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Detailed Itinerary (back to top)
Day 1 Flight from Australia to Rome
Day 2 Rome (D) Your tour leaders will meet you at the Rome International Airport with your transfer to your hotel. You will then be transferred to your hotel in the centre of Rome where you will check-in and have time to freshen up or have a rest. Before dinner, your tour leader will guide you on a leisurely stroll through some of the famous 'piazze' of Rome.
The guided walking tour will include Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza Barberini, Piazza di Spagna, Fountain of Trevi, Piazza della Rotonda, Piazza Navona and finally Campo de' Fiori.
The walk will end with an early dinner in a family restaurant in Campo de' Fiori.
Day 3 Rome (BD) After breakfast we continue to enjoy and experience more of the fascinating sites of Rome. We start with the important church of Santa Maria Maggiore, proceeding to the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele, Campidoglio and the Mayoral Offices. Lunch will be in a local pizzeria. In the afternoon, a local guide will take the group through Ancient Rome, visiting the Roman Forum, followed by a special visit to the Colosseum.
Dinner will be at a traditional Roman restaurant.
Day 4 Rome (BD) Today we spend the whole day at the Vatican. A tour of St Peter's Basilica is followed by a special conducted tour of the Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel. There will be time allowed for independent sightseeing with your teachers. We suggest a visit to Castel Sant'Angelo or a stroll through the Ghetto.
At night we say good-bye to Rome with a dinner in the beautiful and exciting quarter of Trastevere.
Day 5 Rome/Pompeii/Sorrento (BD) Today will be an early morning start. Our tour bus will take us south along the Autostrada del Sole to to Pompeii, which was destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. A local guide will lead us through the ruins of this truly magnificent Roman city. We then travel to Sorrento for a short tour of the city and the Beautiful Bay of Naples. Dinner will be at the hotel in Sorrento followed by an optional passeggiata around the historical part of the city.
Day 6 Sorrento/Amalfi Coast (BD) After breakfast we travel to Amalfi and start our journey through one of the most beautiful coastlines of the Italian peninsula. Then we make our way back to Sorrento for a well earned rest. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 7 Sorrento/Pesaro (BD) After breakfast we travel east crossing the Central Apennines to the City of Pesaro in Le Marche Region. We will travel in air-conditioned comfort through some of the most beautiful countryside of Central Italy.
After lunch we travel along the A14 Autostrada, which has spectacular views of the Adriatic and surrounding countryside.
We should reach Pesaro by late afternoon. The City of Pesaro is situated on the Adriatic Coast. A charming town nestled against a backdrop of hills surrounded by ancient hilltowns and castles.
After check in and dinner at the hotel, there is an optional walk through the Centro Storico of Pesaro.
Day 8 Pesaro/San Marino (BD) Today our journey takes us over Le Marche border for a morning visit to the tiny Republic of San Marino. It is a day for shopping as San Marino is jammed with heavily discounted shops. Apart from souvenirs, you will be able to pick up perfumes, watches, leather goods and gifts at very reasonable prices. San Marino is also worth a visit for its history and pageantry and its magnificent hilltop setting, which offers excellent views of the countryside.
The afternoon will be free to pursue teacher-organised activities. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 9 Pesaro/Gradara/Urbania (BD) Today after breakfast we travel to the land once ruled by the medieval lords of Montefeltro. On the way we will stop in Gradara. A medieval village dominated by its magnificent castle overlooking the Adriatic Sea. We will tour the impressive castle and the well-preserved old town. Gradara was made famous by the legendary love affair between Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini as immortalised in the 5th Canto of Dante's inferno. Lunch at Gradara with the traditional local dish: the piadina.
Then we will proceed to the historical City of Urbania: our stay for the next 6 days. There will be a welcome ceremony headed by the teachers of 'Scuola Italia' who will give a brief explanation of the activities for the coming week.
The students will be introduced to the families with which they will be staying for the week. Dinner with your billeted family.
Day 10-15 Urbania (BD) In the next days the students will be divided into 3 groups of 6/7 students per class and each class will have a teacher assigned for the week. This is to ensure that the students receive optimum opportunity to practice their language skills. All classes begin at 9.00 AM and finish at 12.30 PM with a break of 20 minutes around mid morning.
There will be a day visit to Venice and afternoon visits to Urbino and Fano. Also, students will be guests at the famous school of ceramics, to watch a demonstration and to hear an explanation of the history of the famous Casteldurante/Majolica Ceramics.
A special highlight will be a visit to a local high school and during this visit there will be an opportunity to forge new friendships and converse with Italian high school students of the same age.
Day 16 Urbania/Assisi/Florence (BD) From Urbania our journey takes us through Le Marche and Umbria regions and on to Florence, the capital of Tuscany. There will be a short stop in Assisi, the town of Italy's most beloved saint: Saint Francis.
Then on to Florence and upon arrival in the city will check in at the hotel and the rest of the day will include a walking tour, which features Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistery known as the 'Gate to Paradise'.
Dinner in a restaurant famous for its local cuisine in the centre of Florence.
Day 17 Florence (BD) The second day in Florence begins with a stop at Piazzale Michelangelo with its sweeping views of the city. Then we proceed to the Academy Gallery and admire the original David by Michelangelo and other masterpieces by this great artist. The tour continues to the Piazza della Signoria and visits the famous Uffizi Gallery and Ducal Palace.
In the afternoon you are free to wander through the famous markets shopping for leather and gold goods or leisurely explore this beautiful city.
There will also be free time to explore other historical sights such as Ponte Vecchio and the church of Santa Croce renowned for its frescoes and the tombs of some of Italy's famous artists.
Day 18 Florence/Siena/San Gimignano (BD) Today after breakfast we travel to San Gimignano. A tiny historical city perched on a hill, famous for its numerous towers and art treasures. In the afternoon we visit Siena to admire the Cathedral and the Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and learn about the famous race the Palio.
Day 19 Florence/Rome (BD) Today it is back to Rome. The rest of the day is free for teacher organised activities or last minute shopping. A farewell dinner is organised at a local restaurant.
Day 20 Rome Airport (B) After breakfast a bus will take the group to Rome Airport for the trip back to Australia.
Day 21 Arrival in Australia
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