Italian Art & Culture: Itinerary
AIFS Flight Dates
Outbound: July 17 to Florence | Inbound: August 7 from Rome
Saturday, July 17 |  | Optional overnight flight from U.S to Italy.* |
Sunday, July 18 | | Arrive in Florence and transfer to accommodation. Late afternoon walking tour with AIFS staff for neighborhood orientation, local amenities and classroom orientation. Balance of day to settle in. |
Monday, July 19 | | Morning orientation with AIFS staff and your faculty covering all aspects of the program, life in Italy and safety and security. Afternoon walking tour of Florence’s historical center including iconic sites such as the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Florence Cathedral, and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Evening group welcome meal at a traditional Italian trattoria. |
Tuesday, July 20 | | Morning class (1) in the AIFS Study Center, which is located within a 13th century palazzo in the Santa Croce district of Florence's historic city center. Afternoon visit to Florence's Cathedral and Brunelleschi's famous Dome. |
Wednesday, July 21 | | Morning class (2) Afternoon visit to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the largest and most visited of all Italian museums, featuring a rich artwork collection from the Italian Renaissance. |
Thursday, July 22 | | Morning class (3) After class, travel to Venice by train. Check into hotel on arrival, then enjoy free time for independent exploration of this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
Friday, July 23 | | Morning walking tour of Venice's canals, including the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark's Square and the Church of Frari. Afternoon visit to the Guggenheim Museum, a modern art museum featuring European and Italian art from the 20th century. |
Saturday, July 24 | | Morning visit to the magnificent Doge's Palace, one of the iconic landmarks in Venice. After your morning visit, you will have final free time for final independent exploration of the city. Return to Florence by train in the early evening. |
Sunday, July 25 | | Morning class (4) Afternoon visit to Pitti Palace, the largest museum complex in Florence, followed by a visit to its splendid Boboli Gardens. |
Monday, July 26 | |
Morning class (5) Afternoon visit to the Accademia Gallery, home of Michelangelo's David. Evening traditional Italian cooking class. |
Tuesday, July 27 | | Full day excursion to Siena and San Gimignano. Venture into the Tuscan hillside by private bus to visit these two charming medieval towns. First you will visit Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and join a walking tour of its historical center including the Piazza del Campo. There is free time for lunch and self-exploration. Then you will travel to San Gimignano, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its medieval architecture and spectacular hilltop setting. Return to Florence in the early evening. |
Wednesday, July 28 | | Morning class (6) Afternoon visit to the Bargello Museum, the oldest public building in Florence, home to the largest collection of Italian gothic and renaissance sculptures. |
Thursday, July 29 | | Morning class (7) Afternoon visit to Museo Novecento, one of Florence's modern art museums, featuring 20th and 21st century Italian art. |
Friday, July 30 | | Free day |
Saturday, July 31 | | Full day excursion to Pisa and Lucca. In the morning, you will travel by train to Pisa and visit its Piazza dei Miracoli and Leaning Tower on a guided walking tour. You’ll then visit neighboring Lucca, famous for its well preserved Renaissance walls circling the city. There will be free time for lunch and to explore independently. Return to Florence by train in the late afternoon. |
Sunday, August 1 | | Check out of accommodation and travel to Rome by train. Check into your hotel and store luggage for day. Afternoon walking tour of Rome's historical center. This will include many of Rome's major sites, such as the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona. You'll have the balance of the day for further sightseeing and exploring of Italy's Eternal city. |
Monday, August 2 | | Morning visit to the Colosseum, Rome Forum and Palatine Hill. The remainder of the day is for study and self-exploration. |
Tuesday, August 3 | | Morning class (8) Afternoon visit to the Borghese Gallery, a renowned museum of 15th to 18th century art housed in a beautiful mansion. It is surrounded by one of the largest parks in Rome which can be explored after your museum visit. |
Wednesday, August 4 | | Morning class (9) Afternoon visit to MAXXI (The National Museum of 21st Century Arts), the first Italian institution devoted to contemporary creativity. |
Thursday, August 5 | | Morning visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel followed by a tour of St. Peter's Basilica. After your morning visits, the rest of the day is for study and independent exploration. |
Friday, August 6 | | Morning final class (10) Free afternoon for final souvenir shopping and sightseeing. Evening group farewell meal. |
Saturday, August 7 | | Program Ends. Optional return flight from Rome to the US with transfer to airport included.* |
