2027 Fordham Preparatory Germany Explorers Program
| Travel Dates: |
March 24, 2027 -
April 3, 2027
Dates are tentative until airfare confirmed
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| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Estimated Airfare: | $1,500 |
| Deadline(s): | Enrollment deadline forthcoming |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, March 19, 2027 | USA - Berlin | Today we board our overnight flight for Germany. | Airplane | |
| Sunday, March 21, 2027 | Berlin | Guten Morgen Berlin! We arrive in the Capitalto kick off our German journey and check into our central hotel. To shake off our jet lag and get moving, we will head out for an afternoon walk along the East Side Gallery. This vibrant, outdoor stretch of the Berlin Wall is completely covered in massive, colorful murals that perfectly bridge Cold War history with art. We will walk down the most famous street in Germany, Unter den Linden, and view the most famous monument of Berlin, Brandenburger Tor. We will then head to a restaurant for dinner and have some well needed rest. | Berlin Hotel | |
| Monday, March 22, 2027 | Berlin | Today we will dive straight into our exploration of modern Jesuit architecture and German politics. We will head to the Charlottenburg district to visit St. Canisius Church, a spectacular modern Jesuit architectural masterpiece. We will explore its award-winning, minimalist cube design made of light-colored exposed concrete, which offers a powerful contrast to traditional old-world churches. In the afternoon, we will walk over to the nearby government district for our pre-booked tour of the Reichstag Building. We will pass through security and walk up the iconic, spiral glass dome of the German Parliament to get panoramic views of the city skyline. We will then continue exploring the city. We will have a city metro pass so we can use the extensive city metro and travel quickly around and see many different locations like the locals. | Berlin Hotel | (School visit option: If a half-day visit to Canisius-Kolleg is possible, we will head there first. Otherwise, we will proceed with the following itinerary). |
| Tuesday, March 23, 2027 | Berlin | Today we will dive into the famous Museum Island complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the magnificent buildings stay open. We will head to the Neues Museum to see its legendary ancient collections and view the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti. Afterwards, we will cross the open courtyard to explore the brand-new Humboldt Forum, an interactive world-culture museum where we can view global art collections and hands-on exhibits. Or, if we prefer, we can continue exploring the diverse architecture of Alexanderplatz, Potsdamer Platz, and Checkpoint Charlie, then head to a more multiethnic district to have a Turkish dinner before heading back to the hostel. | Berlin Hotel | |
| Wednesday, March 24, 2027 | Nuremberg | We will pack our bags and board an ultra-fast high-speed train, cutting south across the country from Berlin to Nuremberg in under three hours. We will check into our hotel and meet up with a local guide for an insightful walking tour to discover the hidden stories, medieval history, and beautiful architecture of the old town. We will then spend our afternoon exploring the historic walled old town at our own pace, crossing old stone bridges, walking up the steep ramparts to the Imperial Castle, if time permits we will visit the historic Albrecht Dürer House. We will then head to a historic tavern to dine on authentic, flame-grilled Nürnberger sausages before heading to bed. | Nuremburg Hotel | |
| Thursday, March 25, 2027 | Nuremberg - Munich | We will wake up and spend our morning exploring Nuremberg's massive historical significance before moving on. We will take a short tram ride out to the Nazi Party Rally Grounds to stand on the Zeppelin Field where the pre-war rallies were filmed, providing a powerful, real-world history lesson. In the afternoon, we will head back to the station and board a quick, one-hour high-speed train down to Munich, arriving in time to check into our central base. We will spend our evening taking a relaxed stroll through the historic heart of Munich's old town, catching a glimpse of the majestic towers of the Frauenkirche cathedral and watching the evening lights switch on across the grand Marienplatz square. | Munich Hotel | |
| Friday, March 26, 2027 | Munich | On Good Friday, we will experience a traditional holiday morning by heading to a solemn church service at St. Michael’s Jesuit Church, allowing us to hear sacred music echo under its massive Renaissance barrel vault. Afterwards, we will dedicate the rest of our day to world-class science education at the Deutsches Museum, the largest science and technology center in the world, located on an island in the river. Rather than listening to standard lectures, we will explore multiple floors of aerospace, marine, and physics exhibits at our own pace. We will watch live lightning demonstrations and walk through a replica coal mine deep beneath the building before heading out to a local restaurant for dinner. | Munich Hotel | |
| Saturday, March 27 | Munich - Salzburg | Today we will cross an international border for an unforgettable day trip to Salzburg, Austria. Using a regional train and a group ticket, we will see some amazing views of the Alps. We will ride a cable car up to a medieval fortress, walk through the manicured Mirabell Gardens, and admire the historic center's beautiful architecture. Even though we won't notice crossing the border, we are crossing into a different country, so we will make sure everyone has their physical passports on hand! | Munich Hotel | |
