2023 Glenbrook France Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | June 25, 2023 - July 5, 2023 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,490 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,276 |
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Program Tuition: $2,490
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All prices in United States Dollars.
France Cultural Journey
From the City of Lights, to beautiful Mediterranean towns, to small villages tucked between picturesque vineyards, to campgrounds in the rugged Pyrenees, France is a country with an enriching adventure for every kind of traveler. With one of the most influential, distinct, and celebrated cultures in the world – combined with a history richer than its famous food – France is a magnificent destination to consider. Our programs will immerse travelers in the French language and introduce them to wonders of France!
Cultural Journeys
Cultural Journeys allow travelers to gain insights into the heritage, history and modern realities of their destination by offering a broad diversity of experience. We rely on the expertise of our local staff to plan itineraries which not only explore the prominent sites but also make time for the lesser-known local gems and are intentional about regular interaction with local people.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
Marvel at the Palace of Versailles
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the Jardin des Tuileries
Window shop on the Champs-Élysées
Visit Normandy's American cemetery
Visit the Eiffel Tower and other iconic sites
Visit the Arc de Triomphe, the Pantheon, the Louvre and more!
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers, but given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but if inclement weather pushes us off course or an unexpected opportunity arises which travelers are excited about, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 25 | USA - Paris | Today we will cross the Atlantic and land tomorrow... | Airlplane |
| June 26 | Paris | Today, we will arrive in Paris and meet your program leaders at the airport. We will check into our accommodations and get settled. You'll spend the remainder of the day in the Montmartre District enjoying the quaint mood of the neighborhood -the bustle of its shops, restaurants and historic points of interest - before climbing up the hill to enjoy the incredible view and interior of the Basilica of Sacré Cœur. Afterwards we'll have dinner in the neighborhood and then slowly make our way back to our accommodations for some much-needed sleep. | Meininger Hotel Paris |
| June 27 | Paris (Versailles) | Today we will take a bit of a break from the city center and take the RER commuter train out of Paris to see Versailles, one of the most opulent palaces in the world constructed by King Louis XVI, with gardens equally as beautiful. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch in the gardens and you'll also get the chance to visit the historic Hall of Mirrors - the treaty of Versailles was signed here, ending World War I. We'll take the RER back into Paris and get out at the Champs de Mars to see the Eiffel Tower up close and take a break on the lawns of the Champ de Mars before going to dinner in a bistrot nearby. We'll then head to the Bateau mouche at Pont d'Alma after sunset to see just how stunning Paris is by night! From there we'll get to bed to rest up for another busy day to come. | Meininger Hotel Paris |
| June 28 | Paris | With so much to see in Paris, we'll spend most of the day visiting monuments and amazing sites. We'll start the day at The Louvre Museum followed by a quick trip to the beautiful Tuileries Garden where we will have a picnic. Next we'll continue on to the Place de la Concorde and the Place Vendôme, a square dominated by a decorated column dedicated to the famous Napoleonic battle of Austerlitz. We'll move on to the home of the current French President - the Palais de l'Élysée , where we'll enjoy the beautiful view from outside. The afternoon will be an excellent chance to do some (window) shopping in one of the most exclusive shopping districts in the world, The Champs-Élysées, where we will stop at Ladurée to taste their macarons, France's world-famous sweet treat. We'll finish up the afternoon at the Arc de Triomphe by climbing all the way to the top to get another perspective on the city. We'll have dinner at a restaurant nearby and from there we'll head back to our hotel for a well-earned night's sleep. | Meininger Hotel Paris |
| June 29 | Paris - Normandy (Giverny) | In the morning we'll get out of the city once again via a short train ride to see Monet's famous home at Giverny and have our first taste of the French countryside. We will get to visit the Impressionist museum as well as the inside of Giverny itself, where Monet lived during some of his most prolific years. After that we'll enjoy local cuisine in a nearby restaurant leaving the rest of the afternoon for walking and lazing in the magnificent gardens that surround the artist's former home. On arrival in Paris we'll have some down time to relax at the hotel before dinner nearby and an early night before the long travel day to come! | Meininger Hotel Paris |
