2026 Kinston London and Paris Explorers Program
| Travel Dates: |
April 1, 2026 -
April 10, 2026
Dates are tentative
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| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,990 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $1,250 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
Review all materials
What to Expect
Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.
Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teaches that we must be flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA-London | The adventure begins! Today we will take an overnight flight to London. | Flight |
| 2 | London | Arriving in London airport, we will meet our program leader and travel to our centrally located hotel. After freshening up, we will meet for our orientation meeting to go over the upcoming trip in detail. We’ll take a guided walking tour of the city to get oriented, passing iconic sites like Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden. We’ll continue our tour at the famous London Eye, where we’ll enjoy stunning views of the city skyline as the sun sets. Afterward, we’ll head to a cozy restaurant for a welcome dinner, sharing our excitement for the days ahead before returning to the hotel to rest. | London Hotel |
| 3 | London | Today, we immerse ourselves in London’s royal and historic charm. Our guided tour will start at the Tower of London, where we marvel at the Crown Jewels and hear thrilling stories of its dramatic history. From there, we walk along the Thames to visit Tower Bridge and snap some memorable photos. We will have a picnic lunch in the area. Right after, we visit Buckingham Palace, witnessing the Changing of the Guard if the timing aligns. In the afternoon, we head to a soccer match (if the schedule permits) and cheer alongside passionate fans, experiencing the electric atmosphere of British football firsthand. Dinner takes us to a cozy local restaurant, where we enjoy seasonal British dishes before unwinding after a full day. | London Hotel |
| 4 | London | We dedicate today to exploring London’s literary and cultural treasures. We begin at the British Library, where we see artifacts like Shakespeare’s First Folio and the Magna Carta. Next, we take a guided visit of Kia Oval in Kennington. More than 150 years old, this is the home to Surrey County Cricket Club and has witnessed some famous victories, including England’s Ashes win in 2005. Afterwards, we go to Shakespeare’s Globe for a guided tour that lets us step into the shoes of Elizabethan actors. We will have picnic lunch and then we head to the Tate Modern to immerse ourselves in contemporary art. For dinner, we head to the vibrant Soho district, enjoying a mix of traditional British flavors with a modern twist. | London Hotel |
| 5 | London | This day is all about London’s rich museums and lively markets. We start at the British Museum, where we explore world-famous artifacts like the Rosetta Stone. After a quick lunch at Borough Market, sampling everything from Scotch eggs to artisanal pastries, we visit the Natural History Museum to learn about dinosaurs and Earth’s wonders. Later, we head to Wembley, one of the most famous soccer stadium in London for a guided tour that dives into the culture of British football. For dinner, we enjoy a relaxed meal at a local market eatery or gastropub, reflecting on our adventures and soaking up the atmosphere. We go back to our hotel to pack and get ready for our trip to Paris the next day. | London Hotel |
| 6 | London-Paris | On our final day, we visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, climbing to its dome for stunning views of London while reflecting on its role during the Blitz. We will then head to St. Pancras International Station to board the Eurostar train to Paris. We will have our lunch in the train. During the journey, we enjoy the scenic countryside views as we travel under the English Channel. We’ll arrive in the City of Light, ready to begin the next chapter of our adventure! We will have time to check in and freshen up in our hotel before we head out for a guided walking tour of Montmartre, one of the most charming neighborhoods in Paris. Also known as the painter's corner. It's small, steep streets constitute a network that connects the city's oldest cabarets to the surroundings of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. We'll check out some of the most well-known corners of the neighborhood, including the the Bateau Lavoir and the Cafe au deux Moulins famous for the movie Amelie. In the evening we will eat at a local restaurant and head back to our hotel. | Paris Hotel |
| 7 | Paris | This morning we will visit one of the most important museums in the world: the Louvre! Inaugurated in 1793, it boasts a collection of more than 300,000 pieces. We'll start early to miss the worst of the crowds. Afterwards we will have a picnic at the Tuileries garden. After eating we will walk to The Musée de l'Orangerie, an art gallery of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. This is also where the water lilies of Monet are housed. We will walk and admire Place de la Concorde and Place Vendome. We will take the metro to go back to our hotel where we will have dinner in the area. | Paris Hotel |
| 8 | Paris | After breakfast we will leave for Versailles Palace. This one of the most visited French sites in Paris, for its architecture, its gardens and above all for its history. Symbol of the absolutist power of the French monarchs and especially of Louis XIV, the main architect of what is today the Palace and its Gardens. We will have a picnic lunch at Versailles before heading back to Paris. In the afternoon, we will head towards the “Champs de Mars”, where we can continue taking photos and admire the Eiffel Tower. We will then have dinner before heading back to our hotel. | Paris Hotel |
| 9 | Paris | We will start the day by taking a metro to see the Notre Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of medieval art that is still recovering from a devastating fire; We will then cross to the Rive Gauche to spend some time at Shakespeare and Co., was founded in 1951 An American serviceman, George Whitman. We will then stop by a boulangerie to buy our lunch and have a picnic lunch at the the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens. We will continue our walking tour of the Latin Quarter; the Sorbonne; We will enter the Pantheon of illustrious men where we can visit Napoleon's mausoleum is located; The afternoon will be an excellent chance to do some (window) shopping at one of the most exclusive shopping districts in the world; Champs-Élysées. We'll climb the Arc de Triomphe and head back to our hotel. We'll have dinner at a restaurant before heading back for a good night's sleep. | Paris Hotel |
| 10 | Paris | Today we will head to the airport for the flight home. Bon Voyage! | Your own bed, eventually |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
This hotel is located within a 3-minute walk from Kensington High Street and within easy reach from the shops and restaurants of Knightsbridge and Notting Hill. Rooms here feature TVs and in-room safes. All are en-suite and feature coffee and tea making facilities. Free WiFi is available in all areas. The hotel has a restaurant, a cafe, include, a conference centre and a fitness room. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender.
