Program Directed by
Emma Smith
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Leadership
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
Campus-based climate change program for grades 9–12
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.
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Since its formation in the early 1990s, the European Union has provided a network for cross-cultural communication, understanding, and exchanges. Despite monetary and political unification, each country maintains the richness of its individual identity through traditions, languages, regional history, and cuisine. Join us to experience a fascinating cross-section of Europe as we explore the incredible cultural diversity and natural beauty of Switzerland, France, and Holland.
French is the national language in France and Dutch is the national language in Holland. Switzerland has four national languages: French, German, Italian, and Romansh.
Summer weather in Europe is generally pleasant and warm. Average daytime temperatures range from 80–90°F (65–75°F in the mountains), while nighttime temperatures average 60–70°F (50–60°F in the mountains).
Europe is a cornucopia of diverse culinary styles and regional specialties—reflections of the history, climate, customs, and geography of each place. Delve into homemade pasta, pizza, and rice dishes in Italy, and the famous cheeses and pastries of Holland. Enjoy fresh quiche, baguettes, and croissants in France, and sample raclette and fondue in Switzerland.
Since its formation in the early 1990s, the European Union has provided a network for cross-cultural communication, understanding, and exchanges. Despite monetary and political unification, each country maintains the richness of its individual identity through traditions, languages, regional history, and cuisine. Join us to experience a fascinating cross-section of Europe as we explore the incredible cultural diversity and natural beauty of Switzerland, France, and Holland.
French is the national language in France and Dutch is the national language in Holland. Switzerland has four national languages: French, German, Italian, and Romansh.
Summer weather in Europe is generally pleasant and warm. Average daytime temperatures range from 80–90°F (65–75°F in the mountains), while nighttime temperatures average 60–70°F (50–60°F in the mountains).
Europe is a cornucopia of diverse culinary styles and regional specialties—reflections of the history, climate, customs, and geography of each place. Delve into homemade pasta, pizza, and rice dishes in Italy, and the famous cheeses and pastries of Holland. Enjoy fresh quiche, baguettes, and croissants in France, and sample raclette and fondue in Switzerland.
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
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.
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.
This program visits several high-altitude destinations. On hikes in Switzerland and France, we climb up above 9,000 feet.
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.
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.
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
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.
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.
This program visits several high-altitude destinations. On hikes in Switzerland and France, we climb up above 9,000 feet.
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.
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.
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Providing immersive summer travel programs for middle & high school students since 1951.