The European Explorer is a 25-day summer adventure designed for 9th and 10th graders who want to experience Europe like a true backpacker. You'll travel by rail through five countries—the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and France—visiting iconic cities and stunning natural landscapes. This program combines cultural immersion in vibrant cities with thrilling outdoor adventures in the Alps and relaxing coastal experiences on the Italian Riviera.

Your journey begins in Amsterdam, where you'll explore the city's famous canals, visit the Van Gogh Museum, and reflect on history at the Anne Frank House. Next, you'll head to Munich to experience authentic Bavarian culture, including a traditional beer hall dinner and a day trip to the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. Then comes the Swiss Alps adventure—you'll stay in a mountain chalet and participate in mountain biking, hiking with professional guides, high ropes courses, and canyoneering through natural rock formations and waterfalls. A day trip to the resort town of Montreux includes swimming in Lake Geneva and enjoying a local jazz festival.

After Switzerland, you'll discover the floating city of Venice, where you'll marvel at Renaissance palaces, visit St. Mark's Basilica, watch glass-blowing demonstrations on Murano, and ride a gondola. Then it's on to Florence, the heart of the Italian Renaissance, where you'll see Michelangelo's David, explore world-class art museums, enjoy authentic pizza and gelato, and watch the sunset from the iconic Ponte Vecchio. You'll also experience the hidden gem of Cinque Terre—five pastel-colored fishing villages perched on dramatic cliffs. You'll stay right in Monterosso, steps from the beach, hike between the villages, and sample local specialties like pesto and fresh seafood.

The program returns to Switzerland for a second adventure in Interlaken, nestled between two alpine lakes. Here you'll have the option to try paragliding—a once-in-a-lifetime experience soaring above the Alps. Finally, you'll finish in Paris, the City of Light, where you'll climb the Eiffel Tower, explore Montmartre with its artistic heritage, stroll the Champs-Élysées, visit the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, and enjoy a sunset cruise on the Seine.

Throughout this program, you'll develop real travel skills, including how to use a Eurail pass and navigate European cities independently. You'll stay in centrally located, family-run accommodations rather than impersonal chain hotels, eat authentic local food (with full dietary accommodations), and be supported by experienced chaperones and local guides who prioritize both your safety and independence. This is a hands-on, immersive travel experience designed to make you a confident global traveler and give you a genuine sense of European life.