Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Bring your students to experience the magic of Rome on this immersive journey through the Eternal City. Your class will see the Spanish Steps, make a wish at the Trevi Fountain, and explore the vast collections of the Vatican Museums. Your students can also look forward to traveling back in time with visits to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, exploring the lush gardens of Villa d’Este, and stepping into the sandals of an ancient Roman gladiator.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Italy (Rome)
Day 2
Arrive in Rome
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.
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 3
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.
Traditional Italian pizza dinner
Day 4
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.
Day 5
Tivoli guided excursion
Think Rome has fountains? Tivoli has more. At Villa d’Este, the 16th-century estate of Cardinal Ippolito d’Este, over 500 fountains spill through gardens of statues, grottoes, staircases, and pools.
Day 6
Optional
Ostia Antica excursion (optional)
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.
Authentic trattoria dinner
Day 7
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 8
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Sorrento
Watch artisans carve cameos, an ancient craft dating back to Greece and Rome. Explore Pompeii, the city of 20,000 frozen in time nearly 2,000 years ago when Vesuvius erupted, revealing everyday life in remarkable detail. The next day, cruise to Capri and, weather permitting, enter the Blue Grotto, where reflected sunlight fills the cave with a silver-blue glow before heading 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
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 Italy
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.