Gators Lead in Greece 2026
Postcards by Gators Lead participants
7/15/2026
June 21, 2026: Athens City Center and Panathenaic Stadium Tour
June 22, 2026: Day Cruise of Saronic Islands
Day 3 of our trip to Greece was just dreamy. The day cruise in the Saronic Gulf was the excursion we were all looking forward to most, and it definitely surpassed our expectations.
The day began bright and early as we embarked out of Piraeus into the Gulf to begin the cruise. Some of the boat ride was spent playing card games, while others relaxed in the sunshine. However, there really was no need for entertainment to pass the time, the stunning views en route to each island were enough.
The first stop was the island of Hydra, where the view as we pulled up to the dock was captivating. Time was spent popping in and out of local shops, taking countless pictures on a gorgeous white staircase and watching the donkeys stroll around town - the only source of transportation on the island.
Next was a quick stop at the island of Poros, where we quickly walked up to the island’s famous clock tower. It was painted in shades of blue and white, and the view overlooking the water made for the perfect photograph.
Before reaching Aegina, time on the boat was spent taking naps, building relationships through conversations, and partaking in a fun dance party. Finally, we reached Aegina where we took a swim at Marathon beach before heading back to Athens after the most perfect day, our excitement for the rest of the trip ever-growing.
- Jocelyn Sasson | Gymnastics
June 23, 2026: Athens Tour Including Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and Parthenon | AEK FC Arena | Sports Nature 4 All
Day 4 included many stops including Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, Parthenon, AEK FC Arena visit, and our community service event with Sports Nature4 All. Seeing the Acropolis and Parthenon in person was so amazing to see. The walk up to the Parthenon was one of the prettiest walks I have ever made, and seeing Greecefrom that levelwas extremely inspiring. On top of the visuals of Acropolis and the Parthenon, we were also able to take a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum. There were so many pieces of history in that museum, and my favorite had to be the glass floors which showed ancient neighborhoods beneath the museum. There was so much history we saw at the museum, and it was so cool to see one of the most recognizable places in Athens.
The second half of the day was spent at an AEK FC Arena visit and a community service event. The arena was full of the history of the team and modern upgrades that have been added throughout the years. The team museum had numerous news articles, trophies and player biographies which really gave me an insight to the team. As someone who knew nothing about AEK FC before this visit, the team does a great job of showcasing their history and milestones throughout the arena. I would have to say my favorite part of the arena is the sensory room. I think it is awesome that the team prioritizes the comfort of every fan.
After the arena visit, we spent the evening with Sport Nature 4 All at our community service event. We were able to play spike ball, cornhole and Mölkky with a group of Greek residents with special needs. It was so eye opening to communicate and play games with the language barrier, but sport became our language which was honestlyjust so awesome to see. We were able to connect with each other because of our love for sports and staying active, so it made our evening a ton of fun.
- Madison Walker | Softball
June 24, 2026: Travel to Thessaloniki | Cooking Class
Today was one of the more relaxing days! I loved all the activities we had done so far, but it was also nice to have a rest day as we traveled to Thessaloniki. We headed for the airport in the morning, where we had lots of time. We actually had quite a lot of fun waiting to depart as we explored the cute shops (there were lots), got freddo cappuccinos (iced coffee, basically), and gelato. The flight itself was super easy - only about 45 minutes. Upon arriving in Thessaloniki, we drove to our hotel, then had some free time to explore the city. We were walking distance to the main square and the boardwalk by the ocean! We got gyros and ate them by the water. Thessaloniki is full of great boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, flower shops, spice shops, and more — so it was really fun to explore. Then, we headed to our cooking class, which was in a really cool local spot. We made Greek salad, grape leaves, stuffed peppers and tomatoes, and a Greek chocolate dessert called Mosaiko. After, we got to eat everything, and it was super flavorful and fresh. So good! Finally, we ended the night walking along the boardwalk and exploring the city more. Everyone is super active at night in Greece, so the city was very lively. Overall, it was a great, relaxing, culture-oriented day!
- Keeghan Edwards | Track & Field
June 25, 2026: Thessaloniki YMCA | City Tour | Leadership Development
One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was spending time with local children at a YMCA youth sports clinic. We played games, taught basic athletic skills, and encouraged teamwork and confidence, but we walked away with just as much as we gave. Their energy, kindness, and excitement made the experience unforgettable and reminded us of the impact that simple acts of encouragement can have.
We also explored the historic city of Thessaloniki, visiting iconic landmarks including the White Tower, the Ancient Theatre, and centuries-old archaeological ruins. Every stop offered a deeper appreciation for Greece's rich history while showcasing the unique blend of ancient culture and modern city life.
Some of the most meaningful moments happened within our own travel group. Through leadership discussions, team activities, and shared experiences, we challenged one another to grow while building genuine friendships along the way. By the end of the trip, we had become much more than travel mates—we had formed a close-knit community built on trust, support, and unforgettable memories.
