Essence of Europe
This “grand tour” of Europe tours will stretch girls' imaginations and open their eyes to six fabulous countries. It’s a true taste of Europe, and a special adventure girl groups will love. In their travel to Europe they’ll see some amazing sights, from Heidelberg’s hilltop castle to London’s Buckingham Palace. And girls get to take the high-speed Eurostar train from Paris to London, an exciting and unique travel experience. If you're traveling as a Girl Scout troop, you will also make a special visit to Our Chalet, the oldest of the five WAGGGS Centres, located in the splendid Swiss Alps.
The physical rating of this program is: Average: 2 (out of 3)
Read our FAQs for this program
Explore the many ways girls can take the lead on this tour
-
Day 1: Fly overnight to Germany
-
Day 2: Munich
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTake a walking tour of Munich
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Munich Cathedral
- New Town Hall
- Hofbräuhaus
-
Day 3: Munich
Visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
Take a guided tour of Munich
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Olympic Stadium
- Residenz
- Marienplatz
-
Day 4: Munich • Innsbruck • Venice
Travel via Innsbruck to the Venice region
-
Day 5: Venice
Take a guided tour of Venice
With your expert local guide you will see:
- St. Mark’s Square
- Grand Canal
Enjoy a gondola ride
Travel by water taxi to the island of Burano
See a glass-blowing demonstration
Exploration time in Burano
-
Day 6: Venice • Rome
Travel to Rome by bus
-
Day 7: Rome
Take a guided tour of Vatican City
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter’s Basilica
Add this in-depth excursion:
Cooking class
From pasta to pizza to cannoli, Italian food is beloved—and devoured—all around the world. This is your chance to step up to the stove and learn from a real Italian chef. Discover the basics of regional specialties and how a few quality ingredients can make all the difference. After you've helped prepare the food it's time for the best part: Enjoying your mouth-watering meal.
-
Day 8: Rome
Take a guided tour of Rome
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Roman Forum
- Colosseum
Take a self-guided walking tour of Rome
You will see:
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Spanish Steps
-
Day 9: Florence
Travel to Florence
Take a guided tour of Florence
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Piazza della Signoria
- Ponte Vecchio
- Basilica of Santa Croce
- Gates of Paradise
-
Day 10: Florence • Adelboden
Travel to Adelboden
-
Day 11: Adelboden
Visit Our Chalet World Centre
Take part in a pinning ceremony
-
Day 12: Adelboden • Colmar • Alsace region
Travel via Colmar to the Alsace region
Take a walking tour of Colmar
-
Day 13: Alsace region • Paris
Travel to Paris
Take a walking tour of Paris
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Île de la Cité
- Conciergerie
- Sainte-Chapelle
Catch a glimpse of Notre-Dame Cathedral
-
Day 14: Paris
Take a guided tour of Paris
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Place de la Concorde
- Champs-Élysées
- Arc de Triomphe
- Les Invalides
- Eiffel Tower
Add this in-depth excursion:
Versailles
Enjoy an excursion to the grand palace of Versailles, where Louis XIV held court in the most lavish style imaginable. On a tour, stroll through the elegantly landscaped gardens, the historic Hall of Mirrors, and the ornately decorated State Apartments. Note: Versailles is closed on Mondays.
-
Day 15: Paris • London
Take the Eurostar to London
Take a walking tour of London
-
Day 16: London
Take a guided tour of London
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
- Piccadilly Circus
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Westminster Abbey
- Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (if scheduled)
-
Day 17: Depart for home
-
Day 1: Fly overnight to Germany
-
Day 2: Munich
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTake a walking tour of Munich
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Munich Cathedral
- New Town Hall
- Hofbräuhaus
-
Day 3: Munich
Visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
Take a guided tour of Munich
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Olympic Stadium
- Residenz
- Marienplatz
-
Day 4: Munich • Innsbruck • Venice
Travel via Innsbruck to the Venice region
-
Day 5: Venice
Take a guided tour of Venice
With your expert local guide you will see:
- St. Mark’s Square
- Grand Canal
Enjoy a gondola ride
Travel by water taxi to the island of Burano
See a glass-blowing demonstration
Exploration time in Burano
-
Day 6: Venice • Rome
Travel to Rome by bus
-
Day 7: Rome
Take a guided tour of Vatican City
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter’s Basilica
Add this in-depth excursion:
Cooking class
From pasta to pizza to cannoli, Italian food is beloved—and devoured—all around the world. This is your chance to step up to the stove and learn from a real Italian chef. Discover the basics of regional specialties and how a few quality ingredients can make all the difference. After you've helped prepare the food it's time for the best part: Enjoying your mouth-watering meal.
-
Day 8: Rome
Take a guided tour of Rome
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Roman Forum
- Colosseum
Take a self-guided walking tour of Rome
You will see:
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Spanish Steps
-
Day 9: Florence
Travel to Florence
Take a guided tour of Florence
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Piazza della Signoria
- Ponte Vecchio
- Basilica of Santa Croce
- Gates of Paradise
-
Day 10: Florence • Adelboden
Travel to Adelboden
-
Day 11: Adelboden
Visit Our Chalet World Centre
Take part in a pinning ceremony
-
Day 12: Adelboden • Colmar • Alsace region
Travel via Colmar to the Alsace region
Take a walking tour of Colmar
-
Day 13: Alsace region • Paris
Travel to Paris
Take a walking tour of Paris
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Île de la Cité
- Conciergerie
- Sainte-Chapelle
Catch a glimpse of Notre-Dame Cathedral
-
Day 14: Paris
Take a guided tour of Paris
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Place de la Concorde
- Champs-Élysées
- Arc de Triomphe
- Les Invalides
- Eiffel Tower
Add this in-depth excursion:
Versailles
Enjoy an excursion to the grand palace of Versailles, where Louis XIV held court in the most lavish style imaginable. On a tour, stroll through the elegantly landscaped gardens, the historic Hall of Mirrors, and the ornately decorated State Apartments. Note: Versailles is closed on Mondays.
-
Day 15: Paris • London
Take the Eurostar to London
Take a walking tour of London
-
Day 16: London
Take a guided tour of London
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
- Piccadilly Circus
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Westminster Abbey
- Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (if scheduled)
-
Day 17: Depart for home
Interested in leading this tour?
Your experience includes
-
Airfare & transportation
Round-trip airfare on major carriers; Comfortable motorcoach; Eurostar high-speed train
-
Hotels
15 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (16 with extension)
-
Regional-style meals
European breakfast and dinner daily
-
Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
-
Guided Sightseeing
7 sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed guides; 4 walking tours; 2 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director
-
Entrances
Heidelberg Castle wine barrel; Dachau; Doges’ Palace; Glass-blowing demonstration; Sistine Chapel; St. Peter’s Basilica; Colosseum; Notre Dame Cathedral
-
Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
-
Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
-
Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
-
24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
-
Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
