This Program is Directed by
Julian Hartmann-Russell
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland
Cities to Peaks in Western Europe
From the mountain trails and summer snowfields of the Swiss Alps and the Italian Dolomites to the rich culture of Florence and Paris to the bike paths, cheese markets, and beaches of rural Holland, join us to experience Europe as an actively engaged traveler with a group of like-minded students. This is the original Putney Student Travel program, first led 73 years ago by founders George and Kitty Shumlin.
- Highlights
• Hike and rock climb with professional guides
• View iconic artwork in Paris, Florence, and Amsterdam
• Cycle along Amsterdam’s canals and the Dutch coast
• Savor Swiss chocolate, French baguettes, and Italian pasta
• View iconic artwork in Paris, Florence, and Amsterdam
• Cycle along Amsterdam’s canals and the Dutch coast
• Savor Swiss chocolate, French baguettes, and Italian pasta
“I wouldn’t change a single thing. This was the best summer of my life.”
—Minnie R., NSU University School, Weston, FL
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Note: Some groups follow the itinerary in reverse, beginning in Amsterdam and ending in Switzerland.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Geneva, Switzerland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Swiss Alps — 5 days
Begin in a chalet in the idyllic Swiss village of Leysin, high on an Alpine mountainside. Spend five days getting to know your group and taking advantage of the stunning natural beauty of the Alps by hiking through alpine meadows, trekking atop glaciers, and canyoning in mountain streams. Take a day trip to the nearby city of Montreux to visit the medieval Chateau de Chillon and swim in Lake Geneva.
Florence — 4 days
Next, travel to Florence and stay in a small hotel in the heart of the city. Visit the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Uffizi Gallery, Medici Chapel, and the Pitti Palace.
Homestay in Italy — 6 days
Join an Italian family in a small village not far from the sea and lakes, and get to know your host siblings. Both leaders stay in town during the homestay, and the group gets together for excursions throughout the week.*
The Dolomites — 3 days
Travel by train and private bus to join local mountain guides for three days of spectacular trekking in the Dolomites of northern Italy, staying in a mountain rifugio.
Milan — 1 day
On your way from the Dolomites to France’s capital, spend an evening enjoying Milan’s delicious restaurants and incredible Gothic architecture.
Paris — 5 days
Board a train to Paris, “The City of Light,” to explore monuments, museums, markets, and cafés as we walk the streets and boulevards of the Left Bank, Île de la Cité, Montmartre, and other iconic neighborhoods.
Dutch Coast — 5 days
Next, travel by train through Belgium to Holland. Take a five-day bicycle trip along rural bike paths, as you wind your way through sand dunes and past windmills and Dutch farms. Along the way, stop to swim in the North Sea, take paddleboarding or sailing lessons, and visit the picturesque towns of Noordwijk, Haarlem, Egmond, and Heemskerk.
Amsterdam — 3 days
Cap off your journey with three days in Amsterdam to explore its busy canals and streets, visit Anne Frank’s house, and see paintings by Rembrandt and van Gogh.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Amsterdam to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Note: Some groups follow the itinerary in reverse, beginning in Amsterdam and ending in Switzerland.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Geneva, Switzerland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Swiss Alps — 5 days
Begin in a chalet in the idyllic Swiss village of Leysin, high on an Alpine mountainside. Spend five days getting to know your group and taking advantage of the stunning natural beauty of the Alps by hiking through alpine meadows, trekking atop glaciers, and canyoning in mountain streams. Take a day trip to the nearby city of Montreux to visit the medieval Chateau de Chillon and swim in Lake Geneva.
Florence — 4 days
Next, travel to Florence and stay in a small hotel in the heart of the city. Visit the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Uffizi Gallery, Medici Chapel, and the Pitti Palace.
Homestay in Italy — 6 days
Join an Italian family in a small village not far from the sea and lakes, and get to know your host siblings. Both leaders stay in town during the homestay, and the group gets together for excursions throughout the week.*
The Dolomites — 3 days
Travel by train and private bus to join local mountain guides for three days of spectacular trekking in the Dolomites of northern Italy, staying in a mountain rifugio.
Milan — 1 day
On your way from the Dolomites to France’s capital, spend an evening enjoying Milan’s delicious restaurants and incredible Gothic architecture.
