Overview
A route from the heart of Central Europe down to the Adriatic. The trip starts in Prague with the castle, the Charles Bridge and a visit to the Terezín memorial, adds a day in fairy-tale Český Krumlov, then spends two days in Vienna between Schönbrunn Palace, the Prater and a bike ride along the Danube.
In Slovenia the pace turns outdoor: rowing to the island on Lake Bled, canyoning and rock climbing at Lake Bohinj and the vast Škocjan Caves. The last week is on the Croatian coast — rafting the Cetina river from Split, then Dubrovnik's city walls, a sunset kayak to a sea cave and a boat day around the nearby islands.
Groups are small — up to 26 teens — and travel by private coach between cities, with public transport inside them. Departures are put together by school grade, and the grades 11–12 group runs as an "ON TOUR" departure for older teens. This trip is also the first part of the 26-day version, which continues to the Greek islands.
What's included
The itinerary
- Day 1 Flight to Prague — The official start: the group flies overnight from New York. Teens joining from Europe meet the group in Prague the next day.
- Days 2–4 Prague & Český Krumlov, Czech Republic — Prague Castle, the Old Town and the Charles Bridge, a rowing boat from Slovanský Island on the Vltava, and a guided visit to Terezín, the former Second World War ghetto and concentration camp. A day in Český Krumlov, a UNESCO-listed medieval town on a bend of the river.
- Days 5–6 Vienna, Austria — Street food from around the world at the Naschmarkt, a tour of Schönbrunn Palace, the rides at the Prater amusement park, and a bike ride along the Danube.
- Days 7–8 Lake Bled, Slovenia — Rowing out to the church on Bled's island, a chairlift up the mountain for the view, the alpine coaster, and time at the Lido beach club on the lake.
- Days 9–10 Ljubljana & Lake Bohinj, Slovenia — A day at Lake Bohinj with canyoning through gorges and waterfalls, a rock-climbing session and a choice of canoeing or mountain biking; the underground halls of the UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves; and Ljubljana's old town and castle.
- Days 11–13 Split, Croatia — Diocletian's Palace and the Riva seafront, whitewater rafting on the Cetina river, and beach time at Bačvice.
- Days 14–17 Dubrovnik, Croatia — A walk around the top of the old city walls, a sunset sea-kayak trip to Betina Cave (reachable only from the water), and a private boat day around the islands of Lopud and Koločep.
- Day 18 Dubrovnik, Croatia — Goodbyes and flights home from Dubrovnik.
Where teens stay
Hotels the whole way, with rooms shared with other teens in the group: an Old Town hotel in Prague with air-conditioning and Wi-Fi; a central hotel in Vienna with views over the city; a hotel on the shore of Lake Bled with air-conditioning; a modern hotel in Ljubljana with views over the city; a hotel in the heart of Split; and an air-conditioned hotel in Dubrovnik within reach of the Old Town and the beaches. The exact hotel at each stop is confirmed before departure.
Meals
Breakfast (a buffet at the hotel) and dinner are included every day — dinners are either with the whole group or in smaller groups at a restaurant the teens choose. Lunch is not included: teens eat in small groups at local cafés and bistros, so plan for it in their spending money. Vegetarian, kosher-style, gluten-free and lactose-free diets and most allergies can be catered for if you tell us in advance.
More photos
Frequently asked questions
Which departure is right for my child?
Groups are put together by US school grade, so each departure has teens of a similar age. Grades 9–10 (roughly ages 14–16): Jun 26–Jul 13. Grades 9–10 or grades 11–12 (roughly ages 16–18, an "ON TOUR" group for older teens): Jun 29–Jul 16, Jul 1–18. Where a date says "or", the operator decides which age group it becomes depending on who enrols — ask us and we'll check for your child. The grade is the one your child is in during the 2026–27 school year — we'll help you match it to your school system. Dates are the operator's official start and end dates.
How do flights work if we live in Europe?
The official dates count from the group's overnight flight out of New York, so the trip itself begins in Prague on day 2. Families in Europe usually book their own flight to Prague and the staff meet their child at the airport and handle the transfer — as long as the flight lands within the operator's arrival window, so please check with us before booking anything non-refundable. At the end, teens fly home from Dubrovnik; the leaders help with check-in and stay at the airport until flights in the set window have left. Most of the staff continue to Greece with the 26-day group, so on this shorter version there's no chaperoned flight back to New York.
What exactly is included in the price?
Accommodation, breakfast and dinner every day, all the activities in the itinerary, airport transfers for flights within the set time windows, public transport tickets, tips and local taxes. Not included: flights to and from the trip, lunches and snacks, spending money, laundry (done along the way at wash-and-fold services or laundromats), the operator's application fee, and travel insurance — optional, but we strongly recommend it.
Is there a discount for enrolling early?
Yes — at the moment the operator takes US$300 off the tuition for early enrolment, so the 18-day trip costs US$8,199 instead of US$8,499. It's a limited-time offer and the operator can end it at any point, so ask us whether it still applies before you decide. The price shown on this page is the full tuition.
Is there a longer version?
Yes — the 26-day trip follows the same route and then flies from Dubrovnik to Athens for the Acropolis, Paros and Santorini. Most of the group is usually on the longer trip; teens on this one leave after day 18.
What does "ON TOUR" mean?
It's the operator's name for departures reserved for older teens — those in grades 11–12. The route is the same, but the activities and sights are chosen with older teens in mind, and there's more room to explore in small groups (finding a café or a shop on their own, for example) within the usual structure and supervision.
Is the Terezín visit suitable for younger teens?
It's a guided visit to the memorial of the former ghetto and concentration camp, and the operator treats it as a serious, respectful part of the Prague days. If you'd like to know more about how it's prepared with the group, ask us and we'll check with the operator.
Who else will be in the group?
Mostly American teens — on most programs around 85% of participants come from the US, and the operator tries to limit how many teens from any one other country join each group. For an international teen that means a genuinely English-speaking group, which is a big part of the appeal.
How good does my child's English need to be?
At least a confident beginner level — the operator recommends A2 or above, since everything on the trip happens in English. Your child can ask for an English-speaking roommate, and one-to-one English conversation time with a staff member can be arranged daily or a few times a week.
Can my child come on their own?
Yes, and many do. The first days are built around icebreakers and getting-to-know-you activities, roommates are assigned and rotated, and the staff actively help everyone settle into the group.
Are phones allowed?
Yes. Teens can bring their phone, so you can call or message them directly. The operator also runs a communication centre that's staffed every day of the summer, with someone on call around the clock for emergencies.