Flight to Florence, Italy
Participants on this program have the option to fly overseas on our chaperoned flight that leaves in the evening from the New York area to Florence. Our staff will be with you from the time you check-in onward. For the many travelers from outside the New York area, you can choose to join the chaperoned flight and we are happy to assist you with arranging connecting flights at suitable times into New York; or if you prefer, you may meet us in Florence and we will help you coordinate your flight and times and greet you after you proceed through immigration and customs.

Return Flight Home from Florence, Italy
For the 21-day program return flight from Florence, our leaders help you to check in and remain in the airport until flights in designated times have departed. They then remain in Italy for the duration of the longer 28-day program and chaperone that flight home. Depending on the number of students departing after 21 days, one staff may chaperone that flight as well.

Food & Meals
A big part of your Pre-College Enrichment program’s success depends on how well you eat. We are proud of the fact that year after year we are complimented for our quality, quantity and choice of food! Breakfasts are eaten in the residence and at hotels. For dinners, there will be occasions when the whole group eats together at the same restaurant. When not dining together, we will divide into smaller groups to sample some smaller authentic restaurants and a variety of cuisines. For lunches, you enjoy the choice of eating in smaller groups and choosing from local cafés and restaurants. Food options are varied and plentiful; taste fresh pasta, mouthwatering pizza, delightful gelato, fresh fruits and vegetables and so much more. But don’t worry, they also have North American style options on the menu.

We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.

Laundry
You will only need one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. You will have the opportunity to do laundry at your convenience by either dropping off your laundry at a local wash and fold service and then pick it up clean, folded and ready to go or you may do laundry in your residence.

What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, recreation & entertainment listed, day and weekend excursions, application fee, fitness club and pool club membership, Wi-Fi in residence, campus identification fee, classes (supplementary fees may apply for some courses) airport transfers in designated times, gratuities & taxes.

Not included is transportation to and from the program, lunches, snacks, personal spending money for souvenirs, and laundry. We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.

Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to hear from you!

Workshop: Basic Italian Phrases
Learn basic phrases to help your daily interactions with the locals.

The Italian Gastronomy Experience
Visit the central food market and historic cafés and food vendors. With tastings of local products, gain an overview of the social and cultural aspects of typical Italian food such as extra virgin olive oil and prosciutto.

Climb the Duomo Tower
This magnificent Renaissance dome was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and its cathedral is named in honor of Santa Maria del Fiore. The best way to see the dome, and all of Florence, is to climb to the top of the cupola. Get ready to climb the 463 steps to the top, with close views of the interior of the dome and Giorgio Vasari’s The Last Judgment fresco painting being featured along the way!

Boat Ride on the Arno River
Enjoy a cruise down the Arno River and rediscover Florence seen from aboard your barchetto, a traditional Florentine boat.

Make Your Own Pasta Italian Dinner
We know how important pasta is in the Italian Diet; enjoy this hands-on workshop on how to make fresh egg pasta with various accompanying sauces. Students will work in groups to prepare the menu and dine on their creations at the end of the lesson.

Uffizi Museum Visit
The Uffizi Gallery displays a variety of masterpieces, roughly in chronological order, along a U-shaped Renaissance building. The collections feature a series of Gothic and Renaissance works from artists such as Botticelli and Giotto. Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci are among the many artists who boast artwork in the Uffizi’s halls. Maybe this visit will inspire you to become the Uffizi’s next upcoming artist!

Florence Leather Demonstration and Market Visit
See products being made and a short lesson on leather quality. This visit is followed by free time to check out the leather market.

Explore the Boboli Gardens
The Boboli gardens are considered to be Florence’s best open-air museum. Neighboring the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens host centuries-old oak trees, sculptures and fountains. You may even notice that, in time, these gardens have inspired many royal European gardens, including Versailles.

Galleria dell’Accademia Guided Tour
This gallery is Florence’s second most visited museum, after the Uffizi Gallery. Within the gallery resides the original statue of Michelangelo’s famous David, which has become the most admired work of art in all of Florence’s museums. Also, don’t miss out on admiring the many Florentine paintings from the 13th and 16th centuries.