| Sunday, March 28, 2027 | Munich - Dachau | We will board a short suburban train ride from Munich out to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site to spend our morning taking a profound and educational walk through history. We will tour the camp gatehouse, the roll-call square, the reconstructed barracks, and the permanent exhibitions to gain a powerful, real-world lesson on the past. In the afternoon, we will transition to something much lighter by heading over to the futuristic BMW Welt building to explore the massive exhibition of cutting-edge cars, interactive technology displays, and modern architecture. We will then head back to central Munich to gather together at a traditional Bavarian beer hall to enjoy our final evening farewell dinner. | Munich Hotel | |
| Monday, March 29, 2027 | Munich - USA | This morning we head to airport and say aufwiedersehen Deutschland! | Airplane | |
| We have an extra day: | ||||
| option | bamberg day trip from nuremberg | A quick 30-minute high-speed train ride brings us straight to Bamberg from Nuremberg, for a focused Jesuit-themed day trip. We will walk into the historic Island District to explore the former Counter-Reformation headquarters of the Society of Jesus. At the Grüner Markt, we will view the 1613 Renaissance doorway of the Altes Gymnasium before entering St. Martin’s Church to see its world-famous, 3D-illusion dome ceiling painting. We will also wander the courtyards of the former Jesuit College.Since these landmarks sit tightly clustered together, we will have plenty of afternoon flexibility to explore the rest of Bamberg's UNESCO-listed Old Town. We will visit the unique Old Town Hall perched on a bridge, view the four-towered cathedral, and enjoy the New Residence rose garden views. Before our train ride back to Nuremberg for dinner Before catching our train back to Nuremberg, we will head to the rose garden at the New Residence palace to look down at the red-tiled roofs of the town, and be back in Nuremberg for dinner. |
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.
Haus International München
Haus International is a hostel located in the Schwabing district of the city. This hostel includes free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast buffet. Haus International comfortably sleeps up to 8 students per room. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Jugendherberge Konstanz
Jugendherberge Konstanz is a hostel located in a former lighthouse directly on the banks of Lake Constance. Most rooms offer 4 beds, with ensuite bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
DJH Jugendherberge Nürnberg
Hostel located inside a medieval castle, located on a hill overlooking the town center. Each room can comfortably sleep up to 6 people and has its own ensuite bathroom. Breakfast is included and free Wi-Fi is available in public areas. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
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
What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.
“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with. We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.
Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination.
Most importantly, be sure to remember your PASSPORT!
CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good active socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts (some quick dry)
- Long sleeve shirts
- Sweaters or sweatshirts
- Underwear
- Shorts
- Rain jacket
- Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
- Comfortable, everyday pants
- Nice shirt/top to be worn to more formal dinners (girls might want a skirt or something a little nicer for such occasions)
- Durable athletic/walking shoes
- Sandals (optional)
- Hat
TOILETRIES: BRING THE BASIC TOILETRIES YOU NEED PLUS:
- Sunscreen (you will use a lot)
- Mosquito repellent
- Band Aids and Neosporin
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medication in properly marked original container
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book
- Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
- Power Converter
- Alarm Clock and watch
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle
- 1 quick-dry towel
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Batteries
- Deck of cards or other portable games
- STUDENT ID
- German/English Dictionary
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.
Devin Toletti
Italy Country Director; Germany Country Director
Bologna University – B.A. Political Science and International Relations
Born to an Italian father and a Canadian-Austrian mother, Devin grew up in Varese which is in Northern Italy between Milan and Switzerland. He grew up with a love for winter sports, dividing his winters between hockey and skiing. In summer he would enjoy mountain biking around the Alps and try to water ski as much as possible. After finishing school, in the English section of the European School, he went to Bologna University and achieved a B.A in Political Science and International Relations. In Bologna he also discovered his passion for food and teaching. Devin is now living in the exciting capital of Germany, Berlin, where he is a bike tour guide, part time cook, and English teacher.
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.
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 Germany website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination 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.