby is the alleged studio of Phidias which was excavated in the 1950’s. Evidence found there, such as sculptor's tools, corroborates this opinion. We will examine the findings for ourselves and try to reconstruct ancient history. The ancient ruins sit north of the Alfeios River and lie next to Kronios Hill, the area of the city formerly dedicated to Kronos or Saturn. The Kladeos River, a tributary of the Alfeios, flows around the area—creating a beautiful setting for our afternoon.

The Olympic flame for today’s Olympic Games travels every four years from the city. It is lit by reflection of sunlight in a parabolic mirror at the restored Olympia stadium, and is then transported by a torch to the place where the games are held. When the modern Olympics came to Athens in 2004, the men's and women's shot-put competition was held at the restored stadium.

The group will depart from the hotel in Kalamata after breakfast and travel to the city of Olympia. We will spend the day exploring the ancient ruins and learning what life was like during the Greek Empire before returning to the hotel.

Last year this excursion was a favorite among our students. Experience an incredible voyage through the unknown worlds of the fantastic Diros Caves. Float through the many passages and halls of the wonderful Glyphada ave, voted the most beautiful cave-lake in Europe. This is nature at its grandest, for no artist or sculptor could replicate the colours and formations of the stalagmites and stalactites. We will also have time to explore the nearby town and beach.

We depart Kalamata in the morning for our drive to the Unesco World Heritage Site of Mystras, a fortified town established in the 1200’s. Mystras has been ruled by Crusaders, the Byzantines, and the Venetians and all have left their mark on this remarkable site, which was abandoned in 1830’s in favour of the nearby town of the newly rebuilt Sparti (or Sparta). We will have plenty of time to explore the ruins, including the fortress, palace, churches, and monasteries. In contrast to the city of Mystras, we will then travel to the modern day city of Sparta built upon the site of Ancient Sparta. Students will be given free time to walk the tree-lined boulevards and stop for some lunch before the town closes for siesta and we head back to our hotel in Kalamata.

Explore the picturesque island of Paros! We will tour the renowned island, winding our way from one side to the other. Beginning in the charming town of Parikia, our guides will lead us through history and legend as we traverse the piers and narrow, cobbled streets. After soaking in the sites of Parikia, we will board our tour bus. This tour will give us a broader perspective of the island—stopping in the towns of Lefkes and Naoussa and visit historical sites and bustling ports. We will also have the chance to sample traditional Greek fare at one of the many tiny, family-run restaurants.

Come take a taste Greek island life on Paros!

Service is an important aspect to every Blyth International Summer Program. We try to instil a sense of global responsibility in all of our students as they explore the world with us. Past Community Service projects offered in Rome and Greece have included working closely with a social development NGO, planning youth-based programming, repairing dilapidated playgrounds, and organizing elements of fundraisers.

The hours earned on this trip can be applied to the ministry required minimum for graduation.

– Earn one to two volunteer hours before your trip! –

Donations (new and used) will be of benefit to many organizations, schools and orphanages in the areas that we visit. Items such as school supplies, table games and puzzles, paint by numbers, books (easy English or Greek) and art materials are needed. Clothing donations will also be accepted. Collect these from your friends and family and bring them to donate during your trip. You may earn up to a maximum of two hours.

You are responsible for carrying your donation items in your own suitcase. When you donate the items, be sure to let your supervisor know so they can track you extra hours!