Program Overview
Come experience a quintessential European summer amidst the buzzing streets of London and the elegant squares and iconic landmarks of Paris! We’ll explore these legendary destinations like locals with an epic train journey — so we can soak in the varied cultures and landscapes of these dynamic countries!
Our travels begin in London where we’ll enjoy everything this fantastic city offers – from visiting royal Buckingham Palace, to browsing the colorful stalls of Camden Market, to catching a theater production in the bustling West End. From St. Pancras station, we’ll hop aboard the Chunnel train to be whisked beneath the English Channel toward the City of Light. In Paris, we’ll glimpse the city from atop the Eiffel Tower, taste homemade macarons from a famous patisserie, and take a tour of the world-renowned art of the Musée du Louvre.
Our trips are specially designed for any teen who wants to gain a global perspective before leaving high school and heading out into the “real world”. Because as you grow, your interests and needs do too. We are all about a hands-on approach to travel, where we go beyond the casual tourist experience, take public transportation, and learn how daily life really is in each place we visit. We provide a unique and carefully crafted itinerary that allows for more challenges and independence. We encourage teens on these trips to learn how to use international public transport, along with other handy travel skills, so that they become confident and able to take on even more of the world in the future.
During this program, you will…
- Stroll along the River Thames and see the world-famous Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, and Buckingham Palace from atop the London Eye
- Browse the trendy Camden Market for hip treasures
- Savor mouthwatering crêpes in the funky artistic neighborhood of Montmartre
- Try traditional afternoon tea and scones at Kensington Palace
- Marvel at the Queen’s Crown Jewels and meet a real Beefeater at the Tower of London
- Hear London’s bloody history on a nighttime ghost walk
- Explore Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and attend a modern play in the West End
- Learn about masterpieces like the Mona Lisa at the world-famous Louvre Museum
- Explore the Royal Palace of Versailles and learn about the Sun King’s lavish parties
Most travelers choose to extend their stay in Europe and cross another country off their bucket list by joining our popular London, Paris, French Riviera and Barcelona program!
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM NEW YORK (JFK)
DAYS 2-4: LONDON
Our trip of a lifetime begins in regal London, home of the Queen, afternoon tea, and the famous red double-decker buses! Upon arriving, we’ll take a walk downtown to get acquainted with this buzzing capital city. Visit the royal family at Buckingham Palace, listen to Big Ben chime on the hour, and see where the royals get married at Westminster Abbey. Observe the seats of the British government at the Houses of Parliament and 10 Downing Street before crossing the River Thames to the London Eye. No trip to the United Kingdom would be complete without a visit to the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, where the Yeoman Warder guards will tell you all the spooky stories of this infamous prison. Spend an afternoon browsing for treasures at the fantastic Camden Market, where you can try foods from all over the world and find just about any souvenir you’re looking for. Finish off our time in Great Britain with dinner and a live show in the West End (London’s version of Broadway).
DAYS 5-7: PARIS
After enjoying our time in London, zoom underneath the English Channel to Paris on the high-speed Eurostar train. What better way to welcome you to France than by going up the Eiffel Tower? Enjoy a fresh ham-and-cheese baguette on the Champs de Mars and savor homemade fondue in the Latin Quarter for dinner. Cruise down the Seine at twilight and watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle. Marvel at the world’s best masterpieces in the Louvre Museum–Will you be able to figure out what the Mona Lisa is smiling at? Experience the charm of Paris on a delightful local-led walking tour while soaking in the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Stroll through the lush Tuileries Gardens with a fresh macaron in hand, and gaze in awe at the Arc de Triomphe. Wander through the charming streets of Montmartre, and marvel at the vibrant art scene, and of course, shop ’til you drop on the Champs-Elysées. On this program, you’ll even go to the spectacular Chateau de Versailles, where you’ll see where history happened in the Hall of Mirrors and stroll through Marie Antoinette’s gardens!
DAY 8: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
Photo Gallery
Check out other TFT programs similar to this one!
Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.
FAQs
Where do we stay on the London & Paris program?
Our hotels are chosen specifically in safe areas and are well suited to facilitating group supervision. We stay in centrally located accommodations, usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
In London, we stay in a residential neighborhood just steps from two main train stations, which means we can easily travel over the whole city.
In Paris, we stay in the heart of the 9th Arondissement, close to the Opera House.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
Our hotels are chosen specifically in safe areas and are well suited to facilitating group supervision. We stay in centrally located accommodations, usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
In London, we stay in a residential neighborhood just steps from two main train stations, which means we can easily travel over the whole city.
In Paris, we stay in the heart of the 9th Arondissement, close to the Opera House.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
What is included?
Tuition cost includes ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; lunches; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
Tuition cost includes ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; lunches; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
What is the food like on this program?
In a word – delicious! At TFT, we believe food should be an integral part of the travel experience and always make an effort to eat at authentic establishments when we can. What better way to immerse yourself in the culture of a place than by sampling the local delicacies, and we encourage students to do so whenever possible! Just as we stay away from hotel chains, we try to avoid restaurants with menus that cater only to tourists because every good traveler knows the best food is found wherever the locals are eating!
Even though a lot of food will look familiar to you, we encourage you to be adventurous, and step out of your comfort zone, try something new! Most British food will be similar to American food, although we will try fish and chips, meat pies, scones, and other local delicacies. The French love ham, cheese, and bread, and maybe you’ll be brave enough to try escargot!
Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
In a word – delicious! At TFT, we believe food should be an integral part of the travel experience and always make an effort to eat at authentic establishments when we can. What better way to immerse yourself in the culture of a place than by sampling the local delicacies, and we encourage students to do so whenever possible! Just as we stay away from hotel chains, we try to avoid restaurants with menus that cater only to tourists because every good traveler knows the best food is found wherever the locals are eating!
Even though a lot of food will look familiar to you, we encourage you to be adventurous, and step out of your comfort zone, try something new! Most British food will be similar to American food, although we will try fish and chips, meat pies, scones, and other local delicacies. The French love ham, cheese, and bread, and maybe you’ll be brave enough to try escargot!
Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
What is unique about the London & Paris trip?
On the London & Paris program students love that they are able to explore two of Europe’s most important cities on an in-depth trip that experiences all the sights they’ve heard about but never before seen. They also like discovering the cultural differences between England, France, and the US.
On the London & Paris program students love that they are able to explore two of Europe’s most important cities on an in-depth trip that experiences all the sights they’ve heard about but never before seen. They also like discovering the cultural differences between England, France, and the US.