Program Overview
Organized by Travel For Teens and Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, this Italian cultural immersion will have you discovering the best of Italy’s mouthwatering cuisine, awe-inspiring art, charming villas and vineyards, fascinating history and ruins, and renowned shopping.
Our first stop is Venice – a dreamlike city of bridges and canals unlike any other in the world. Then it’s off to discover the Renaissance city of Florence, home to Michelangelo’s David, the famous leather markets, and the world-famous Uffizi art gallery. Climb to the top of the Duomo for a breathtaking view of the whole city, and of course, no trip to Italy would be complete without undertaking TFT’s famous gelato challenge!
Our final stop will have us stepping back in time to Ancient Rome, where we will discover the Colosseum and Roman Forum, wander through medieval Italy in Trastevere after spending our morning in the Vatican City. While we’re in the Eternal City, we’ll head south to visit the ancient city of Pompeii and marvel at the ruins that were covered by ash during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD.
This program is open to Plymouth Whitemarsh students in 9th-12th grade. There are a limited number spaces for the trip which are available on a first come first serve basis.
During this trip, you will…
- Discover the real Venice at a local glass blowing workshop in Murano
- Visit the culinary capital of Italy and indulge in the finest balsamic vinegar, prosciutto, and local cheeses
- Guarantee your return to Rome with a coin tossed into the Trevi Fountain
- Stroll across the famous Ponte Vecchio and experience the Renaissance city of Florence
- Wander through the vast interior of St. Peter’s Basilica and stare in awe at Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel
- Discover the ancient ruins and marvel at the Colosseum in Rome
- Climb the Duomo for incredible views of Florence
- Explore local neighborhoods of Rome in search of the best artisan pizza
- Visit the ancient city of Pompeii and marvel at the ruins that were covered by ash during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM THE USA
Group flight departs from Philadelphia (PHL) for Venice!
DAYS 2-3: VENICE
Upon your arrival in Venice, you’ll be greeted at the airport by your Travel For Teens guides, who will accompany you for the duration of your journey. We’ll head out immediately to discover the incredible city of Venice – you’ll be amazed at the splendor of the Grand Canal lined with crumbling, decadent palaces. We will wander the city’s tangled streets, marveling at the colors and reflections that only Venice can offer. Marvel at the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica in the central square. Visit the classic Venetian Gothic-style Palace of the Doges, which was the seat of the Doge, the supreme authority in the Republic of Venice. This striking structure set along the edge of St Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal is has been converted into a massive internationally renowned museum.
Check out the Peggy Guggenheim Museum showcasing the eccentric Peggy’s private collection of unique modern art at the former villa where she spent many years amassing a huge array of art from legends like Pollock, Picasso and Dali. Venture to the island of Murano, the center of the ancient glassmaking industry and learn about first hand at an authentic Venetian workshop. Fall in love with the splendors of this Italian city in the lagoon that will surely leave its mark on you.
DAYS 4-5 : PARMA > FLORENCE
While we’re heading towards Florence, we’ll stop along the way in the city of Parma. Also knows as the birthplace of parmesan, we’ll learn more about balsamic vinegar, parmesan, and Italian cuisine!
Then it’s time to discover Firenze, the city most often referred to as an outdoor museum. Every turn in this beautiful city reveals a new statue, fountain or fresco. In the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, we’ll see Michelangelo’s famous “David,” climb to the top of the Duomo, and visit the Uffizi Museum, which houses the best collection of Italian Renaissance art in the world. Art and culture are not all that are in store for us in Florence, however. We’ll shop in the city’s famous markets and go to an exclusive event at one of the best leather shops in the city. We’ll enjoy the best pizzeria in the city and challenge ourselves to go all the way on TFT’s famous gelato tour!
DAYS 6-7: ROME
Then we’re off to the Eternal City, where a long and mighty history awaits us. As the city streets buzz with antiquity around every corner, you’ll be in awe as we transport ourselves thousands of years back in time while exploring the most important monuments and structures. From the Colosseum, where we’ll try to imagine the bloody spectacle of gladiator competition, to the Roman Forum, which once housed the ancient city’s bustling center and main marketplace. There’s no better way to learn about the Roman Empire than with a view of the city from atop the Palatine Hill–the very place where it all began.
We’ll then fast-forward to the Renaissance, crossing the Tiber to Vatican City and marvel at the massive basilica dedicated to St. Peter. We’ll lose ourselves in the Vatican’s extensive collection of artistic masterpieces from the ancient world to the present day, culminating with a look at Michelangelo’s elaborate ceiling frescos in the Sistine Chapel. We’ll stroll down the Tiber and venture slightly off the beaten path to Trastevere, one of Rome’s hippest neighborhoods, to see the local Romans in action and indulge in some of the best food in the city, including fresh homemade pastas and pizza “al taglio.”
DAY 8: DAY TRIP TO POMPEII
While we’re enjoying our time in Rome, we’ll head a bit further south to discover the archaeological site of Pompeii. Nestled in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius, Pompeii was a thriving ancient Roman port town that was frozen in time when it was buried under a deep layer of ash and pumice during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. Step back in time while exploring these towns and learn about the daily life there before the volcanic devastation. Our expert guides will teach you the historic tales of this beautiful city, and you’ll even get to see the plaster castings of the people who were found there.
DAY 9: ROME
Our tour in Italy ends in the Eternal City, where we’ll shop on the famous Via del Corso, toss a coin over our shoulders into the Trevi Fountain, and hang out on the Spanish Steps enjoying a classic Roman night of simply relaxing in the summer air of a beautiful piazza.
DAY 10: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
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Informational Meeting Details
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Frequently Asked Question
Who is Travel For Teens?
