WHO
Kostas in his coastal hometown...
Guide Kostas reveals the sustainability challenges of modern life in his ancient civilization, contrasting the plastic greenhouses of his coastal hometown below with the organic beekeeper up in the mountains above where we end up eating a delicious lunch after an incredible hike through a spectacular forest. This is not the Crete tourists experience and being here will change you.
WHERE
Nashville of Crete...
High above a village known as the ‘Nashville of Crete’, below snow covered peaks- yes, snow- with views to the glistening Mediterranean you meet an amazing character- Jennis, roasting a fresh lamb for our dinner. You cannot believe the craftsmanship of the huge stone hut-imagine a stone igloo centuries old- it’s a mitato, where he will play 4 different ancient Greek instruments as we devour this amazing feast.
WHY
Ancient and modern...
The juxtaposition of ancient and modern is striking when you spend a day in and around a giant ancient stone hut at 6000’ with Jennis, a shepherd much of the year and otherwise a renowned musician. He will rivet you with tales of growing up with the ancient high risk expectation of stealing 25 sheep from faraway at age 13, as a rite of passage. Tourists do not get this perspective, culturally or literally. And the fresh cooked lamb and salad is to die for.
GREECE: SAMPLE ITINERARY
We customize each experience… options are endless!
DAY 1: WELCOME TO ATHENS WHERE MODERN MEETS ANCIENT
Arrival in Athens and Orientation. Today will primarily be an overview of the trip and an introduction to Greek life and customs. We will also briefly discuss the chronological timeline of all of the places we will see to make sure everyone is on the same page!
DAY 2: BUILDING: FIND YOUR WAY TO LYKABETTOS
Who’ll get there first? After breakfast we will break into groups and each group will be handed a map and sent on their way tofind Lykabettos hill. It will be your task to get to the hill and hike up to the top without using cabs, or any time of technology. In fact, although your teachers will be by your side, they aren’t allowed to help. Equipped with only a map and some key Greek phrases, we will see who can get to the top first.
DAY 3: CLASSICAL ATHENS
After an early breakfast we begin our exploration of Ancient Athens. We will hike to the Acropolis and explore this incredible monument.
DAY 4: THE CRETAN WAY OF LIFE PART 1: THE WOOL INDUSTRY: KNOSSOS AND ANOGEIA
We will arrive in Herakleion in the early afternoon and grab a quick bite to eat. Afterward we will go directly to the Bronze Age site of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum of Herakleion. We will discuss the Bronze Age wool industry and the use of the palace in administration in such an early endeavor in large scale production. How do we make use of the landscape and resources?
We stress the importance of human connection through all aspects of life and learning as well as a growth mindset. These go hand in hand with the Story Approach, Expedition Mentality, and Bandana ceremonies. Thank you for your dedication to lifelong growth, learning, and valuing the process over the result.
WHAT MAKES CHILL EXPEDITIONS SO DIFFERENT?
WE'D LOVE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE!
WE'RE EDUCATORS. WE GET IT.
We're on a mission to change how students experience the world.
Call or email us today! 1.800.551.7887