Paris — 5 days
Board a train to Paris, “The City of Light,” to explore monuments, museums, markets, and cafés as we walk the streets and boulevards of the Left Bank, Île de la Cité, Montmartre, and other iconic neighborhoods.
Dutch Coast — 5 days
Next, travel by train through Belgium to Holland. Take a five-day bicycle trip along rural bike paths, as you wind your way through sand dunes and past windmills and Dutch farms. Along the way, stop to swim in the North Sea, take paddleboarding or sailing lessons, and visit the picturesque towns of Noordwijk, Haarlem, Egmond, and Heemskerk.
Amsterdam — 3 days
Cap off your journey with three days in Amsterdam to explore its busy canals and streets, visit Anne Frank’s house, and see paintings by Rembrandt and van Gogh.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Amsterdam to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Exploration
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—become an expert on van Gogh’s most famous pieces, create a book of family recipes learned during your homestay in Italy, or explore the effects of climate change on glaciers in Switzerland.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. You will be walking in cities, hiking in the mountains, and biking in Holland. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
We stay in various types of accommodations throughout this program, including Old World-style hotels to mountain chalets, many of which are run by welcoming families Putney has known for years. Accommodations are simple and comfortable. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads. Students have access to common and outside space at our accommodations for community meetings, working on projects, and socializing. Leaders stay together with students throughout the program.
Meals
We begin each day with a traditional breakfast at our residence. While we eat many of our lunches and dinners in restaurants, we also purchase supplies for healthy and delicious picnic lunches full of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, and cheeses.
Altitude
This program visits several high-altitude destinations. On hikes in Switzerland and France, we climb up above 9,000 feet/2,743 meters, and in Italy we spend three nights above 7,000 feet/2,134 meters.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Exploration
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—become an expert on van Gogh’s most famous pieces, create a book of family recipes learned during your homestay in Italy, or explore the effects of climate change on glaciers in Switzerland.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. You will be walking in cities, hiking in the mountains, and biking in Holland. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
We stay in various types of accommodations throughout this program, including Old World-style hotels to mountain chalets, many of which are run by welcoming families Putney has known for years. Accommodations are simple and comfortable. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads. Students have access to common and outside space at our accommodations for community meetings, working on projects, and socializing. Leaders stay together with students throughout the program.
Meals
We begin each day with a traditional breakfast at our residence. While we eat many of our lunches and dinners in restaurants, we also purchase supplies for healthy and delicious picnic lunches full of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, and cheeses.
Altitude
This program visits several high-altitude destinations. On hikes in Switzerland and France, we climb up above 9,000 feet/2,743 meters, and in Italy we spend three nights above 7,000 feet/2,134 meters.
A Day in the Life: The Dutch Countryside
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Holland.
- Morning
8:00am
Wake up and eat a traditional Dutch breakfast at your residence
9:00am
Cycle with your group to the small coastal town of Wijk aan Zee
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Stop for a hearty lunch at a traditional Dutch pancake house
1:00pm
Relax on the beach and take a refreshing dip in the North Sea
3:00pm
Cycle along rural paths and make your way to the charming city of Heemskerk
5:00pm
Stop to explore the 13th century Heemskerk Castle
- Evening
7:00pm
Enjoy dinner at a local eatery with your group and a few Dutch teenagers
10:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
A Day in the Life:
The Dutch Countryside
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Holland.
- Morning
8:00am
Wake up and eat a traditional Dutch breakfast at your residence
9:00am
Cycle with your group to the small coastal town of Wijk aan Zee
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Stop for a hearty lunch at a traditional Dutch pancake house
1:00pm
Relax on the beach and take a refreshing dip in the North Sea
3:00pm
Cycle along rural paths and make your way to the charming city of Heemskerk
5:00pm
Stop to explore the 13th century Heemskerk Castle
- Evening
7:00pm
Enjoy dinner at a local eatery with your group and a few Dutch teenagers
10:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
“We cannot say enough positive things about the leaders, Luke and Amanda. They exceeded our every expectation. Their educational backgrounds, language skills, interpersonal skills, judgment, and travel savvy were impressive.”
—Carol & Brooks O’Kelley, Atlanta, GA
This Program is Directed by
Julian Hartmann-Russell
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