Citadines Montmartre Paris
The Citadines Montmartre Paris is located in a residential area in Paris near Place de Clichy at the foot of the Butte Montmartre. It offer furnished studios and rooms, just a 10-minute metro ride from the Champs Elysées. Its apartments are equipped with private bathrooms area and some of them have balconies. Citadines Montmartre Paris has a rooftop terrace that provides a view of the city. Citadines Montmartre Paris is just 200 metres from the Moulin Rouge and 1 km from the Sacré-Coeur Basilica. The property is a 15-minute metro ride from the Gare du Nord and Saint Lazare Station.
Group Flight
Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.
Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.
Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.
We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.
FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION
Air travel can be unpredictable. Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc. Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route. Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night. Our primary role will be to keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a quick and effective resolution.
Host Community and Project Details
Packing List
Support Team
At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.
University of Kansas – B.A. Latin American Studies; Global and International Studies, Minor in Brazilian Studies
Jordan hails from Kansas City where he spent his entire childhood. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, his first international experience would set the course for the rest of his life. After high school, he traveled to Guatemala where he began learning Spanish and cultivated a deep interest in everything Latin America. In college, Jordan spent almost half of his university career studying abroad in both Costa Rica and Brazil. In 2010, Jordan moved to Costa Rica for six years where he began his professional career teaching Portuguese to Costa Ricans and working with Walking Tree Travel. From Costa Rica he moved to Denver, Colorado and spent seven years traveling the USA and experiencing life as an adult in America for the first time. Jordan is trilingual and has traveled to more than 30 countries around the world. He currently lives in Lisbon, Portugal and enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, biking, spending time at the beach and cooking Middle Eastern food.
Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History
Luke’s path to student travel began in Mexico, during a year abroad in Mexico and Central America. This formative time led him to join an international volunteer program which, after graduating from college, sent him to the small village of San Gerardo de Rivas in south-central Costa Rica. Welcomed by the loveliest of host families, his experience in this tiny town is directly connected to the beginnings of Walking Tree five years later. His love for travel still burns bright, and today he’s lucky to have a wife and daughter who are equally passionate about exploring the world. Settled in Denver, he adores his family and colleagues, skies whenever possible, and is a devoted fan of all Colorado sports teams.
Harriet Docena
France Country Director and Program Leader
Harriet caught the travel bug early in her life. Born in the Philippines, with 7,107 islands, both of her parents are avid travelers. Most of their weekends and holidays were spent roadtripping and traveling to new places. After finishing her degree in Fashion design and merchandising, she realized that the fashion world was not for her. That’s why in 2006, she left her job and worked as a photographer on cruise ships. For years, she traveled the world to places such as the Caribbean, Alaska, South America, Europe, the Mediterranean, Hawaii, and Asia. After working and traveling nonstop, she decided to choose a place where she can stay put and have a “normal life”. In 2010 she was lucky to be awarded a “skills and talents” visa in France and chose Paris to be her new home. Harriet is also an avid surfer which brought her to different surf spots and exotic locations around the world. As of this moment, she has visited 80+ countries and around 500+ cities. She doesn’t think she will ever stop traveling. Nowadays, you can find Harriet traveling around Europe, obsessed with her chihuahua and surfing when the European waters are not that cold.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
Blog and Communication
During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families back home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.
Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.
GLC Curriculum
Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
Standards of Behavior
In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational. As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- Breaking group rules.
These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.
Health and Safety
We strongly recommend visiting the CDC United Kingdom website and the CDC France website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in each country. In addition, we encourage you to consult your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before traveling.
Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about important current events in the region.
Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in comprehensive leadership training. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff, and U.S.-based staff.
We collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.
Insurance
While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.
To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry. Begin by getting a quote here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.