Rome

With an almost uninterrupted history as an important center of power for more than two millennia, Rome is as close to eternal as it gets. The “Eternal City” was once the administrative center of the mighty Roman Empire, governing a vast region that stretched all the way from Britain to Mesopotamia. Today, it remains the seat of the Italian government and the world’s biggest open air museum.

Cinque Terre & Lucca

The Cinque Terre, five villages hidden in little coastal inlets and clinging to the rocks overhanging the sea, are located near the Ligure Riviera. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore form the heart of the National Park, proclaimed a monument to the heritage of mankind by UNESCO.

Lucca is a provincial town rich in history, tradition, and culture, but it is also a premium tourist attraction. The town is unique for its intact 16th-century walls that surround the historical center, isolating it from the modern suburbs so that walking along its narrow streets (now a pedestrian area), one forgets about time, enjoying a much slower pace. There are numerous monuments, elegant palaces, churches and squares that make this town so beautiful. Examples include the Guinigi tower, the Amphitheater, the Holy Cross in the cathedral of San Martino and the National Museum of Palazzo Mansi.

Venice & Verona

Venice is one of the most well-known and romantic cities in the world. Famous for the canals and beautiful Piazza San Marco, the city welcomes visitors and scholars to explore its winding streets, walk the numerous bridges connecting section to section, and to soak up the magic of this city on the water. From the 13th to the 17th centuries, Venice was one of the most important cities in Europe. Its strategic location made Venice an important center of trade between the East and the West, and art and culture blossomed as well, leaving a legacy of amazing artistic and architectural treasures to discover throughout the winding streets and canals.

Verona was home to most famous lovers in history: Romeo and Juliet (visitors can still find their famous balcony here). Today’s Verona has much more to offer than just references to Shakespeare, including the Roman Amphitheater (which is still used today for operas), the market at Piazza delle Erbe (once the Roman forum), and the medieval streets by the Adige river. Lake Garda is the biggest of the pre-Alpine lakes and the largest in Italy. The beauty of the countryside, the Mediterranean vegetation (vineyards, olive groves and citrus orchards), and its mild climate make Lake Garda one of the most thriving health and tourist centers in the country. One can find remnants of many different historical periods in the cities and villages around the lake, such as Roman ruins, medieval churches and beautiful liberty villas.

Bologna

Bologna is the regional capital of Emilia-Romagna. It reached the height of its power in 1249 with the victory of the Fossalta battle when King Enzo, son of the Emperor Frederic II, was taken prisoner. In the 16th century, the town fell once and for all under the power of the Papal State, while at the same time maintaining its own ancient magistracies, and its own ambassador in Rome. In the charming historical center, among the best preserved in the world, many ancient palaces and churches stand as witness to the cultural relevance that Bologna has had over the course of the centuries.

Rome

With an almost uninterrupted history as an important center of power for more than two millennia, Rome is as close to eternal as it gets. The “Eternal City” was once the administrative center of the mighty Roman Empire, governing a vast region that stretched all the way from Britain to Mesopotamia. Today, it remains the seat of the Italian government and the world’s biggest open air museum.

Cinque Terre & Lucca

The Cinque Terre, five villages hidden in little coastal inlets and clinging to the rocks overhanging the sea, are located near the Ligure Riviera. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore form the heart of the National Park, proclaimed a monument to the heritage of mankind by UNESCO.

Lucca is a provincial town rich in history, tradition, and culture, but it is also a premium tourist attraction. The town is unique for its intact 16th-century walls that surround the historical center, isolating it from the modern suburbs so that walking along its narrow streets (now a pedestrian area), one forgets about time, enjoying a much slower pace. There are numerous monuments, elegant palaces, churches and squares that make this town so beautiful. Examples include the Guinigi tower, the Amphitheater, the Holy Cross in the cathedral of San Martino and the National Museum of Palazzo Mansi.

Venice & Verona

Venice is one of the most well-known and romantic cities in the world. Famous for the canals and beautiful Piazza San Marco, the city welcomes visitors and scholars to explore its winding streets, walk the numerous bridges connecting section to section, and to soak up the magic of this city on the water. From the 13th to the 17th centuries, Venice was one of the most important cities in Europe. Its strategic location made Venice an important center of trade between the East and the West, and art and culture blossomed as well, leaving a legacy of amazing artistic and architectural treasures to discover throughout the winding streets and canals.

Verona was home to most famous lovers in history: Romeo and Juliet (visitors can still find their famous balcony here). Today’s Verona has much more to offer than just references to Shakespeare, including the Roman Amphitheater (which is still used today for operas), the market at Piazza delle Erbe (once the Roman forum), and the medieval streets by the Adige river. Lake Garda is the biggest of the pre-Alpine lakes and the largest in Italy. The beauty of the countryside, the Mediterranean vegetation (vineyards, olive groves and citrus orchards), and its mild climate make Lake Garda one of the most thriving health and tourist centers in the country. One can find remnants of many different historical periods in the cities and villages around the lake, such as Roman ruins, medieval churches and beautiful liberty villas.

Under the Tuscan Sun

Experience the best that the Tuscan region has to offer! Have the chance to explore Siena and more cities in the surrounding area, enjoy thermal baths, and top off your experience with a wine tasting in the famous Chianti region.

Bologna

Bologna is the regional capital of Emilia-Romagna. It reached the height of its power in 1249 with the victory of the Fossalta battle when King Enzo, son of the Emperor Frederic II, was taken prisoner. In the 16th century, the town fell once and for all under the power of the Papal State, while at the same time maintaining its own ancient magistracies, and its own ambassador in Rome. In the charming historical center, among the best preserved in the world, many ancient palaces and churches stand as witness to the cultural relevance that Bologna has had over the course of the centuries.

Rome

With an almost uninterrupted history as an important center of power for more than two millennia, Rome is as close to eternal as it gets. Located on the River Tiber, between the Apennine Mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea, the “Eternal City” was once the administrative center of the mighty Roman Empire, governing a vast region that stretched all the way from Britain to Mesopotamia. Today it remains the seat of the Italian government. One must be prepared to step into the world’s biggest open air museum – the Vatican, the Coliseum, the neighborhoods – and be enraptured.

Venice & Venetian Islands

Venice is one of the most well-known and romantic cities in the world. Famous for the canals and beautiful Piazza San Marco, the city welcomes visitors and scholars to explore its winding streets, walk the numerous bridges connecting section to section, and to soak up the magic of this city on the water. From the 13th to the 17th centuries, Venice was one of the most important cities in Europe. Its strategic location made Venice an important center of trade between the East and the West, and art and culture blossomed as well, leaving a legacy of amazing artistic and architectural treasures to discover throughout the winding streets and canals. During this trip, students will also visit the Venetian islands of Murano and Burano.

Under the Tuscan Sun

Experience the best that the Tuscan region has to offer! Have the chance to explore Siena and more cities in the surrounding area, enjoy thermal baths, and top off your experience with a wine tasting in the famous Chianti region.