Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Make sure your class packs their tastebuds for this tour! Your students can look forward to tasting classic Italian ingredients, including Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, white & black truffles, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Your group will also discover the picturesque city of Bologna, visit a local market in Florence, and try their hand at making authentic local dishes like pizza, pasta, and panna cotta.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Italy (Milan)
Day 2
Arrive in Milan
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.
Travel to Bologna
Bologna city walk
Stroll through Bologna’s 15th-century Piazza Maggiore, framed by grand palaces and the Basilica di San Petronio, one of the largest churches in the world. Nearby, look up at "Le due Torri," the two leaning towers that have long stood as the city’s most iconic symbol.
Day 3
Parmigiano & Prosciutto di Parma factory guided visit
Discover the history and craftsmanship of Parmigiano-Reggiano, one of the world’s most celebrated cheeses. Tour a factory to see how the wheels are produced, aged, and stored, then enjoy a tasting. Continue to a Prosciutto workshop to learn the traditional methods behind Italy’s famed cured meat.
Modena balsamic vinegar tasting
Day 4
Travel to Florence
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.
Traditional Florentine dinner
Day 5
Truffle & olive oil grove visit
Learn how farmers use dogs to hunt prized truffles and discover the differences between white and black varieties, including why they are so rare and costly. Then see both traditional and modern methods of olive oil production before sampling a selection of oils and fresh truffles.
Truffle & olive oil grove visit
Learn how farmers use dogs to hunt prized truffles and discover the differences between white and black varieties, including why they are so rare and costly. Then see both traditional and modern methods of olive oil production before sampling a selection of oils and fresh truffles.
Cooking class and dinner
Take part in an Italian cooking course and prepare Tuscan and Florentine favourites, from pappa al pomodoro to panna cotta. Learn the art of hand-made pasta, then sit down to enjoy the delicious dishes you’ve created. Buon appetito!
Day 6
Travel to Rome
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.
Day 7
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.
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.
Pizza-making class & dinner
Meet a professional pizza chef and learn the art of dough preparation, from rolling pin to hand stretching. Discover classic garnishes like tomato, basil, oregano, and mozzarella, then create your own masterpiece with toppings from the buffet and choose your cooking style on plate or stone. Mangia!
Day 8
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Sorrento
Watch artisans carve cameos, an ancient craft dating back to Greece and Rome. Explore Pompeii, the city of 20,000 frozen in time nearly 2,000 years ago when Vesuvius erupted, revealing everyday life in remarkable detail. The next day, cruise to Capri and, weather permitting, enter the Blue Grotto, where reflected sunlight fills the cave with a silver-blue glow 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
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.