Join us for a stress-free travel experience! Our trip leaders will be with you every step of the way, from meeting you at the airport on arrival day to ensuring a safe transfer on departure day, and everything in between. We’ve got you covered!

 Calling all adventure-seeking educators!  Have you ever dreamed of turning your next vacation into an unforgettable learning experience? Well, dream no more, because we're thrilled to present the ultimate Italian escapade crafted exclusively for our fantastic teachers! Embark on a journey that blends the historic charm of Rome, the artistic wonders of Florence, and the enchanting canals of Venice into a curriculum of pure delight. Get ready to trade chalk for gelato, textbooks for Michelangelo, and classroom walls for the stunning landscapes. Join us on this educational expedition that promises to inspire, rejuvenate, and indulge the wanderlust in you. It's not just a trip; it's a Bellissima odyssey through the heart of Italy!  

Note** Itinerary Subject to Change**

Professional Development: Learning about a new culture and making connections with educators provides an authentic learning experience for you to reflect on and bring back to your classroom. All participants on the trip have the option to earn a certificate for 20 hours of professional development.

Terrain: LOTS of stairs and uneven walking paths

Leaders:

Jill Shafer

Mike Shafer

Questions? Visit our Bookbag Tours FAQ page.

*Reserve your spot with a nonrefundable deposit today!

 Welcome to Rome! Today, you’ll arrive in the Eternal City, filled with history, art, and culture. A trip leader will meet you at the FCO airport and help you get to the hotel.

City Tour: After settling in, embark on a wonderful walking tour to discover the Roman monuments, ancient landmarks, and architectural masterpieces of various Italian artists.
Sites Visited:

• Sant'Angelo Castel
• Sant'Angelo Bridge
• The Supreme Court Building
• Navona Square
• Sant'Agnese in Agone Church
• The Italian Senate
• The Pantheon
• Trevi Fountain
• Spanish Steps
• Del Popolo Square
• The Pincio, offering a beautiful view of Rome’s skyline 

Activities: Enjoy photo stops, historical explanations, opportunities for shopping, and breaks for coffee and gelato before heading back to your hotel.

Educator Takeaways: Gain insights into the historical and architectural significance of Rome’s landmarks. Discuss the influence of Roman art and architecture on Western civilization.

Overnight at Hotel Genova (or similar accommodations) 

Meals Included: Breakfast

Arriving early? Let us help you plan your early adventure! Fill in this form on the website.

OR  Choose your own activity.  Click Here!

Explore the heart of Ancient Rome. Today, you’ll visit iconic historical sites and have the option to experience local cuisine in Trastevere.

Morning Activity: Visit the Colosseum and Ancient Roman Forum. Enjoy a guided tour of the Forum, discovering remains of public buildings, temples, the sacred dwelling of the Vestal Virgins, and more. Learn about the political, social, and religious core of ancient Rome.

Sites Visited:

• Colosseum
• Roman Forum
• Palatine Hill

 Educator Takeaways: Understand the historical significance of the Colosseum and Forum. Learn about ancient Roman society, politics, and architecture.

Optional Afternoon Activity (additional costs): Trastevere Food Tour and Pizza Class (5:00 PM, $120 per person). Savor traditional Italian food and learn to make Roman pasta dishes, including fettuccine, with hands-on instructions from a chef using fresh local ingredients.
Educator Takeaways: Explore the culinary heritage of Rome. Discuss the role of food in cultural identity and everyday life.

Overnight in Rome at Hotel Genova (or similar accommodations) 

Meals Included: Breakfast

 Immerse yourself in the spiritual and artistic treasures of the Vatican. Optionally, experience the enchanting night view of Rome.

Morning Activity: Visit the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Skip the lines to see the exceptional collection of artwork amassed by Popes over centuries, including Michelangelo’s masterpieces like the "Last Judgment" in the Sistine Chapel and the "Pieta" in St. Peter's Basilica.

Educator Takeaways: Learn about the artistic and historical significance of the Vatican’s treasures. Discuss the impact of the Roman Catholic Church on art and culture.

Optional Evening Activity (additional cost): Rome by Night Tour (6:00 PM, $85 per person). Enjoy a ride through Rome’s illuminated streets, viewing top sites such as the Colosseum, Capitoline Hill, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and St. Peter's Basilica, followed by an authentic Roman dinner at an Osteria.

Educator Takeaways: Appreciate the architectural beauty of Rome’s landmarks at night. Understand the city’s transformation over time and its modern-day significance.

Overnight at Hotel Genova (or similar accommodations) 

Meals Included: Breakfast

Travel to the Renaissance city of Florence, with a picturesque stop in Orvieto!

Included Group Activities:

Morning- Together we will depart for Florence, stopping in Orvieto, a small city perched on a rock cliff in Umbria. Explore the Duomo di Orvieto, with its mosaic facade and marble Pietà sculpture, and the Pozzo di San Patrizio, a 16th-century well shaft with a double spiral staircase.

