
europe
College Program: European Explorer
Travel with confidence. Learn more about obtaining high-school and college credits, how to plan for your trip, getting service hours and even being considered for a congressional award. Our leadership sets us apart from other student travel programs. Plus, we have a hassle-free refund policy.
Learn More About This Trip
Program Includes
All-Inclusive Tuition
Roundtrip Airfare
Hotel Accommodations
Trained and First-Aid Certified Educator Leaders
Full-Time Delegation Manager
International Land Transportation
Breakfast and Dinner Daily
Entrance to all Attractions and Activities
Guided Sightseeing by Expert Local Guides
All Tips and Gratuities
Pre-Departure Trainings and Support
24-Hour Support on Program
Medical Protection Plan
Taxes and Fees
Program Details
Day to Day

Overnight Flight
Travel Day
Day 1
Board your overnight flight across the Atlantic, get some sleep and arrive in Spain.

Madrid, Spain
Welcome to Spain
Day 2
Touch down in Spain. Madrid is the country’s vibrant capital, and your specially-designed orientation tour will introduce you to the city’s unique culture and famous landmarks. The big highlight is the huge 9th-century Royal Palace, which has more than 2,000 rooms.

Madrid, Spain
The Real Madrid
Day 3
Today you’ll visit Madrid’s famous Prado museum. The impressive art collection here makes it one of the most admired museums in the world, with a focus on Spanish masters like Goya, El Greco and Velázquez. For the rest of the day, you’ll be free to explore Madrid on your own. You can visit more museums, explore the different neighborhoods, do some shopping, and just immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Spanish capital.

Barcelona, Spain
Intro to Barcelona
Day 4
Take a high-speed train through the Spanish countryside to Barcelona, capital of the Catalan region. Barcelona is a lively, colorful city, with a proud local culture. A guided tour will introduce you to the Parque Guell and Sagrada Familia—both are creations of the one-of-a-kind architect Antoni Gaudí, displaying his strikingly unique modernist style.

Barcelona, Spain
Beach Day
Day 5
Today take advantage of one of Barcelona’s most beloved features: the beach. Relax by the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, and enjoy some sand, sun and swimming.

Barcelona, Spain
Culture In-Depth
Day 6
Today you’ll experience Barcelona’s culture from many angles. Visit the Picasso Museum, where some of the renowned artist’s greatest works are on display. Later enjoy free time exploring the the Gothic Quarter and the buzzing Las Ramblas, a popular pedestrian area lined with cafes, bars, shops and street performers. Tonight, get a hands-on lesson in cooking paella, one of the region’s most treasured culinary specialties.

Paris, France
Bonjour Paris
Day 7
Board a high-speed train to France. Arrive in Paris, and spend the afternoon with a group of local Parisian students. You’ll learn about their daily life in Paris, hear their impressions of the city, and eat dinner together. Later tonight, make your way to the Eiffel Tower, and see the impressive light show after dark.

Paris, France
Iconic Masterpieces
Day 8
Today you’ll visit the famed Louvre Museum. The museum was once a palace, and now it houses art and works from throughout history, in every kind of style and medium you can think of. The highlight for many is seeing the incomparable Mona Lisa up close and in person. Then get an expert-led orientation tour of Paris, seeing the world-renowned Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral. Afterwards, enjoy free time to soak in the scene on the Champs-Elysées and the Grand Boulevards, the most famous streets in Paris.

Paris, France
Royal Excursion
Day 9
Take a trip out to the spectacular Palace of Versailles, where French royalty lived their over-the-top opulent lifestyle until the French Revolution changed everything. Learn the amazing history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, as you walk through the royal apartments, see the famous Hall of Mirrors, and stroll the gardens outside. Then enjoy the special opportunity to picnic on the palace grounds, after a trip to the market to pick out your food. Later back in Paris, visit the hillside neighborhood of Montmartre, an area famous for its local artists. You’ll have the exclusive opportunity to meet with one of them, getting an insider’s view on the Parisian art scene.

