Italy & France Summer Program Overview
Fall in love with two of Europe’s top destinations on our classic adventure through Italy and France this summer!
Discover the best of Italy’s mouthwatering cuisine, awe-inspiring art, charming villas and vineyards, fascinating history, incredible coastline, and renowned shopping. With vibrant cities, the Tuscan countryside, and picture-perfect coastlines, you’ll experience everything that makes Italy so incredible and diverse. On this student trip to Italy, we will fully immerse ourselves in the Italian culture with cooking classes, gelato tours, boat cruises, coastal hikes, and more!
Then, we are off to France, to the City of Light, Paris! Stroll the wide boulevard of the Champs-Elysées, savor crêpes at outdoor cafés, and climb the Eiffel Tower! Plus, take a tour of the world-renowned art of the Musée du Louvre, enjoy a delicious fondue dinner in the heart of the Latin Quarter, followed by a sunset cruise of the Seine to see the Eiffel Tower lit up and sparkling!
After perusing Paris, we’ll head south to the pebbly shores of Nice — the gem of the French Riviera. Here, you’ll get to relax on the beach, shop at the vibrant outdoor markets, and immerse yourselves in the laid-back, sun-soaked lifestyle of the French Riviera. Explore the vibrant Old Town, stroll along the iconic Promenade des Anglais, and take in the stunning Mediterranean views. This part of the trip is all about soaking in the sunshine and experiencing the unique charm of this coastal paradise!
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! This trip is the perfect blend of iconic city exploration and relaxed coastal living. You’ll make new friends, create lasting memories, and discover the beauty and culture of France and Italy in a way you never thought possible. Join us on this amazing journey!
During this program, you will…
- Explore some of Italy’s best museums and see world-famous artwork such as Michelangelo’s David
- Hike along the idyllic Italian coast while marveling at the pastel-painted fishing towns nestled along the cliffs in the Cinque Terre
- Explore the classic Tuscan medieval hill town of Montalcino
- Visit a private winery and prepare Italian specialties for a fresh homemade meal with a family at their Tuscan estate*
- Stroll across the famous Ponte Vecchio and experience the Renaissance city of Florence
- Relax on a pristine beach in the Italian Riviera and swim in the Mediterranean
- Enjoy a private invitation to a famous local leather shop for an introduction to the Italian leather market
- Pay a visit to the Mona Lisa at the world’s most famous museum, the Louvre
- Soak in the most iconic Parisian sites such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, the Musée d’Orsay and the Champs-Elysées
- Relax on pristine beaches in the French Riviera
- Enjoy the charm of Old Nice while browsing incredible shops
- Take a local-led walking tour of The City of Lights
*This is an optional add-on
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM NEW YORK (JFK)
DAYS 2-4: FLORENCE > MONTALCINO
Welcome to Florence, 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!
Take a day trip to Montalcino, one of Italy’s loveliest cities. We’ll stroll the quaint cobblestoned streets of the hill town of Montalcino. Visit its beautiful medieval church and cathedral and check out the grand fortress.
For those who choose, there will be an optional excursion to a private vineyard just outside the town of Montalcino to experience the stunning Tuscan countryside in real Italian fashion. This day is a TFT favorite! We have an exclusive invitation to a family’s private Tuscan estate. We will receive a hands-on tasty Italian cooking lesson using freshly harvested vegetables straight from their garden! Enjoy a special tour of the winery where they produce award-winning wine and receive an introduction to this important part of Italian culture.
DAYS 5-6: CINQUE TERRE
Welcome to 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 (technically not 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 sample local specialties like pesto and focaccia. We’ll dine on fresh seafood and relax on the beach in our seaside paradise.
DAY 7: FLORENCE
We’ll head back to Florence for our last night of the trip and hit up anything we missed, grab all those last-minute souvenirs, and soak up the Italian summer vibes. We will celebrate the last night of an incredible trip with a fancy dinner at one of the best restaurants in the city, and of course, stop for our last taste of gelato!
DAY 8: FLORENCE > PARIS
Say Ciao to Italy and Bonjour to France!
DAYS 9-12: PARIS
Bienvenue à Paris ! 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 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.
