Overview
Experience the best of both worlds on this tour through two world capitals and some of the most picturesque landscapes in Europe. Your students will visit the can’t-miss sites of London, including stops at Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. In Paris, your class will take a studio art lesson and role-play as part of a lively debate about the French Revolution at Versailles. Students will also walk a mile in the shoes of William Tell as they reenact important moments in Swiss history and explore the history of Heidelberg Castle.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to England (London)
Day 2
Arrive in London
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.
Day 3
London guided sightseeing tour
Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace
Day 4
Eurostar Chunnel crossing
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.
Paris guided sightseeing tour
What’s that huge white arch at the end of the Champs-Élysées? It’s the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 after his victory at Austerlitz. Your licensed local guide will elaborate on this and other Parisian landmarks. See some of the city’s most famous sites, including the ornate 19th-century Opera, the presidential residence, and the Place de la Concorde—where, at the center, you’ll find the Obelisk of Luxor, a gift from Egypt in 1836. Spot chic locals (and plenty of tourists) strolling the Champs-Élysées. Look up at the iron girders of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. Visit Les Invalides (a refuge for war-wounded soldiers) and the École Militaire (Napoleon’s alma mater).
Day 5
LEAP Cover the Canvas
Art Workshop, Art studio workshop class
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.
Eiffel Tower ascent (optional)
Line up to climb to the top floor of this iconic landmark for a spectacular birds-eye view of the glittering City of Light.
Day 6
Versailles guided excursion
The ultimate palace, Versailles was begun by Louis XIII and transformed by Louis XIV into the seat of royal power until the French Revolution. Inside, admire the 250-foot Hall of Mirrors, flanked by the salons of War and Peace, and the State Apartments where lavish ceremonies unfolded. Step into the magnificent Gardens of Versailles, a masterpiece of fountains, sculptures, and sweeping vistas. Be sure to visit Marie Antoinette’s rustic hamlet, where she escaped court life by tending sheep and playing at village life. Please note: Versailles is closed on Mondays.
LEAP Seize the Château!
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.
Travel to Basel on the TGV
Experience one of Europe's fastest trains, celebrated for its sleek design, smooth ride, and exceptional speed.
Day 7
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.
Day 8
Travel to Heidelberg via the Black Forest
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 9
Return home
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 
Scenes from London, Paris & the Alps
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.
