Italy School Trip Overview

On this comprehensive journey to Italy, immerse students in this beautiful Mediterranean country with ancient history, scenic landscapes, and up-close glimpses of daily Italian life. We begin this trip of a lifetime in the Eternal City, where students will see firsthand the ancient structures that shaped the culture of the Roman Empire. From there, we head to the spectacular Cinque Terre, five picturesque fishing villages on the Ligurian Coast connected by a hiking trail that winds through fields of basil. Stop in the villages of Montalcino and Parma for cooking classes and food tastings, an integral part of the Italian experience. We’ll end up in Venice, every traveler’s dream destination, where we’ll explore the winding canals and ride vaporetto boats around the lagoon.

Our mission is to provide an authentic experience rooted in “teaching teens to be travelers, not tourists.” Language students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Italian and practice what they have learned in the classroom. Students can order their own food at meals, chitchat with shopkeepers, and haggle with street vendors. Our staff members will help students discover that foreign languages are an exciting tool they can use wherever their travels might take them.

Our years of experience bringing students to Italy means that we know exactly how to educate, excite, and inspire. Join us for the chance to immerse your students in the best of Italy and leave them with memories to last a lifetime!

Did You Know? Teachers travel for free! Enroll just six paying participants and your trip is covered. Learn more about the Benefits for Teachers.

Price

Starting at $4195

Days

10 Days

What's Included
  • Accommodation
  • Airfare and transportation
  • Authentic local meals
  • All listed activities and entrances
  • Full-time trip director
  • Expert local guides
  • 24/7 support and marketing materials
  • A TFT representative to host an informational and pre-departure meeting
Countries

Italy

This Trip is Ideal For...

Art, Geography, History, Literature, Photography

During this trip, you and your students will…

  • Walk in the footsteps of history at the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
  • Marvel at Michelangelo’s impressive paintings on the Sistine Chapel ceilings
  • Wander through ancient Roman neighborhoods, like Trastevere
  • Step back 2,000 years into the Pantheon
  • Catch the best views of Rome from atop the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument
  • Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, guaranteeing your return to the Eternal City
  • Take an Italian cooking class to learn how to make homemade specialties yourself
  • Climb to the top of the Duomo in Florence
  • Get a breath of fresh air in the beautiful villages of the Cinque Terre, one of Italy’s hidden gems
  • Swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea
  • Hike the trail that connects the Cinque Terre villages, stopping for a fresh lemonade along the way
  • Enjoy a balsamic vinegar tasting in Parma, home of Parmesan cheese
  • Try an espresso on one of the terraces of Saint Mark’s Square in Venice
  • Ride a vaporetto to the Venetian island of Murano, where you’ll watch a traditional glass blowing demonstration
  • Savor the best Italian food of your life, including fresh pasta, juicy tomatoes, homemade mozzarella, and of course pizza!

Detailed Trip Itinerary

Learn more about what each day is like on tour! Click on the day to discover the different sites and activities you will experience

DAY 1: Depart for Europe!

Flight from your preferred airport to Rome.

DAY 2: Buongiorno Roma!

Upon your arrival in Rome, you’ll be greeted at the airport by your Travel For Teens guides, who will accompany you for the duration of your journey. After getting settled into the hotel, we’ll have lunch and head down to the Colosseum, perhaps one of the most famous sites in all of Rome. Tour this incredible structure that has been standing for millennia, and learn about the battles that Gladiators fought here. Then visit the Roman Forum to learn about ancient Roman government. We’ll top off an exciting first day with your first taste of authentic Italian cuisine at one of our favorite local restaurants.

DAY 3: The Vatican & Trastevere

Cross another country off your bucket list today as we visit Vatican City. Begin in Saint Peter’s Basilica, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, before continuing to the Vatican Museums to marvel at the archaeological treasures in the Church’s collection. After a lunch of pizza al taglio, we’ll explore the beautiful neighborhood of Trastevere. See the Basilica di Santa Maria and wander the ancient cobblestone streets. We’ll enjoy dinner in Trastevere tonight at a traditional trattoria.

DAY 4: Discover the Emerald City

Start the day with a visit to the market at the Campo di Fiori. Browse the stalls and see all the delicacies on offer, from farm-fresh cheeses to bread fresh out of the oven. Pick up the makings for a picnic lunch here and enjoy lunch al fresco just as the locals do. This afternoon, climb the Vittorio Emanuele II monument for some of the best views in Rome and explore the secrets of the Pantheon. Have some time for souvenir shopping on the Via del Corso and enjoy a delicious dinner in Piazza Navona, one of Rome’s most beautiful squares. Of course, no trip to Italy would be complete without enjoying a homemade gelato for dessert every night!

DAY 5: Off to Tuscany!

Today we say arrivederci to the Eternal City and depart for the rolling hills of Tuscany. En route from Rome to the Cinque Terre, we’ll stop in the beautiful hillside village of Montalcino, where we’ll be hosted by a local family on their award-winning vineyard and estate. They’ll treat us to a tour of their winery and host a private cooking lesson for us. If the weather is warm enough, you’ll even be able to swim in their pool overlooking the countryside. After an incredible day, we’ll continue onwards to the Cinque Terre for dinner.

