Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Make sure your class packs their tastebuds for this tour! Your students can look forward to tasting classic Italian ingredients, including Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, white & black truffles, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Your group will also discover the picturesque city of Bologna, visit a local market in Florence, and try their hand at making authentic local dishes like pizza, pasta, and panna cotta.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Italy (Milan)
Day 2
Arrive in Milan
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.
Travel to Bologna
Bologna city walk
Stroll through Bologna’s 15th-century Piazza Maggiore, framed by grand palaces and the Basilica di San Petronio, one of the largest churches in the world. Nearby, look up at "Le due Torri," the two leaning towers that have long stood as the city’s most iconic symbol.
Day 3
Parmigiano & Prosciutto di Parma factory guided visit
Discover the history and craftsmanship of Parmigiano-Reggiano, one of the world’s most celebrated cheeses. Tour a factory to see how the wheels are produced, aged, and stored, then enjoy a tasting. Continue to a Prosciutto workshop to learn the traditional methods behind Italy’s famed cured meat.
Modena balsamic vinegar tasting
Day 4
Travel to Florence
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.
Traditional Florentine dinner
Day 5
Truffle & olive oil grove visit
Learn how farmers use dogs to hunt prized truffles and discover the differences between white and black varieties, including why they are so rare and costly. Then see both traditional and modern methods of olive oil production before sampling a selection of oils and fresh truffles.
Local market guided visit
Cooking class and dinner
Take part in an Italian cooking course and prepare Tuscan and Florentine favorites, from pappa al pomodoro to panna cotta. Learn the art of hand-made pasta, then sit down to enjoy the delicious dishes you’ve created. Buon appetito!
Day 6
Travel to Rome
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 7
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.
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.
Pizza-making class & dinner
Meet a professional pizza chef and learn the art of dough preparation, from rolling pin to hand stretching. Discover classic garnishes like tomato, basil, oregano, and mozzarella, then create your own masterpiece with toppings from the buffet and choose your cooking style on plate or stone. Mangia!
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.