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.

Fashion: Made in Italy
On a walking tour of Via Tornabuoni, the high-end fashion area of Florence, journey through Italian fashion history, with an emphasis on Italian design and designers from the 1950s to the present: Gucci, Ferragamo, Cavalli and Tod’s. Visit the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum.

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.

Siena
Visit the enchanting city of Siena, known for its pedestrian-friendly streets, amazing shell-shaped Campo, red-brick lanes and the summer celebrations in the main square.

San Gimignano
Explore the medieval architecture in what is known as the Town of Fine Towers. Walk along the city walls and see the breathtaking scenic views of the surrounding hills and valley.

Viareggio
Visit 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 Florence.

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 NH Laguna Palace or Antony Hotel.

The Amalfi Coast: Sorrento, Capri & Positano
Swim in the grottos of Capri and tan on Positano’s Marina Grande beach, taking full advantage of its delicious cafés and restaurants, admiring the terracotta tiled roofs and enjoying the perfect lunch and resting spot.

Accommodations: Hotel Cesare Augusto

Pompeii
The Forgotten City! Explore ancient ruins of Pompeii buried in volcanic ash when Vesuvius erupted 1,900 years ago. These excavated ruins offer a fascinating and unforgettable view of history.

Rome
Enjoy La Dolce Vita during your grand finale in Italy’s capital. Visit the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Colosseum. Whether discovering Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel or enjoying some pasta in Piazza Navona, you will visit all of the must-see places in the Eternal City.

Accommodations: Best Western Hotel President