Itinerary

European Odyssey
DAY 1 DEPART FOR PARIS
Gather with your delegation and board your flight to France.
DAY 2 ARRIVE IN PARIS
YOU ARE HERE: PARIS, FRANCE
Bienvenue! The City of Lights will welcome you with astounding architecture, art, and history at every
turn.
After your long flight, stretch your legs with a walk through the sprawling grounds of Versailles. Its
gilded palaces and precisely sculpted gardens were the home of King Louis XVI, before the French
Revolution made him lose his head. Check out the life-sized pretend village that Marie Antoinette used
as a personal retreat.
DAY 3 HIT THE HEIGHTS OF PARIS AT THE EIFFEL TOWER
YOU ARE HERE: PARIS, FRANCE
Now that youre rested, its time to see what Paris really has to offer. Well start at the Louvre, one of the
worlds most famous art museums. You could pore over its collections for days, but your delegation
manager will take you straight to some of the highlights, including the shy Venus de Milo, powerful
Winged Victory, and Leonardo da Vincis Mona Lisa masterpiece.
Then its time to see for yourself the world icon that almost wasnt. Some thought the Eiffel Tower was
an eyesore when it was built for the 1889 Worlds Fair and petitioned to tear it down, but soon it became
accepted and loved as a symbol of Paris. After your ride to the top, youll understand why. Youll feel
like youre soaring over the charming, chimneyed roofs of the city.
DAY 4 MEET ACTIVE ARTISTS AT MONTMARTRE
YOU ARE HERE: PARIS, FRANCE
Climb to the hills of Montmartre, with its bustling square full of artists at work. See what the local artists
are selling, or have your own portrait drawn!
In one of the artists shops bordering the square, youll learn about the life of a painter and how
important Paris has been to artists throughout history.
Then explore the beautiful white Sacre-Coeur Basilica. It not only boasts an amazing view over Paris,
but also some brilliant modern stained-glass windows.
Board an overnight train tonight to Venice, Italy.

Italy
DAY 5 GLIMPSE VENICE FROM A GONDOLA

YOU ARE HERE: VENICE, ITALY

See Venice the way it was made to be seenfrom the water! Glide in your gondola through the Grand
Canal, under carved bridges, and down narrow passageways. Youll sail beneath the Bridge of Sighs, the
beautifully carved bridge that once connected a palace with a prison. On foot, youll get to greet the
pigeons and marvel at the elaborate Basilica San Marco.
Then its your chance to see a true craftsman at work, blowing Murano glass. Take in the whole
meticulous process, from adding bright colors to the clear glass to twirling and tweaking it into
incredible shapes.
DAY 6 MEET YOUR HOME-STAY FAMILY
YOU ARE HERE: VICENZA, ITALY
Today, its time to begin one of the most memorable parts of your journeythe home stay! A short
Italian lesson will prepare you with a few helpful phrases, but youll be amazed at how much you can
communicate without a common language!
Make your way to the quaint, red-roofed town of Vicenza. Here in the foothills of the Alps, youll meet
the family youve been matched with and return with them to their home.
DAY 7 LIVE LIKE AN ITALIAN
YOU ARE HERE: VICENZA, ITALY
You and your home-stay family will explore the area on your own today. Theyre likely to be as
interested in American culture as you are in Italy, so be ready to share stories and photos to paint a
picture of your family, home, and daily life.
Best of all, youll get to feast on some authentic Italian cuisine!
DAY 8 EXPLORE VICENZA WITH YOUR NEW FAMILY
YOU ARE HERE: VICENZA, ITALY
Enjoy your last day with your new Italian family. Leave them with a thank-you note, a small gift, and
some great memories of their new American friend!
Reunite with your delegation later today.
DAY 9 TRACE EUROPES WORLD WAR II HISTORY
YOU ARE HERE: TUSCANY, ITALY
Receive an Ambassadorial welcome in the town of Carpi, a walled medieval town. Step into the
government offices for a meeting with the mayor or other official.
Unearth some grim reminders of World War II at Fossoli Transit Camp. The prison-like compound
served as a holding area for approximately 3,000 people before they were shipped to concentration
camps during World War II.

