Europe for Older Teens: European Explorer

Welcome to Europe! Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, is known for its vibrant culture of young travelers eager to explore the city’s treasures. The city itself is a sight to behold, filled with bicycles and gorgeous old buildings, which make it ideal for exploring on foot. Our focus is on providing a safe and energetic tour of this dynamic city, as we tour the Vondelpark, check out the masterpieces on display at the Van Gogh Museum and even coast through the canals on a twilight boat tour. Throughout, we’ll peer back into the origins of Dutch culture, and pause to reflect on the events of modern 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.

*Please note tickets to the Anne Frank Haus are not able to be guaranteed until they are released in the spring.*

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 will take a bike tour of this beautiful city and relax in the Englischer Garten (larger than Central Park!), see the famous glockenspiel in the Marienplatz and even visit a traditional beer hall to taste the local weißwürste and pretzels. 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.

During our time in Munich, we will also visit the Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps. This is the fairytale castle that inspired Walt Disney and you will have the opportunity to go inside and tour its many lavish rooms and hallways, ride bikes through the Alps at the foot of the castle and even go for a swim in a fresh alpine lake!

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. We will go on an exciting mountain biking trip (for all skill levels) through some spectacular trails. We will go on a hiking adventure high up in the Alps with incredible views and even stop on the way for an authentic Swiss cheese tasting with a local family who makes the cheese themselves! Another day will be spent climbing and gliding through the air on a high ropes course in an outdoor park popular with Swiss locals.

We will also go canyoning–always a group favorite! On our canyoning adventure we will climb, slip, slide and jump through natural rock formations and waterfalls!

As always, our emphasis is on safety and we will be accompanied by professional local guides as we hike, bike, and climb. All of these activities are open to all levels and we can easily accommodate anyone from beginner to advanced.

A day trip to the nearby resort town of Montreux rounds out our time in this part of Switzerland. During our time in Montreux we will visit a famous Swiss Chateau that sits right at the edge of Lake Geneva and climb its highest towers and explore its eerie dungeons. We will go for a dip in the fresh alpine water right outside the chateau and experience stunning mountain scenery while we enjoy a refreshing swim.

From Switzerland, the iron road will carry us down to our last city, 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, marvel at the colors and reflections that only Venice can offer, and visit St. Mark’s Basilica and the palace of the Doges. We will visit the island of Murano to enjoy a live glass blowing demonstration and learn about this delicate craft. You will also have the opportunity to ride a gondola and live your very own Italian dream!

The enchantment of Venice won’t wear off anytime soon, and we promise you’ll go home with the memories of a lifetime and a strong case of the “travel bug”.

Then it’s off to discover Florence! Here, in the center of the Italian Renaissance, artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, as well as writers like Dante and Machiavelli completed some of their most famous masterpieces. We’ll stand in awe of Michelangelo’s gorgeous David at the Accademia gallery, and we’ll tour the Uffizi, the world’s best collection of Italian Renaissance art, marveling at paintings by Botticelli, Caravaggio, and others. Art and culture are not all that is in store for us in Florence, however; we’ll also enjoy an amazing pizza dinner, challenge ourselves to complete a tasty nighttime tour of some of the best handmade gelato places in the city, and even enjoy a special invitation to a leather shop for an introduction to the Italian leather industry. No trip to Florence would be complete without a visit to the Duomo, the magnificent Gothic-style basilica. We’ll climb to the top of the famous terracotta dome for a breathtaking view of the city. And don’t forget a sunset stroll over the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s oldest and most iconic bridge that crosses the Arno River. Before you know it you will truly understand the meaning of “la bella vita!”

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 the most beautiful villages, Monterroso, 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.

Time to head back to Switzerland! This time we will visit an entirely different region of the country. Earlier in the trip we were high in the mountains near the French border. This time we will be in the backpacker mecca of Interlaken, nestled in a valley between two large lakes in the mountains. Outdoor sports and activities abound for those who wish to breathe in the fresh mountain air. We will go on a hike in the alps to discover breathtaking scenery and views and spend plenty of time getting to know traditional Swiss culture and history in the nearby towns. Slip and side through waterfalls while canyoning. Take a cable car to one of the highest restaurants in Switzerland, and you’ll even have the option to fly high above the Alps while paragliding!*

*Please note that the weight restriction for paragliding is 30-100 kg*

In Paris we’ll experience the best of French culture as we marvel at priceless masterpieces and stunning architecture, stroll along the quintessential Parisian boulevards, and eat our way through the different arrondissements, or neighborhoods. You’ll climb the Arc de Triomphe, see where famous artists used to live and be inspired in Montmartre, and shop ’til you drop on the Champs-Elysées. You’ll have the chance to visit the Palace of Versailles and learn about the rise and fall of the French Monarchy, as well as stroll through Marie Antoinette’s gardens and go for a rowboat ride on the lake. You’ll have the option to take a leap back in time to the 19th century to visit the home of Claude Monet, the master of Impressionism, and feel the sheer romance of Giverny, the setting for his famous Water Lily paintings. Take a bike ride through Paris’ hidden alleyways with our local guide and learn interesting aspects of the city’s long history. Explore the Luxembourg Gardens or Père Lachaise Cemetery, take in the best of Impressionist art at the Musée d’Orsay, and relax on a sunset river cruise down the Seine. Try some of your favorite recipes at authentic restaurants, such as crêpes, fondue, and omelettes, or maybe taste something new–escargot anyone? Finally, let’s not forget the experience of a lifetime going all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower!