Italy: Dive the Med

Trip Name
Italy: Dive the Med

Who It’s For
High school students (grades 9–12)

2026 Sessions
Session 1: June 22 – July 5, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure and return.
Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
Rome and Sardinia, Italy

Trip Length
14 Days

Service Hours
15–20

Tuition
$6,995

Day 1: Land in Rome & Fly to Sardinia
Fly into Rome, meet your group and leaders, and hop on a quick internal flight to Sardinia. Set up camp, get settled, and kick off your adventure on the Mediterranean coast.

Day 2: Snorkel the Coast & Prep for Diving
Spend the day snorkeling Sardinia’s crystal-clear waters and reviewing dive basics. Get fitted for gear, meet your instructors, and learn how the week’s diving works.

Days 3–4: PADI Certification & Local Exploration
Begin your dive training in calm waters near camp. New divers work toward their Open Water certification, while experienced divers continue to more advanced levels. Afternoons include beach time, short hikes, and visits to nearby markets.

Days 5–6: Finish Certifications & Hike the Coast
Wrap up dive skills and take your final qualifying dives. Head out for a longer hike along the Arzachena coast and learn more about Sardinia’s unique geology and marine ecology.

Day 7: Ferry to Maddalena Island
Take a ferry ride to Maddalena Island for a full day of island life. Swim, hike, explore the main town, and enjoy a laid-back Sardinian dinner together.

Days 8–9: Marine Dives & Habitat Exploration
Return to the water for conservation-focused dives. Depending on skill level, help with reef observation or marine debris clean-up. Wrap up the dive portion of the trip with fun dives and group reflection.

Day 10: Explore the City of Alghero
Visit Alghero’s historic center—a coastal city with Catalan roots. Walk cobbled streets, try local dishes, and soak up views of the sea from the old city walls.

Days 11–12: Fly Back to Rome & See the City
Catch a flight back to Rome and head straight into the heart of the city. Visit iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon, then dive into local food and culture.

Day 13: Tour the Vatican & Final Banquet
Tour the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica, then wrap up the trip with a celebratory dinner and a last night together as a group.

Day 14: Fly Home from Rome
Say goodbye to your new friends and head home with stories, skills, and a whole new view of the world.

We’ll be staying in a mix of coastal campsites and city stays. Most of the trip takes place in Sardinia, where we’ll sleep in tents set up near the beach or in simple campgrounds.

Group Tents: Teens sleep in shared tents (2–3 per tent), organized by gender identity. Tents are cozy and close-knit—great for end-of-day chats and group bonding.

Rustic Facilities: Campsites are basic but scenic, with access to flush toilets and showers every 1–2 days. In Rome, we stay in gender-separated shared rooms in small guesthouses or hotels.

Setup & Breakdown: Everyone helps set up and pack down camp. Sharing chores—from pitching tents to dish duty—is part of the experience.

What to Expect: Quiet nights under the stars in Sardinia, morning light filtering through tent walls, and a few nights of city sleepovers as we wrap up in Rome.

We prepare most meals as a group using fresh, local ingredients—often sourced from Italian markets and small producers.

Cook Crew: Teens rotate through daily roles to help plan, prep, cook, and clean alongside leaders.

Simple + Fresh: Meals include pasta with seasonal veggies, sandwiches on fresh bread, Mediterranean-style salads, yogurt and fruit, and occasional treats like homemade pizza.

All Diets Welcome: We accommodate all allergies and dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.) with thoughtful planning.

Snacks + Hydration: Frequent water breaks and plenty of healthy snacks keep everyone fueled for dives, hikes, and long travel days.

Flights
Families book flights to and from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). Do not book your flight until you receive the required travel windows from our team. An additional internal flight from Rome to Sardinia is arranged by RLT and billed separately.

Escorted Flight Option
An optional group flight with an RLT leader is available from the New York area.

Unaccompanied Minor Info
If your teen is flying as an unaccompanied minor, we’ll provide the names and contact info of the RLT leader meeting them at the gate.

Packing
We send a detailed packing list well in advance—everything fits in a duffel or large backpack.

Key items include:
Sleeping bag + sleeping pad
Sturdy water shoes or dive booties
Modest swimwear
Sun hat + reef-safe sunscreen
Passport + personal ID

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked bag and a small carry-on backpack. Teens will carry their gear between flights, ferries, and campsites, so it’s best to pack light and keep it simple.

Forms & Waivers
Once enrolled, you'll receive access to your RLT portal with required forms: health history and medical forms, participant agreement and waiver, and emergency contact info. These must be submitted before your trip.

Medical Clearance
No doctor’s visit is required unless a new or complex condition has developed. Our team reviews all forms to ensure we’re prepared to support each participant.

Medications
All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must be listed on your teen’s medical form. Leaders manage and dispense meds as needed throughout the trip.

Behavioral Expectations
We’ll send a Code of Conduct to review with your teen before departure. This sets a foundation of respect, safety, and inclusion for everyone.

Trip Insurance
Trip insurance is required for all international programs. You’re welcome to use any third-party provider. For recommendations, visit our FAQ or reach out directly.

Vaccinations
Please make sure your teen is up to date on routine immunizations as recommended by the CDC. No specific vaccines are required for entry into Italy.

Passport
A valid passport is required. Be sure it will remain valid for at least 6 months after your teen’s return date.

Device-Free Philosophy
Our trips are intentionally phone-free. On Day 1, leaders collect all phones and personal electronics. They’re stored safely and returned at the end of the trip.

Why?
Because disconnecting helps teens:
Build deeper relationships
Be present in their surroundings
Gain confidence without constant tech

Cameras Welcome
Teens are welcome to bring a digital camera or GoPro—anything that doesn’t connect to the internet. Leaders also take photos throughout the trip and share them in an online gallery afterward.

Communication
Families receive regular updates from our team while the trip is in session. In case of emergency, parents can reach our on-call support line 24/7.