Best of Italy

Trip Length:

10 Days

Cost:

$4,350

2024 Dates:

March 29 - April 7
April 5 - April 14
June 23 - July 3

Enroll By:

Program Full
Program Full
Program Full

Andiamo tutti! Make sure to pack your camera, your walking shoes, and your appetite as you set off for a summer adventure under the Tuscan sun.

You’ll experience Italy from the birthplace of the Renaissance to modern-day style capital of the world on this tour that’ll take you from the Roman ruins to the glittering canals of Venice.

Get ready for...

  • Tours of iconic landmarks like the Duomo, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Vatican
  • Tasting stops at some of Italy’s tastiest destinations, including fresh pizza, homemade pasta, and authentic gelato
  • Exploring the ruins of Roman civilization, including structures that have been standing for thousands of years

Bring a Friend and Save!

We know that seeing the world is more fun when you do it with friends. That’s why we’re offering you $200 off when you bring a friend on your WorldExplore trip. As an added bonus, your friend will also enjoy $200 off their trip. Win-win! You can learn more about claiming your savings by speaking to a member of our team.

Take The Leap

Throughout your trip, your Tour Director will guide you through various LEAP activities, from discovering the culinary history of Rome’s trattorias to exploring the art and history of some of the world’s greatest basilicas. All LEAP activities are designed to inspire active discussions about the various cultural and historical monuments you’ll be visiting, and to make you feel even more connected to the world around you.

What's Included

Authentic, local meals

Comfortable Double Accommodations

Expert Tour Director

Entrance to museums and historic sites

Round trip airfare*

*Roundtrip airfare from the designated international airport hub is included. Any travel costs from your location to that hub are not included.

Travel securely knowing that your trip is backed by WorldAssist – our global team of security experts that are available 24/7 to address any questions or concerns.

