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  • Florence, rome, Naples, Venice
  • 8 nights / 9 days
  • History, social science & humanities, literature, arts, physical geography, philosophy,

From the ancient ruins of Rome to Renaissance masterpieces, students will walk in the footsteps of great thinkers, artists, and leaders who shaped our world. An iconic destination that inspires a deeper appreciation for history, culture, and the enduring power of creativity, Italy isn't just a destination; it's a living classroom that will inspire and transform young minds.

Iconic view of the Colosseum in Rome under a clear blue sky.

The heart of the Roman Empire, cradle of the Renaissance, and birthplace of da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Galileo, Italy shaped our world—and yes, gave us pizza too!

A testament to human creativity and innovation, Italy brings textbooks to life. Imagine your students stepping into the Colosseum where gladiators once battled, gazing up at the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel ceiling, coming face-to-face with Michelangelo’s David, and walking through Pompeii, immortalized in ash and stone. From Rome’s ancient ruins to Florence’s Uffizi treasures, this adventure promises to be as educational as it is unforgettable.

Made up of over 100 islands connected by around 400 bridges, VENICE IS A MAZE OF WATERWAYS THAT HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 9TH CENTURY

Top Highlights

  • The Colosseum and Roman Forum, ancient Rome's most iconic landmarks
  • Vatican City, with its holy trinity of wonders: St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museum, and the Sistine Chapel
  • The Uffizi Gallery, one of the most famous and prestigious art galleries in the world, which houses masterpieces by artists including Botticelli, da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Caravaggio
  • Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, a marble masterpiece that breathes life into stone
  • Florence’s Il Duomo, crowned by Brunelleschi's revolutionary cupola – a self-supporting dome that defied 15th-century engineering limits and forever changed the course of architectural history
  • Guided tour of Pompeii’s ancient streets, frozen in time
  • Learn to craft the perfect pie from a master pizzaiolo in the region that pizza was born

What’s Included

We design unforgettable educational journeys for you and your students. Our educational trips include:

  • Shared occupancy at centrally located 3* and 4* hotels
  • Breakfast at hotels
  • Dinners at restaurants featuring local cuisine
  • Private transfers
  • Private tours and experiences
  • Full support from your travel designer and on the ground
  • International and Domestic flights

Itinerary

Arrive in Rome

Florence

Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance movement, ignited a revolution of groundbreaking art and ideas that forever transformed Western civilization.

At its core stands the awe-inspiring Duomo, a masterpiece of architecture that dominates the skyline and played a pivotal role in sparking the Italian Renaissance. Spanning the Arno River, the iconic Ponte Vecchio offers a quintessential Florentine experience with its glittering array of goldsmith and jewelry shops. Cornerstones to any Florentine itinerary are Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important art museums in the world.

For an authentic taste of the city’s rich mercantile history, students will explore the bustling San Lorenzo leather market, where artisans continue the centuries-old tradition of crafting fine leather goods in the shadow of the magnificent Medici Chapel.

Activities:
  • Il Duomo, symbol of the city’s artistic and engineering prowess
  • Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia
  • Uffizi Gallery, home to Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus with pieces by Caravaggio and da Vinci
  • Ponte Vecchio, one of the few surviving medieval bridges in Europe
  • San Lorenzo leather market for shopping
  • Dinners in authentic osterias and trattorias, savoring regional Tuscan cuisine

Day Trip to Venice

Stroll through St. Mark’s Square, Venice’s epicenter of control for over a millennium. Anchoring one end, St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace stand side by side, their deliberate proximity illustrating the close relationship between political and religious power. Trace the journey of Venice’s condemned as they were led from the Doge’s Palace courtrooms to the prison across the Bridge of Sighs. Through the stone-latticed windows, prisoners glimpsed their last view of freedom. Take a selfie at the Rialto Bridge, whose revolutionary engineering as the first stone arch to span the Grand Canal was the only way across for three centuries and continues to stand strong today.

Activities:
  •  Private guided tour of Venice’s historic heart centered around St. Mark’s Square, including three of the city’s most iconic structures – St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs
  • Cross the historic Rialto Bridge, Venice’s most photographed landmark, where centuries-old stone shops line its graceful arch as gondolas glide beneath on the Grand Canal
  • Watch skilled artisans transform molten glass into intricate pieces during a live glass-blowing demonstration, a craft practiced in Venice for over a thousand years
  • A gondola ride through Venice’s iconic canals

Rome

Rome, the Eternal City, stands as a living testament to over 2,500 years of history, art, and culture. As the heart of the ancient Roman Empire, this captivating metropolis seamlessly blends the old with the new.

