Italy & Germany

Arrive at Newark Airport (EWR) where you’ll meet your Rustic Pathways Flight Leader, who will help get you checked in and through security before traveling with your group to Italy. Get acquainted with fellow Rustic travelers before boarding your flight. Get some rest on the flight because this is going to be a great week!

Arrive in Italy and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. We’ll head directly to our castle-like base house to settle in and relax with an authentic Italian pizza dinner.

We’ll share rooms, separated by gender, with private bathrooms. Our spacious and comfortable accommodations will be where we can recharge and connect during our exciting adventure.

In the morning, we’ll recover from jet lag by relaxing by the pool and playing soccer while enjoying pastries and cappuccinos from a local pasticceria.

Then we’ll head to the historic and beautiful city of Verona to explore its long lost frescoes, ancient Roman arena and riverside views.

More than just Romeo & Juliet, Verona is a sparkling Renaissance city. We’ll spend the day exploring famous sights, eating delicious food, and soaking up the unmatched ambience of an Italian city in the summer. We’ll find delicious food, friendly faces, and enchanting views everywhere we turn.

Today we’ll start the day by building up an appetite. Trek through a regional park in the Euganean Hills, searching for the archeological remains of walled cities and other fortifications. Break for lunch and then launch into more service time. Joining forces with local residents, work up a sweat as the impact of our service work grows. Top it off with a refreshing Italian gelato in the local village.

We’ll spend the day exploring one of the world’s most unique and architecturally stunning cities. Built upon over 100 small islands separated by a series of waterways and canals and linked by over 400 bridges, “The Floating City” will not disappoint. Take a walking tour of Venice’s historic streets, viewing sights such as Saint Mark’s Basilica, the Rialto Bridge, and Doge’s Palace. Take a trip to the morning market to see where Venetians have shopped for their food for centuries. Complete the day with a once-in-a-lifetime gondola ride along the Grand Canal.

Dive into more pool time and games in the morning. Gather some regionally-grown ingredients since it’s time to learn the art of pasta! With the help of local farmers, we’ll learn how to make dough just like nonna, and how to cut different shapes and make a variety of classic sauces. After all that hands-on work, we get to eat our handiwork. Che buona!

Today we’ll explore Lake Garda, famous for its breathtaking views and crystal clear water. Before hitting the beaches, we’ll travel back in time and visit a medieval fortress on the shore of Lake Garda. After appreciating how people have gathered here for centuries, we’ll enjoy the cool water that will be a welcome break from the warm sunny weather of the week so far.

Tonight, we’ll relax at the base house with an evening bonfire where we’ll roast marshmallows and reminisce on our highlights so far. As the Italy portion of this program comes to an end, we say goodbye to some friends as they head home or on to another Rustic Pathways program. We’ll participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share back home.

Your Program Leaders will help you have a relaxing day at the base house where you can do some laundry and rest up for the continuing adventures in Germany. Tomorrow we make our way to Munich!

Get ready for an exhilarating two days in Munich! After settling into your cozy accommodations, dive right into the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Start your adventure at Marienplatz, where the iconic Glockenspiel comes to life, captivating onlookers with its charming show. Then, wander through the bustling Viktualienmarkt, a foodie’s paradise brimming with fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and tempting treats. With each step, you’ll discover Munich’s rich history and lively culture, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience!

Today we will transfer to the famous BMW museum where you will get to witness the amazing history and development of the brand over the years. We will head back in town to relax and have a picnic at one of the largest inner city parks in the world, Englischer Garten. Where you get to witness people from all over the world try their hand at urban river surfing.

Get ready for an exhilarating journey to Bad Reichenhall, your perfect alpine base for adventure! Nestled in stunning mountain scenery, this charming town offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. From here, prepare for an adrenaline-pumping rafting experience on the spectacular Saalach River! Feel the rush as you navigate thrilling rapids, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and the sound of rushing water.
Stroll through picturesque streets, where stunning alpine views and quaint architecture create a perfect backdrop. We will enjoy a delicious lunch at a traditional German food hall, where you can try the local specialities. We will unwind at our cozy basehouse, enjoying some well-deserved downtime to recharge for the next few days.

Get ready for an exhilarating day in Salzburg, where stunning baroque architecture and rich history come alive! We will stroll through the charming Old Town, where picturesque streets are lined with vibrant shops and cafes and explore the beautiful Mirabell Gardens, bursting with colorful blooms and perfectly manicured landscapes.

On our final day in Bavaria we will hop on a ferry and glide across the stunning emerald waters of Lake Königssee, surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks. Our adventure takes us to the iconic St. Bartholomew’s Church, where we’ll enjoy a delightful picnic lunch with jaw-dropping views that will leave you in awe. Afterward, embark on a short hike that reveals stunning panoramas above the water, each step offering a new breathtaking perspective. As the day winds down, we’ll head back to the basehouse for a cozy final night together, sharing stories and memories under the alpine sky.
We’ll participate in Rustic Ties, to capture the memories and learning moments of the program to process and share back home.

Today we will wake up and travel back to Munich to catch your flight back home or on to your next adventure!