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Italy

Under the Tuscan Sun: Italian Adventures With Your Grandchild

Program No. 23575RJ
Under the Tuscan sun, you and your grandchild will create memories that will last a lifetime as you discover amazing art, learn some Italian and explore ancient ruins together.

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At a Glance

What comes to mind when you think of Italy? Spectacular cuisine? Rolling hills? If that’s the case, then chances are you’re thinking of Tuscany. Unlike the long lines of Rome and the crazy crowds of Venice, it’s way easier to feel like a true Italian in the small cities of Tuscany. Alongside your grandchild, journey along the peaceful valleys to learn what makes Italy one of the best countries in the world. Discover priceless art, whip up some delicious Italian food, and learn what makes the Leaning Tower of Pisa lean as you explore la bella vita with your grandchild.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to five miles a day; elective biking opportunity. Extended standing during site visits with limited or no public seating. Uneven terrain, limited public handrails, unavoidable stairs, marble and terracotta flooring, cobblestones, inclines, loose gravel, dirt paths, escalators. Elevator use is limited or restricted in historic sites. Expect crowded conditions in pedestrian centers and museums. Anticipate temperatures to reach 85-95°F consistently. Program-related travel and transfers will be via bus, regional train, and funicular. Pedestrian tunnels at train stations.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Discover the famous scientific explorations of Leonardo da Vinci at the place he was born.
  • Become a pasta- and pizza-making pro during a fun cooking class and bring your recipes home to your family.
  • Ride your bike on top of the medieval walls of Lucca to get a totally different perspective of Tuscany.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Suzanne Myers
Suzanne Myers originally hails from Lincoln, Nebraska and has been living in Florence since 2011. She has a BA in art history from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and an MA in art history from Syracuse University. She works as a lecturer for several study away programs in Florence and as a licensed group leader. Suzanne specializes in Italian Renaissance art, but also loves to lecture on a wide range of subjects from the Medici family to the Black Death to Florentine fashion.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Lara Mattioli
Lara Mattioli View biography
Lara Mattioli is from Ancona, a city on the eastern Adriatic coast of Italy. She has an advanced degree in communications from the Università degli Studi di Macerata and has been working for many years as group leader in Italy and abroad. Lara studied and worked in Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro where she learned to speak Spanish and Portuguese fluently. When not leading Road Scholar programs in her beautiful country, she loves to travel and pursue her hobby of scuba diving.
Profile Image of Suzanne Myers
Suzanne Myers View biography
Suzanne Myers originally hails from Lincoln, Nebraska and has been living in Florence since 2011. She has a BA in art history from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and an MA in art history from Syracuse University. She works as a lecturer for several study away programs in Florence and as a licensed group leader. Suzanne specializes in Italian Renaissance art, but also loves to lecture on a wide range of subjects from the Medici family to the Black Death to Florentine fashion.
Profile Image of Giulia Marsigli
Giulia Marsigli View biography
Giulia completed her degree in foreign languages and cultures at the Università degli studi di Genova. She loves being active, traveling and meeting new people. She honed her English skills as an exchange student at a Seattle high school. She perfected her French while working as a sailing coach at a resort in Tunisia. In Tanzania, she taught English and picked up some Swahili. Giulia lives in a village near Lerici and is a licensed leader for the province, including Portovenere and the Cinque Terre.
Profile Image of Sabrina Lanzoni
Sabrina Lanzoni View biography
Sabrina Lanzoni was born in Pisa and moved to the German-speaking area of Switzerland where she attended school. She also attended a school for foreign language secretary. Sabrina returned to Italy for university, earning a degree in foreign languages and German literature at the Università di Pisa. While still a student, she worked as a group leader traveling throughout Italy and Europe. She has been leading groups in Pisa since 1988. Sabrina speaks Italian, German, English, and French.
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Erika Cennini View biography
Erika Cennini lives in Poggibonsi, a small town south of Florence. She holds a diploma from the International Institute of Tourism in Florence. Throughout her career in travel, Erika has worked in Italy, France, and the United Kingdom. She is also a licensed guide in the cities and provinces of Florence, Pisa, and Siena. She speaks Italian, French, English, Spanish, and German. Erika enjoys traveling, Egyptology, photography, French cinema, reading, swimming, and golf.
Profile Image of Chiara Aradei
Chiara Aradei View biography
Chiara Aradei brings a wealth of diverse experience spanning various industries. Her extensive expertise includes overseeing cultural exhibitions in Florence and managing aviation operations at Florence Airport. She has also excelled as a substitute teacher and personal assistant to the Honorary Consul of Italy in Connecticut. Chiara holds a diploma in tourism and is multilingual, speaking Italian, English, and French fluently. She enjoys art, travel, and cooking, and shares her love for Tuscany through her Facebook page, "Under My Tuscan Sun."
Profile Image of Tommaso Turi
Tommaso Turi View biography
Tommaso Turi was born and raised in Pistoia, where his love for nature, art, and history began early. He studied biology at the University of Pisa before becoming a certified hiking and environmental guide and, later, in 2012, a licensed tour guide. A passionate sommelier since 2003, he loves exploring Italy through its food, wine, and local traditions. In his free time, Tommaso enjoys reading, theater, cinema, cycling, and traveling in search of hidden cultural gems.
Profile Image of Simone Del Greco
Simone Del Greco View biography
Simone Del Greco is a cultural project manager and historical reenactment director with a background in medieval archaeology and a master’s in cultural management from Paris. He has extensive experience organizing large-scale events across Italy and France, focusing on heritage preservation and public engagement. Simone speaks fluent Italian, French, and English, with basic knowledge of German and Spanish. He holds a diploma in tourism and languages and is skilled in project design, communications, and fundraising. He enjoys reading, trekking, and historical fencing.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.