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Rome, Florence, Pescara & Naples

This program explores Italian identity through history, art, music, and everyday life, traveling across four distinctive cities: Rome, Florence, Pescara, and Naples. Together, these destinations offer a multifaceted perspective on Italy, from its ancient and artistic heritage to contemporary life and deeply rooted popular traditions. Music serves as a unifying thread, allowing students to experience Italian culture as a living and evolving expression of identity.Students will participate in a variety of cultural activities and faculty-led field trips, including visits to museums and historical sites, musical performances, and opportunities to engage with local traditions and everyday life.Open to all students, the program welcomes anyone interested in exploring Italy through its rich history, art, music, and culture. No prior knowledge of Italian or musical experience is required.

Info Sessions:

Please join us to learn more about this Summer program!

October 22nd @ 12:10-1:00pm in Casa Italiana

November 6th @ 4:00-5:00pm in GAC 127

Program Highlights:

  • Explore the Italian capital of Rome and stand amazed by the famed historic sites of the city, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Castel Sant'Angelo, and St. Peter's Basilica.
  • Take some time to appreciate the Italian arts while in Florence, which serves as the home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture including the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, the Galleria dell'Accademia that displays Michelangelo's "David," and the Uffizi Gallery which exhibits Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" and Leonardo da Vinci's "Annunciation."
  • Study in Pescara, one of the largest cities on the Adriatic Coast of Italy. The city is well known for its beaches and as the birthplace of poet Gabriele D'Annunzio.
  • Explore the vibrant cultural heritage of Naples where history, music and everyday life come together. Discover the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, remarkably preserved beneath the volcanic ash of Mount Vesuvius. Experience Italy's past firsthand while uncovering the stories, traditions, and artistic expressions that continue to shape the region today

Program Details

Program Dates

This program will run from May 18- June 5, 2027.

Program Itinerary

Below is a proposed itinerary. Please note that this itinerary is subject to change and a final program itinerary will be provided to participants before our departure at the pre-trip meetings.

Day 1 (Tuesday, May 18, 2027): Travel day

  • Meet at P Lot (Stadium - not GTC) for the bus to Toronto. Please arrive at least 15-20 minutes before bus departure time. (Remember - you need your passport when you cross the border to Canada so don’t pack it in your suitcase)

  • Bus will arrive in Toronto around three hours before the flight (depending on traffic at the Canadian border)

  • Overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2 (Wednesday, May 19, 2027): Rome

  • Transfer to hotel, rest, and lunch

  • Guided visit to the city's iconic landmarks, including the Colosseo, Fori Romani, and Fontana di Trevi

Day 3 (Thursday, May 20, 2027): Rome

  • Continued visit to the city's iconic landmarks

  • Exploration of Jewish Ghetto

  • Exploration of St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City, home to centuries of art, history, and sacred music tradition (possibly use Alan P?)

Day 4 (Friday, May 21, 2027): Rome

  • Guided visit to Rome's iconic landmarks, including the Pantheon, Altare della Patria, and the legendary Bocca della Verità

  • Introduction to Rome's vibrant classical music scene through its historic churches, concert venues, and opera traditions, with free time to experience the city's unique cultural atmosphere

Day 5 (Saturday, May 22, 2027): Rome

  • Villa Borghese

  • Museo Pietro Canonica

  • Galleria Borghese (Bernini, Caravaggio, etc.)

  • Teatro dell’Opera di Roma

Day 6 (Sunday, May 23, 2027): Florence

  • Train to Florence in the morning

  • Walk to hotel

  • Guided visit to the Galleria degli Uffizi

  • Exploration of Florence's iconic landmarks, including the Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore), Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazza della Repubblica

  • Introduction to Florence's rich musical heritage, including its role in the birth of opera, with visits to historic churches, performance venues, and sites connected to the Camerata Fiorentina

Day 7 (Monday, May 24, 2027): Florence

  • Day trip to Lucca and Pisa – by bus

  • Visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli

  • Exploration of the historic walled city of Lucca

  • Guided visit to the Casa Natale di Giacomo Puccini in Lucca, birthplace of the celebrated opera composer. Introduction to Puccini's life, works, and enduring influence on Italian opera

Day 8 (Tuesday, May 25, 2027): Florence

Visits may include one or more of the following:

  • Museo degli Strumenti Musicali. One of Italy's finest collections of historical instruments, including rare Medici instruments, early pianos, violins, and woodwinds.

  • Palazzo Pitti. Home to the Medici court, where music flourished and lavish operas, intermedi, and court spectacles were performed.

  • Palazzo Corsini. Venue of the prestigious Amici della Musica di Firenze concert series, featuring internationally renowned classical musicians.

  • Basilica di Santa Croce. Resting place of Gioachino Rossini and a site associated with important sacred music performances.

  • Battistero di San Giovanni. Famous for its exceptional acoustics and centuries-old tradition of sacred chant.

  • Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Home of the internationally acclaimed Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious opera festivals.

  • Palazzo Bardi. Associated with the historic Camerata Fiorentina, the intellectual circle credited with giving birth to opera around 1600.

Day 9 (Wednesday, May 26, 2027): Pescara

  • Train to Pescara

  • Transfer to hotel and dinner

Day 10 (Thursday, May 27, 2027): Pescara

  • Guided tours of the Pescara and Chieti campuses of Università “G. d'Annunzio”

  • Masterclass led by university professors

  • Academic and intercultural exchange with Italian university students

  • Participation in joint classes fostering cross-cultural dialogue and collaborative learning while learning about the Italian university system and student life

  • Guided visit of the historic village.

