Paris, Lucerne and Munich

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Paris

Bienvenue à Paris! Meet your ACIS Tour Manager and get acquainted with this graceful city's cobblestoned streets, charming cafés and vibrant neighborhoods. Paris is called the “City of Light” for its role as a center of education during the Age of Enlightenment (it was also one the first cities to adopt streetlights). Perhaps stroll through Montmartre to the white-domed Sacré Cœur or seek out a lesser known but equally interesting attraction such as the Musée Marmottan-Monet, housing the artist's Impression, Sunrise—the painting for which the Impressionist movement was named.

Day 3: Paris

Spend your morning on a guided sightseeing tour that takes you past some of the most famous attractions in Paris. Your expert local guide will show you the magnificent Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées, Napoleon's final resting place at Les Invalides and the Gothic wonder of Notre Dame. Then, breeze by the crowds with your timed entrance to the Louvre and discover the many famous masterpieces that call it home. Insightful commentary from your local guide highlights the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo and more as you wander through the galleries. From its beginnings as a royal fortress to its current status as the world's most visited art museum, the Louvre has long been at the center of Parisian culture and home to a collection of 35,000 works of art from around the world. The rest of the day you're free to explore more of Paris's bohemian neighborhoods or world-renowned museums at your own pace. Tonight's highlight is a scenic evening boat ride along the beautiful Seine.

Day 4: Lake Lucerne

This morning board the high-speed TGV Lyria train and watch the French countryside give way to the majestic Swiss Alps. After arriving in Basel, continue to charming lakeside Lucerne. Tonight enjoy a merriment-filled traditional Swiss food and pastimes experience. Through food, stories, games, costumes and more, your hosts will have you engaging with centuries of Swiss cultural traditions.

Day 5: Lake Lucerne

The charming town of Lucerne is located on the shore of its sparkling, namesake lake. Begin the morning with a walking tour that shows you picturesque Chapel Bridge, a more than 600-foot-long covered footbridge; the medieval Altstadt, or Old Town; and the famous Lion Monument. In the afternoon, you may opt for a ride on the world's steepest cog railway (up to a 48-percent grade!), which takes you up the side of 7,000-foot-tall Mount Pilatus for an awe-inspiring view of the Swiss Alps.

Day 6: Munich

Cross into Germany this morning, enjoying magnificent scenery along the way to Munich, the vibrant capital of Bavaria. This afternoon discover the city's hidden gems during a Munich by bike tour of unique neighborhoods and sights off the beaten path. Pedal down historic old streets, peek into delightful courtyards, ride along the city's river and explore the popular 910-acre Englischer Garten, one of the world’s largest urban public parks.

Day 7: Munich

This morning travel out to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial, a somber but compelling reminder of Nazi atrocities during World War II. Return to Munich in the afternoon to visit BMW World, a showcase for the BMW brand, one of the industry's most influential auto makers. In the evening, we'll visit the Olympic Park to learn more about the events and history of the 1972 Olympics.

Day 8: Departure

Depart for the USA.



Optional Extensions and Extra Nights:

Enhance your European experience with a two-night extension to Prague via bus, including a stop for a walking tour of Nuremberg en route. In Prague, discover the city's charms on a guided sightseing tour that shows you the Mala Strana, the 14th century Charles Bridge and the impressive Hradcany Castle complex that also houses St. Vitus Cathedral.