Program Directed by
Emma Smith
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Switzerland, France, & Holland
Adventure in Western Europe
Travel to Europe this summer for outdoor adventures and cultural immersion with like-minded student travelers. Begin in an idyllic mountain village in the Swiss Alps, hiking, canyoning, and taking in the stunning landscapes. Spend several days on a bike trip, cycling through the pastoral Dutch countryside in Holland, passing sand dunes and windmills. Experience firsthand the iconic works of art and architecture in Paris and Amsterdam, exploring the neighborhoods and cuisines of these vibrant cities.
This program is the Switzerland, France, & Holland portion of our longer program in Switzerland, Italy, France & Holland.
- Highlights
• Hike and rock climb with professional guides
• View iconic artwork in Paris and Amsterdam
• Cycle along Amsterdam’s canals and the Dutch coast
• Savor Swiss chocolate and French baguettes
• View iconic artwork in Paris and Amsterdam
• Cycle along Amsterdam’s canals and the Dutch coast
• Savor Swiss chocolate and French baguettes
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 high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Geneva, Switzerland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Swiss Alps — 5 days
Begin in a chalet in the idyllic Swiss village of Leysin, high on an Alpine mountainside. Spend five days getting to know your group and taking advantage of the stunning natural beauty of the Alps by hiking through alpine meadows, trekking atop glaciers, and canyoning in mountain streams. Take a day trip to the nearby city of Montreux to visit the medieval Chateau de Chillon and swim in Lake Geneva.
Paris — 4 days
Board a train to Paris, “The City of Light,” to explore monuments, museums, markets, and cafés as we walk the streets and boulevards of the Left Bank, Île de la Cité, Montmartre, and other iconic neighborhoods.
Dutch Coast — 4 days
Next, travel by train through Belgium to Holland. Take a four-day bicycle trip along rural bike paths, as you wind your way through sand dunes and past windmills and Dutch farms. Along the way, stop to swim at beaches on the North Sea, take paddleboarding or sailing lessons, and visit the picturesque towns of Noordwijk, Haarlem, Egmond, and Heemskerk.
Amsterdam — 4 days
Cap off your journey with four days in Amsterdam to explore its busy canals and streets, visit Anne Frank’s house, and see paintings by Rembrandt and van Gogh.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Amsterdam to New York with your group and a leader, 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 high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Geneva, Switzerland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Swiss Alps — 5 days
Begin in a chalet in the idyllic Swiss village of Leysin, high on an Alpine mountainside. Spend five days getting to know your group and taking advantage of the stunning natural beauty of the Alps by hiking through alpine meadows, trekking atop glaciers, and canyoning in mountain streams. Take a day trip to the nearby city of Montreux to visit the medieval Chateau de Chillon and swim in Lake Geneva.
Paris — 4 days
Board a train to Paris, “The City of Light,” to explore monuments, museums, markets, and cafés as we walk the streets and boulevards of the Left Bank, Île de la Cité, Montmartre, and other iconic neighborhoods.
Dutch Coast — 4 days
Next, travel by train through Belgium to Holland. Take a four-day bicycle trip along rural bike paths, as you wind your way through sand dunes and past windmills and Dutch farms. Along the way, stop to swim at beaches on the North Sea, take paddleboarding or sailing lessons, and visit the picturesque towns of Noordwijk, Haarlem, Egmond, and Heemskerk.
Amsterdam — 4 days
Cap off your journey with four days in Amsterdam to explore its busy canals and streets, visit Anne Frank’s house, and see paintings by Rembrandt and van Gogh.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Amsterdam to New York with your group and a leader, 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:
Exploration
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—become an expert on van Gogh’s most famous pieces or explore the effects of climate change on glaciers in Switzerland.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of 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 travel program. You will be walking in cities, hiking in the mountains, and biking in Holland. 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.
Altitude
This program visits several high-altitude destinations. On hikes in Switzerland and France, we climb up above 9,000 feet.
Accommodations
We stay in various types of accommodations throughout this program, including Old World-style hotels to mountain chalets, many of which are run by welcoming families Putney has known for years. Accommodations are simple and comfortable. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads. Students have access to common and outside space at our accommodations for community meetings, working on projects, and socializing. Leaders stay together with students throughout the program.
Meals
We begin each day with a traditional breakfast at our residence. While we eat many of our lunches and dinners in restaurants, we also purchase supplies for healthy and delicious picnic lunches full of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, and cheeses.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Exploration
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—become an expert on van Gogh’s most famous pieces or explore the effects of climate change on glaciers in Switzerland.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of 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 travel program. You will be walking in cities, hiking in the mountains, and biking in Holland. 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.
Altitude
This program visits several high-altitude destinations. On hikes in Switzerland and France, we climb up above 9,000 feet.
Accommodations
We stay in various types of accommodations throughout this program, including Old World-style hotels to mountain chalets, many of which are run by welcoming families Putney has known for years. Accommodations are simple and comfortable. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads. Students have access to common and outside space at our accommodations for community meetings, working on projects, and socializing. Leaders stay together with students throughout the program.
Meals
We begin each day with a traditional breakfast at our residence. While we eat many of our lunches and dinners in restaurants, we also purchase supplies for healthy and delicious picnic lunches full of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, and cheeses.
A Day in the Life: The Dutch Countryside
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Holland.
- Morning
8:00am
Wake up and eat a traditional Dutch breakfast at your residence
9:00am
Cycle with your group to the small coastal town of Wijk aan Zee
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Stop for a hearty lunch at a traditional Dutch pancake house
1:00pm
Relax on the beach and take a refreshing dip in the North Sea
3:00pm
Cycle along rural paths and make your way to the charming city of Heemskerk
5:00pm
Stop to explore the 13th century Heemskerk Castle
- Evening
7:00pm
Enjoy dinner at a local eatery with your group and a few Dutch teenagers
10:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
A Day in the Life:
The Dutch Countryside
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Holland.
- Morning
8:00am
Wake up and eat a traditional Dutch breakfast at your residence
9:00am
Cycle with your group to the small coastal town of Wijk aan Zee
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Stop for a hearty lunch at a traditional Dutch pancake house
1:00pm
Relax on the beach and take a refreshing dip in the North Sea
3:00pm
Cycle along rural paths and make your way to the charming city of Heemskerk
5:00pm
Stop to explore the 13th century Heemskerk Castle
- Evening
7:00pm
Enjoy dinner at a local eatery with your group and a few Dutch teenagers
10:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
Program Directed by
Emma Smith
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
