Program Overview
Organized by Travel For Teens, discover the best of two European countries this summer: Italy and France!
Our first stop is Venice – a dreamlike city of bridges and canals unlike any other in the world. Then it’s off to discover the Renaissance city of Florence, home to Michelangelo’s David, the famous leather markets, and the world-famous Uffizi art gallery. Climb to the top of the Duomo for a breathtaking view of the whole city, and of course, no trip to Italy would be complete without undertaking TFT’s famous gelato challenge! After Florence, we will head to the seaside and enjoy the beauty of the Cinque Terre. This is a lesser-known tourist destination and one that should not be missed!
After enjoying the sea and incredible hiking trails, we’re off to visit our next country: France! Discover the gem of the French Riviera, the glittering city of Nice, where we’ll stroll the Promenade des Anglais and watch the street performers at dusk, gelato in hand. Peruse the traditional Cours Saleya marketplace for treasures, and climb to the top of the hill to visit a hidden waterfall and get the best view of the Mediterranean Sea from above. Satisfy your inner explorer by wandering the cobblestone streets of Èze, a clifftop village that has been here since medieval times, before relaxing on one of France’s best beaches. Sign up today to discover the best of Europe this summer!
This program is open to SBA alumni and friends. There are a limited number spaces for the trip which are available on a first come first serve basis.
Informational Meeting Details
To view our recording from our Informational Meeting, please click here!
Pre-departure Meeting Details
A TFT representative will give a short presentation and answer any of your last-minute questions before your trip departs!
When:
Where:
Time:
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM THE USA
Group flight departs from Philadelphia (PHL) for Venice!
DAYS 2-3: VENICE
Upon your arrival in Venice, you’ll be greeted at the airport by your Travel For Teens guides, who will accompany you for the duration of your journey. We’ll head out immediately to discover the incredible city of Venice – you’ll be amazed at the splendor of the Grand Canal lined with crumbling, decadent palaces. We will wander the city’s tangled streets, marveling at the colors and reflections that only Venice can offer. Marvel at the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica in the central square. Visit the classic Venetian Gothic-style Palace of the Doges, which was the seat of the Doge, the supreme authority in the Republic of Venice. This striking structure set along the edge of St Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal is has been converted into a massive internationally renowned museum.
Check out the Peggy Guggenheim Museum showcasing the eccentric Peggy’s private collection of unique modern art at the former villa where she spent many years amassing a huge array of art from legends like Pollock, Picasso and Dali. Venture to the island of Murano, the center of the ancient glassmaking industry and learn about first hand at an authentic Venetian workshop. Fall in love with the splendors of this Italian city in the lagoon that will surely leave its mark on you.
DAYS 4-5 : FLORENCE
Then it’s time to discover Firenze, the city most often referred to as an outdoor museum. Every turn in this beautiful city reveals a new statue, fountain or fresco. In the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, we’ll see Michelangelo’s famous “David,” climb to the top of the Duomo, and visit the Uffizi Museum, which houses the best collection of Italian Renaissance art in the world. Art and culture are not all that are in store for us in Florence, however. We’ll shop in the city’s famous markets and go to an exclusive event at one of the best leather shops in the city. We’ll enjoy the best pizzeria in the city and challenge ourselves to go all the way on TFT’s famous gelato tour!
DAYS 6-7: THE CINQUE TERRE
We leave Florence for the Cinque Terre, which is one of Italy’s hidden gems! Often referred to as the Italian Riviera, this region is home to five idyllic fishing villages with pastel colored houses perched on dramatic cliffs that plunge into the crystal-blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. We stay right in the center of one of the villages (Monterosso) just steps from the beach! We do not stay outside the towns in La Spezia which is not technically part of the Cinque Terre. Instead, we are right in the middle of everything and able to walk just a few steps to the beach or charming shops. In Monterosso we have established strong relationships with the locals from some of the service projects we have done there in the past, and you will see you are treated like family during your stay here!
The Cinque Terre is known for its spectacular hiking trails that connect the towns and we will have the opportunity to hike them for ourselves! On the hike we will enjoy spectacular views of the sea and the vineyards that line the cliffs and be inspired by the natural beauty in this region. During our time here we will also sampling local specialties like pesto and focaccia. We’ll dine on fresh seafood and relax on the beach in our seaside paradise.
