Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Begin your adventure in the Eternal City, visiting the Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Your group will also explore the Doge’s Palace, see Florence’s famous Duomo, and visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Your students can look forward to learning about traditional Italian handicrafts during a leather workshop and a glass-blowing demonstration and stepping into the shoes of influential figures from the Renaissance during a lively debate—a LEAP activity.
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
Ancient Rome guided sightseeing tour
Walk through Rome’s timeless icons with your guide: climb the Spanish Steps, toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, marvel at the Pantheon’s dome, and linger in lively Piazza Navona. Then step inside the Colosseum to see its underground chambers before continuing to the Roman Forum, the center of ancient civic life.
Travel to Florence
LEAP
LEAP Great Renaissance Debate
Greet six renaissance giants including Giotto, Galileo, and Isabella d’Este, and debate who made the greatest impact on civilization.
Traditional Italian pizza dinner
Day 5
Florence guided sightseeing tour
Discover Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Admire the Duomo with Brunelleschi’s dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery’s famed Gates of Paradise that inspired generations of artists. Visit Palazzo Vecchio on Piazza della Signoria, once the seat of Florentine power, and step inside Dante’s House to learn about the poet’s legacy. At Santa Croce, see the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Conclude your day by crossing the Ponte Vecchio and visiting a leather workshop to see one of Florence’s most famous crafts.
Pisa guided excursion
Stop in Pisa to see the world-famous Leaning Tower, tilted since builders set it on soft ground centuries ago. Visit the Baptistery, renowned for its acoustics, and admire the nearby duomo. Together these landmarks form the Campo dei Miracoli, their black-and-white marble façades gleaming against the green lawn.
Day 6
Travel to Venice via Verona
Verona Tour Director-led sightseeing
Discover Verona, famed as the setting of "Romeo and Juliet." Visit Casa di Giulietta to see the famous ivy-draped balcony and statue of Juliet, then stroll through Piazza delle Erbe, the lively square once home to the city’s Roman forum. Continue on to the Verona Arena, a massive 1st-century amphitheater where gladiators once fought and opera performances still captivate audiences today.
Day 7
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.
Day 8
Gondola ride
The ultimate indulgence, a gondola ride lets you see Venice as it was meant to be seen. Each boat is crafted from 260 pieces of eight woods, with a flat bottom to glide through shallow canals and a tilted shape that allows rowing from one side. The curved iron prow, or ferro, balances the gondolier’s weight.
Optional
Venice carnival mask workshop (optional)
Delve into the world of Venice’s Carnival and discover the traditions behind its masks. See how artisans craft them, then design and paint your own with guidance on style and color. Take home a unique creation and a piece of Venetian life.
Day 9
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Ljubljana
Join a guided sightseeing tour of Old Town, crossing the Triple Bridge and Dragon Bridge before ascending to Ljubljana Castle for sweeping city views. Walk through Republic Square, a symbol of Slovenia’s modern history, and soak in the charm of this lively capital. The next day, take an excursion to Lake Bled in the Julian Alps. Cruise to Bled Island and climb the 99 steps to the Church of the Assumption, whose legendary wishing bell has inspired centuries of tradition. Conclude your stay with a Slovenian folklore show and dinner, featuring local music, dance, and cuisine 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 Rome, Florence, and Venice
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.