Itinerary Highlights*

Day One – Group introductions and welcome dinner
Day Two – Depart on overnight group flight to Rome
Day Three – Travel to Florence and enjoy a walking tour of the city
Day Four – Experience the Palazzo Vecchio, the Duomo, and Dante’s House
Day Five – Travel to Verona to explore Juliet’s house and the Roman arena
Day Six – Full day of touring in Venice, including St. Mark’s Basilica
Day Seven – Travel to Assisi to explore the Basilica of St. Francis
Day Eight – Full day of touring in Rome, including the Colosseum
Day Nine – Explore the wonders of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel
Day Ten – Depart on group flight to the States
DAY ONE
  • Arrive in gateway city
  • Registration at a hotel near the airport
  • Group introductions and welcome dinner
DAY TWO
  • Final packing
  • Group flight to Rome
DAY THREE
  • In Florence, hit the ground running with a walking tour of Florence with your Tour Director
  • Enjoy an authentic dinner at a local pizzeria before an evening activity, journaling, and relaxing time with your fellow travelers
DAY FOUR
  • Continue your guided tour through Florence with your Tour Director, visiting the Palazzo Vecchio, the Duomo, and Dante’s House before heading to an interactive demonstration at a local leather workshop
  • Florence (or Firenze in Italian) is a city that lives and breathes art. Traditional leather artisans, originally Franciscan monks, have been honing their craft and selling timeless leather pieces in Florence since the 1200s. In your time at the workshop, you’ll see how leather goods are manufactured, both by hand, the traditional method, and using machinery.
  • Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before journeying east to Pisa
  • In Pisa, enjoy tours of the Piazza dei Miracoli and the famous Leaning Tower
  • Return to Florence for dinner and a relaxing evening
DAY FIVE
  • After breakfast, you and your group will set off for Verona, the picturesque setting for one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays
  • After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a guided tour of the Casa de Giulietta and the Roman arena
  • Every year, thousands of tourists flock to Verona as a kind of pilgrimage to one of the most romantic stories in history. Visitors stand beneath Juliet’s balcony and leave letters about their hopes, fears, and dreams in a little red mailbox. If you leave a letter with a return address, don’t be surprised if you receive a reply!
  • After your day spent exploring the city of love, you’ll head onto Venice for dinner and some downtime
DAY SIX
  • Head out on a guided walking tour of Venice, stopping by St. Mark’s Basilica, the Grand Canal, and the Doge’s Palace
  • Once the seat of government for the Kingdom of Venice, il Palazzo Ducale is now a pristine monument to Gothic architecture. Built in 1340, the palace was home to 120 doges, or dukes, and had to be partially rebuilt after the great fire of 1577.
  • Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to a glass blowers workshop for a demonstration of the traditional Venetian art of glassblowing
  • Have dinner at a local restaurant before enjoying an evening activity, journaling, and relaxing time with your fellow travelers
DAY SEVEN
  • After breakfast, your group will head south to Assisi, one of the jewels of the Umbrian region
  • Enjoy a guided walking tour of Assisi with your Tour Director, featuring an extended stop at the Basilica of St. Francis, patron saint of Assisi
  • The founder of the Franciscan order of monks, St. Francis was born in Assisi in 1181. He began preaching and accruing a large following of believers in his early adult years and helped repair the crumbling image of a religion besieged by corruption. Because of his love of nature and animals, St. Francis is the patron saint of ecology and nature.
  • Unwind with dinner at a local restaurant and enjoying some downtime at the hotel
DAY EIGHT
  • After breakfast, you’ll head towards the Eternal City - a fitting final destination for your journey through Italy
  • Begin your exploration of Rome with a guided walking tour led by your Tour Director, including stops at the Colosseum, the Forum, and the seven hills of Rome
  • The structural engineering feats of the Ancient Forum has fascinated archeologists for centuries. The defacto gathering place for Ancient Rome, the Forum served as a tomb, dormitory, public bath, marketplace, temple, treasury, and seat of government.
  • Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
DAY NINE
  • Spend your morning exploring the vast halls of the Vatican, including tours of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
  • Founded by Pope Julius II in the 16th century, the Vatican Museums are a network of 54 separate collections and special artifacts, including the Sistine Chapel. Some believe the Vatican is home to the world’s largest collection of art containing enough pieces to wrap around the walls of Vatican City four and a half times.
  • After lunch, enjoy visiting more famous landmarks of Rome, including the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain
  • Legend says that if you toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you are destined to return to Rome. All of the coins in the fountain are collected nightly to benefit a local charity.
  • Enjoy dinner at a local Roman trattoria for your last meal of the journey
DAY TEN
  • Depart on a group flight back to the States

*The events included on this itinerary are subject to minor changes before your departure date.

Meet a WorldExplore Tour Director!

WorldExplore tours are led by experienced educators that have extensive, firsthand knowledge of the culture around you because your Tour Director is a local. That means navigating the crowded streets of Venice with ease and tasting the best maritozzi buns in all of Rome.

WorldStrides receives nearly 1,500 Tour Director applications each year. On average, only 70 applicants will make the cut.

Giulia Tamarri

Ciao! My name is Giulia. I was born in Italy near Bologna – home of lasagne and tortellini! I studied Languages at the University of Bologna because learning new languages is a real passion of mine. So far, I speak Italian, English, French, Spanish, and a little German. I love working with people and I find it very rewarding to share new places and cultures with students. I encourage students to go beyond simply seeing the places and instead to discover the place through exploration. I cannot wait to make this unforgettable journey with you!

We are incredibly proud of our entire team of Tour Directors. Giulia is just one example of our roster of experienced guides and may not be the actual Tour Director for your Best of Italy tour.

WorldStrides receives nearly 1,500 Tour Director applications each year. On average, only 70 applicants will make the cut.

What Our Travelers Are Saying...

“Our trip was excellent. The trip packed in a lot for the week we were there. Our tour guide was the absolute best. She really made the trip for us. The places we visited gave us a well rounded view of Italy including city and village stops. We even toured a castle!”

– M. T., 2022

“Our Tour Director was awesome, very accessible and interested in making the trip organized, informative, and fun. She does an excellent job of representing Italy and its cultural nuances from the past to the present. She also knows where to get excellent food along the way.”

– David. T., 2022