DAYS 13-14: NICE
Say “adieu” to the City of Light as we catch the high-speed train down to the gem of the French Riviera, Nice! Spend your days enjoying the Mediterranean in midsummer, relaxing on the sprawling crescent beach or prowling narrow alleyways filled with shops and restaurants in Old Nice. Visit the medieval town of Èze, tour a famous perfume factory, and soak in some of the most stunning views in all of Europe. Discover why this area has inspired artists for years and why so many celebrities choose to vacation here!
DAY 15: RETURN FLIGHT HOME
FAQs
Who can go on this program? What kind of teen typically goes on this program?
Teens from all over the world join this program! Typically, our participants are culturally curious individuals who are excited to make new friends, experience something unique, and interested in stepping out of their comfort zones and expanding their horizons.
This program is exclusively for students who are currently in grades 9th through 12th and approximately 14 to 18 years old. Students living outside of the USA are welcome to join!
Teens from all over the world join this program! Typically, our participants are culturally curious individuals who are excited to make new friends, experience something unique, and interested in stepping out of their comfort zones and expanding their horizons.
This program is exclusively for students who are currently in grades 9th through 12th and approximately 14 to 18 years old. Students living outside of the USA are welcome to join!
Where do we stay on this 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 Florence, we stay in a beautiful hotel a short distance from the Duomo. In the Cinque Terre, we will be staying in a lovely family-run hotel located only steps from the best beach in town. In Paris, we stay in the heart of the 9th Arrondissement, close to the Opera House. In Nice, we will be in the historical quarter.
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 Florence, we stay in a beautiful hotel a short distance from the Duomo. In the Cinque Terre, we will be staying in a lovely family-run hotel located only steps from the best beach in town. In Paris, we stay in the heart of the 9th Arrondissement, close to the Opera House. In Nice, we will be in the historical quarter.
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 unique about the Italy & France Explorer trip?
Travel For Teens’ expertise in leading programs through Italy and France for over 20 years, the Italy & France Explorer program provides unparalleled insider access to these beautiful countries.
Travel for Teens started as “Paris for Teens” many years ago, and that rich history is woven into every aspect of our France programs. Our long-standing presence in the country means we’ve cultivated strong relationships with local guides, vendors, and businesses. This allows us to offer unique insider access and authentic experiences—like enjoying a traditional fondue dinner in a local favorite spot or seeing the Eiffel Tower from a special vantage point—that go beyond the typical tourist itinerary. Our decades of expertise ensure an unparalleled and truly immersive French adventure.
Travel For Teens’ expertise in leading programs through Italy and France for over 20 years, the Italy & France Explorer program provides unparalleled insider access to these beautiful countries.
Travel for Teens started as “Paris for Teens” many years ago, and that rich history is woven into every aspect of our France programs. Our long-standing presence in the country means we’ve cultivated strong relationships with local guides, vendors, and businesses. This allows us to offer unique insider access and authentic experiences—like enjoying a traditional fondue dinner in a local favorite spot or seeing the Eiffel Tower from a special vantage point—that go beyond the typical tourist itinerary. Our decades of expertise ensure an unparalleled and truly immersive French adventure.
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 the Italy & France Explorer program?
In a word – delicious! At Travel For Teens, 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!
Italian food is all about fresh, simple ingredients. We’ll sample the best of the “three Ps”- pizza, pasta, and panini! Indulging in these Italian specialties for the first time is a life-changing experience, and we will be there to document every minute of it as you fall in love with the fresh mozzarella, warm Italian bread, mouth-watering prosciutto, and homemade pasta. Don’t forget about gelato! After your trip to Italy, no dessert will ever be the same.
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 Travel For Teens, 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!
Italian food is all about fresh, simple ingredients. We’ll sample the best of the “three Ps”- pizza, pasta, and panini! Indulging in these Italian specialties for the first time is a life-changing experience, and we will be there to document every minute of it as you fall in love with the fresh mozzarella, warm Italian bread, mouth-watering prosciutto, and homemade pasta. Don’t forget about gelato! After your trip to Italy, no dessert will ever be the same.
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.
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