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Italy

The Best of Italy for Women: Rome, Florence and Venice

Program No. 25684RJ
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Program
At a Glance
Duration
12 days
Program Begins
Rome
Program Concludes
Venice
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
21 ( 10B, 5L, 6D )
Activity Level
From
6,249
Rome, Florence and Venice — three renowned Italian cities, three extraordinary settings for exploring history, art, architecture and cuisine. Join other Road Scholar women as you trace the rise of the Roman Empire at the Colosseum and Pantheon, stand before Michelangelo’s David and Florence’s soaring Duomo and experience Venice from its canals and historic piazzas. Along the way, gain deeper insight into the forces that shaped Italy, from ancient Rome and the Medici dynasty to the artistic achievements of the Renaissance. Learn from local experts during lectures and site visits, explore world-class museums including the Galleria Borghese and Uffizi and ride Italy’s high-speed trains between cities. With several free afternoons for independent exploration, you’ll have time to linger in museums, wander neighborhood streets or share discoveries with fellow travelers. From preserved masterpieces to daily life in modern Italy, experience the country’s enduring cultural legacy together.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Step into Italian history through explorations of the Colosseum, Pantheon, Galleria Borghese and Uffizi alongside fellow Road Scholar women.
  • Ride the rails via a high-speed train to Florence and Venice, reaching speeds of over 190 mph.
  • Gain a unique perspective on Venice from a gondola ride through its historic canals.
General Notes
This program is intended exclusively for women and led by a female Group Leader. Those interested in a program for all participants may enjoy "The Best of Italy: Rome, Florence and Venice" (#18206).
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Jane Zaloga holds degrees in architecture and business administration from the University of Notre Dame, an MA from Syracuse University, and has done further graduate study at Harvard University. She has received several fellowships to study in Rome and in Florence, including the prestigious Fulbright Fellowship. She now lives in Florence and teaches with several American university programs, including Syracuse University and New York University.
Rosanna Giannotti is a Senior Authorized Venice Guide Lecturer who has devoted her life to studying the art and history of her home city. She is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and she has always had a penchant for traveling and cosmopolitanism, in order to expand her knowledge and connect Venetian history with the world context. Rosanna is a member of the most prestigious Italian and European Associations of Guide Lecturers and has cooperated with Road Scholar programs in Venice for over 30 years.
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.
Daniela is a licensed travel leader for the city and province of Rome. She studied and worked in other countries in Europe, in China and Morocco. Daniela defines travel as learning about and appreciating different cultures. With a young family, her most recent adventures have been traveling in time, rediscovering ancient sites and historic curiosities in sites off the beaten path in Rome, the city she considers the most beautiful in the world.
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.
Monica Chojnacka earned her PhD in European history from Stanford University and undergraduate degrees from Kalamazoo College and the London School of Economics and Political Science. From 1994-2007 she was a professor of history at the University of Georgia, where she authored numerous publications. She has published books relating to Venice on topics as diverse as women of the Renaissance, food and wine. Monica continues to teach in Venice, primarily for study away programs for American universities, as well as online courses.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to 5 miles per day at a moderate pace of 2 mph over uneven terrain, marble and terracotta flooring, cobblestones, inclines, loose gravel and dirt paths. Standing up to 4 hours per day with limited public seating. Program will require approximately 35 miles of walking over 11 days. This mileage does not include free time. Must be able to use stairs without handrails in order to navigate field trip sites. Elevator use is limited in historic sites. Program-related travel and transfers will be via bus, high-speed train, vaporetto and water taxi. Sheltered waiting areas may not be available at docks. Due to unavoidable stairs and pacing, wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this program. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.
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?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
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.

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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.

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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.

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Sustainable Travel

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

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