Soon after international borders reopened following the pandemic, Buckley 7th and 8th graders were back in the sky and on the road! In recent years, students have explored iconic cities like Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Nice, Rome, Florence, Granada, Seville, and many other world-renowned — and some lesser-known but equally charming — destinations. The purpose is always to explore historically significant sites, experience daily life as it is lived in other parts of the world, navigate the inevitable surprises of travel, learn how to be a good ambassador of one’s own country, and grow in independence. “One must travel to learn!” as Mark Twain once said. 

This year, on June 14, forty-four 7th and 8th graders, accompanied by six chaperones, boarded a flight to Athens. Upon landing, the jetlagged but eager group hopped on a bus and made its way to Tolo, a quaint seaside resort on the Peloponnese peninsula. Along the way, the group stopped in Corinth to explore the ancient city and marvel at the Corinth Canal which separates the Peloponnese from mainland Greece.

After a restorative night in Tolo and a hearty breakfast featuring an array of Greek specialties, the group set off for Nafplio. Students pedaled through this former capital of modern Greece on a guided bike tour, taking in its vibrant atmosphere and historical charm. Later, they ascended to the Palamidi Fortress, perched 700 feet high above the city. The panoramic views were simply breathtaking.  

Greece is often described as the land where the sea meets the sky, and that sentiment came to life during a cruise to the islands of Hydra and Spetses. On the way, students spotted a pod of dolphins escorting the vessel. “In their company, it was hard not to feel a sense of wonder and joy,” said Dr. Jean-Marc Juhel, Head of School who leads the international outings. The islands proved just as picturesque as they had imagined, with whitewashed houses lining steep and narrow cobbled streets where donkeys replace cars, blue shutters, and colorful Bougainvillea. The food, of course, was “out of this word!”

No trip to Greece would be complete without learning about its rich culinary traditions. The party visited two family-owned farms where students discovered how olive oil, feta, and other regional cheeses are produced. Tasting fresh, local products added an unforgettable flavor to the trip. But they did more than just tasting; they also cooked. In a restaurant turned cooking school, the group learned how to make gyros, pitta, tzatziki, and other Greek traditional accoutrements.

Theater, too, is one of Greece’s most enduring exports, and students and chaperones alike were fortunate to be led on a tour of the ancient Epidaurus Theater — one of the best-preserved classical theaters in the world- by an extremely knowledgeable and passionate storyteller and guide. Standing in the vast amphitheater that once seated up to 14,000 spectators, the group had the chance to test its legendary acoustics and marvel at a design that made it possible to enjoy dramatic performances in such a large venue without the benefit of modern technology.  

The journey continued with a traditional Greek dance class. Students learned to count their steps, gradually picking up the pace to match the lively beat of the music. With varying degrees of success, a few missteps, and a great deal of fun, every Buckley students in attendance — along with a few brave and enthusiastic chaperones — threw themselves into the rhythms of this Greek tradition. By the end, even the most hesitant dancers were moving in sync.

Back on the bus — and gratefully enjoying its much-relished air conditioning! — the travelers crossed the Corinth Canal once again, this time journeying from the Peloponnese back to mainland Greece. They witnessed the striking contrasts of Greek geography: from the coastal village of Tolo to the mountain town of Arachova on the southern slope of Mount Parnassus near the next destination: Delphi, a place the ancient Greeks believed to be the very center of the world.

On the group’s guided tour of the ancient site, the young explorers saw some of its most storied landmarks: the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle once delivered prophecies, the Treasury of the Athenians, the theater, the sanctuary of Athena Pronaea, and for those who climbed all the way to the top, the Gymnasium, the Stadium, and the Hippodrome. 

The final stop before heading home to Long Island was Athens. The group shopped and dined in Plaka, a vibrant historic neighborhood of Athens offering stunning views of the Acropolis and a maze of tiny streets with music, shops, and sidewalk cafés. 

The next day, the last full day in Greece, the party climbed to the top of the Acropolis. The sweltering heat did not spoil the magic of standing before the Parthenon and the other UNESCO World Heritage landmarks of the Acropolis. Dr. Juhel remarked, “You can see countless images of this iconic symbol of Western civilization, but nothing compares to experiencing its grandeur in person.”

This was an extraordinary adventure for students and adults alike, and the entire Buckley community—students, parents, faculty, and staff—is grateful for the opportunity to travel and learn together in some of the world’s most beautiful and historic places.

As the plane took off from Athens, one question echoed among Buckley’s young scholars: “Where are we going next year?”