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Italy

Italy at a Slower Pace: The Best of Rome & Florence

Program No. 24818RJ
Explore the iconic sites of Rome and Florence, including the Sistine Chapel, the Duomo, the Colosseum and more, at a slower pace.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
10 days
Program Begins
Rome
Program Concludes
Florence
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
18 ( 8B, 4L, 6D )
Activity Level
Explore the rich history, culture and beauty of two iconic Italian cities, Rome and Florence, while traveling at a slower pace on this learning adventure. With independent time and relaxed walks built into your itinerary, discover the magic of Italy through its museums, villas and an expert-led after-hours private visit to the Sistine Chapel when the tourists have gone home for the day. Check cultural landmarks off your must-see list while experiencing for yourself the charm and heritage of Italy.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Visit the Uffizi Gallery to admire masterpieces like Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," da Vinci's "Annunciation" and Michelangelo's "Doni Tondo."
  • Visit the Sistine Chapel after hours, led by an expert.
  • Indulge in a delightful wine-tasting experience in the heart of Florence, where you'll savor Tuscany's finest wines.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Paolo Alei is an art historian from Rome. He received his M.A. in art history and archaeology from Columbia University and his Ph.D. in Italian Renaissance art from Oxford University. He is an adjunct professor at the University of California and Loyola University and serves as the curator of the museum of the Castello Odeschalchi of Bracciano. Paolo has extensive publications and is an internationally acclaimed lecturer in Italian art history.
Rachel Potts is a licensed excursion leader in Rome. She graduated from Manchester University with a bachelor's in Philosophy and French, and later studied garden design at the London Gardening School. Having grown up in Rome, she chose to return to Italy and share her knowledge and love of Rome and the surrounding areas.
Julieta is a passionate student of history, specializing in the history and culture of her native city of Rome. She studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma with a concentration in painting before earning a degree in classical archaeology and art history from the Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza." Outside of history, Julieta enjoys hiking beautiful nature trails by the seaside or in the mountains of Italy.
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.
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.
Marco Ceccarani, a native of Assisi, holds a PhD in humanities from the Università degli Studi di Perugia. His field of expertise includes medieval and Renaissance Italian civilization and literature. He has taught for several American universities in the United States and currently teaches in Florence for American university study away programs.
Cristiana Filippini was awarded her doctorate from Johns Hopkins University with a dissertation on 11th-century frescoes in Rome. She has also completed specialized study in archeology and art history from the Università degli Studi di Siena, Italy and has taught at the American University in Rome and at Trinity College’s Rome Campus.
Enrica Lattanzio, born and raised in Milan, holds a master's in international law from the University of Milan and a piano degree from the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory. Her career includes roles as a PR manager in the United States and the Dominican Republic. She is fluent in English and Spanish, which she acquired during her international experiences. She passionately works as a group leader in Italy, combining her diverse skills.
Giorgia Montella, born in Torre del Greco near Naples, has been in the tourism sector for about 20 years, primarily as a group leader for Italian and international clientele. Her extensive experience includes group and individual management, problem solving, and collaborating with agencies and travel operators to craft innovative itineraries in Campania. She has recently ventured into travel designing for bespoke expeditions in Italy's leading travel destinations. Her passion for psychology, writing, and Eastern philosophies complements her professional pursuits.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Climbing on and off the bus or vans for city visits, walking up to 2 miles per day and standing up to 2 hours; cobblestone streets and uneven terrain
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
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Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.