ITALY

Venice, Florence, Rome, and Cinque Terre

A maze of canals and bridges, Venice is completely inaccessible by car and must be experienced at least once in a lifetime. Explore the San Marco Basilica and take the steep staircase up to the rook to see Piazza San Marco, below. What’s a visit to Venice without a Gondola ride? Take your class on a fleet of gondolas for a tour of the city on the waterways it was built upon.

In Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, become mesmerized by Brunelleschi’s Duomo in the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. Visit the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge, and shop at the jewelry stands that have been there since the days of the Medicis. Study the masterpieces of the Galleria delgi Uffizi by the greats such as Michelangelo, Boticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci, or head over to the Galleria dell’ Academia to visit David. Learn how to create an authentic Florentine pizza, finish off with real Italian gelato and then work off that meal with a bike ride through the Tuscan countryside.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, so spend a few in the historic city! Visit the Pantheon and the Colosseum, and follow a guided tour of the largest remaining Roman amphitheater, which once hosted the Gladiators. Explore Vatican City and crane your neck to see Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Hang out on the Spanish Steps with gelato in hand, and, before you leave the Eternal City, make sure to toss three coins into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish to return!

Fall in love with the beautiful Coastal villages of Cinque Terre. Undisturbed by the noice and pollution of cars, all five fishing villages are accessible by walking trails and inland trains. Breathe in the scent of Mediterranean herbs mixed with the sea’s salty spray. Experience the Italian lifestyle in any of the five fishing villages tucked away on coastal cliffs.