Renewable Energy in Germany & Switzerland
Germany is currently leading the way when it comes to making meaningful energy saving changes.
And Switzerland isn’t far behind. Together, these Alpine advocates are using solar, wind and biomass resources in an effort to make more sustainable choices. Visit the kind of solar parks that make these ideologies possible, and even take a two-hour solar energy powered boat cruise.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Germany
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Day 2: Frankfurt • Darmstadt • Heidelberg
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTravel via Darmstadt, known as a high-tech center with various industries, on your way to Heidelberg
Stop to take a photo at Hundertwasser's Waldspirale, a colorful U-shaped building that features more than 1,000 windows (no two are alike), rounded corners, and gilded onion domes
Enjoy dinner in Heidelberg
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Day 3: Heidelberg
Tour Heidelberg with your Tour Director
Ride a funicular up to Heidelberg Castle, and stand beside the enormous wine barrel—it’s so large that a dance floor was once built on top of it for visitors’ amusement
Enjoy a boat cruise powered by solar energy
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Day 4: Heidelberg • Freiburg
Travel to FreiburgSpend a half day participating in activities at the Innovation Academy, where you can learn firsthand about the area’s many innovations in renewable energy, solar power, and ecological agriculture
Enjoy dinner in Freiburg
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Day 5: Freiburg
Take a solar energy-themed guided tour of Freiburg, which prides itself on being an eco-city and only permits construction of low-energy buildings on municipal land
Industry Engagement: Attend a lecture at the Innovation Academy, a non-profit association that focuses on the issue of climate protection
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Day 6: Freiburg • Lucerne region
Travel via Breitnau to the Lucerne region
Visit Hofgut Sternen or Bioenergy Breitnau where you will learn about green energy practices
Take a walking tour of Lucerne
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Lion Monument, a sandstone statue commemorating the Swiss Guards slain in the 1792 Paris storming of the Tuileries
- Kapellbrücke, a covered bridge dating back to medieval days adorned with colorful murals overhead
Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Lucerne region
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Day 7: Lucerne region
Take a tour of the Grimsel Power Plant and get an up-close view of Switzerland’s alternative power source
Add this in-depth excursion:
Swiss Alps experience
This exciting half-day adventure takes you to the top of one of the Swiss Alps, the majestic mountainous backdrop of Lucerne. Journey to the base of the mountain by boat and ride a cog railway to the top. You’ll reach the summit and be rewarded with a splendid panorama of Lucerne, its lake, and the glorious snow-capped Alps. On a clear day, you can see for more than 200 miles! You’ll get back to the foot of the mountain by way of a gondola ride. (Please note: Mountains can be cold, even in summer; warm clothes and appropriate shoes are recommended.)
Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Lucerne region
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Day 8: Lucerne region
Take an excursion to Entlebuch
Take a guided tour of the Entlebuch Biosphere, a natural reserve at the foot of the Alps which includes the valley of the Little Emme River between Berne and Lucerne
Spend the afternoon exploring Lucerne on your own
Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Lucerne region
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Day 9: Lucerne region • Zurich
Travel to Zurich
Take a walking tour of Zurich with your Tour Director and see its quaint Old Town, its waterfront promenades, and take in its eclectic mix of architectural styles
Spend a half day exploring Zurich on your own
Enjoy dinner in Zurich
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Day 10: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Germany
-
Day 2: Frankfurt • Darmstadt • Heidelberg
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTravel via Darmstadt, known as a high-tech center with various industries, on your way to Heidelberg
Stop to take a photo at Hundertwasser's Waldspirale, a colorful U-shaped building that features more than 1,000 windows (no two are alike), rounded corners, and gilded onion domes
Enjoy dinner in Heidelberg
-
Day 3: Heidelberg
Tour Heidelberg with your Tour Director
Ride a funicular up to Heidelberg Castle, and stand beside the enormous wine barrel—it’s so large that a dance floor was once built on top of it for visitors’ amusement
Enjoy a boat cruise powered by solar energy
-
Day 4: Heidelberg • Freiburg
Travel to FreiburgSpend a half day participating in activities at the Innovation Academy, where you can learn firsthand about the area’s many innovations in renewable energy, solar power, and ecological agriculture
Enjoy dinner in Freiburg
-
Day 5: Freiburg
Take a solar energy-themed guided tour of Freiburg, which prides itself on being an eco-city and only permits construction of low-energy buildings on municipal land
Industry Engagement: Attend a lecture at the Innovation Academy, a non-profit association that focuses on the issue of climate protection
-
Day 6: Freiburg • Lucerne region
Travel via Breitnau to the Lucerne region
Visit Hofgut Sternen or Bioenergy Breitnau where you will learn about green energy practices
Take a walking tour of Lucerne
With your Tour Director you will see:
- Lion Monument, a sandstone statue commemorating the Swiss Guards slain in the 1792 Paris storming of the Tuileries
- Kapellbrücke, a covered bridge dating back to medieval days adorned with colorful murals overhead
Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Lucerne region
-
Day 7: Lucerne region
Take a tour of the Grimsel Power Plant and get an up-close view of Switzerland’s alternative power source
Add this in-depth excursion:
Swiss Alps experience
This exciting half-day adventure takes you to the top of one of the Swiss Alps, the majestic mountainous backdrop of Lucerne. Journey to the base of the mountain by boat and ride a cog railway to the top. You’ll reach the summit and be rewarded with a splendid panorama of Lucerne, its lake, and the glorious snow-capped Alps. On a clear day, you can see for more than 200 miles! You’ll get back to the foot of the mountain by way of a gondola ride. (Please note: Mountains can be cold, even in summer; warm clothes and appropriate shoes are recommended.)
Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Lucerne region
-
Day 8: Lucerne region
Take an excursion to Entlebuch
Take a guided tour of the Entlebuch Biosphere, a natural reserve at the foot of the Alps which includes the valley of the Little Emme River between Berne and Lucerne
Spend the afternoon exploring Lucerne on your own
Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Lucerne region
-
Day 9: Lucerne region • Zurich
Travel to Zurich
Take a walking tour of Zurich with your Tour Director and see its quaint Old Town, its waterfront promenades, and take in its eclectic mix of architectural styles
Spend a half day exploring Zurich on your own
Enjoy dinner in Zurich
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Day 10: Depart for home
Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness
This trip was a great experience. The tour had the perfect balance of culture and technical information. I would strongly recommend everyone to go on this tour, not only to learn about the renewable energy ...Best Trip Ever
Your experience includes
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Round-trip airfare
Your price includes round-trip airfare for your whole group
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Accommodations
Safe, comfortable hotels with private bathrooms will be waiting for you at your destination.
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On-tour transportation
Land transportation
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Regional-style meals
Daily breakfasts and select local dinners are included in your program. Generally, we leave lunch up to you so your group has an opportunity to explore its own tastes.
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End-to-end support
Your team helps to secure administrative approval and academic credit, provides recruiting tools and helps establish your program's ongoing presence on campus.
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Full-time Tour Director
Your Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all program logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert Local Guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and enhancing teaching moments wherever your curriculum takes you.
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Guided sightseeing
Gain insider knowledge and cultural perspective from licensed local guides who join your group for select experiences on tour.
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Entrances
Heidelberg Castle wine barrel, Green energy visit, Green energy project, Solar boat cruise, Grimsel Power Plant, Entlebuch Biosphere
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Worldwide support, safety and security
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide. We provide 24-hour emergency support service along with a comprehensive $50 million liability policy that covers you and your institution while abroad.
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Flexible payment options
Give more students the opportunity to study abroad by offering them two different payment plan options, along with our TripFunder website to help fundraise for the program.
