Program Overview
**Use your trip’s unique identifier code AAP27 when registering**
Three countries, one mountain range. Eleven days across the Alps, and the scenery is the activity.
Organized by Travel For Teens with Ms. Kim’s group, this trip starts in the French Alps at Annecy, the lakeside town known as the Venice of the Alps, where students take on a via ferrata ropes course high above the water and paddle its turquoise lake. From there the group crosses into Switzerland for a stay in a traditional chalet, canyoning through alpine waterfalls, hiking the high pastures, and a cog railway ride to the foot of the Matterhorn. The trip finishes on the Italian side at Lake Como, with cable cars up to hillside villages, a boat cruise on the lake, and gelato earned the hard way.
Every activity is led by certified local guides, with a full-time TFT Trip Director on the ground for the whole trip.
This will be an 11-day tour departing Wednesday, May 26, 2027 and returning Saturday, June 5, 2027.
During this trip, you will…
- Hook onto a via ferrata ropes course high above Lake Annecy in the French Alps
- Go tandem paragliding over Annecy, for anyone who wants it
- Kayak and stand-up paddleboard on the turquoise water of Lake Annecy
- Climb, slide, and jump through rock and waterfalls on a canyoning day in Switzerland
- Swim in Lake Geneva on the grounds of the medieval Chateau de Chillon
- Stay in a traditional Swiss chalet and ride the cog railway to the Matterhorn
- Take a cable car to a hillside village above Lake Como and cruise the lake by boat
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM CHICAGO (ORD)
- The group flight departs for Geneva
DAYS 2-4: ANNECY, FRANCE
We begin in the heart of the French Alps in Annecy, often called the Venice of the Alps for its canals, with a turquoise lake in the middle of town and mountains on every side. We will wander the old town, lined with pastel buildings and cafes, out to the Palais de l’Isle sitting in the middle of the main canal.
Then the adrenaline starts. Students hook into a via ferrata, a high altitude ropes course, and navigate the mountainside with the lake below them. Later we take a boat cruise, with stops for hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and time on the beach. For anyone who wants it, there is the option to go tandem paragliding over Lake Annecy.
DAYS 5-7: MONTREUX & SAAS-GRUND, SWITZERLAND
On the way we stop in Montreux for lunch and a look at the Chateau de Chillon, one of the best preserved medieval castles in Europe, with a swim in Lake Geneva in view of the castle.
Then on to Saas-Grund, where our base is a traditional chalet in the Swiss Alps surrounded by rivers, alpine pastures, forests, and glaciers. From there we hike the trails nearby, spend a day canyoning through waterfalls, and take a day at the thermal springs. No visit to this valley is complete without the Matterhorn, so we ride the cog railway up for the view. Local guides are with us for the hiking and canyoning.
DAYS 8-10: LAKE COMO, ITALY
Lake Como is our last stop, with Italian food and alpine peaks as the backdrop. We take a cable car up to a hillside village for the best views over the water, cruise the lake by boat to visit a few of the towns, and swim at a local lido, the lakeside pool club. We spend the final night over a long Italian dinner looking back on the trip. And yes, gelato. Probably twice.
DAY 11: RETURN FLIGHT HOME
- Fly home from Milan. Welcome home!
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Frequently Asked Question
Who is Travel For Teens?
Travel For Teens started in 2003 as a small, family-run business providing teens with an authentic experience in Paris.
Today, the TFT family has flourished and operates over 100 different programs in over 40 countries! Our values and mission remain the same no matter our growth – inspiring youth to ignite a passion for travel and discovering new cultures beyond the traditional tourist path.
How much is tuition & what does tuition include?
Tuition for the trip is $6,630 per student, which INCLUDES round-trip airfare from Chicago (ORD), all accommodation based on twin, triple, and quad occupancy for students (twin occupancy for adults, single supplement surcharge possible), breakfasts and dinners daily, every guided activity in the itinerary with instruction and safety equipment, all ground transport plus the listed cable cars and rail, taxes, tips, and all registration charges.
Tuition DOES NOT INCLUDE: mandatory trip insurance, lunches and meals not referenced in the itinerary, optional add-ons such as tandem paragliding, personal spending money, laundry, internet, phone calls home, deviations from the itinerary, drinks at meals, and unplanned costs associated with events beyond the control of TFT.
The airfare portion is an estimate for this route and season. It is confirmed at final ticketing, and a supplement may apply at booking.
Tuition for the trip is $6,630 per student, which INCLUDES round-trip airfare from Chicago (ORD), all accommodation based on twin, triple, and quad occupancy for students (twin occupancy for adults, single supplement surcharge possible), breakfasts and dinners daily, every guided activity in the itinerary with instruction and safety equipment, all ground transport plus the listed cable cars and rail, taxes, tips, and all registration charges.
Tuition DOES NOT INCLUDE: mandatory trip insurance, lunches and meals not referenced in the itinerary, optional add-ons such as tandem paragliding, personal spending money, laundry, internet, phone calls home, deviations from the itinerary, drinks at meals, and unplanned costs associated with events beyond the control of TFT.
The airfare portion is an estimate for this route and season. It is confirmed at final ticketing, and a supplement may apply at booking.
If I cannot afford the payment schedule listed above, does Travel For Teens provide flexible payment plans?
