Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Travel back in time with your students with a fascinating tour through Sorrento and Rome. Your group will visit ancient sanctuaries and ruins at Paestum and Villa Jovis, explore the iconic ruins of Pompeii, and step into the sandals of a Roman gladiator for a day. Your students will also try their hand at cooking classic Italian dishes, discover the vast collections of the Vatican, and participate in ancient traditions at Ostia Antica.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight Flight to Italy (Naples)
Day 2
Arrive in Sorrento
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
Paestum guided excursion
Step into Paestum, an ancient sanctuary of stone and silence. Once a thriving Greek colony known as Poseidonia, it later became a Roman stronghold while preserving its classical character. Today, visitors wander through open fields where three grand Doric temples still stand, glowing beneath the Italian sun. Beyond them, remnants of a Roman forum, an amphitheater, and long-forgotten roads hint at the lives of gods, traders, and settlers who once called this sacred place home.
Day 4
Capri & Villa Jovis excursion
Discover the beauty of Capri on a guided excursion from Marina Grande to the island’s hilltop heart. Ride the funicular up to Capri Town, where sweeping views and charming streets set the scene. Stroll through lively piazzas, boutiques, and cafés before continuing to Villa Jovis, the dramatic cliffside residence of Emperor Tiberius. From these ancient ruins, take in breathtaking views over the Bay of Naples and the Bay of Salerno while exploring one of the island’s most historic and scenic landmarks.
Cooking class with dinner
Day 5
Cameo demonstration
Cameos—oval portraits carved in relief on a contrasting background—have been treasured since ancient Greece and were especially popular in Rome among Augustus’s family. Visit a modern studio to learn how skilled artisans continue the tradition, carving these delicate works of art up close.
Pompeii guided excursion
Stop in Pompeii, the city where time stood still. Once home to 20,000 residents, it was buried by Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago and lay hidden under 30 feet of ash and mud. Excavated over centuries, the site reveals daily Roman life through public spaces, political graffiti, taverns, and street signs.
Travel to Rome
Rome city walk
Discover Rome’s iconic landmarks on a guided walk. At the Spanish Steps, see the “sinking ship” fountain, designed that way because of low water pressure that forced the artist to sink it below street level. Marvel at the Trevi Fountain’s Baroque grandeur, the Pantheon’s soaring dome, and Piazza Navona, where Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers anchors the bustling square.
Day 6
Ancient Rome guided sightseeing tour
Step inside the Colosseum with a licensed guide, once the stage for gladiators, naval battles, and wild beast hunts, and explore the underground chambers where animals were kept. Continue to the Forum Romanum, the hub of Roman politics, religion, and commerce. Conclude at Piazza Venezia, framed by its grand palaces and the striking Victor Emmanuel Monument.
Catacombs & gladiator center excursion
Descend into Rome’s early Christian catacombs, dating from the 1st-4th centuries, once the burial place of saints, popes, and martyrs. See frescoes of fish and doves, plus tomb inscriptions beneath the Appian Way. Then step into gladiator life through workshops and demonstrations of training and combat.
Day 7
Ostia Antica excursion
Step back in time at Ostia Antica, once the bustling seaport of ancient Rome. Explore remarkably preserved buildings and vivid frescoes at the archaeological site. Guided by local experts, your group will also take part in an interactive reenactment of a Roman funeral ceremony, just as it was performed two millennia ago.
Day 8
Vatican City guided sightseeing tour
Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, with its vast colonnades that seem to embrace the world. Inside, admire Michelangelo’s soaring dome, rising 452 feet above the ground, and his renowned Pietà. Then step into the Sistine Chapel, where the artist reluctantly painted frescoes that today stand among the world’s greatest masterpieces.
Optional
Hadrian's Villa Tivoli excursion
Travel to Tivoli to explore two of Italy’s most remarkable villas. At Hadrian’s Villa, built as Emperor Hadrian’s retreat from Rome, wander through the ruins of baths, gardens, and the famous reflecting pool once surrounded by marble columns. Continue to Villa d’Este, a Renaissance masterpiece known for its ornate halls and cascading fountains.
Day 9
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Daily meals, with options varying by program. Ask your Account Manager for details
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding multi-day bus drivers)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
High school credit for students in grades 6-12, or college credit for students in grades 9-12, upon completion of the travel program and required WorldStrides online coursework
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
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.