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Student Educational Tours |
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Day 1 We arrange flight from your gateway to Rome.Day 2 Arrival to Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport. Check in to hotel and enjoy a walking tour of the hotel vicinity. Day 3 Full day tour begins at the Piazza Venezia. View the Gesu Church, and Largo Argentina and then walk to Piazza della Minerva and its Egyptian Obelisk (6th century BC) on a marble elephant. A few steps away is the magnificent Pantheon, originally built in 27 BC and rebuilt by the great emperor Hadrian. Its dome is considered an incredible feat of engineering. An equivalent dome was not built until the 1900s! Built as a temple to the Gods and given a new purpose by the Church it is the final resting place of 2 kings and the great artist Raphael. This is truly one of the world's greatest structures. Three major religious paintings await us at the Church of San Luigi dei Francesci and closeby is Domitian's Stadium. Stop at the Piazza Navona, arguably Rome's most popular square with many outdoor cafes, artist peddlers and Italian's watching the tourists watching them. Head South to the Medieval Square Piazza Campo dei Fiori, and its open-air food market. A statue is erected on the spot where a heretic was burned at the stake in 1600. Visit the cylindrical Castel Sant Angelo, built by the ever-studious Hadrian as a mausoleum in AD 135. A vision of an angel was seen here 400 years later and it now houses the Papal Apartments. Too bad we couldn't spend the night here. Walk by the second contender for smallest nation in the world. The "Sovereign Military Order of Malta" issues it's own passports, license plates, stamps and currency. Population is about 80! A wonderful, though pricy, place to stop for a drink is the Caffe Greco. You may sit in the exact spot that Wagner, Berlioz, Liszt or Byron sat 1 or 2 centuries ago. Anyone believe in ghosts? Our next stop is the famous Spanish Steps. A modern curiosity, the Spanish Steps were built by the French, in Italy, on Spanish property, not to be used by Italians and today overrun with English and Americans. Learn about how the French solved the problem of low water pressure (from an aqueduct) at the fountain at the bottom of the steps. See another Church and it's priceless art before standing before the Trevi Fountain. A grand and spectacular fountain, it is said to have magical powers. Throw in a coin over your left shoulder (forget the salt) and ... well, you'll find out.Day 4 An early arrival is very important at the Vatican. Start with the Vatican Museum Complex. The outstanding museums house many exhibits of ancient beauty. Close by is the Sistine Chapel and it's marvelous ceiling. It is almost incomprehensible to think that one man lay on his back, alone, applying plaster and then deftly painting into the plaster before it dried, for four years. The painting almost blinded him and the world has never seen a greater creation than the "History of the World from the Creation to the Deluge". While Michelango laboured, another master also created priceless art. Raphael decorated four rooms with his own Renaissance style, gifting the world with the Stanze of Raphael. We can also view the priceless treasures of Da Vinci. Nearby, are other great museums such as the Etruscan Museum, Map Gallery, Borgia Apartments, Christian and Pagan Museums and the Modern Art Museum. Step out to view St. Peter's Square and it's Egyptian Obelisk (brought to Rome in 37 AD by Caligula). Next step into the largest Church in the world, St. Peter's Basilica. It is considered truly perfect. The first chapel on the right contains Michelangelo's Pieta depicting the dead Christ in his Mother's lap. He was only 21 when he created Pieta. You will see the Statue of St. Peter whose foot is worn away by the kisses of millions of pilgrims. Time permitting, make the ascent to the top of the dome, partly by elevator and partly by foot after foot, on the stairs. Don't be daunted, as the views·from the top are unforgettable. If you are not totally exhausted continue to Janiculum Hill with its breathtaking views and park like setting. Continue downhill past the Church of San Pietro, in Montorio, and the Villa Farnesina. Wander around in the Trastevere District and cross the Ponte Cestio Bridge and then the Ponte Fabricio, which has survived intact from 62 BC. Return to hotel, exhausted.Day 5 Our morning tour will visit Trajan's Forum (AD 117), Imperial Forum (46 BC), and the massive Roman Forum. The land the Forum sits on was originally a swamp and is, to this day, drained by a great sewer built by the Etruscans 2,500 years ago. Nearby are the Curia, Arch of Septimus Severus, the few remaining columns of the Temple of Saturn and the Arch of Titus. There is yet one incredible sight to see in Rome, the Coliseum. Begun in AD 72 it is a truly amazing feat of engineering. This structure could admit 50,000 spectators through its 80 arches in a matter of minutes. Too bad our coliseums cannot do the same. It is hard to believe that this structure had a huge awning to provide cover from the summer sun. We drive past the Arch of Constantine as we depart Rome. Head North, and stop for a short visit in Assisi, to see the Basilica of St. Francis, the Temple of Minerva, and Assisi's Castle (Rocca Maggiore). The views from the castle are breathtaking. Continue to one of the most adored cities in Europe and the birth of Renaissance Art. Florence was home to the Medici Family, Giotto, Botticelli, Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. Overnight in Florence.Day 6 Begin this incredible day at Cathedral Square and arrive at the Baptistry of St. John the Baptist. Take time to gaze at the bronze