Italy: Dive the Med

Trip Name
Italy: Dive the Med

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

2027 Sessions
Session 1: June 14 – June 27, 2027
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure from the U.S. and return to the U.S.
Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
Rome and Sardinia, Italy

Trip Length
14 Days

Service Hours
10-15

Tuition
$6,995

Days 1 & 2: Travel and Settle into Camp
Leave the US on day 1 and fly overnight to arrive in Olbia early on day 2. Meet your group and leaders, set up camp, get settled, and kick off your adventure on the Mediterranean coast.

Day 3: 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 4–7: 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.

Day 8: 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.

Day 9: Dive Against Debris
Enjoy another fun dive day, exploring more of the underwater ecosystems, and completing a Dive Against Debris course.

Day 10: Hike the Coast
Head out for a longer hike along the Arzachena coast and learn more about Sardinia’s unique geology and marine ecology.

Day 11: Dolphin Excursion in Alghero
Cross the island to visit Alghero’s historic center, and work with scientists to learn about and collect data about dolphin behavior. Walk cobbled streets, try local dishes, and soak up views of the sea from the old city walls.

Day 12: Fly Back to Rome & See the City
Catch a flight back to Rome and head straight into the heart of the city.

Day 13: Tour Rome & Final Banquet
Tour the highlights of Rome: visit iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon, then dive into local food and culture. 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 for 11 nights and city stays for 2 nights. Most of the trip takes place in Sardinia, where we’ll sleep in tents set up near the beach at a simple campground. When in Rome, we stay at an Airbnb style, private group house.

Group Tents and Rooms:
Teens sleep in shared tents (2–3 per tent), organized by gender. At the house, it will be shared rooms, divided by gender.

Rustic Facilities:
Accommodations are basic but scenic, with access to flush toilets and short showers every 1–2 days.

Setup & Breakdown:
Everyone helps set up and pack down camp. Sharing chores, from pitching tents to dish duty -it is all 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 Olbia, Sardinia (OLB) and from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). Do not book your flight until you receive the required travel windows from our team.

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

Additional Internal Flight‍ ‍

There will be one additional internal flight on this trip, from Rome to Sardinia. RLT will book this on behalf of the group, and apply the charge to a final invoice.

Unaccompanied Minor Info
We’ll walk you through the process if your teen is flying as an airline-designated Unaccompanied Minor (for major airlines this is often kids who are 14 years old or younger, and are flying without a parent.) Every airline has different policies so it is important to coordinate with RLT and look into each airline’s specific policies. Generally speaking, we will have an RLT leader available to meet Unaccompanied Minors at the arrival airport for each trip.

Packing
Participants are responsible for bringing their own personal clothing, toiletries, and individual camping gear such as a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. The Road Less Traveled provides all group gear, including tents, cooking equipment, and any specialized activity equipment needed for the trip. A detailed packing list will be sent to families well in advance (and is available upon request at any time) to ensure your child is prepared. We encourage packing clothing that’s comfortable, durable, and made for adventure. Our list will also provide guidance based on weather, location, and planned activities to help participants bring the right items for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked soft duffel bag (NOT a rolling suitcase) and a small carry-on backpack.

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
We follow CDC guidelines for international travel, and always recommend that families check in with their pediatrician prior to traveling abroad. Based on current CDC guidelines, no specific shots are required beyond routine immunizations. Please check that your teen is up to date on routine vaccinations, including a tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) within the past 10 years.

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.