Overview
Explore across Europe traveling to Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Begin in Heidelberg, with a Rhine River cruise and a stroll through quaint Altstadt. Then on the capital of Munich, home to the Oktoberfest and 1589 Hofbrӓuhaus. Take a Bavarian dancing lesson, see Hohenschwangau Castle. Then bask in the warmth of Venice, from the Bridge of Sighs to Doge’s Palace.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Germany (Frankfurt)
Day 2
Arrive in Frankfurt
Meet your LEAP-trained Tour Director
LEAP encompasses the best practices of student-centered learning. Your Tour Director will get to know you and your group, will push you to think deeply, and will prepare thoughtful, hands-on opportunities to display your learning. LEAP is exclusive to WorldStrides and is what makes our Tour Directors unique and our programs transformative.
Travel to Rothenburg
Rothenburg Tour Director-led sightseeing
Christmas reigns year-round in Rothenburg, a jewel along Germany’s Romantic Road. Walk the medieval city walls and visit the Rathaus on the Marktplatz, where a unique clock reenacts the legendary wine-drinking feat of a former mayor during the Thirty Years’ War. Across the square, the Gothic St. Jacob’s Church adds grandeur to this storybook town.
Day 3
Travel to Munich
Hohenschwangau excursion
Visit the Bavarian village of Hohenschwangau and learn about Hohenschwangau Castle, the childhood home of King Ludwig II, with views of Lake Alpsee and the surrounding Alps. Then enjoy a scenic hike toward Neuschwanstein Castle and pause at Queen Mary’s Bridge for an unforgettable photo stop of the fairytale fortress and mountain landscape.
Bavarian bratwurst dinner
Enjoy Bavarian- or Berlin-style sausage with traditional sides. Bavarian sausage is made from veal and pork back bacon, while the Berlin style features fried pork.
Day 4
Munich guided sightseeing tour
Join a licensed guide for a whirlwind look at Munich, from its medieval heart to modern landmarks. Stroll through Marienplatz to see the Neues Rathaus and its famous Glockenspiel, framed by the twin towers of the Frauenkirche. Visit the Residenz, then explore Olympiapark, built for the 1972 Games, and step into BMW Welt to experience innovation and sleek design.
Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit
Dachau, the first of Nazi Germany’s concentration camps, became the model for thousands that followed. Now a memorial and museum, it honors the 206,000 prisoners held here from 1933 to 1945 and traces the rise of the Nazi party, pre-1930s anti-Semitism, and the lives of those imprisoned.
Day 5
Travel to Venice via Innsbruck
Innsbruck city walk
Walk through Innsbruck’s Old Town beneath Alpine peaks and rustic stuccoed homes. See the Golden Roof, a balcony glittering with 2,657 copper tiles built for Emperor Maximilian I. Pass through the Triumphbogen, honoring Habsburg marriages, and visit Bergisel, the Olympic ski jump site from 1964 and 1976.
Day 6
Venice guided sightseeing tour
Discover Venice, a city built on more than 100 islands in a lagoon off the Adriatic. Begin in St. Mark’s Square and tour St. Mark’s Basilica, completed in 1094 and home to the relics of Venice’s patron saint. Continue with a guided visit of the Gothic Doge’s Palace with its ornate arches before continuing to a glass-blowing demonstration, showcasing the centuries-old tradition of Venice’s most famous craft.
Day 7
Travel to Lucerne via Verona
Verona Tour Director-led sightseeing
Discover Verona, famed as the setting of "Romeo and Juliet." Visit Casa di Giulietta to see the famous ivy-draped balcony and statue of Juliet, then stroll through Piazza delle Erbe, the lively square once home to the city’s Roman forum. Continue on to the Verona Arena, a massive 1st-century amphitheater where gladiators once fought and opera performances still captivate audiences today.
Day 8
Lucerne Tour Director-led sightseeing
Explore Lucerne with your Tour Director, set against the Alps and green pastures. Walk the Old Town’s cobblestones to Chapel Bridge, a 14th-century wooden bridge decorated with murals, and see the Lion Monument, a sandstone tribute to Swiss Guards lost in 1792. Visit the ornate Jesuit Church and take in the charm of Weinmarkt and Kornmarkt Squares.
LEAP Swiss Life and Legends
Experience the legends of William Tell, the Lion Monument, and the story of Swiss independence as history comes to life through vivid reenactments.
Mt. Pilatus excursion (optional)
Scale snow-capped Mount Pilatus for sweeping views of Lucerne and the Alps. From May to mid-November, cruise Lake Alpnach before riding the world’s steepest cog railway; the rest of the year, ascend by cable car. At the summit, capture frame-worthy photos, and on clear days, enjoy vistas stretching up to 200 miles.
Traditional Swiss dinner
Day 9
Travel to Heidelberg via the Black Forest
Cuckoo clock demonstration
Heidelberg Tour Director-led sightseeing
Step into a fairy-tale setting in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval towns. Follow your Tour Director through cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses and shops, then pause in the Marktplatz, the bustling central square. Admire the impressive Rathaus (Town Hall) with its Gothic and Renaissance wings, and the Fountain of Saint George, decorated with carvings of the dragon-slaying saint. With its city walls, towers, and storybook charm, Rothenburg offers a glimpse of medieval life that feels timeless.
Day 10
Return home OR Extend your stay
Board your flight home or choose to extend your trip with a two-day visit to Paris. Travel from London to Paris on the Chunnel, crossing under the English Channel to the City of Lights. Take a guided city walk to see Notre-Dame and the charming Latin Quarter, then enjoy sightseeing tour of iconic landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees, Eiffel Tower, and Paris Opera House. Visit the world-famous Louvre and cap off your stay with a scenic cruise along the Seine River.
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
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
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
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.