doors. Nearby, the energetic can climb the 269 foot Bell Tower. The panorama before you will have made the climb worth while. Next to the Bell Tower is a structure that is symbolic of Florence, the Dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Find out why it is actually made of 2 domes, one inside the other. Again the energetic may climb to the top to take in the views. Learn of the many roles the Bargello Museum has played through history including palace, museum and prison whereby the bell rung to announce executions. Admire the masterpieces here before visiting the Church of Santo Croce. Here lie the tombs of Galileo, Machiavelli, Michelangelo and Ghiberti. An open tomb lies here with the name Dante on it. The city of Ravenna refuses to part with the former occupant. Prepare yourself for the wonder that is the Pitti Palace, and its treasures of creation by Titian, Van Dyck, Rubens, Raphael and Botticelli. After, stroll the 16th century Boboli Gardens. Time permitting visit the Belvedere Fortress’s splendid views.Day 7 Early departure from Florence for Pisa. Here we visit the infamous Field of Miracles (Piazza del Duomo). Among the architectural wonders found here is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The ill-fated tower is slowly leaning and twisting itself into extinction. Many have tried to upright the building, including the British who clamped metal straps around the structure to keep the concrete from disintegrating while they lowered a counter weight onto the high side. Overnight Pisa. Day 8 After breakfast travel into the Apuan Alps past Garfagnana to the Grotta del Vento. Hike through 3/4 of a mile of caves with many stalactites and stalagmites. Later we arrive at the coastal village of Portofino. Portofino is one of the most enchanting cities on the Riviera and will be a refreshing change from museums and palaces. Visit the harbor and take the lovely short walk to the Castle. The lighthouse at the end of the peninsula will afford great views. Continue to the major seaport of Genoa. Stand before the statue of Christopher Columbus, Genoa's greatest citizen. Overnight Genoa. Day 9 In Genoa step into the Royal Palace (1650) and admire the many works of art including those of Van Dyck. Stroll the garden overlooking the sea and carry on to the University Palace. The Monte Righi Funicular will deliver us to a viewing platform with superb panoramic views. Walk by the Palazzo Bianco, Palazzo Rosso and the Palazzo Municapale. Pass the unusual intersection of Piazza Portello, where streets disappear into tunnels, until we reach Villetta di Negro. This unique park delights with grottoes, waterfalls, dark passages, and gardens with pretty views. Within the park is a museum of Oriental art and artifacts. Overnight Genoa. Day 10 Depart Genoa to cross the border into France and the beautiful city of Nice. We stop at the beautiful principality of Monaco and it's only city, Monte Carlo. Not a true possession of France, it does have very close ties to France and uses French currency and language. Home of Prince Rainier and his deceased princess, Grace Kelly, this is a truly gorgeous city. The best oceanographic museum in the world is here as well as the world famous Casino of Monte Carlo. This casino charges money just to enter, and even the bathrooms are elegant. The foyer can be entered free of charge and you can lose your money in a small room filled with slot machines. Across town visit the Exotic Gardens (Jardines Exotiques) which contain thousands of unusual plants from Africa and Latin America. Near the bottom are the Observatory Caves. Cave men lived here eons ago amid the stalactites and stalagmites. Overnight in nearby Nice. Day 11 In the Morning we are delivered to hilltop Grasse. This area is fascinating in that it produces thousands of tons of flowers annually including roses, jasmine, narcissi, carnations and violets. They grow bitter Seville oranges and import musk from Tibetan Deer, Civet from Ethiopian cats, ginger, vanilla and aniseed. We will visit a perfume factory where these ingredients are mixed and see how 1,000 kilos of ingredients produce about 1 kilogram of Neroli, the basic substance used to produce a variety of perfumes. A photographers delight are the seaviews of Cours & Cresp. The Gorges du Verdon awaits us. This canyon is called the Grand Canyon of France (2,000 feet deep). Return to Nice and enjoy a little free time to stroll down the Boulevard des Anglais. Day 12 The ancient town of Antibes is our destination for today. The Old Town section is a picturesque maze of narrow streets. In the Chateau Grimaldi is the marvelous Picasso Museum. Picasso actually painted many of his great works right here. Can you feel his presence? 4,000 years of history are assembled and displayed at the Archeological Museum, including jewelry, coins, and pottery. Those with the energy to partake in an ambitious walk, can follow the coastal road for a mile to the public beach at Pointe Bacon. Feast your eyes on the views here before returning to Nice. Day 13 Our last day is devoted to Nice. Visit Place Massena and continue past the Jardin Albert to the Boulevard des Englais. This boulevard was originally laid out by the English tourists who invaded the area around 1800 and have been returning ever since. Pass the outdoor flower market and stop at the base of a 300 foot cliff. Take an elevator up to enjoy the hilltop views and wander in the ruins of a 16th century fortress. The Bellanda tower is home to a Naval Museum with ship models and nautical pieces. Visit Port Lympia, the old harbour of Nice and a fish market with a little time for souvenir shopping. Day 14 Depart Nice International Airport for home.
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"World's
Apart"
2002