Backpacking for Teens I

DAY 1: NEWARK (FOR THOSE WHO OPT TO TAKE THE GROUP FLIGHT)

As the group flight takes off, the trip officially begins!

DAYS 2 – 4: THE NETHERLANDS (AMSTERDAM)

Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, is a perfect jumping-off point for this European adventure. The city itself is a sight to behold, filled with bicycles and elegant old buildings, which makes it ideal for exploring on foot. Our focus is on providing a safe and energetic tour of this dynamic place, as we visit the Vondelpark, check out the masterpieces on display at the Van Gogh Museum, listen to live music at a jazz club, and, yes, take a walking tour through the notorious Red Light District. Throughout, we’ll peer back into the origins of Dutch culture and pause to reflect on the events of 20th century history as we visit the Anne Frank House, where the famous diarist and her family lived while in hiding from the Nazi forces that occupied the city.

DAYS 4 – 7: BAVARIA (MUNICH, DACHAU DAY TRIP)

From Amsterdam we travel south to Munich, the exciting German city near the Bavarian Alps. Munich was heavily damaged by Allied bombs in WWII, but unlike most other German cities it was carefully rebuilt with the original street plans and traditional architecture. We’ll hang out in the Englischer Garten (larger than Central Park!), see the famous glockenspiel in the Marienplatz (central square of the city) and perhaps even visit a traditional beer hall to taste the local weißwürste (white sausages). At Dachau, just outside of Munich, we’ll visit the first concentration camp that the Nazis founded in Germany and take a moment to reflect on this dark chapter in recent history.

DAYS 7 – 11: THE SWISS ALPS

Fresh mountain air awaits us at our chalet in the Swiss Alps, a sunny paradise of rivers, alpine pastures, forests and glaciers. Using a mountain lodge as our base, we’ll explore the area and all of the outdoor activities on hand including mountain biking, hiking the spectacular trails nearby, and ropes courses. As always, our emphasis is on safety and we will be accompanied by professional local guides as we hike, bike and climb. Day trips to the nearby resort towns of Lausanne and Montreux round out our time in Switzerland.

DAYS 11 – 13: ITALY (VENICE)

From Switzerland, the iron road will carry us down to the floating city of Venice, on the Adriatic Sea. When you walk out of the train station facing the water, you’ll be amazed at your first look at the splendor of the Grand Canal, lined with Renaissance palaces and filled with passing gondolas. We’ll wander the city’s tangled streets, marveling at the colors and reflections that only Venice can offer, visit St. Mark’s Basilica and the palace of the Doges, and get an insider’s look at the last gondola workshop in Venice to learn about this centuries-old craft. The enchantment of Venice won’t wear off any time soon, and we promise you’ll go home with the memories of a lifetime and a strong case of the “travel bug”.