Students will stroll through time as they traverse cobblestone streets where Caesar once walked, passing crumbling ruins juxtaposed against trendy boutiques. The city’s skyline is dominated by the imposing silhouette of the Colosseum, while the Pantheon remains an engineering marvel to this day. Layers of civilization can be uncovered at the Roman Forum, and in Vatican City, Michelangelo’s masterpiece adorns the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

As evening falls, Rome’s bustling piazzas come alive with the aroma of espresso and lively conversation, proving that all roads still lead to this vibrant heart of Italy.

Activities:
  • Colosseum and Roman Forum, iconic ancient Roman sites
  • Vatican City: St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museum, and the Sistine Chapel
  • Pantheon, an engineering mic drop from ancient Rome, which has stood undefeated for 2000 years as the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome
  • Trevi Fountain, the Baroque masterpiece that marks the endpoint of the ancient Aqua Virgo and has starred in countless movies
  • Piazza Navona, a center of Roman social life for centuries
  • Monti neighborhood, with its charming streets and local flair

Naples

Predating the Italian state and Roman Republic by centuries, Naples reigns as southern Italy’s charismatic heart, captivating visitors with its intoxicating blend of chaos and charm.

Stroll along the iconic Via Caracciolo Lungomare promenade, the Mediterranean stretching out before you, offering views of Mount Vesuvius in the distance. Uncover centuries of intrigue within the weathered walls of Castel dell’Ovo, a medieval fortress steeped in legend. Meander through ancient streets where the grandeur of churches hides behind graffiti-covered walls and the scent of bubbling mozzarella and crisp, charred crust from wood-fired ovens entices you at every turn.

From a pizza-making lesson in its birthplace to the haunting streets of Pompeii and the idyllic coastal towns of Sorrento and Positano, where colorful houses cling to cliffs fragranced by lemon groves, this destination is a feast for the senses.

Activities:
  •  Wander Pompeii’s ancient streets with an expert guide and discover a Roman city perfectly preserved in its most dramatic moment
  • Guided tours of Naples, including its scenic coastal views
  • Sorrento and Positano, renowned Amalfi Coast gems
  • Pizza-making lesson in Vico Equense

Depart from Naples

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you.

Hear it from our clients first

I had an absolutely incredible experience with GHardy Tours for my trip to Switzerland. From start to finish, everything was flawlessly organized and executed. The attention to detail was remarkable – from the seamless travel arrangements to the carefully selected accommodations that provided stunning views of the Alps. I can confidently say this was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had. I'm already looking forward to my next adventure with them!
Tamara Bahry / Toronto Canada
Thank you so much for arranging everything for our Italy trip. We had an amazing time without focusing on planning logistics. Your driver and guides are top of the line and mesmerized us with their in-depth knowledge. We cannot express our sincere gratitude with everything you have done for us. Thanks to you, we LOVED, LOVED, LOVED our experience in Italy!
Rob Romero / King City, Canada
The GHardy team planned the perfect family vacation to Italy for us! The hotels, private tours and excursions were all exceptional and exactly what we were hoping for! We didn’t have to stress over anything - we just showed up and there was always someone to meet us. We also took great comfort knowing if any issue did arise, the G/Hardy Tours team, as well as a 24/7 emergency contact on the ground in Italy were always a message or call away.
Kerri Torrey / Toronto, Ontario
Our family vacation to Greece, which included Athens, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos, was unforgettable! The accommodations were lovely and centrally located to maximize our time at all of the hot spot destinations. Our private guides were very informative with all of the history and culture that Greece has to offer. Various transportation needs were met through planes, boats and private transfers which made travel effortless from one destination to the next. Thank you GHardy Tours for putting together a remarkable experience for the whole family to enjoy and providing memories to last a lifetime.
Tammy and Jason / Toronto, Ontario

Why we are the top choice for your next luxury trip.

Our unique approach to planning transformative experiences ensures our clients gain more than just a vacation: they come away with a greater understanding of the world, their place in it, and how the journey has enriched their lives.

  • We prioritize personalized experiences tailored to guests’ wants and needs, from holiday getaways to educational trips and everything in between.
  • Travel is about more than just going from point A to point B. It's an experience; we're here to help you create the best possible one for you and your family or friends.
  • Taste. Indulge. Immerse. Each destination has unique flavours and dishes. Bespoke travel is the perfect way to indulge your senses.
  • Our team of experienced travel planners has an eye for detail, meaning no stone goes unturned when crafting the perfect itinerary. Whenever you want it, the way you want it.