Educator Takeaways: Understand the historical and architectural significance of Orvieto’s landmarks. Discuss the artistic achievements of medieval Italy.

Included Lunch: Together we will enjoy a delightful lunch at Enoteca Al Duomo, sampling local culinary delights such as truffle pasta and artisan cheeses.

Afternoon- Together we will visit the National Archaeological Museum to view artifacts from the era, like ceramics and bronze items. Continue the drive to Florence.

Educator Takeaways: Learn about the archaeological heritage of Umbria. Appreciate the preservation of historical artifacts and their cultural significance.

Overnight in Florence at the Hotel Atlantic Palace (or similar accommodations)

Meals Included: Breakfast & Wine Tasting Lunch

Discover the artistic and architectural masterpieces of Florence. From the historic bridges to iconic sculptures, today is filled with Renaissance splendor.

Morning Activity: Embark on a grand walking tour, visiting historical sites such as Ponte Vecchio, Signoria Square, and Piazza Repubblica. Learn about the city’s history and artistic heritage.

Educator Takeaways: Understand the significance of Florence as the cradle of the Renaissance. Discuss the contributions of artists like Michelangelo and Brunelleschi to art and architecture.

Afternoon Activity: Visit the Duomo of Santa Maria in Fiore and the "Door of Paradise," and explore the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's original statue of David.

Educator Takeaways: Appreciate the architectural marvels of the Duomo and the artistry of Michelangelo. Discuss the impact of Renaissance art on modern culture.

Overnight in Florence at the Hotel Atlantic Palace (or similar accommodations)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Day in Florence! 

Or 

Venture to the Tuscan Countryside for a Day Tour with Lunch

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY-
Venture into the Tuscan countryside to explore historic hill towns and enjoy local wines. Drive through Tuscany to explore Volterra, a walled hilltop town with structures from the Etruscan, Roman, and Medieval periods. Visit artisan shops specializing in sculptured alabaster items. Visit San Gimignano, known as the "Medieval Manhattan" for its tower-filled skyline. Explore its medieval houses, fountains, and towers, and enjoy an incredible wine-tasting lunch with typical local food and super Tuscan wine.

9am Leave Hotel with Guide
About 11AM- 12pm Volterra- Guided Tour

1:30pm- 3:30pm-Tuscan Wine Tasting (Caro)

5pm- Arrive back in Florence

Educator Takeaways: Learn about the historical significance of Volterra and its continuous occupation since the 7th century BC. Discuss the preservation of ancient crafts and trades.

Overnight in Florence at the Atlantic Palace

Meals Included: Breakfast

Experience the unique charm of Venice, a city built on water.

Morning Activity:

Travel via fast train to Venice.

Group Tour- Explore the city’s iconic sites, including the Rialto Bridge, the Bovolo Contarini Spiral Staircase, and more. Visit Piazza San Marco, Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, and the Campanile.
Educator Takeaways: Understand the historical and architectural significance of Venice. Discuss the city’s role in maritime trade and its unique urban layout.

Afternoon Activity: Continue exploring the calle’s (narrow streets) and landmarks of Venice.
Educator Takeaways: Appreciate the cultural heritage of Venice. Discuss the challenges and efforts in preserving a city built on water.

Overnight in Florence at the Hotel Atlantic Palace (or similar accommodations)

Meals Included: Breakfast

FREE DAY to explore Florence

 OR

 Do an Optional Day Tour Siena & Chianti Region with Wine Tasting Lunch

Optional Day Tour Siena & Chianti Region with Wine Tasting Lunch- $170 

Together with our Italian guide, we will visit Siena, one of the most popular and visited places in Tuscany, known for its rich history, art, and strong local traditions. Your tour begins at the precious Piazza del Duomo, where you can explore the Cathedral, the Crypt, and the Piccolomini Library.

After lunch on your own, we will come back together we will head to Piazza del Campo, known for its unique shell shape and as the venue for the Palio di Siena. 

Overnight in Florence at the Hotel Atlantic Palace (or similar accommodations)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return to the Eternal City for your final days in Italy.

Morning- Together, we will take the fast train from Florence to Rome and head to the hotel. 

Free Day in Rome

Educator Takeaways: Reflect on the advancements in transportation technology and the convenience of high-speed rail travel. Discuss the historical significance of Rome and its influence on Western civilization.

Overnight in Rome at Hotel Genova (or similar accommodations) 

Meals Included: Breakfast

Say goodbye to Italy as you prepare for your journey home.

Morning Activity: A trip leader will help facilitate a transfer for you from your hotel in Rome to the airport for your departure.
Educator Takeaways: Reflect on the overall journey, the educational insights gained, and the cultural experiences encountered. Discuss the impact of international travel on personal growth and learning.

If you would like to explore Italy or Europe more and would like help with travel plans, please let us know!

Extending your stay? 

Let us help you plan your next adventure. Fill in this form on the website.

OR  Choose your own activity.