For students currently in grades 9–12
Special programs & collaborations
Custom Programs

Looking to create a custom program or collaboration?

Travel programs with the Smithsonian Institution for grades 8–12

Challenge yourself academically at the world's most prestigious universities

Non-profit organization offering student travel scholarships

High school youth summit focused on public health, climate change, and equity

columbia-climate-school-icon

Campus-based climate change program for grades 9–12

France & Holland

A Taste of Europe

June 27 — July 13
July 5 — July 21
$8,390 + airfare

France & Holland

A Taste of Europe

June 27 — July 13
July 5 — July 21
$8,390 + airfare

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.

• 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
“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.