Overview
Bring your students to discover the history, culture, and sacred traditions of central Italy while sharing your music with local audiences. Perform in Rome and Assisi, explore ancient Roman landmarks and Vatican City, and visit the Basilica of St. Francis. Continue through the Umbrian countryside to Orvieto and Perugia for a deeper look at Italy’s artistic and culinary heritage.
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.
Authentic trattoria dinner
Day 4
Gelato making demonstration and tasting
Watch a gelato-making demonstration at an authentic working gelato laboratory and learn the art of Italian ice cream. See how gelato is made before enjoying a tasting of some of your favorite flavors.
Rome choir performance
Take the stage and perform for local audiences in a venue that captures the spirit of the city.
Day 5
Travel to Assisi
A small town of narrow streets and medieval walls, Assisi might never have been famous had it not been the birthplace of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan order. Today it is a major destination for religious pilgrims and art lovers alike. You’ll explore the Basilica of St. Francis, built in the 13th century to hold the saint’s body. Ironically, the body was hidden so well in the basilica that it took 600 years of digging to find it.
Santa Severa excursion
Visit the coastal town of Santa Severa, a charming seaside destination along the Tyrrhenian Sea known for its medieval castle and scenic coastal views. Then visit a traditional olive oil mill to learn how extra virgin olive oil is produced, from olive cultivation to pressing, before enjoying a tasting of locally produced oils.
Day 6
Assisi guided sightseeing tour
The medieval town of Assisi is closely tied to the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi. Carefully restored after the 1997 earthquake, Assisi’s narrow streets, hillside views, and lively piazzas reflect its lasting spiritual character. The guided tour includes visits to the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, built in the 13th century to house the saint’s remains; the Basilica of Saint Clare, home to St. Clare’s tomb and St. Francis’s crucifix; and the Portiuncula, where the Franciscan movement began.
St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit
The Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi was first built in 1228 when Pope Gregory IX laid the cornerstone of the Lower Basilica. St. Francis’s body was secretly moved here in 1230 to prevent looting. The Upper Basilica followed after 1239, and both churches were consecrated in 1253.
Assisi choir performance
Take the stage and perform for local audiences in a venue that captures the spirit of the city.
Day 7
Orvieto excursion
High above the farmlands of Umbria sits the picturesque town of Orvieto. Ride the funicular up to the town and marvel at its stunning gold mosaics and intricate stone architecture.
Day 8
Travel to Rome
Perugia city walk
Chocolate factory tour and tasting
Discover Perugia's famous chocolate tradition with a visit to a local chocolate factory. Learn how cocoa is transformed into Italian favorites, including the city's beloved Baci Perugina, and enjoy a tasting of handcrafted chocolates.
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 and from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Adjudicated group performances and an optional solo/duo competition
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
Scenes from Rome and Assisi
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.