Recreation & Culture Week

Set between the two SIS program sessions, Recreation & Culture Week opens the door for teens to explore the lands of Europe beyond Leysin. SIS students 13 and older can immerse themselves in a new country and culture during a week-long supervised Highlight Tour. Countries visited in the past have included France, Italy, England, Austria, and Germany, as well as new areas of Switzerland not visited during the regular sessions. Some students may require Schengen or UK visas to participate, which need to be obtained prior to arrival.

Included in each tour:

• All travel (private bus or van, plane or trains)
• Accommodation and breakfast
• Evening meals
• Admission fees to museums and sights
• Guides
• Other scheduled events

Sample Highlight Tours:

England (emphasizes theatre)

• London: Visits to popular sights such as Madame Tussaud’s Waxworks Museum, The Tower of London, a day trip to Stonehenge, time to shop, and see a West End show
• Stratford-upon-Avon, Home of Shakespeare: see a Shakespeare play, take a trip to nearby Oxford, home of the famous university

Italy

• Florence, Renaissance City of Art and Architecture: See the Duomo, masterpieces by Michelangelo, Fra Angelica, Botticelli and many others. There will also be a day trip to the Roman town of Siena and time to shop
• Venice: Gondolas on the Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Cathedral, and Murano glass exhibit and factory
• Pisa: Leaning Tower, the baptistery and cathedral

France

• Paris, the “must see” for any visitor to France: Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum (home of the Mona Lisa), the Latin Quarter, D’Orsay Museum (with many great Impressionist paintings), Pompidou Center and time to shop
• Versailles: Royal palace and parks with Hall of Mirrors, fountains, and formal gardens
• Loire Valley: Summer residences of the kings and members of the nobility of the 17th and 18th century France, visiting a variety of castles in the region

Germany

• Munich, via the beautiful Lake Constance. After enjoying Munich’s old town and gardens there is a chance to discover the Neuschwanstein Castle in the scenic region of Bavaria, as well as other music festivals in the region.

Austria

This tour focuses on music and visits Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg. As well as enjoying world-class concerts in historical settings, there will be chances for participants to explore other places of interest and see other music festivals in the region.

Switzerland

This tour features places not visited during the regular SIS program. No additional visa will be required, as this tour will not leave the country.

• Schaffhausen and Zurich: Tour the Old City, and the waterfalls at Schaffhausen. Also visit the excellent Science Museum in Winterhur.
• Lugano, beautiful Italian region of Switzerland: Alprose Chocolate Factory, swimming and a boat ride on Lake Lugano with a visit to Villa Helleneum museum, also visit the city of Locarno.

Outdoor Leadership Adventure

Students who are enrolled in the SIS Outdoor Leadership Adventure concentration during the three-week session will participate in the following during Recreation and Culture Week:

• Explore the Alps by hiking to Alpine huts
• Learn about the unique Alpine Environment
• See local Alpine fauna and flora
• Spend time in a Swiss town or city, such as Interlaken, enjoying a boat trip on the lakes and doing some shopping