Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Explore important landmarks in world history alongside your young history buffs on this journey from Rome to Barcelona. Your students can look forward to discovering the vast collections of the Vatican, exploring the Colosseum, and admiring Florence’s famed Ponte Vecchio. Your class will also see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, explore the Arènes de Nîmes, admire Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, and embark on a challenging scavenger hunt through Las Ramblas.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Italy (Milan)
Day 2
Arrive in Rome
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Rome city walk
Discover Rome’s iconic landmarks on a guided walk. At the Spanish Steps, see the “sinking ship” fountain, designed that way because of low water pressure that forced the artist to sink it below street level. Marvel at the Trevi Fountain’s Baroque grandeur, the Pantheon’s soaring dome, and Piazza Navona, where Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers anchors the bustling square.
Day 3
Vatican City guided sightseeing tour
Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, with its vast colonnades that seem to embrace the world. Inside, admire Michelangelo’s soaring dome, rising 452 feet above the ground, and his renowned Pietà. Then step into the Sistine Chapel, where the artist reluctantly painted frescoes that today stand among the world’s greatest masterpieces.
Authentic trattoria dinner
Day 4
Ancient Rome guided sightseeing tour
Step inside the Colosseum with a licensed guide, once the stage for gladiators, naval battles, and wild beast hunts, and explore the underground chambers where animals were kept. Continue to the Forum Romanum, the hub of Roman politics, religion, and commerce. Conclude at Piazza Venezia, framed by its grand palaces and the striking Victor Emmanuel Monument.
Travel to Florence
Traditional Italian pizza dinner
Day 5
Florence guided sightseeing tour
Discover Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Admire the Duomo with Brunelleschi’s dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery’s famed Gates of Paradise that inspired generations of artists. Visit Palazzo Vecchio on Piazza della Signoria, once the seat of Florentine power, and step inside Dante’s House to learn about the poet’s legacy. At Santa Croce, see the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Conclude your day by crossing the Ponte Vecchio and visiting a leather workshop to see one of Florence’s most famous crafts.
Siena guided excursion (optional)
Explore Siena, a city that still radiates the charm of medieval Italy. Stroll through the fan-shaped Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares, surrounded by cafés and the Palazzo Pubblico, home to Siena’s civic museum. Gaze up at the Torre del Mangia, the city’s famous bell tower, and visit the striking Duomo, with its black-and-white marble stripes. Continue to the Church of St. Catherine and the Fortezza Medicea, both offering insight into Siena’s history of faith, art, and rivalry with neighboring Florence.
Day 6
Travel to Côte d'Azur via Pisa
Pisa guided excursion
Stop in Pisa to see the world-famous Leaning Tower, tilted since builders set it on soft ground centuries ago. Visit the Baptistery, renowned for its acoustics, and admire the nearby duomo. Together these landmarks form the Campo dei Miracoli, their black-and-white marble façades gleaming against the green lawn.
Nice Tour Director-led sightseeing
The Côte d'Azur's largest city spills down the hillsides to pebble beaches that line the shore. Your Tour Director will show you around the narrow pedestrian streets and tiny squares of "Le Vieux Nice" (Old Town), which is sprinkled with old palaces and mansions. Stroll down the Promenade des Anglais, which runs parallel to the water. Backed by Nice's grand hotels, the Promenade was built in the 19th century for the British who flocked here en masse.
Day 7
Travel to Provence
Pont du Gard visit
A masterpiece of Roman engineering, the Pont du Gard aqueduct is one of the most stunning ancient monuments in Provence. Explore its arches and learn how this marvel carried water across the Gardon Valley for centuries.
Nîmes Amphitheatre visit
Nearly two millennia old and still stealing the spotlight, the Nimes Amphitheatre was once a brutal battleground for gladiators and wild beasts, drawing crowds hungry for spectacle. Today, it's a living monument where echoes of ancient roars meet the rhythm of concerts and the drama of modern bullfights, because some stages were never meant to go quiet.
Day 8
Travel to Barcelona
Las Ramblas scavenger hunt
Take interactive learning to another level with a Tour Director-led scavenger hunt on Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most famous pedestrian street. Complete exciting activities and solve fun clues, each designed to maximize experiential learning on tour.
Paella dinner
Day 9
Barcelona guided sightseeing tour
Discover Barcelona with a licensed guide as you explore its mix of Gothic charm and modernist brilliance. Visit Plaza de España, then marvel at Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, the soaring church that defines the city’s skyline. Wander through Park Güell with its colourful mosaics and sweeping views, and journey to Montjuïc Hill, home to historic fortresses and the 1992 Olympic grounds.
LEAP Spirit of Spain
Immerse yourself in the art that captures the passion of Spain. Compare the techniques and meanings in the works of artists from El Greco to Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso. Deepen your understanding of art history as you debate how these and other masters defined and shaped Spanish culture.
Tapas dinner
Day 10
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Madrid
Travel by AVE train to Spain’s capital and begin with a city walk through Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de España. The next day, take a guided sightseeing tour to see Calle Mayor, the lively Gran Vía, the Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, and Columbus Square. Visit the Royal Palace, explore the world-renowned Prado Museum, and end your stay with an unforgettable flamenco evening before heading home.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more unforgettable hands-on moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions.
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Daily meals, with options varying by program (ask your Program Consultant for details)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding full-day bus drivers and Tour Director)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Scenes from Italy, France & Spain
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program (FAP), we provide travel grants to elementary and secondary school facing financial hardship. These grants, which can be up to $250 for coach tours and up to $1,000 for flight tours, are designed to make our programs more accessible to students from all backgrounds. Interested families are encouraged to speak with their school to learn more about our confidential application process.
Payment Plans
Monthly Automated Plan
Enroll with a deposit of $99 plus the cost of your travel protection plan (if included). We’ll automatically debit the rest of your tour fee from your chequing account in equal monthly payments, with the final payment due 35 days before you travel.
Please note: If two consecutive payments are declined, your account will be moved to the 4-Step Manual Plan.
4-Step Manual Plan
Manage your payments manually with a $249 initial payment plus your travel protection plan costs (if included). You’ll then make three more payments at key milestones as your departure date approaches. The final balance is due 65 days before your trip.
Please note: Payments on this plan are not automatically deducted and must be made manually.
Fundraising Tools
We are committed to helping you make your educational travel dreams a reality. We offer a comprehensive Fundraising Guide packed with creative ideas, tips, and resources to help you and your students reach your fundraising goals. From setting a timeline to brainstorming innovative campaigns, our guide provides a structured approach to make fundraising a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.
