Girl Scouts: London to Lucerne

Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace

Afternoon tea began in England in the 1840s, when the Duchess of Bedford sought a light refreshment between lunch and dinner. What started as tea and a small snack soon became a popular social tradition among the upper classes. Enjoy this classic British experience with savories, scones with clotted cream and jam, assorted cakes, and tea.

Make your London visit extra special with a stop at Pax Lodge, the Scouts’ third World Center in northwest London. Located next to the international headquarters of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Pax Lodge offers self-guided tours and regularly hosts global events, celebrations, and Scout challenges, ensuring each visit is unique.

Take part in a special pinning ceremony at Pax Lodge, where each participant receives an official pin symbolizing global friendship.

Hop aboard a riverboat on the Thames for a journey through London’s rich history. Glide past the grand Houses of Parliament, where Big Ben marks the hour, and float beneath the London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and Millennium Bridge. Take in close-up views of the iconic Tower of London, then rise 443 feet above the city on the London Eye for a breathtaking 360-degree panorama.

You’re so close, why not continue to London? Hop on the Eurostar under the English Channel and, faster than you can say anything in French, you’ll zip through the tunnel and arrive in London.

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.

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.

Art Workshop, Art studio workshop class

Discover Montmartre on a Tour Director-led walk through the hilltop neighborhood that inspired artists like Picasso and Van Gogh. Stroll the lively Place du Tertre, where painters still work today, see the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret, and climb to the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur for sweeping views over Paris.

The ultimate palace, Versailles was built by Louis XIII and housed the royal family and its groveling court from 1682, when Louis XIV, the Sun King, moved in, until the French Revolution. Everything in Versailles is worth a look, from the 250-foot-long Hall of Mirrors, with themed salons "War" and "Peace" on either side, to the opulent State Apartments that once hosted lavish royal ceremonies. Step outside to explore the magnificent Gardens of Versailles, a masterpiece of landscape design with fountains, sculptures, and grand vistas. Don’t miss Marie Antoinette’s faux country hamlet, where she would escape court life by pretending to be a commoner, tending sheep and wearing peasant clothes. Please note: Versailles is closed on Mondays.

A lively role-play puts you in the shoes of the monarchy, clergy, nobility, bourgeoisie, or peasantry to explore the issues underlying the French Revolution.

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.

Experience one of Europe's fastest trains, celebrated for its sleek design, smooth ride, and exceptional speed.

Explore Basel’s history and culture as you stroll through the lively Market Square, cross the Middle Bridge over the Rhine, and visit Basel Minster, the city’s Gothic cathedral with twin spires and sweeping views. Along the way, discover the blend of medieval architecture and modern charm that defines the city.

Experience the first World Center, opened in 1932, offering year-round activities, special events, and conferences for Girl Guides, Girl Scouts, and leaders from around the world.

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.

Experience the legends of William Tell, the Lion Monument, and the story of Swiss independence as history comes to life through vivid reenactments.