DAY 6: Hiking the UNESCO Trails of Cinque Terre

Our time in the Cinque Terre is always one of the most memorable portions of the trip. We stay right in the heart of one of the villages at a family-run hotel, not outside the region in the larger town of La Spezia. Students love the picturesque Italian coastline, swimming in the Mediterranean, and exploring all of the quaint villages. Students may choose to hike between the villages or take the train that connects them. Either way, the views are breathtaking and the culture isn’t any more authentic than this!

Day 7: Parma & Balsamic Vinegar Tasting

En route from the Cinque Terre to Venice, we’ll stop in the charming city of Parma for a traditional food tasting. Parma is known as one of Italy’s culinary capitals, as it’s home to balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese, among other delicacies. After a delicious lunch, we’ll continue on to the Italian gem of Venice. Our hotel is in the heart of this pedestrian-only city. Take a walking tour over the famous Rialto Bridge and down to Saint Mark’s Square, the buzzing heart of the city. For dinner, enjoy perhaps the  best pizza you’ll ever have!

Day 8: Venice

Venice has always been an artist’s haven, so we’ll start the day by learning about the tradition of mask-making and even making our own masks. In the afternoon, visit either the incredible Peggy Guggenheim collection or the Doge’s Palace. After another incredible dinner, we’ll take an evening walk to admire the canals by twilight, gelato in hand.

Day 9: Murano & Burano Islands

On our final day in Italy, we’ll explore beyond the main Venetian lagoon to the picturesque islands of Murano and Burano. Ride a vaporetto boat out to Murano, where we’ll watch a traditional glassblowing demonstration and surely pick up some souvenirs to bring home. Then we’ll have lunch on the beautiful island of Burano, famous for its multicolored houses and wide squares. Students will have time for some last-minute souvenir shopping before we enjoy an upscale final dinner to celebrate the end of an incredible trip!

DAY 10: Ciao Italia

Your TFT guides will accompany you to the airport and assist you with check-in for your flight. Wave goodbye as you head through security and sit back and relax on your flight home.

The TFT Difference

We Never Combine Groups

Your tour should be special and just for you and your students! We will never combine two or more groups on the same bus or tour. We will lead a trip with as few as six people and a teacher. Your Trip Director travels with you for the duration of your program.

Stress-Free Planning and 24/7 Support

We are there for you every step of the way, and our support begins the moment you decide to do a TFT trip! We will provide you with a team member who will help bring your tour to life, along with everything you need to help get students to sign up for the adventure! On the tour you will have 24/7 dedicated staff with you to ensure everything runs smoothly and because we know travel is full of surprises, solve anything that may pop up along the way.

Photos and Email Updates

Your trip is special and you and your students should have those memories captured forever! Expect frequent personal email updates and hundreds of photos from your TFT staff shared with you and your students’ families so everyone can follow along on the journey. We are the only teen travel program to offer this in-depth trip communication and it truly makes all the difference!

Central Accommodation and Local Meals

Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. We stay at locally owned accommodation in the city center so you don’t waste your valuable time commuting. We dine at charming authentic restaurants to get a real flavor (literally!) for the local culture. The best way to travel is like a local. So ditch the tour bus and have a real traveler’s experience with us!

Request A Free Custom Quote For This Itinerary

Photo Gallery

Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. Eat, stay, and travel like a local.

Check out what past travelers have to say about TFT and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.

 

 

"I wanted to thank you for a fantastic trip for Kayla. She was very excited but also very anxious about this trip. I heard from her a lot the first few days but was really encouraging her to advocate for herself. It sounds like she worked on doing that and relayed the positive outcomes of conversing with you. That was a big deal for us. In addition to that it sounds like an amazing trip, and never having been to Greece I’m envious! I hope that you enjoyed your time as well.Thank you so much for your updates, support, and for working with my daughter. I hope that you enjoy the rest of your summer."

Sheri C. Manhasset, NY

"This trip…my goodness!!! When we hear from Jordan, he is beyond happy! He has said that “this is the best time he’s ever had” and things “couldn't be better”. Based on the photos, your blogs and the things he tells us, he is not going to want to come home!! Thank you, Vianeli and Hana for making this an experience of a lifetime!"

Holly B. Pleasantville, NY

"The feedback is that this has been the most outstanding trip Charlie has ever taken. This will go down as the time when my son broke out of his shell and started to really love life people places and experiences. Yes for such incredible friendships from these past 12 days and I don’t think I have ever seen him quite so happy every single time I talk to him. Charlie has expressed to me on numerous accounts how wonderful a counselor and guide and mentor and friend that you have have been. It is his fourth trip and by far his most favorite on all fronts. I can’t thank you enough for taking care of our children while in Europe. It’s a huge responsibility and you took it seriously and gave them the time of their lives. I could not be more grateful and appreciative of this trip and the program and the moments that he will carry with him the rest of his life. AAA+ grade in my book."

Tamara H. Darien, CT

Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.

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