Yes, Travel For Teens is willing to customize a payment plan for any participant who needs a little flexibility in the payment schedule. Please email help@travelforteens.com for details on payment plans.
Who can go on this trip?
This trip is open to the students in Ms. Kim’s group. Space is limited and is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
This trip is open to the students in Ms. Kim’s group. Space is limited and is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
What is the payment timeline?
- $750 trip deposit due within three business days of registration
- Remaining balance in five payments between registration and 60 days prior to the trip
Travel For Teens is happy to customize a payment plan for any participant who needs a little flexibility. Email help@travelforteens.com for details.
- $750 trip deposit due within three business days of registration
- Remaining balance in five payments between registration and 60 days prior to the trip
Travel For Teens is happy to customize a payment plan for any participant who needs a little flexibility. Email help@travelforteens.com for details.
What is the refund and cancellation policy?
The $750 trip deposit is applied toward tuition and is fully refundable for 24 hours from receipt.
After that, how much of your tuition can be refunded or transferred to another program depends on how far ahead of departure you cancel, and on the trip insurance policy you carry. Travel insurance is required for every traveler on a Travel For Teens program, and it is how most cancellation costs are recovered, particularly for cancellations close to departure. You may purchase a policy through TFT or on your own at any time before your final balance is due.
Cancellations must be submitted in writing by email. Verbal cancellations are not accepted.
The full terms, including payment deadlines, change fees, and the tuition refund schedule, are in our Terms and Conditions. If you would like the exact figures for your situation before you register, email privatetrips@travelforteens.com and we will walk you through it.
The $750 trip deposit is applied toward tuition and is fully refundable for 24 hours from receipt.
After that, how much of your tuition can be refunded or transferred to another program depends on how far ahead of departure you cancel, and on the trip insurance policy you carry. Travel insurance is required for every traveler on a Travel For Teens program, and it is how most cancellation costs are recovered, particularly for cancellations close to departure. You may purchase a policy through TFT or on your own at any time before your final balance is due.
Cancellations must be submitted in writing by email. Verbal cancellations are not accepted.
The full terms, including payment deadlines, change fees, and the tuition refund schedule, are in our Terms and Conditions. If you would like the exact figures for your situation before you register, email privatetrips@travelforteens.com and we will walk you through it.
What happens if the trip does not run?
If Travel For Teens has to cancel or postpone this trip, for example because of low enrollment, your deposit is refunded. Families sign a release in order to process refunds on a postponed trip.
In other words, registering early does not put your money at risk if the trip does not end up going.
If Travel For Teens has to cancel or postpone this trip, for example because of low enrollment, your deposit is refunded. Families sign a release in order to process refunds on a postponed trip.
In other words, registering early does not put your money at risk if the trip does not end up going.
After I register, what happens next?
Once you have completed your registration and paid your deposit, you will receive an email that contains your USERNAME and PASSWORD to MyTFT. All forms to be completed by parents and physician as well as packing lists, travel tips, travel insurance information, and other important information can be found on the MyTFT portal (hard copies of the essential legal/medical forms can be mailed to participants upon request). Our contract and release must be signed by all custodial parents (or guardians) and the participant.
Where do we stay?
We stay in vetted, group-friendly hotels in Annecy and Lake Como, and in a traditional chalet in the Swiss Alps at Saas-Grund. The names of the accommodations are available to all families once they have signed up.
We stay in vetted, group-friendly hotels in Annecy and Lake Como, and in a traditional chalet in the Swiss Alps at Saas-Grund. The names of the accommodations are available to all families once they have signed up.
Trip Emails & Photographs
PHOTOGRAPHS
We will take dozens, if not hundreds, of photos each day. The best photos will be posted as regularly as possible (ideally every day) to a private photo-sharing platform (Waldo Photos) where you can follow along with the trip. We will send you an email to alert you when we post new photos. Low-resolution photos can be viewed for free during and after the trip. All of your High-Resolution matched photos can be purchased and downloaded in real-time during the trip or after the trip for $50.
EMAILS
The Trip Director will be in regular email contact every 24-48 hours, internet willing, with our families. Emails will include fun detailed updates about the day’s activities and are a great way for families to follow along with the journey. Email will be the best way to communicate messages to the Trip Director.
Safety, Sickness & Communication
SAFETY AND SICKNESS
The safety of our participants is our #1 concern, which is why we have only experienced trip leaders running the show. We offer 24/7 communication throughout our programs and have detailed risk management and safety policies in place. Please review our policies here.
For information regarding our specific policies with Covid-19 please review our Covid-19 protocols page here.
What are the safety qualifications for our staff?
Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid. We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.
What is the food like on a TFT program? Can you accommodate 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 Americanized 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!
We also love to have picnics al fresco and do this whenever possible, which is a great way to taste some local food while sitting out in the fresh air taking in the sights and sounds of our surroundings.
As always, we are willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
Do I need to speak the language?
No, our skilled staff members will help you get around and even teach you a few fun phrases!
Are participants allowed to have their cell phones on the program?
We do allow participants to bring their phones, but we ask that they use it solely as a camera when we are out and about during the day. We want everyone to focus on living in the moment and fully experience each new destination we are visiting without being absorbed in their phones. We ask that participants look at their journey with us as a way to disconnect. When we have downtime at our hotels in the evenings it is okay for participants to use their devices to connect with friends and family back home.