Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Travel through distinct chapters in Mediterranean history on this adventure through Rome, Florence, Meteora, and Athens. Your students will visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum, explore the vast collection of the Vatican, and browse the iconic shops of the Ponte Vecchio. Your group can also look forward to visiting a monastery in Meteora that dates back to the 14th century, exploring the ancient ruins at Delphi, and seeing the Acropolis.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Italy (Rome)
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
Walk through Rome’s timeless icons with your guide: climb the Spanish Steps, toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, marvel at the Pantheon’s dome, and linger in lively Piazza Navona. Then step inside the Colosseum to see its underground chambers before continuing to the Roman Forum, the centre of ancient civic life.
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.
Pisa guided excursion (optional)
Stop in Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower, which began tilting when builders discovered the ground beneath was too soft. Attempts to straighten it only made the lean more pronounced. The tower is part of the Campo dei Miracoli, where the baptistery, duomo, and tower together exemplify Pisan Romanesque style, clad in intricately carved black-and-white marble that gleams in the sun.
Day 6
Travel to Ancona
Overnight ferry to Igoumenitsa
Day 7
Travel to Meteora
Meteora monastery visit
Visit an Eastern Orthodox monastery in Meteora, Northern Greece. Perched atop towering rock columns, these monasteries date back to the 14th century, with six of the original 24 still active today.
Day 8
Travel to Athens via Delphi
Delphi guided sightseeing tour
Explore the ruins of Delphi, once considered the centre of the world. In the Temple of Apollo, a priestess inhaled vapors to deliver prophecies, inspiring leaders for centuries. Today, visitors may find their own inspiration in sweeping views from Mount Parnassus, rising more than 8,000 feet above.
LEAP Temple Architecture
Explore ancient temple architecture and its influence on modern design. Then bring history to life through a creative activity: build a scene from a panel image, considering its context, characters, and message, and perform it as a believable story judged by theatre critics.
Day 9
Athens guided sightseeing tour
Explore Athens with your local guide, where ancient history and modern life meet. Visit the Acropolis, the heart of classical Athens, to see the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, and the elegant Temple of Athena Nike. Admire sweeping views of the city before stopping at the 2004 Olympic site, a symbol of Greece’s enduring athletic spirit. Continue to Syntagma Square to watch the ceremonial changing of the guards at the Parliament, then to Omonoia Square, a lively gathering place surrounded by cafés and olive trees.
Athens city walk
In Athens, history is never far away. Walk with your Tour Director through the Plaka district, where winding streets reveal balconies filled with flowers and tavernas alive with traditional dancing. Then visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus, begun in the 6th century BC and finished by Hadrian in AD 132, and see Hadrian’s Arch, once marking the divide between ancient and imperial Athens.
Greek dinner in Plaka
Day 10
Return home
Optional Extension
Add a 3 Day Aegean Cruise Experience + 1 Day in Athens
Sail past stunning Mediterranean coastlines and whitewashed villages as you visit Mykonos, Kusadasi, and Rhodes, with optional excursions to Ephesus, Patmos, and Lindos. Wrap up your adventure with time to explore ancient artifacts at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
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 and Greece
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.