Guided City Tour to Include:

Piazza della Repubblica
In modern-day Florence, this square comes alive with a variation of street artists and shows, especially during the evenings. It is home to several historical cafés that were important meeting spots for many of the city’s artists and writers in the past. The plaza was predominantly designed in a Medieval style which is still evident today.

Piazza della Signoria
This plaza was actually home to Michelangelo’s David before it was moved to the Galleria dell’Accademia. It has been the center of political life in Florence since the 14th century. Many notable sculptures adorn the plaza, such as a replica of Michelangelo’s David, Baccio Bandinello’s Hercules and Cacus and the Neptune Fountain.

Oltrarno District
The Oltrarno district is located directly across the River Arno and features some of the region’s top sights. Within the Oltrarno district is the Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens and the Brancacci Chapel. This area is also well-known for its popular museums and artwork. When in Oltrarno, you will find it hard to miss out on the plentiful Tuscan cuisine at many of the local eateries.

Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, is known as an everlasting symbol of Florence. Considered to be one of the most famous bridges in the world, it is a Medieval stone three-arch bridge over the River Arno with shops built along it.

Medici Riccardi Palace
Visit the first Renaissance building to be constructed in Florence! The Medici family lived at Palazzo Medici until 1540 and the next residents to move in were the Riccardi family. In 1489, this is where 14-year-old Michelangelo came to live as a teenage artist under the mentorship of Lorenzo de Medici. If you love artwork, the palace itself is filled with iconic frescoes, sculptures and grandiose décor.

Cinque Terre
Marvel at coastal views of unparalleled beauty. The “five lands” are made up of quaint fishing villages built into the clifftops overlooking the sea. Soak up the sun, eat some pesto or hike in the protected UNESCO National Park that joins one village to another.

Pisa
Take pictures and be intrigued by the famous Leaning Tower.

Viareggio
Spend the afternoon at the beach while visiting this beautiful seaside city. Enjoy dinner at an outdoor local café for a traditional Tuscan meal as you take in the views of the sea.

Fiesole
Located just outside of Florence, the Tuscan village of Fiesole offers some of the most breathtaking views of Florence from the Fiesolean hills! See if you can spot the top of the Duomo!

Piazza San Marco
Also known as St. Mark’s Square, this is the principal public square of Venice. Over time, it has famously been called “the drawing room of Europe.” See why as you observe the unusual and stunning design of the Basilica San Marco that sits at the east end of the square. Look right next door to find the illustrious Doges’ Palace, the late headquarters of the Doges, the rulers of Venice.

Doges’ Palace
Did you know that Doges’ Palace houses the largest oil painting in the world? As the original center of the Venetian Republic, this palace acted as the seat of the Venetian government, the home of secret police and the justice courts. Feel like Venetian royalty as you explore the Gothic architecture and elegant artwork.

Rialto Bridge
Walk across the most famous of the bridges that cross the Grand Canal. Architect, Antonio da Ponte, competed against designers Michelangelo and Palladio for the contract, so you know it has to be impressive. As you pass through the three walkways, venture through the rows of small shops that sell jewelry, linens, Murano glass and other souvenir items.

Murano Glass Blowing
Although glass blowing used to be done in Venice until 1291, the Venetian Republic ordered all of the glass makers to relocate to Murano. Witness this traditional craft being done in real life by artisans who may have belonged to some of the same families that have passed this craft down for centuries. You will be seeing this well-known and internationally respected tradition come to life!

Gondola Ride
Centuries ago, Gondolas were the main method of transportation for Venetians. Today, experiencing a Gondola ride in Venice is a must-do item on many travelers’ bucket lists and is still one of the only ways to reach certain areas of Venice. Enjoy your ride through the canals on the ultimate Venetian transport!

Accommodations: While in Venice, you will stay at Staycity Mestre.