Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Immerse your students in the rich history and vibrant culture of Italy on this journey through Rome, Sorrento, and Sicily. In Rome, your class will explore the Vatican Museums, visit the Roman Forum, and make a wish at the Trevi Fountain. Your students can also look forward to learning about the multicultural influences on Sicilian culture in Palermo and beautiful Taormina. You can also look forward to visiting Capri and exploring the ruins of Pompeii!
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
Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets
Step inside the Colosseum, where 45,000 once watched gladiators fight under a vast retractable awning. Walk through the Forum Romanum, ancient Rome’s center of politics, markets, and temples. Cross into Christian Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica, then explore the Vatican Museums and gaze at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Conclude at Piazza Venezia, home to the Victor Emmanuel Monument and Mussolini’s former headquarters.
Authentic trattoria dinner
Day 4
Travel to Sorrento
Capri & Blue Grotto excursion
From the Bay of Naples, the island of Capri is less than an hour away by boat. Weather permitting, you’ll visit the Blue Grotto, where sunlight reflecting beneath the water bathes the cave in a shimmering silver-blue light.
Day 5
Travel to Naples
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.
Naples guided sightseeing tour
Lively and dramatic, Naples bursts with energy. See the Maschio Angioino, the 13th-century fortress dominating Piazza Municipio, and wander Piazza Plebiscito, often home to striking art installations. Visit Castel dell’Ovo, tied to the legend of Virgil’s hidden egg, and explore the treasures of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, housing masterpieces from Pompeii and beyond.
Overnight ferry from Naples to Palermo
Day 6
Palermo guided sightseeing tour
Explore Palermo, Sicily’s lively capital where Italian, Arab, French, and Phoenician influences blend. With a licensed guide, see the Baroque Quattro Canti and the grand Palermo Cathedral, then visit the Norman Palace and La Martorana with its glittering Byzantine mosaics. Stop at the Teatro Massimo Opera House, a jewel of 19th-century design, and conclude at Monreale Cathedral, famed for golden mosaics that rival any in Europe.
Day 7
Agrigento guided sightseeing tour
Explore Agrigento’s historic center, a maze of alleys, sunlit piazzas, and baroque churches adorned with ornate façades. Then visit the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site where some of the world’s best-preserved Greek temples stand. Marvel at the Temple of Concordia, the ruins of Juno and Heracles, and the colossal remains of the Olympian Zeus.
Day 8
Taormina guided sightseeing tour
An earthly paradise, Taormina enchants with views from its ancient Greek theater, where Mount Etna dominates the skyline and the sea glimmers below. Explore Palazzo Corvaia, a medieval gem, and wander the lush Botanical Gardens with a licensed guide. It’s no wonder cultures through the ages—and even Francis Ford Coppola, who filmed "The Godfather" nearby—were captivated here.
Day 9
Optional
Aeolian Islands excursion (optional)
Named for the Greek god of wind, the Aeolian Islands exude a breezy charm. Cruise past volcanic shores where fishing villages and resorts share the coastline. Available March through October, this excursion includes visits to several islands with time to explore shops, cafés, and local eateries.
Day 10
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
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 and Sicily
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.