We are in our 21st year in the teen travel business and have emerged as the industry leader for teen travel in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. We operate over 100 programs in 47 countries on 6 continents.
Our philosophy: We offer genuine and authentic trips for travelers, not tourists.
Our goal is to engender a passion for learning about other cultures and places through living like a local in that place.
How much is tuition & what does tuition include?
Tuition for the trip is $2,995 which INCLUDES all breakfasts and dinners, accommodations, transportation, premium trip insurance, entrance to museums/events, taxes, and tips.
Tuition does NOT INCLUDE lunches and meals not listed in the itinerary, airfare, COVID-related expenses (PPE equipment, testing), beverages other than filtered water at meals, laundry, souvenirs, shopping, visas and visa application fees, personal and medical expenses, activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary, excess baggage fees, damage to hotels, expenses related to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. transportation delays or natural disasters).
Tuition for the trip is $2,995 which INCLUDES all breakfasts and dinners, accommodations, transportation, premium trip insurance, entrance to museums/events, taxes, and tips.
Tuition does NOT INCLUDE lunches and meals not listed in the itinerary, airfare, COVID-related expenses (PPE equipment, testing), beverages other than filtered water at meals, laundry, souvenirs, shopping, visas and visa application fees, personal and medical expenses, activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary, excess baggage fees, damage to hotels, expenses related to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. transportation delays or natural disasters).
If I cannot afford the payment schedule listed above, does Travel For Teens provide flexible payment plans?
Yes, Travel For Teens is willing to customize a payment plan for any participant who needs a little flexibility in the payment schedule. Please email help@travelforteens.com for details on payment plans.
How much is trip cancellation insurance?
Trip cancellation insurance will be mandatory for all participants and is not included in your deposit payment. We feel that this gives everyone more peace of mind in case of unforeseen events. The trip cancellation insurance, if purchased directly from Travel For Teens, is $130 for the standard plan. You may also choose to purchase a more comprehensive cancel-for-any-reason insurance. All paying participants (i.e. students/parents) will need to provide proof of an independently-purchased policy if not purchasing the plan offered by Travel For Teens.
For more information on insurance, please see this page.
Trip cancellation insurance will be mandatory for all participants and is not included in your deposit payment. We feel that this gives everyone more peace of mind in case of unforeseen events. The trip cancellation insurance, if purchased directly from Travel For Teens, is $130 for the standard plan. You may also choose to purchase a more comprehensive cancel-for-any-reason insurance. All paying participants (i.e. students/parents) will need to provide proof of an independently-purchased policy if not purchasing the plan offered by Travel For Teens.
For more information on insurance, please see this page.
Who can go on this trip?
The trip is open to all 9-12th grade students at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School. Space is limited and is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The trip is open to all 9-12th grade students at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School. Space is limited and is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
After I register, what happens next?
Once you have completed your registration and paid your deposit, you will receive an email that contains your USERNAME and PASSWORD to MyTFT. All forms to be completed by parents and physician as well as packing lists, travel tips, travel insurance information, and other important information can be found on the MyTFT portal (hard copies of the essential legal/medical forms can be mailed to participants upon request). Our contract and release must be signed by all custodial parents (or guardians) and the participant.
Where do we stay?
We will be staying in three-star hotels throughout the program. The names of the accommodations are available to all families once they have signed up.
Single rooms can be requested and will cost $580 additional per person per single.
Note: singles must be requested at the time of registration to be guaranteed.
We will be staying in three-star hotels throughout the program. The names of the accommodations are available to all families once they have signed up.
Single rooms can be requested and will cost $580 additional per person per single.
Note: singles must be requested at the time of registration to be guaranteed.
Trip Emails & Photographs
PHOTOGRAPHS
We will take dozens, if not hundreds, of photos each day. The best photos will be posted as regularly as possible (ideally every day) to a private photo-sharing platform (Waldo Photos) where you can follow along with the trip. We will send you an email to alert you when we post new photos. Low-resolution photos can be viewed for free during and after the trip. All of your High-Resolution matched photos can be purchased and downloaded in real-time during the trip or after the trip for $50.
EMAILS
The Trip Director will be in regular email contact every 24-48 hours, internet willing, with our families. Emails will include fun detailed updates about the day’s activities and are a great way for families to follow along with the journey. Email will be the best way to communicate messages to the Trip Director.
Safety, Sickness & Communication
SAFETY AND SICKNESS
The safety of our participants is our #1 concern, which is why we have only experienced trip leaders running the show. We offer 24/7 communication throughout our programs and have detailed risk management and safety policies in place. Please review our policies here.
For information regarding our specific policies with Covid-19 please review our Covid-19 protocols page here.
What are the safety qualifications for our staff?
Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid. We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.
What is the food like on a TFT program? Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
In a word – delicious! At TFT, we believe food should be an integral part of the travel experience and always make an effort to eat at authentic establishments when we can. What better way to immerse yourself in the culture of a place than by sampling the local delicacies, and we encourage students to do so whenever possible! Just as we stay away from Americanized hotel chains, we try to avoid restaurants with menus that cater only to tourists because every good traveler knows the best food is found wherever the locals are eating!
We also love to have picnics al fresco and do this whenever possible, which is a great way to taste some local food while sitting out in the fresh air taking in the sights and sounds of our surroundings.
As always, we are willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
Do I need to speak the language?
No, our skilled staff members will help you get around and even teach you a few fun phrases!
Are participants allowed to have their cell phones on the program?
We do allow participants to bring their phones, but we ask that they use it solely as a camera when we are out and about during the day. We want everyone to focus on living in the moment and fully experience each new destination we are visiting without being absorbed in their phones. We ask that participants look at their journey with us as a way to disconnect. When we have downtime at our hotels in the evenings it is okay for participants to use their devices to connect with friends and family back home.