Continue on to Pisa to see one of the worlds most beautiful mistakes. The Leaning Tower has been
carefully held at its precarious angle for nearly 600 years. If you climb the 297 steps to the top, youll
get a whole new angle on Italian ingenuity.
DAY 10 SEE WHY MICHELANGELO WAS A GIANT OF HIS TIME
YOU ARE HERE: FLORENCE, ITALY
Pay your respects to the American soldiers who died driving the Nazi army out of Rome in 1944. An
American cemetery has been set aside here, and youll receive a guided tour of the memorial and join in
a private wreath-laying ceremony.
Head next to Florence to explore one of the wealthiest cities in Italy. Catch the imposing Duomo
cathedral with its massive bronze doors, and stroll the streets of this one-time capital.
Youll see another giant of Florence in the Accademia Gallery. Michelangelos sculpture of David
towers 14 feet tall, carved from a single block of marble. Look for the astonishing details that
Michelangelo coaxed out of the stoneveins, fingernails, and expressive lines on the face.
To end an amazing day, join some local families for dinner tonight. In the Italian culture, meals are an
occasion, so this is the perfect chance to share great food and make some new friends.
DAY 11 CHARGE INTO ADVENTURE FULL ON!
YOU ARE HERE: ASSISI, ITALY
Today, youll head to Assisi, a medieval city full of ancient cathedrals, steep stone stepsand two
colossal towers. The towers were part of a fortress designed to repel invaders, but you will have the
chance to rappel one towers 100-foot height and take in amazing scenery all the way down.
Its the Full On challenge, a Student Ambassador exclusive where you learn what it feels like to push
through fear to an awe-inspiring confidence. Your expert instructors will start with some games and
discussions about setting and achieving your goals, so that by the time youve finished your successful
descent, youll be ready to conquer the next tower looming in your life.
DAY 12 SEE THE WORLDS BEST SACRED ART IN ITS SMALLEST COUNTRY
YOU ARE HERE: VATICAN CITY
Explore the Vatican City, home to the Pope and the global headquarters of the Catholic Church. The
grandeur of St. Peters, its central basilica, is jaw-dropping.
Make your way to the Sistine Chapel, home to the world-famous ceiling that Michelangelo painted over
the course of four years. More than 300 different figures appear here, illustrating stories from throughout
the Old Testament of the Bible. You can appreciate Michelangelos dedication to his work when you
learn that even though hed never painted frescoes before, even the characters painted on a curved wall
appear in perfect perspective.
DAY 13 SCOUR ROMES TREASURES ON A CITY QUEST
YOU ARE HERE: ROME, ITALY

Rome is an unforgettable city, where you can discover remnants of a lost empire around every corner.
Your knowledgeable city guide will take you into the Colosseum, site of grandly staged battles, wild
game hunts, and some gruesome gladiator contests. Walk the Forum, where ruins of temples, courts, and
businesses let you imagine life as a citizen of ancient Rome.
Then, its time to explore Rome for yourself. Team up in small groups to discover the citys cherished
central treasures, from the Pantheon to the Trevi Fountain. You might even discover some new friends if
you ask the locals to help you on your quest!
DAY 14 WALK ON A VOLCANO
YOU ARE HERE: NAPLES, ITALY
You can elevate your spirits today when you hike at the top of Mt. Vesuvius, Italys only active (but
now-quiet) volcano. Your motor coach will take you to the trailhead, then youll climb to the mountains
cool heights.
Next, head to Naples, where youll visit a working convent. Talk with a nun about her life spent serving
others.
DAY 15 GLIMPSE A LONG-BURIED CITY
YOU ARE HERE: POMPEII, ITALY
Enjoy a haunting visit to Pompeii, the city buried under Vesuvius volcanic explosion in A.D. 79. The
remains of the city will show you not just the moment of its destruction, but its rich life before it.
Explore buildings filled with paintings, mosaics, and artifacts of peoples daily activities.
Board an overnight ferry to Patras, Greece, tonight.

Greece
DAY 16 FEEL THE SPIRIT OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES WHERE THEY STARTED
YOU ARE HERE: PELOPONNESUS, GREECE
Set foot on the field of the first-ever Olympic Games, held in 776 B.C.! Fuel your competitive drive
with a quick foot race with your delegation. Will you take home the gold?
You can also experience a much younger athletic stadium (only from the third century B.C.) and see the
temple that once housed one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. The 43-foot statue of Zeus was
made of ivory and gold. The statue is long gone, but you can still get a sense of this massive monument
as you pass through the columns that remain.
DAY 17 JOIN LOCAL STUDENTS ON A SPECIAL SERVICE PROJECT
YOU ARE HERE: ATHENS, GREECE
Admire the achievements of ancient Greece when you take the stage at the Theater of Epidaurus. Its the
original theater in the round, where actors were surrounded by their audience (up to 15,000 people!)

on all sides. In spite of the size, the perfect slope of the seats meant that every word could be heard in
the days before amps and microphones.
Stop at a family home in Faliro to enjoy an authentic Greek lunch. Youll discover the Greek talent for
storytelling and warm hospitality as you share cultures with your hosts.
Spend this afternoon helping a Greek community. Youll work alongside local Boy Scouts to pick up a
park, paint a community center, or serve a meal to people in need.
DAY 18 KICK UP YOUR HEELS WITH GREEK STUDENTS
YOU ARE HERE: ATHENS, GREECE
Meet the best of ancient and modern Greece on this exciting day. Youll start at the towering Acropolis,
home to Athens most timeless treasures. A whole complex of ruins survive at the top of this hill, but the
star is the former temple to Athenathe Parthenon. Its columns are perfectly un-aligned to create an
ancient optical illusion. All youll be able to see is the temples classic symmetry.
Descend into old Athens to explore the Plaka. In this charming old section of the city, you can spend
some free time shopping for souvenirs or delicious Greek snacks, listening to street musicians, or
discovering the districts scattered ruins.
Ambassadors are the special guests at a local primary school today. Talk and laugh with students, visit
their classes, and let them show you a few steps of a Greek folk dance.
Its not only a fun time with new friendsits great background for the performance youll see this
evening at traditional dance show.
DAY 19 HIT THE GRECIAN BEACHES
YOU ARE HERE: ATHENS, GREECE
Understand what makes the Grecian coastline a destination for travelers the world over. Brilliant sun,
sandy beaches, and warm blue waters will create the perfect playground for your last full day in Europe.
You and your fellow delegates can swim, play games, or just relax on the beach and reflect on your time
together.
DAY 20 DEPART FOR THE U.S.
Its time to leave Europe, but youll be returning to the States with an abundance of new friendships and
memories.