DAYS 8-9: NICE & ÈZE
Then we’ll do as the Europeans do and hop on the high-speed train down to Nice to discover the beautiful beaches of the French Riviera. Stroll around Vieux Nice’s Boulevard Anglaise and poke around the quaint shops here, chitchatting with shopkeepers in French. Climb to the hilltop castle for an unparalleled view of the Cote d’Azur! We’ll spend a day to visit the medieval village of Èze, a source of artistic inspiration for centuries.
DAY 10: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
Welcome Home!
Payment Timeline
Deadline to register: December 15, 2022
At time of registration: $500 trip deposit
Second Payment $750 due: January 14, 2022
The balance will be paid in three installments on February 1, March 1, and April 1, 2022.
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 $2,995 which INCLUDES all breakfasts and dinners, accommodations, transportation, premium trip insurance, entrance to museums/events, taxes, and tips.
Tuition does NOT INCLUDE lunches and meals not listed in the itinerary, airfare, COVID-related expenses (PPE equipment, testing), beverages other than filtered water at meals, laundry, souvenirs, shopping, visas and visa application fees, personal and medical expenses, activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary, excess baggage fees, damage to hotels, expenses related to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. transportation delays or natural disasters), mandatory Travel Protection Insurance.
Tuition for the trip is $2,995 which INCLUDES all breakfasts and dinners, accommodations, transportation, premium trip insurance, entrance to museums/events, taxes, and tips.
Tuition does NOT INCLUDE lunches and meals not listed in the itinerary, airfare, COVID-related expenses (PPE equipment, testing), beverages other than filtered water at meals, laundry, souvenirs, shopping, visas and visa application fees, personal and medical expenses, activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary, excess baggage fees, damage to hotels, expenses related to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. transportation delays or natural disasters), mandatory Travel Protection Insurance.
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.
How much is trip cancellation insurance?
Trip cancellation insurance will be mandatory for all participants and is not included in your deposit payment. We feel that this gives everyone more peace of mind in case of unforeseen events. The trip cancellation insurance, if purchased directly from Travel For Teens, is $215 for the Standard plan. You may also choose to purchase a more comprehensive Premium (w/cancel-for-any-reason) plan for $385. All paying participants (i.e. students/parents) will need to provide proof of an independently-purchased policy if not purchasing the plan offered by Travel For Teens.
For more information on insurance, please see this page.
Trip cancellation insurance will be mandatory for all participants and is not included in your deposit payment. We feel that this gives everyone more peace of mind in case of unforeseen events. The trip cancellation insurance, if purchased directly from Travel For Teens, is $215 for the Standard plan. You may also choose to purchase a more comprehensive Premium (w/cancel-for-any-reason) plan for $385. All paying participants (i.e. students/parents) will need to provide proof of an independently-purchased policy if not purchasing the plan offered by Travel For Teens.
For more information on insurance, please see this page.
Who can go on this trip?
The trip is open to all SBA Alumni and friends. Space is limited and is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
There are 21 spaces total available.
The trip is open to all SBA Alumni and friends. Space is limited and is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
There are 21 spaces total available.
How much is airfare?
There is a chaperoned group flight path round-trip from Philadelphia into Venice and departing Nice. The cost will be $1100 for the first 14 participants.
There is a chaperoned group flight path round-trip from Philadelphia into Venice and departing Nice. The cost will be $1100 for the first 14 participants.
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 will be staying in a combination of 3 and 4 star hotels plus a top rated hostel in Venice throughout the program. The names of the accommodations are available to all families once they have signed up.
Single rooms can be requested and will cost $440 additional per person per single.
Note: singles must be requested at the time of registration to be guaranteed.
We will be staying in a combination of 3 and 4 star hotels plus a top rated hostel in Venice throughout the program. The names of the accommodations are available to all families once they have signed up.
Single rooms can be requested and will cost $440 additional per person per single.
Note: singles must be requested at the time of registration to be guaranteed.
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.
Photo Gallery