Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Immerse your students in the rich history and iconic works of art of France and Germany. Your class will admire the architecture of the Notre-Dame, explore the impressive collections of the Louvre, and cruise down the Seine. Your students can also look forward to exploring Heidelberg Castle, admiring the picturesque town of Rothenburg, and reflecting on the legacy of WWII during a visit to the Four à Chaux fortress.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to France (Paris)
Day 2
Arrive in Paris
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Paris city walk
Take in Paris on foot, strolling wide boulevards, manicured parks, and lively streets filled with cafés and flower stalls. Cross to the Île de la Cité to view the storied Notre-Dame Cathedral, centerpiece of French history, then wander the charming Île St. Louis and the vibrant Latin Quarter, rich with student life and culture.
Dinner in Latin Quarter
Day 3
Paris guided sightseeing tour
Explore Paris with a licensed local guide on a sightseeing tour of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Admire the Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées, stroll the grand boulevard lined with shops and cafés, and see the ornate 19th-century Opera House. Look up at the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair, and visit Les Invalides, Napoleon’s military refuge, along with other historic sites.
Louvre Museum visit
The world’s largest art museum, the Louvre, is housed in a former medieval fortress and entered through I.M. Pei’s striking glass pyramid. Inside, discover masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory, along with vast collections of Egyptian antiquities, Greek ceramics, and works spanning seven departments. Please note: The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
Seine River cruise
See the city from the water on an hour-long cruise along the River Seine. The Seine cuts right through Paris, dividing the city in half. Spot the Eiffel tower rising up on the Left Bank, the walls of the Louvre on the Right Bank. A guide will point out other monuments and architectural marvels as you pass, many of which are illuminated by clear white light at night.
Day 4
Travel to Strasbourg via TGV
Strasbourg guided sightseeing tour
Welcome to Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace-Lorraine where French and German traditions meet. With a licensed guide, explore Petite France, the city’s medieval quarter of canals and half-timbered houses. Visit Strasbourg Cathedral, a sandstone masterpiece blending Romanesque and Gothic styles, and admire the intricately carved Maison Kammerzell, a reminder of the city’s rich mercantile past.
Day 5
Colmar & the Maginot Line excursion
Explore part of the vast Maginot Line, France’s eastern fortifications built after World War I but unable to withstand the tanks and bombs of World War II. Tour Hackenberg, the largest fort, with underground tunnels, barracks, kitchens, and even trains moving soldiers and ammunition. Then shift from war to beauty in Colmar, a 16th-century trading town of canals, bridges, and flower-decked, half-timbered houses.
Four-à-Chaux Fortress visit
Hidden beneath the hills near Lembach, the Four à Chaux Fortress reflects the fears and defenses of pre-World War II Europe. Built of stone and steel, it once housed soldiers in a secret world of tunnels, doors, and strategy. Today, walking its passageways feels like stepping back into a moment of resilience frozen in time.
Day 6
Travel to Heidelberg
Heidelberg Tour Director-led sightseeing
Join your Tour Director for a sightseeing tour of Heidelberg, a charming city surrounded by mountains, forests, and the Neckar River. Stroll through Market Square for views of Germany’s oldest university, then visit Heidelberg Castle, one of the most important Renaissance landmarks north of the Alps. Learn about its turbulent history from the Thirty Years’ War to a lightning strike in 1764, and explore the castle courtyard to see the world’s largest wine barrel, a symbol of the city’s enduring spirit and charm.
Day 7
Rothenburg excursion
Take a Walking Tour of Rothenburg around the old walled city, beginning at its entrance, before exploring the windy cobbled streets, along to Herrngasse, which is famous for its mansions and courtyards.
LEAP
LEAP Debate the Great
Meet six influential figures from Germany’s history, then join a lively debate to argue their accomplishments and decide together who deserves the title of greatest German.
Day 8
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Rhineland
Travel through Cologne and visit the stunning Cologne Cathedral before continuing into the heart of the Rhineland. Enjoy a relaxing Rhine River cruise from Koblenz to Rüdesheim, taking in picturesque landscapes and charming riverside towns before heading home.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from France and Germany
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.