  • Q&A session with the Mayor on the town's history, culture, and local traditions.

  • Hands-on wine-making experience. Introduction to Abruzzo's winemaking traditions. Regional wine tasting.

Day 11 (Friday, May 28, 2027): Pescara

  • Scenic excursion through Gran Sasso National Park

  • Visit to the breathtaking Campo Imperatore, known as the "Little Tibet of Italy"

  • Exploration of Castelli, the village renowned worldwide for its centuries-old ceramic tradition.

  • Hands-on ceramics workshop led by local artisans. Introduction to the history and artistry of Abruzzo's celebrated maiolica production

  • Tasting of local specialties, including the iconic arrosticini and other traditional Abruzzese delicacies

Day 12 (Saturday, May 29, 2027): Pescara

  • Masterclass at the Conservatory, led by distinguished faculty and professional musicians

  • Masterclass focusing on Italian language, culture, and music. Exploration of Italian approaches to music education, performance, and scholarship

  • Interactive discussions with professors and students in an academic setting. Opportunities for questions, collaboration, and cross-cultural exchange with Italian peers

Day 13 (Sunday, May 30, 2027): Naples

  • Pasta-making class in Pescara

  • Visits to local museums “Genti d’Abruzzo” and “Casa Natale di Gabriele d’Annunzio” in Pescara

  • Train to Naples

  • Transfer to hotel

Day 14 (Monday, May 31, 2027): Naples

  • Exploration of the vibrant Quartieri Spagnoli

  • Guided visit to the Teatro di San Carlo, the world's oldest continuously operating opera house

  • Visit to the Conservatorio di San Pietro a Majella, home to an extraordinary music library, historic instruments, and centuries of Italian musical heritage

Day 15 (Tuesday, June 1, 2027): Naples

  • Exploration of the remarkably preserved archaeological sites of Ercolano and Pompeii, offering a unique glimpse into daily life in the ancient Roman world

  • Guided visit to the magnificent Reggia di Caserta, the largest royal palace in Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its grand architecture, lavish interiors, and spectacular gardens

Day 16 (Wednesday, June 2, 2027): Naples

  • Guided tour to Paestum and Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast (Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, etc.)

Day 17 (Thursday, June 3, 2027): Naples

  • Visits to local museums

  • Free evening: last evening in Italy.

Day 18 (Friday, June 4, 2027): Travel day

  • Private transportation from the hotel to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

  • Flight back to Toronto from Rome. Bus from Toronto back to Ӱԭ. Bus from Toronto back to Ӱԭ. Should arrive on campus around 3-4 hours after arrival.

Course Information

ITL 301- Italy Through the Ages: Language, Politics, & Society

This course provides background on contemporary Italian politics, society, and languagepractices as an essential foundation to students with various disciplinary interests. The course also reviews selected institutional issues, such as gender, the national education system, criminality and justice, religion, economic system, social class,politics, and patterns of language use will also be reviewed.

This course will be taught in English. Course materials will be made available both in English andin Italian. This course will count as a liberal arts class that students can use toward theirgeneral graduation requirements. The course will fulfill an elective requirement in your major,or will count towards your Italian major and minor.

There are no prerequisites for this course and it is open to all students. This course also fulfills the DEIB and experimental learning requirement here at Ӱԭ.

Accommodations

This program will include stays at both hotels and apartments. Specific details regarding accommodations will be provided in the final itinerary before departure.

Program Costs & Funding

The program fee is to be determined for 2027.

Program Fee Includes:

  • Round trip airfare
  • All hotels and accommodation
  • Meals part of the itinerary
  • All in-country transportation, including ferries
  • All projects, activities, workshops, museum entries, etc. part of the itinerary
  • Ground transportation to and from airports (if necessary)
  • International travel and medical insurance

Not Included:

  • Passport (must be valid at least 6 months past the return date of the program).
  • Additional meals (meals not in the itinerary)
  • Miscellaneous expenses (such as souvenirs, personal care items, etc.)

Funding Sources:

For SPARK eligible students,you will receive the $1,500 SPARK Grant from the Center for Life's Work. SPARK students will also receive a three credit tuition offset which covers summer tuition for this course. Students will still need to pay the $30 course registration fee.

For non-SPARK eligible undergraduate students, you may be eligible for funding from the Center for International Education. You will also receive a two credit offset which covers a majority of the summer tuition for this course. You will be responsible for the cost of one summer credit and the $30 course registration fee.

Funding from the Casa Italiana will be based off of your demonstrated financial need according to your FAFSA and will vary between each student; it will not exceed SPARK funding. Funding is made possible through the generous support of endowed scholarships for study in Italy.For funding inquiries, please contact Dr. Joelle Carota at jcarota3@naz.edu.

Vaccination Guidance

Visit the following sites to see the recommended immunizations and medications for your program. Talk with your family and your physician to understand which ones you may need to travel.

Application (Due November 8th)

Please complete the by November 8th.

Ӱԭ in Italy

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      Venice, Italy

      At A Glance

      Term: Summer A 2027

      Program Level: Undergraduate & Graduate

      Program Type: Academic, 3 credits

      Major(s): Open to all majors, but may be of particular interest to the following majors or minors:

      • Art History
      • Business & Leadership
      • Communications & Media
      • English
      • History
      • International & Global Studies
      • Italian
      • Legal Studies
      • Museum, Archives, & Public History
      • Music
      • Philosophy
      • Religious Studies
      • Sociology

      Language Requirement: None; course taught in English

      MinimumGPA Requirement: 2.5