Italy, Switzerland and France (June)
Faculty: David Martínez, Wendi Upjohn-Hankel, Craig Inglesby
Class meeting time: Mondays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Trip Dates: June, 2025
Cost: $2,400
Highlights
This journey offers a blend of majestic mountains, vibrant cities, serene coastlines, and picturesque countryside. With a wide range of activities, including hiking, biking, sightseeing, and rich cultural experiences, we’ll create lasting memories along the way.
We’ll kick off our adventure in Milan, with an opportunity to explore the stunning Duomo di Milano and the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology and soak in the beauty of the Milan Cathedral.
Next, we’ll wander through the quaint villages of Bolzano, Grindelwald, and Chamonix, all set against breathtaking peaks. We’ll explore the Dolomites, the Swiss Alps, and Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. You’ll have the chance to ride the world’s highest cable car, embark on hiking or biking excursions, and enjoy scenic trails while breathing in the crisp mountain air.
Then, we’ll head to the Italian coast, where you can relax on the beach, hike the famous Five City Hike, or stroll through charming coastal towns. We’ll also stop at Pisa to see the iconic Leaning Tower.
To conclude our journey, we'll visit Rome, where we'll toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, climb the Spanish Steps, and have an opportunity to explore the historic Vatican and Sistine Chapel during the once-in-25-year Jubilee (Giubileo). We'll also visit iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and enjoy gelato while people-watching at Piazza Navona before our adventure comes to an end.
Tentative Itinerary
Day 1 | Fly from PDX to Milan, Italy |
Day 2 | Arrive in Milan. Afternoon to get settled & explore |
Day 3 | Milan |
Day 4 | Day trip to Lake Como |
Day 5 | Travel to Bolzano |
Day 6 | Hike the Dolomites |
Day 7 | Free day in Bolzano |
Day 8 | Travel to Gindelwald, Switzerland |
Day 9 | Grindelwald hike & downhill adventure |
Day 10 | Free day in Grindelwald |
Day 11 | Travel to Chamonix, France |
Day 12 | Mont Blanc exploration & cable car |
Day 13 | Free day in Chamonix |
Day 14 | Transport to Cinque Terre |
Day 15 | Five City Hike |
Day 16 | Free day in Cinque Terre |
Day 17 | Travel to Pisa, then on to Rome |
Day 18 | Rome |
Day 19 | Rome |
Day 20 | Free day in Rome, group dinner |
Day 21 | Fly back to PDX |