- Abby Elmore | Track & Field
June 26, 2026: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki | Thessaloniki YMCA | Pakration Led by the Greek Federation
On day 7 in Thessaloniki, Greece, we began with a tour of the University of Aristotle. Our guide introduced us to the theology department, where we met a professor and discussed the university's history, academics, and student culture. One aspect that stood out was how student organizations and sports are led by the students rather than the university itself, reflecting the passion and initiative of the student body. As we explored campus, including the philosophy building, we learned more about Aristotle's influence on education and appreciated both the university's rich history and beautiful campus.
After the tour, we walked to the YMCA for our community service activity, giving us a chance to experience everyday life in Thessaloniki. We rotated through ping-pong, water sports, and gymnastics with local children. Whether competing in relay races, playing ping-pong, or getting soaked during the water games, everyone was smiling and having fun. My favorite activity was the obstacle relay, where my team came out on top. Beyond the games, the experience allowed us to build friendships with the children, strengthen our leadership skills and reflect on the importance of gratitude and being present in the moment. After some free time exploring the city, we concluded the day with a traditional Greek sport.
Our evening activity introduced us to pankration, an ancient Greek martial art and Olympic sport that combines boxing and wrestling. Representatives from the Greek Federation explained its history, noting that ancient matches had no rounds, time limits, or weight classes. Nearly every technique was permitted, with biting and eye-gouging serving as the only prohibited actions. They also described how the sport has evolved into the modern version, which now includes rounds, weight classes, and a point-based scoring system.
We also watched trained athletes demonstrate pankration before learning and practicing several techniques ourselves. Seeing the athletes compete highlighted the intensity of the sport and the importance of proper training. One fact that especially stood out to me was that the official rules are still written in ancient Greek, requiring athletes and coaches to understand the language. We also learned how competitors safely absorb impact during falls by striking the floor with their forearms, helping distribute the force and reduce the risk of injury.
- Colleen Ryan and Clark Hamilton | Lacrosse
June 27, 2026: Beach Day at Chalkidiki
This was easily my favorite day of the entire trip. Everything about it felt surreal - the crystal-clear blue water, the scenery and getting to experience it all with my fellow Gators made it so special.
We had an early wake-up call and boarded a bus for a two-hour ride to Chalkidiki for a beach day. Before heading out, we were told to bring all of our beach essentials like sunscreen and bathing suits, so everyone came prepared for a full day in the sun. Once we arrived, we stopped at a surf shop where we got to choose what we wanted to take out on the water. I chose a single paddleboard, which felt familiar since paddleboarding was something I did every summer growing up near Lake Erie.
We spent around two to three hours out on the water, exploring the area in kayaks and on paddleboards. There were definitely a few collisions along the way, which made for some funny moments. We visited small islands and rocky beaches, but honestly, most of the time I was just taking in everything around me. So many of us were lying on our paddleboards or floating in our kayaks, just staring around in disbelief that this was real life. The water was unbelievably clear - even in deeper areas, you could still see straight to the bottom. We spent time swimming, diving, doing backflips off the boards, and taking countless pictures. I kept taking off my sunglasses just to take it the amazing scene all around.
We were surrounded by a beautiful bay with houses in the distance, where our beach guide Henry told us many of the local employees lived. Beyond that were small islands and gorgeous mountains that made the whole landscape feel unreal. It honestly felt like something out of a fairy tale.
After heading back to shore, we took the bus to another area for lunch. Many of our meals on this trip were served family style, which included seafood, traditional Greek dishes like hummus and tzatziki and of course, Greek salad. One of my favorite things at this lunch was an avocado salad that was simply amazing. After eating, we had time to relax at the beach cabanas or walk around the area. A group of us chose to explore, and I loved the architecture there. The buildings were painted in bright colors, and it ended up being one of my favorite places architecturally during the entire trip.
By the time we got back on the bus to return to the hotel, everyone was completely exhausted and most of us fell asleep almost immediately. That night we had a fun dinner together, but it was also bittersweet because it was our last dinner with our tour guide, Alexa. She made such a positive impact on our trip and truly helped make the experience unforgettable. Huge shoutout to Alexa for making this trip so special.
- Sophia Sindelar | Soccer
June 28, 2026: Bus to Athens, Sightseeing, Farewell Dinner
Our day began with a bus ride from Thessaloniki to Athens, and even though it was a long drive, we were still surrounded by beautiful views of Greece. Along the way, we passed mountains and scenic landscapes that made the ride enjoyable and reminded us how beautiful the country is. Once we arrived in Athens, we had about an hour of free time to explore the city, shop for souvenirs, and enjoy walking through the streets before meeting back up as a group. That evening, we had our final dinner together at Mylolithos, where the atmosphere was amazing and the night was filled with great food, laughter, and conversations.
After dinner, we crossed the street to a local market where everyone picked their favorite Greek snacks to enjoy on our final night. We then headed back to the hotel, but before we ended the night, a group of us stopped at a local deli across the street for gelato and desserts. It was the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable trip, and I left feeling grateful for the memories, friendships and experiences I made while in Greece.
- Bella Lee | Volleyball
