France & Switzerland 14 Days
Experience the joie de vivre of France & the rustic beauty of Switzerland on this summer teen travel program. With rail pass and metro maps in hand, you’ll tour France and travel across Switzerland, immersing into the local culture, seeing all the best sights, and getting to eat some of the most delicious food in the world. This European summer program allows for a little more group flexibility and spontaneity, by allowing teens to take part in the planning alongside their trip leaders – all within the structure of our predetermined itinerary. Get ready to see the Alps!
This 14-day program is the France & Switzerland portion of our longer 28-day France, Switzerland & Italy adventure travel program.
Experience new cultures and thrilling activities in a smaller, tight-knit travel group.
Hotels
Includes breakfast and dinner daily.
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
Public transportation such as metro, train and bus.
Up to 24 participants.
ON TOUR departures offer more independence and age-appropriate activities for older teens currently completing 11th or 12th grade.
A large traveler's backpack is strongly recommended. A rolling duffel bag is also acceptable.
We can accommodate most dietary preferences and allergies.
Fly overnight to Paris. Once you land, your orientation will officially begin with some of our favorite icebreakers and “get to know you” activities.
Bienvenue à Paris! After a warm welcome and orientation, view the city from atop the Eiffel Tower and listen to the chimes at Notre Dame. Dine in the artist colony of Montmartre and cruise down the River Seine at night. Smile back at Mona Lisa at the Louvre and bike around Paris' back streets & local neighborhoods. Browse along the Champs Elysees and take a photo next to the Arc de Triomphe. Marvel at Versailles' majestic palace, Hall of Mirrors and elegant gardens of Louis XIV on your guided visit. After breakfasts of croissants, fresh baguettes at lunch, and crepes on evening visits to the Latin Quarter, you'll leave the City of Lights with a new appreciation of la joie de vivre!
Summer ski* and snowboard* in the French Alps site of the '92 Winter Olympics. Choose to canoe, swim or hike with gorgeous mountain views. Slide down one of three different slides at Acroland and finish with an acrobatic jump into the lake. Stroll through the town and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this great Alpine village. (*Weather Permitting. Note skiing and snowboarding require intermediate-level ability or better.)
Tour the United Nations* and check out the famous Jet d'Eau, shooting 132 gallons of water per second 459 feet into the air above Lake Geneva. Sample mouthwatering Swiss chocolate and devour the best fondue!
*The UN is closed on weekends.
This Swiss resort village in the Jungfrau region is at the foot of Switzerland's largest mountains and is home to all things adventurous. Master the T-grip for your roaring whitewater rafting excursion. Dine high above the rooftops and indulge in the spectacular sights before bidding farewell to Switzerland and its glacial charm. Challenge yourself through the outdoor ropes course, a forest playground with wooden bridges, Tarzan swings and zip lines.
From the Swiss Alps head to Milan for a final night of laughs and a taste of Italy before the end of this once-in-a-lifetime summer!
Say farewell to your new friends as you part ways for your return home. The summer might be over, but all the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!
Paris, France
Steps from quaint cafes and shops you will stay at Hotel Paris 17 Batignolles. This property offers a warm atmosphere and all rooms have air conditioning, WiFi, and are furnished with a modern flare.
Tignes, France
Hotel Le Paquis is set on the edge of the slopes in Espace Killy, this cozy hotel is perfectly located for our sojourn in Tignes.
Geneva, Switzerland
Hotel Royal is a 4-star luxury hotel in the heart of the Geneva city center. The hotel includes a fitness center and sauna for the guests to enjoy during their stay.
Interlaken, Switzerland
The Hey Hotel is situated in the center of Interlaken. From here you are able to reach all the essential sites and locations in town on foot.
Milan, Italy
Conveniently located close to the airport, the modern IBIS Milano Malpensa hotel is perfect for a final night of laughs with your trip mates.
Flight To Paris, France
Participants on this trip have the option to fly overseas on our chaperoned flight that leaves in the evening from the New York area to Paris. Our leaders greet you at the airport and are with you from check-in onward. For the many travelers from outside the New York area, you can choose to join the chaperoned flight and we are happy to assist you with arranging connecting flights at suitable times into New York. You may also choose to meet us in Paris and we will help coordinate your flight times and greet you upon arrival.
Return Flight Home From Milan, Italy
For the 14-day trip return flight from Milan, our leaders help you to check-in and remain in the airport until flights in designated times have departed. They then remain in Italy for the duration of the longer 28-day program and chaperone that flight home. Depending on the number of students departing after 14 days, one staff may chaperone that flight as well.
About ON TOUR
This program features separate, age-compatible departure dates, including ON TOUR departures for older teens currently completing 11th or 12th grade. These ON TOUR departures offer more freedom of choice than our other TRAVEL programs by balancing the greater independence that young adults crave with the structure and safety that parents expect. Itineraries include amazing activities and sights for the more mature student, as well as a later curfew. Opportunities to do some safe exploring in smaller groups to find that local cafe or indie boutique also makes this a standout experience for older students.
Meals
Breakfasts in Europe are eaten at our hotels and served buffet style with a variety of options. For dinners, either the whole group goes to the same restaurant or we divide into smaller groups of your choosing. For lunch, you will enjoy eating in smaller groups and choosing from local cafés, bistros, and other restaurants. Are you ready for warm fondue in Switzerland and crispy baguettes in France? The food in Europe is terrific, so get set to eat extremely well!
We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.
Laundry
You will only need one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. Every week you may drop off your laundry at a local wash and fold service and then pick it up clean, folded and ready to go.
Luggage
On this program, we ask that participants pack in a large traveler’s backpack or internal frame backpack which are essential for mobility and convenience of travel. Participants are responsible for carrying their luggage while traveling throughout our destinations, on public transportation (ex: trains, metro) as well as up stairs, along cobblestone streets and for extended distances. Rolling duffel bags are permitted but not recommended as they are difficult to maneuver and transport through European city streets and public spaces.
Your traveling backpack or duffel should be a maximum of 6400 cubic inches or 105 liters, and not longer than 32″. Common acceptable bag sizes are 30”x15”x14” and 32”x15”x12”.
What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, recreation & entertainment listed, airport transfers in designated times, gratuities & taxes.
Not included is transportation to and from the program, lunches, snacks, personal spending money for souvenirs, and laundry. We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.
Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to hear from you!
Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?
Our staff are educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, world travelers, and other leaders with diverse backgrounds. Many are former participants themselves who couldn’t get enough of the Westcoast experience! Learn more about our summer leaders.
What if I need to contact my teen during the program?
Participants may bring their cell phones so parents may call and message their kids directly. You may also contact our Communication Centers which serve as the official link between programs on the road and parents. We are staffed every day during the summer and have somebody on call for after hours emergencies ready to assist you 24/7.
What is the difference between an Active Teen Tour and a Global Adventure program?
Our Active Teen Tours offer larger group sizes (generally 35-48 participants) and travel in deluxe motor coaches. Accommodations include quality hotels and occasional fun college residences.
Global Adventures are smaller group experiences (generally up to 26 participants on all itineraries other than the 17, 20 or 25-day Greece & Italy, 20-day Greece & Portugal or 10-day Greek Islands, which varies from 24-36 participants.)
Groups travel by private motor coaches and occasional public transportation internationally, and use passenger vans in the USA. Select European programs travel exclusively by train and public transportation. While these programs have a slightly bigger focus on adventure travel, we stay in quality hotels and lodges, always ensuring a good night’s rest.