Overview
Head to the heart of Western art on this thrilling tour through Paris and Italy. Your students will discover the beauty of the City of Lights through visits to iconic sites including the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower and, of course, explore the vast collection of the Louvre. In Venice, your group can look forward to exploring the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Cathedral before heading to Pisa for a tour of the Baptistery and cathedral. Step into the heart of the Renaissance in Florence with a visit to the Accademia Gallery and learn about the art of Italian cuisine in a traditional Florentine cooking lesson! End your tour in the Eternal City, where students will take in the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and the iconic art collection of the Vatican.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to France (Paris)
Day 2
Arrive in Paris
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 3
Paris guided sightseeing tour
What’s that huge white arch at the end of the Champs-Élysées? It’s the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 after his victory at Austerlitz. Your licensed local guide will elaborate on this and other Parisian landmarks. See some of the city’s most famous sites, including the ornate 19th-century Opera, the presidential residence, and the Place de la Concorde—where, at the center, you’ll find the Obelisk of Luxor, a gift from Egypt in 1836. Spot chic locals (and plenty of tourists) strolling the Champs-Élysées. Look up at the iron girders of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. Visit Les Invalides (a refuge for war-wounded soldiers) and the École Militaire (Napoleon’s alma mater).
Louvre Museum visit
The world’s largest art museum, the Louvre, is housed in a former medieval fortress and entered through I.M. Pei’s striking glass pyramid. Inside, discover masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory, along with vast collections of Egyptian antiquities, Greek ceramics, and works spanning seven departments. Please note: The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
Day 4
LEAP Cover the Canvas (optional)
Fly to Venice
Day 5
Venice guided sightseeing tour
Discover Venice, a city built on more than 100 islands in a lagoon off the Adriatic. Begin in St. Mark’s Square and tour St. Mark’s Basilica, completed in 1094 and home to the relics of Venice’s patron saint. Continue with a guided visit of the Gothic Doge’s Palace with its ornate arches before continuing to a glass-blowing demonstration, showcasing the centuries-old tradition of Venice’s most famous craft.
LEAP Behind the Carnival Mask (optional)
Create a Venetian mask inspired by the Italian Carnival, the Commedia dell'Arte - or by your imagination! Learn the meaning of the mask and its historical significance, then decorate yours using professional techniques.
Day 6
Travel to Florence via Pisa
Pisa sightseeing tour
Baptistery visit, Pisa Cathedral visit
Day 7
Florence guided sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets
Accademia visit, Baptistery Doors, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Duomo, Ponte Vecchio
Uffizi Gallery (optional)
Opt to spend the afternoon exploring the famous Uffizi Gallery, one of the most popular attractions in Florence. With works dating back to the 16th century from artists including da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli, there are plenty of beautiful artworks to observe and discover.
LEAP Cucina Fiorentina!
Cooking class with dinner
Day 8
Travel to Rome
Rome guided sightseeing tour
Colosseum visit with Whisper headset, Arch of Constantine, Forum Romanum visit
LEAP Caesar's Gladiators (optional)
Discover the ancient secrets of the Roman gladiator games and master the basics of hand-to-hand combat at the gladiator school.
Day 9
Vatican City guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit
Day 10
Return home
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.