Program Directed by
Avery Stern
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
France & Holland
A Taste of Europe
Travel to France and Holland on this adventurous student travel program for middle school students. Experience the sky-scraping Alps and the dazzle of Paris, the bucolic Dutch countryside, and the charming canals of Amsterdam. This summer, go abroad to hike, bike, and explore the most beautiful landscapes and cities of northwestern Europe, and savor its rich heritage.
- Highlights
• Ride a téléphérique high above Alpine peaks and glaciers
• Bike through Holland’s picturesque countryside
• Listen to jazz on the Île Saint-Louis in the heart of Paris
• Discover van Gogh’s favorite haunts in Amsterdam
• Bike through Holland’s picturesque countryside
• Listen to jazz on the Île Saint-Louis in the heart of Paris
• Discover van Gogh’s favorite haunts in Amsterdam
“I conquered many fears, and that gave me the highest sense of accomplishment. I believe that I came out of the program a more well-rounded person.”
—Oliver B., Grace Church School, New York, NY
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow middle school student travelers and one of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Geneva, Switzerland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
The French Alps — 4 days
Journey to St Gervais Les Bains, a small town near Chamonix, surrounded by endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Hike through wildflower fields with panoramic views of snowcapped peaks, try canyoning through glacial streams with professional guides, or raft in the valley with the spectacular backdrop of the Alps.
Paris — 4 days
Travel by train to Paris and soak up Parisian life, from its music and cafés to museums and monuments. Explore the neighborhoods of the Left Bank, Île de la Cité, and Montmartre, and visit renowned sites such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. Taste escargots at grand Art Deco brasseries once frequented by Picasso and Sartre, and cruise down the Seine River to see the city illuminated at night.
Biking in Holland — 4 days
Head out on a four-day bicycle trip along rural bike paths, through sand dunes, and past windmills and Dutch farms. Along the way, stop to swim in the North Sea, take paddle boarding or sailing lessons, and visit the towns of Noordwijk, Haarlem, Egmond, and Heemskerk.
Amsterdam — 3 days
Relax after your bike trip and explore Amsterdam’s busy canals and cobblestone streets. Visit Anne Frank’s house and admire paintings by Rembrandt and van Gogh at the Rijksmuseum.
Return — Travel Day
Fly with your group and a leader from Amsterdam to New York, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow middle school student travelers and one of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Geneva, Switzerland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
The French Alps — 4 days
Journey to St Gervais Les Bains, a small town near Chamonix, surrounded by endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Hike through wildflower fields with panoramic views of snowcapped peaks, try canyoning through glacial streams with professional guides, or raft in the valley with the spectacular backdrop of the Alps.
Paris — 4 days
Travel by train to Paris and soak up Parisian life, from its music and cafés to museums and monuments. Explore the neighborhoods of the Left Bank, Île de la Cité, and Montmartre, and visit renowned sites such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. Taste escargots at grand Art Deco brasseries once frequented by Picasso and Sartre, and cruise down the Seine River to see the city illuminated at night.
Biking in Holland — 4 days
Head out on a four-day bicycle trip along rural bike paths, through sand dunes, and past windmills and Dutch farms. Along the way, stop to swim in the North Sea, take paddle boarding or sailing lessons, and visit the towns of Noordwijk, Haarlem, Egmond, and Heemskerk.
Amsterdam — 3 days
Relax after your bike trip and explore Amsterdam’s busy canals and cobblestone streets. Visit Anne Frank’s house and admire paintings by Rembrandt and van Gogh at the Rijksmuseum.
Return — Travel Day
Fly with your group and a leader from Amsterdam to New York, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—make cheese with a local French farmer, learn a traditional Dutch song, or interview people from both countries about their views on the future of Europe.
Technology
To help students fully engage and immerse themselves in the Putney travel experience, we do not allow cell phones, tablets, or laptops on our Middle School programs. Students may have their cell phones during travel to and from the program. During in-country orientation, leaders facilitate a call home, then collect and securely store all phones until departure day. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer program. You can expect to participate in activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, and walking. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities and spending time outside.
Accommodations
Our residences in France and Holland are varied, ranging from comfortable, old-world-style hotels to a simple, dormitory-style student hostel. Residences are run by wonderful families or individuals who help set the tone for our experience and introduce us to local people. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads with ensuite bathrooms. Leaders reside in the same accommodations as students throughout the program.
Meals
We begin each day with a traditional French or Dutch breakfast at our residence. For lunches and dinners, we find small restaurants or hit the markets to purchase food for a picnic.
Altitude
This program visits a high-altitude destination. On hikes in Chamonix, we climb up above 9,000 feet/2,743 meters.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—make cheese with a local French farmer, learn a traditional Dutch song, or interview people from both countries about their views on the future of Europe.
Technology
To help students fully engage and immerse themselves in the Putney travel experience, we do not allow cell phones, tablets, or laptops on our Middle School programs. Students may have their cell phones during travel to and from the program. During in-country orientation, leaders facilitate a call home, then collect and securely store all phones until departure day. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer program. You can expect to participate in activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, and walking. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities and spending time outside.
Accommodations
Our residences in France and Holland are varied, ranging from comfortable, old-world-style hotels to a simple, dormitory-style student hostel. Residences are run by wonderful families or individuals who help set the tone for our experience and introduce us to local people. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads with ensuite bathrooms. Leaders reside in the same accommodations as students throughout the program.
Meals
We begin each day with a traditional French or Dutch breakfast at our residence. For lunches and dinners, we find small restaurants or hit the markets to purchase food for a picnic.
Altitude
This program visits a high-altitude destination. On hikes in Chamonix, we climb up above 9,000 feet/2,743 meters.
A Day in the Life: Argentière
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Chamonix.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations
9:00am
Ride one of the longest cable-car ascents in the world to the Aiguille du Midi
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by panoramic views of alpine peaks and glaciers
1:00pm
Explore the surrounding hiking trails before taking the cable car back to to Chamonix
4:00pm
Stop at a local café to rest and enjoy some ice cream, then check out the Alpine Museum
- Evening
7:00pm
Enjoy dinner at a family-owned restaurant in town
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
A Day in the Life:
Argentière
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Chamonix.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations
9:00am
Ride one of the longest cable-car ascents in the world to the Aiguille du Midi
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by panoramic views of alpine peaks and glaciers
1:00pm
Explore the surrounding hiking trails before taking the cable car back to to Chamonix
4:00pm
Stop at a local café to rest and enjoy some ice cream, then check out the Alpine Museum
- Evening
7:00pm
Enjoy dinner at a family-owned restaurant in town
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
“I personally gained the biggest sense of accomplishment from the biking trip. I really felt like it was challenging not only physically but even more so mentally. I gained independence and confidence in ways that will help me with future challenges.”
—Byars L., St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Austin, TX
Program Directed by
Avery Stern
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
