Counselors are always with the group except during time free time to do some shopping, for example, in defined areas that we are very familiar with. If participants are ever shopping by themselves within these defined areas they go in groups and for no more than an hour and 15 minutes. Virtually every day we break into smaller groups to give our participants lots of choice and flexibility in their itinerary.
1-888-457-4534
1-888-457-4534
Backpacking for Teens II
Trip Details
Dates Jul 19 - Jul 31
Session III
Duration 13 days
Grades 11 - 12
Tuition $3,185 + Airfare
Cities Florence, Cinque Terre, Swiss Alps, Paris
Group Flight Details
Start Newark to Pisa
End Paris to Newark
Session II
- How much free time do the participants get on their trip?
- Do I need to buy flights or does TFT buy them for me? Where does the group depart from?
Travel for Teens organizes chaperoned group flights for every trip. You do not have to go on the group flight with us, although there are several advantages to doing so: the group flight is chaperoned by TFT staff, a lot of group bonding happens on the trip over, and we get great group flight prices. Parents are responsible for arranging for participants to get to the group flight airport. Travel for Teens staff are at the airport, greet arriving participants as they walk to baggage claim, and escort them to where the rest of the group has assembled.
Our group flight for the Backpacking for Teens II trip departs from Newark, NJ and arrives in Florence, Italy. At the end of the trip, the group flies back to Newark out of Paris, France. Please contact us for details regarding flight cost.
- What's the food like in Italy, Switzerland, and France?
The food in each of these three European countries is unique and delicious! Vegetarians will have no issues eating well on the trip. Breakfasts, in the European style, are generally light and consist of toast, pastries, cereal, and fruit. Lunches will generally be sandwiches or something similar, and dinners will be more substantial meals in restaurants or local eateries.
- How will we travel from city to city?
In the backpacking spirit, we’ll be catching trains from Florence all the way to Paris. You’ll learn how to use your RailPass and how to use public transportation systems in general in Europe. Pack light!
- Do I have to bring a backpack?
Yes – please pack your belongings in a large travel backpack as opposed to a duffel bag or rolling suitcase. This is for ease of travel, as we will be using trains and busses (and our feet) to get around.
- Who are the counselors on the trip?
The Trip Leader for every trip is a seasoned teen travel professional with extensive TFT experience. Trip Leaders often live or have lived and worked in the destination country. Extensive knowledge of the language and culture of the destination is crucial. Our Senior Counselors are experienced, responsible and fun-loving, so our participants enjoy sharing experiences with them. At Travel for Teens we pride ourselves on our rigorous staff application process and the professionalism of our full time and summer staff.
It is the job of the counselors to keep the fun clean and happening, the learning and the laughter in good balance, and to oversee the safety of the participants. Minimum ratios are one staff member to every seven participants. Trips may also include one or two Junior Counselors, who are college students with a history of TFT travel, and one or more Counselors in Training (CIT’s) with limited responsibility. CIT’s are not counted in staff-participant ratios.
- Where do we stay on the Backpacking for Teens II trip?
All of the accommodations on the Backpacking for Teens II trip are safe, clean, and comfortable. In Florence we stay in a hostel inside a Renaissance palace that is literally steps from the Duomo and is traditionally one of the favorite TFT accommodations. In the Cinque Terre we’ll be at a family run hotel only steps from the best beach in the Cinque Terre, and in Interlaken we will be in backpackers paradise at a super-hip hostel. In Paris we are a short walk from Notre Dame in a converted palace with a beautiful inner courtyard.
Trip Highlights
- Go on an authentic euro-backpacking trip and learn how to get around Europe with a railpass
- Stare in awe at Michelangelo's David in Florence and wander the magnificent halls of the Uffizi
- Taste heaven on our inimitable Gelato Tour and visit a homemade chocolate shop in Florence where your taste buds will thank you forever
- Stay in the heart of the Cinque Terre and hike between five tiny fishing villages
- Go hiking and biking in the breathtaking Swiss Alps
- Explore Paris - Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and Parisian cafè culture
Trip Map
