2023 Mullen Italian Renaissance Program
| Travel Dates: | March 11, 2023 - March 20, 2023 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,690 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,374 |
This program is currently at full capacity.
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Italy Cultural Journey
Italy is a traveler’s dream and an item on everyone’s bucket list. No other country in the world contains as many historical sites and artifacts that provide a glimpse at the very root of western civilization. Where else can you stand and see the place where the basis for modern government was forged? Where else can you see so many timeless and priceless pieces of ancient art and architecture in just a few days?
Natural history, as well as human history, is on full display in the massive peninsular nation with stunning views of the Dolomites and Alps in the north, idyllic Mediterranean countryside along the coast, and broad pastoral landscapes of rolling hills in between. Italians are an incredibly varied and diverse people, but the one constant is their openness and sense of hospitality towards travelers. And, of course, once you have tried true Italian food, there’s no going back to anything else!
Cultural Journeys
Cultural Journeys allow travelers to gain insights into the heritage, history and modern realities of their destination by offering a broad diversity of experience. We rely on the expertise of our local staff to plan itineraries which not only explore the prominent sites but also make time for the lesser-known local gems and are intentional about regular interaction with local people.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Witness your classwork come to life!
Wander the streets of Florence, one of the most charming cities in the world!
Explore the world's smallest country, Vatican City!
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
Visit Mt. Vesuvius and tour the ancient ruins of Pompeii
Wander through the Roman Colosseum
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers, but given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but if inclement weather pushes us off course or an unexpected opportunity arises which travelers are excited about, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 11 | USA -Florence, Italy | Today the group will take their overnight flight to Florence. | Airplane |
| March 12 | Florence | We arrive in Florence today and meet our program leaders at the airport. After checking into our accommodations, we will have lunch at the Market of Florence and then head to the heart of the city where we will see some of the most iconic sites Italy has to offer, including the Piazza Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. We will also visit Orsanmichele, where we'll marvel at Donatello's works, amongst many others. | Il Giglio Rosso |
| March 13 | Florence | After breakfast we will head to Basilica Santa Maria Novella where we will get a chance to appreciate the frescos that decorate the inside of this remarkable church. Then it's off to the Museo Nazionale del Bargello for sculptural masterpieces of the Early Renaissance. After lunch, we visit the Florence Cathedral and the Florence Baptistry, both famous for their world-class architectural design. We will climb up the bell tower to get a bird's eye view of this historic city. | Il Giglio Rosso |
| March 14 | Florence | This morning we'll wander the halls of the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important museums in Italy. Masterpieces from Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Da Vinci adorn the walls to create one of the most memorable moments of the trip. There will be lunch, and a little time to rest, as well as some time for souvenir shopping! This afternoon, we will visit Palazzo Medici Riccardi. We finish the day with a visit to Piazelle Michelangelo to get a view of the city from above. | Rome Garden Hotel |
| March 15 | Florence - Rome | After breakfast we catch a train to Rome, the country's capital. Upon arrival we settle into our hotel, after which we can check out Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps. Then, our first dinner in Rome! | Rome Garden Hotel |
| March 16 | Rome | Maybe you didn't expect to visit another country today, but Vatican City is just that! We cross the border into the smallest country on earth and begin our visit by checking out the museums and their incredibly vast art collection accumulated throughout the centuries. We will also stop by the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Cathedral. The afternoon has some free time for some shopping. | Rome Garden Hotel |
| March 17 | Rome | Today we pause our exploration of Rome in order to participate in a service project with a local Lasallian school. Details of the work will be shared once finalized. | Rome Garden Hotel |
| March 18 | Rome - Pompeii | Today we escape the big city and head to Pompeii. The group will tour the archeological site with a local guide. Tonight we have Napoletan pizza to look forward to, the only real pizza if you ask our Country Director Devin. After dinner we will head back to Rome on the ultra fast train in time for bed. | Rome Garden Hotel |
| March 19 | Rome | Heading back in time, we will go straight to the Colosseum and Forum, and have a guided tour of this historic wonder of the world. Then we ascend by glass elevator in the Vittoriano, to take in the view of the Forum and the Colosseum from an amazingly unique vantage point! There will be some free time for those final Rome souvenirs. This evening we'll enjoy a celebratory dinner to toast everything we've seen and done! After we head back to the hotel, stopping by the Trevi fountain to toss a coin and make a wish. | Rome Garden Hotel |
| March 20 | Rome - USA | Say arrivederci to Italy as we board our flight home to the US! | Your own bed, eventually! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with locally-operated, three-star equivalent hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe.
Rome Garden Hotel
The Rome Garden Hotel is the perfect accommodation that marries peace and relaxation, characteristic of a reserved and suggestive location, with the commodity of a central position, in the heart of the bustling metropolis of Rome. The hotel is located in the vicinity of Porta Pia on Via Nomentana, in the elegant area of the consular and diplomatic premises. It’s a Patrician villa of the XIX century, entirely modernized and surrounded by a private garden and only a few steps from the splendid frame of Villa Torlonia. It is also the perfect location for art lovers, with the nearby park of Villa Borghese and its prestigious gallery, which houses the famous sculptures of Bernini, being easily reachable on foot from the hotel.
Il Giglio Rosso
Colorful, spacious, and dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of local art, this bed and breakfast in the heart of Florence provides unique accommodations for our students. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Park Hotel
The Park Hotel is just on the outskirts of Florence yet still feels like the Tuscan Countryside. A large hotel with plenty of common areas, pool and beautiful grounds, the hotel is perfect for groups.
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
My son had a wonderful experience in Costa Rica, helped to build a preschool classroom, and has created memories that will last a lifetime!
Jodi
Parent of traveler on Costa Rica Service Adventure
Your Adventure Includes
Estimated Airfare
In order to give our travelers the best possible price, we break out airfare from the Program Tuition. We will still handle all booking and ticketing via our flight partner who has access to special fares not available to the general public. Once confirmed, you will be invoiced for the flight roughly 75 days prior to travel.
Program Tuition Excludes: Premiere Travel insurance, baggage fees, airline minor fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on itinerary.
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Resource Center
Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.