France & Italy: Alps Adventure

Trip Name
France & Italy: Alps Adventure

Who It’s For
Students completing grades 7–9

2026 Sessions
Session 1: June 22 – July 5, 2026
Session 2: July 9 – July 22, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure from the U.S. and return to the U.S.
Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
Southern French Alps & Northern Italy

Trip Length
14 Days

Service Hours
10–15

Tuition
$6,595

This is the plan, but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable. Please note we will run the second trip of the summer in reverse order.

Days 1–2: Travel to France & Camp Setup
We leave the U.S. on an overnight flight and arrive in France on Day 2. Once the group is together, we transfer to our campsite near Ancelle, settle in, and get organized for the week ahead.

Day 3: High Ropes Course & Paddleboarding
We kick things off with an exciting high ropes course, complete with zip lines, spider nets, and rope bridges in the trees. After a lakeside picnic, we unwind on paddleboards and cool off in the water.

Days 4–5: Mountain Hike & Alpine Cabin Overnight
We hike from Les Fermons into the stunning Champoléon Valley with our local guide, keeping an eye out for alpine wildlife like ibex. At the top, we’re welcomed with a rustic dinner and overnight stay in a cozy alpine refuge. On Day 5, we hike back down and continue exploring Ancelle’s mountain trails.

Day 6: Shepherd’s Museum, Wool Workshop & Rafting
In the morning, we visit a local Shepherd's Museum and try our hands at felt-making in a wool workshop. In the afternoon, we take on whitewater rafting together, navigating rapids and waves as a team.

Day 7: Via Ferrata & Canyoning
A double adventure day! We climb alpine rock faces using secured cables and ladders on a Via Ferrata course, then suit up in wetsuits to go canyoning where we slide down natural rock toboggans, jump into pools, and abseil down waterfalls.

Day 8: Chill & Local Exploration
After an action-packed stretch, we take a slower day to explore nearby villages, enjoy some downtime, catch up on laundry, and prep for the next phase of the journey.

Day 9: Transfer to Italy & Explore Turin by Bike
We cross the border into Italy and settle into our new base in Turin. That evening, we head out to explore the city’s parks, castles, and famous landmarks like the Mole Antonelliana—getting our first taste of Italian culture and history.

Days 10–12: Environmental Service Projects
We spend the next few days working on environmental service projects alongside local partners, supporting efforts to protect Italy’s natural spaces. Exact projects are finalized based on community needs at the time.

Day 13: Explore Milan & Final Banquet
We wrap up our trip with a day in Milan, taking in the city’s style, energy, and culture. We close out the trip with RLT’s signature final banquet and celebrate everything we’ve experienced together.

Day 14: Homeward Bound
We say our goodbyes and head to the airport for flights home, leaving with new memories and friendships formed in the Alps.

We stay in a mix of tents and Airbnb style housing throughout the trip.

Tent Camping:
Six nights are spent in shared tents (2–3 students per tent), organized by gender. Campsites are scenic and simple, with access to rustic bathrooms. Short showers are available every 2-3 days.

Mountain Refuge Stay:
During the multi-day hike, we spend one night in a remote mountain refuge. Picture an alpine cabin with bunk beds, communal meals, and incredible views.

Private Home Stay:
Toward the end of the trip, we spend five nights in a small group house (Airbnb-style) in rural Italy. It's a chance to rest, cook meals indoors, and recharge as a group.

What to Expect:
Expect a mix of sleeping under the stars and sharing cozy rooms. Group members help set up tents, cook, and take care of shared spaces - important parts of the experience.

All meals are planned and prepared together, with a mix of cooking styles and settings throughout the trip.

Cook Crew:
Each day, a few teens rotate through planning, prepping, and cooking meals for the group, with support from leaders.

Simple + Fresh:
We focus on easy, balanced meals like pasta, stir-fries, pancakes, grain bowls, and wraps. Plus some local specialties, especially in Italy!

All Diets Welcome:
We accommodate all allergies and dietary needs, including vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and more.

Snacks + Hydration:
Frequent water breaks and snack times keep everyone fueled especially on active days like hiking, canyoning, and climbing.

Flights
For session 1, families will need to book flights into Geneva, Switzerland (GVA) and out from Milan, Italy (MXP).

For session 2, we start in Milan, Italy (MXP), and end in Geneva, Switzerland (GVA). It’s the same trip, just a reversed itinerary.

Do not book your teen’s flight until you receive the required travel windows from our team.

Escorted Flight Option
An optional group flight with an RLT leader is available from the New York area.

Unaccompanied Minor Info
We’ll walk you through the process if your teen is flying as an airline-designated Unaccompanied Minor (for major airlines this is often kids who are 14 years old or younger, and are flying without a parent.) Every airline has different policies so it is important to coordinate with RLT and look into each airline’s specific policies. Generally speaking, we will have an RLT leader available to meet Unaccompanied Minors at the arrival airport for each trip.

Packing
Participants are responsible for bringing their own personal clothing, toiletries, and individual camping gear such as a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. The Road Less Traveled provides all group gear, including tents, cooking equipment, and any specialized activity equipment needed for the trip. A detailed packing list will be sent to families well in advance (and is available upon request at any time) to ensure your child is prepared. We encourage packing clothing that’s comfortable, durable, and made for adventure. Our list will also provide guidance based on weather, location, and planned activities to help participants bring the right items for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked soft duffel bag (NOT a rolling suitcase) and a small carry-on backpack.

Forms & Waivers
Once enrolled, you'll get access to your RLT portal with all required forms:
Health history, medical info, emergency contacts, and the participant agreement. These must be submitted before the trip.

Medical Clearance
A doctor’s appointment isn’t required unless a new or complex condition has developed. We review all forms to make sure we’re fully prepared to support your teen.

Medications
All prescription and over-the-counter medications must be listed in your medical form. Trip leaders manage and dispense all medications as needed.

Behavioral Expectations
We’ll share a Code of Conduct for you to review with your teen. It helps set the tone for a safe, supportive group culture.

Trip Insurance
Trip insurance is required for international programs. You’re welcome to use any third-party provider. For guidance, see our FAQ page or contact us directly.

Vaccinations
We follow CDC guidelines for international travel, and always recommend that families check in with their pediatrician prior to traveling abroad. Based on current CDC guidelines, no specific shots are required beyond routine immunizations. Please check that your teen is up to date on routine vaccinations, including a tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) within the past 10 years.

Passport
A valid passport is required and must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the trip’s end date.

Device-Free Philosophy
This program is intentionally phone-free. On Day 1, all phones and personal electronics are collected by leaders and stored securely until the trip ends.

Disconnect Helps Teens:
Build deeper relationships
Be present in their surroundings
Gain confidence without constant tech

Cameras Welcome
Your teen can bring a digital camera or GoPro, anything that doesn’t connect to the internet. Leaders also take photos and share them in a trip gallery after the program.

Communication
Families receive regular updates while the trip is in progress. If there’s an emergency, our on-call team is available 24/7.