Bruges, Belguim
Battlefield Memorials
Day 10
Travel to Belgium and discover a piece of World War I history at Flanders Fields, near the city of Ypres. Through an immersive, interactive journey at the site’s museum, explore the history behind the battles that took place here, and learn about the human lives that were touched. Later, see the Menin Gate Memorial to fallen World War I soldiers, before continuing on to medieval Bruges.

Bruges, Belgium
Back in Time
Day 11
Bruges is a picture-perfect town, where the cobblestone streets and historical buildings transport you back to the Middle Ages. You’ll take a charming horse-drawn carriage ride, soaking in the sights and sounds of the city, and then indulge in Belgium’s most famous export: chocolate. Learn the secrets of the chocolate-making process from an expert chocolatier, and taste your creations. Afterwards, enjoy the rest of the day to explore Bruges however you want—stroll the streets, snack on waffles, see the sights, or shop for souvenirs.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Dutch Way
Day 12
Your journey continues in the Netherlands, where you’ll visit the Dutch windmill park Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a bike tour past the picturesque windmills—quintessential Holland—and then spend an afternoon connecting with Dutch students over a soccer game or picnic. Later, visit the International Court of Justice at the Hague, and explore the exhibitions of the UN office, before traveling on to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Inside Amersterdam
Day 13
Pay a visit to a Dutch farm to learn how cheese and clogs are made. Explore the farm, meet the animals, and join in some group games. Later, return to Amsterdam and visit Anne Frank’s House. The house and museum is a fascinating and deeply moving glimpse into the Holocaust, a concrete reminder of the importance of cultural understanding and global peace. After free time this afternoon to explore Amsterdam on your own, round off the day with a nighttime canal cruise, where you’ll see the city from a whole new perspective.

Cologne, Germany
Welcome to Germany
Day 14
Continue to Germany, and arrive in the city of Cologne. Germany is famous for its beer, and today you’ll tour a brewery to learn its history, how it’s made, and what makes the German style unique. Then enjoy free time in this beautiful city. If you want you can visit Cologne’s famous cathedral, which is a World Heritage Site and Germany’s most visited landmark.

Stuttgart, Germany
German Innovation
Day 15
Now it’s on to Stuttgart, home of the legendary car company Mercedes-Benz. Take a tour of the Mercedes-Benz factory, where you’ll see how their cars are made and learn the company’s fascinating history. Mercedes-Benz traces its origin all the way back to 1886, when Karl Benz unveiled the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, considered the first gasoline-powered production automobile.

Tyrol, Austria
Outdoor Adventures
Day 16
Travel to Austria’s scenic Tyrol region, arriving at Area 47, the biggest outdoor adventure park in the country. You’ll have a day pass in the water area to go out and enjoy whichever activities interest you most—waterslides, cliff diving, wakeboarding, beach lounging, or whatever else catches your eye.

Tyrol, Austria
Ride the Rapids
Day 17
Join the group today on a whitewater rafting run. Grab your paddle, ride the river, enjoy the scenery, and bond with your friends on this thrilling (and splash-filled) adventure.

Montafon, Austria
Alpine Coasting
Day 18
The stunning mountain scenery continues. Ride a cable car to Gruneck and hike up to an Alpine hut, enjoying spectacular views the whole time. Then go on the thrilling Alpine Coaster, an amazing feat of design and construction that gives you an unforgettable ride down the mountain. Tonight, eat a delicious BBQ dinner.

Zurich, Switzerland
The Swiss Life
Day 19
In a region famous for its cheese, you’ll learn how it’s made—and make some yourself—in a fun cheese-making class. After lunch, travel to Zurich, the beautiful capital of Switzerland. The city is home to more than 1,300 fountains, plus a number of banks that finance some of the world’s largest multinational corporations.

Zurich, Switzerland
Departure Day
Day 20
Head to the airport, traveling home with a deeper understanding of your world, a ton of new memories, and lots of new friends.