| June 30 | Paris - Normandy (Mont St. Michel Bay, Granville) | We'll take the train this morning bright and early north to the region of Normandy to visit the celebrated Mont St Michel monastery where we will get to see medieval architecture in all its glory. We'll drop our bags at the bag check for the day and have lunch inside the castle walls. We'll take a tour of the famous Abbey and its ramparts and then spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the ups and downs of the winding streets and the views on the Mont St Michel Bay. We'll grab our bags and head back to the train station where we'll head to the nearby town of Granville for the night. We'll check into our accommodations and have dinner in town before tucking in for the night. | Hostel Granville |
| July 1 | Normandy (Granville) | This morning we'll take a hired bus to a nearby artisanal goat farm where we'll get to see how the cheese is made and, for those interested, get a taste of the real thing made on the premises. We'll have lunch either there or back in Granville upon our return. We'll then be able to spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the town, walking the beaches (depending on the tides), and generally enjoying the sea town life. We'll have dinner in town and rest up for another train ride and intense day tomorrow in Bayeux! | Hostel Granville |
| July 2 | Normandy (Bayeux) | In the morning we'll depart by bus or train for Bayeux arriving at the Atlantic coast before lunch. Once in Bayeux, we’ll drop our bags at our hotel, and meet our guide for a picnic lunch and ride along the D-Day beaches, taking in the view from Gold Beach and its cliffs while learning a bit more about the events that led to the Allied victory in World War II. At the end of the afternoon we'll have a much-needed snack in town to regroup at the hotel and head into Bayeux to enjoy the medieval feel of the village for the evening. We’ll have dinner in town and then settle into our lodgings for a good night's rest. | Hostel in Bayeux |
| July 3 | Normandy (Bayeux) - Paris | After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we will go to see the famous Bayeux Tapestry from the 11th century, which depicts William the Conqueror’s conquest of England. We'll have lunch before getting back on the train and heading back to Paris. We'll check back into our accommodations, have a little down time and then head back out to explore the Rue Montorgueil, the oldest market street in Paris and then we'll end the day with a typical dinner and get to bed at a good time to be ready for another busy day to come. | Meininger Hotel Paris |
| July 4 | Paris | On the last morning back in Paris we'll hit the ground running with a quick breakfast at the hotel and then a tour of the Musee D'orsay that once served as a train station but today houses an impressive collection of older works but most predominantly nineteenth and early twentieth century art. We'll then head over to explore the finest of what French gourmet take-away looks like at Le Bon Marche. We'll then head over to the Jardins du Luxembourg to people-watch and enjoy the goodies we've found at the market for lunch. From there we'll be back on our feet on a tour of the Saint Sulpice church, the medieval Latin Quarter and then up past the ile Saint Louis. We'll have some free time to explore on our own, finally ending the day with a last dinner in the neighborhood before heading home in the morning. | Meininger Hotel Paris |
| July 5 | Paris - Usa | Today we will head to the airport for the flight home. Bon Voyage! | Your own bed! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with locally-operated, three-star equivalent hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe.
Meininger Hotel Paris Porte de Vincennes
Centrally located in Paris, this hotel features a shared lounge, terrace, and free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk for guests. Guest rooms at the hotel are equipped with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom with free toiletries and a shower. Each room includes bed linen and towels. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender.
Hotel Reine Mathilde
Hotel Reine Mathilde is located at the heart of city centre. Breakfast and Wifi are provided. Students will be split between gender in either double, triple or quadruple rooms.
Hotel Saint-Malo
We’ll be staying in style in a newly renovated, turn-of-the-century house close to the sea in the Courtoisville neighborhood. The house is fully equipped and within walking distance to the center of St. Malo. Students will be split between gender in either double, triple or quadruple rooms.
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
I was very concerned about my daughter who has a peanut allergy travelling to a foreign country for the first time without us. Walking Tree was very sensitive to my concerns and reassured me that this is something they could handle and they did! I would send her again in a heartbeat. Thank you Walking Tree.
Kerry
Parent of Emilie, traveler on 2018 Service Program to Costa Rica
Your Adventure Includes
Estimated Airfare
In order to give our travelers the best possible price, we break out airfare from the Program Tuition. We will still handle all booking and ticketing via our flight partner who has access to special fares not available to the general public. Once confirmed, you will be invoiced for the flight roughly 75 days prior to travel.
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on itinerary.
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Resource Center
Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.