Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive in Paris and meet the group at 6 pm for an orientation walk through the evening streets. If you get there earlier, wander around on your own, grab a baguette and croissant for a picnic by the Eiffel Tower, or check out the Louvre and Champs-Élysées. After the meeting, there's an optional welcome dinner to meet everyone.
Included Activities
- Welcome Meeting
- Leader-led Orientation Walk
Optional Activities
- Visit the Louvre Museum
- Walk the Champs-Élysées
- Picnic by the Eiffel Tower
- Welcome Dinner with group
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower Louvre Museum Champs-Élysées - Day 2
Paris to Lausanne
The morning is yours to spend in Paris however you like, whether strolling along the Seine, walking through Montmartre's artistic neighborhoods, or picking up some fresh pastries. After lunch, you'll catch a train to Lausanne, Switzerland, a French-speaking city on Lake Geneva and home to the International Olympic Committee. Your leader offers an optional orientation walk, then the evening is free with dinner suggestions from your guide.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train to Lausanne
- Optional Orientation Walk with leader
Optional Activities
- Stroll along River Seine
- Explore Montmartre district
- Grab local baked goods
- Dinner exploration
Landmarks/POIs River Seine Montmartre Lake Geneva - Day 3
Lausanne
Following breakfast, head to Lausanne Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic structure with great views of the city from the top. Grab a pastry at a local bakery, then the afternoon is open. Optional activities include a boat tour on Leman Lake, the Olympic Museum, the UNESCO Lavaux Vineyards with wine tasting, or a chocolate-tasting experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Lausanne Cathedral
- Ascend to cathedral top for city views
- Bakery stop for local pastry
Optional Activities
- Boat tour on Leman Lake
- Visit Olympic Museum
- Lavaux Vineyards tour and wine tasting
- Chocolate-tasting tour
Landmarks/POIs Lausanne Cathedral Leman Lake Olympic Museum Lavaux Vineyards - Day 4
Lausanne to Lucerne
After heading to the station, you'll take a scenic train to Lucerne and arrive in time for lunch. Your leader walks you along the Museggmauer Walls, historic ramparts with nine towers that once protected the medieval city. Stop at Hinter Misegg farm, an organic operation in the city center with alpacas. Your evening is free to rent a paddle boat or catch a Cityboat ride.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train to Lucerne
- Walk on Museggmauer Walls with leader
- Stop at Hinter Misegg farm
Optional Activities
- Rent paddle boat on lake
- Cityboat tour
Landmarks/POIs Museggmauer Walls Hinter Misegg Farm Lake Lucerne - Day 5
Lucerne
The group heads to Mount Pilatus for the included 3-hour Silver Tour, using railway, cogwheel railway (the world's steepest), aerial cableway, and gondola to see Alpine peaks. After reaching the summit with its panoramic views and hiking options, you'll return via the 'Dragon Ride' gondolas. The afternoon is free for activities you may have missed.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mount Pilatus Silver Tour (3 hours)
Optional Activities
- Hiking at Mount Pilatus
- Fine dining at summit
- Concert space at summit
Landmarks/POIs Mount Pilatus Lake Lucerne - Day 6
Lucerne to Bellinzona
After a relaxed morning, travel on the Gotthard Panorama Express toward the Ticino Region. You'll take a regional train to Arth-Goldau, then board the scenic train through central to southern Switzerland, passing mountain vistas, lakes, and villages. Arriving in Bellinzona in the late afternoon, your leader gives a quick orientation walk. Ask for dinner recommendations in this city known for three medieval castles.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Regional train to Arth-Goldau (approx. 30 min)
- Gotthard Panorama Express scenic train
- Orientation Walk with leader
Optional Activities
- Self-paced walking tour
- Dinner exploration
Landmarks/POIs Bellinzona Medieval Castles - Day 7
Bellinzona
You'll take a bus to a hiking trailhead for an easy hike with views of the Alpine landscape and the city below. Spend time exploring at your own pace, then return. Your afternoon opens up for visits to the Castle of Bellinzona or Villa dei Cedri, a suburban villa with gardens and regional art from the 19th century onward.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leader-led hike from Bellinzona
Optional Activities
- Visit Castle of Bellinzona
- Visit Municipal Museum of Villa dei Cedri
Landmarks/POIs Castle of Bellinzona Municipal Museum of Villa dei Cedri - Day 8
Bellinzona to Rome
This is a travel day to Rome. You'll board a morning train to Milan, then change for the train to Italy's capital. During the journey, watch the landscape shift from Swiss mountains to the oranges and terracotta tones of Italy. Your leader leads an orientation walk once you arrive. Your free afternoon and evening are perfect for exploring Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Pantheon, Vatican City, or Trastevere's streets for pasta and gelato.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train to Milan
- Train to Rome
- Orientation Walk
Optional Activities
- Visit Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Visit Pantheon
- Tour Vatican City
- Explore Trastevere
- Visit Trevi Fountain
- Visit Colosseum
Landmarks/POIs Trevi Fountain Colosseum Roman Forum Pantheon Vatican City Trastevere - Day 9
Rome
Head out early to Cooperativa Coraggio, an Intrepid Foundation partner in the countryside working with organic agriculture and sustainable practices. Watch a cooking demonstration with fresh local products, then sit down for lunch. Back in Rome for your final evening, visit Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, St Peter's Basilica, or any remaining sites. End with an espresso at a tiny cafe and a final group dinner with wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Cooperativa Coraggio using fresh, locally harvested products)
Included Activities
- Visit Cooperativa Coraggio
- Cooking demonstration
- Lunch at Cooperativa Coraggio
Optional Activities
- Visit Piazza Navona
- Visit Spanish Steps
- Walk Via Condotti
- Visit Piazza Venezia
- Visit St Peter's Basilica
- Final group dinner with wine
- Espresso at streetside cafe
Landmarks/POIs Cooperativa Coraggio Piazza Navona Spanish Steps Via Condotti Piazza Venezia St Peter's Basilica - Day 10
Rome
Your trip ends this morning after breakfast with no further activities planned. If you'd like to extend your time, you can arrange additional accommodation in Rome or book onto other tours to continue exploring Europe.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend tour with additional European rail journey
- Arrange additional accommodation in Rome
