8 or 10 days
Rome, Florence, extension to Siena and San Gimignano
Program designed to: Explore how these two city states, epicenters of power for centuries, gave birth to political, religious, scientific and artistic movements that continue to influence Italian culture today. Curated visits to iconic sights chronicle the classical period through the Renaissance. There's also plenty of time to experience modern-day Rome and Florence, connecting with locals as you explore each city’s unique culture, customs and cuisine.

Highlight: Taste-test the four most beloved pasta dishes found on any good Roman trattoria menu: Carbonara, Amatriciana, Cacio e Pepe, and Gricia. Simple. Delicious!

🔹 Curated experiences: Every program is intentionally designed to feature guided learning, cultural engagement, and independent exploration experiences to drive global competency development, denoted on each itinerary with a blue diamond. Learn more about these experiences.
  • Day 1: Fly overnight to Italy

  • Day 2: Rome

    Meet your Field Director at the airport

    Enjoy a pizza dinner in Rome

  • Day 3: Rome

    Take a guided tour of Vatican City, the headquarter of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope

    With your expert local guide you will visit:

    • Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes
    • St. Peter’s Basilica, a site of religious and historical significance over which the Pope presides

    🔹 Independent exploration: Spend a half day exploring Rome on your own

  • Day 4: Rome

    Take a guided tour of Rome

    With your expert local guide you will visit:

    • Roman Forum, marking the former heart of the Roman Empire where Julius Caesar gave many of his political speeches
    • The Colosseum, the world’s most famous arena used for gladiatorial combat

    Take a self-guided walking tour of Rome

    You will see:

    • Trevi Fountain, Rome's iconic landmark
    • Pantheon, built to honor all the gods of Rome
    • Piazza Navona, a lively square lined with restaurants and shops
    • Spanish Steps, Europe's widest staircase
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    🔹 Cultural engagement: Food walking tour

    🔹 Cultural engagement: Food walking tour

    Explore the culinary history of Italy on this food-focused walking tour of Rome. Pizza, pasta, and cold cuts give you a taste of traditional staples. Expand your knowledge (and taste buds) with suppli, a favorite fried snack made with rice & mozzarella before ending your day with Italian ice cream.

  • Day 5: Rome • Florence

    Travel to Florence, the birthplace of the Italian language, opera, and the Renaissance 

    🔹 Guided learning: Take a guided tour of Florence

    With your expert local guide you will see:

    • Piazza della Signoria, which is lined with classic statues
    • Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge where many of Florence’s famed leather and gold artisans still keep shop 
    • Basilica of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and others are buried 
    • Gates of Paradise, bronzed doors that depict scenes from the Old Testament and are considered an icon of the Renaissance 

    Enjoy dinner in Florence

  • Day 6: Florence

    Visit the Accademia to admire Michelangelo’s statue of David and explore the winding halls of busts

    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Pisa

    Pisa

    Journey to Pisa on this half-day excursion. Enjoy a guided tour of the city’s Field of Miracles, where you can snap a picture of the 12th-century Leaning Tower, aslant ever since the third floor was built. This is where Galileo was said to have developed his laws of gravity. Also, visit the adjacent cathedral and baptistery, which contain exquisite marble pulpits carved in the Gothic style by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. 

  • Day 7: Florence

    Visit the Uffizi art museum to see Botticelli’s famous Birth of Venus painting up close and study the details of Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation

    🔹 Cultural engagement: Attend a gelato-making demonstration and tasting

    🔹 Independent exploration: Spend a half day exploring Florence on your own

  • Day 8: Depart for home

Add more days

  • Day 8: Florence • Siena • San Gimignano

    Visit the Siena Duomo and admire its 800 year-old architecture 

    Take an excursion to the beloved Medieval cities of Siena and San Gimignano and learn about them alongside an expert local guide 

  • Day 9: Florence

    Visit the Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens, a 500 year-old park filled with sculptures from the 16th, 17th, and 18th century

    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Tuscan wine tasting

    Tuscan wine tasting

    Take an excursion to a Tuscan winery and sample the distinctive wines of the region.

    Enjoy dinner in Florence

  • Day 10: Depart for home

  • Day 1: Fly overnight to Italy

  • Day 2: Rome

    Meet your Field Director at the airport

    Enjoy a pizza dinner in Rome

  • Day 3: Rome

    Take a guided tour of Vatican City, the headquarter of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope

    With your expert local guide you will visit:

    • Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes
    • St. Peter’s Basilica, a site of religious and historical significance over which the Pope presides

    🔹 Independent exploration: Spend a half day exploring Rome on your own

  • Day 4: Rome

    Take a guided tour of Rome

    With your expert local guide you will visit:

    • Roman Forum, marking the former heart of the Roman Empire where Julius Caesar gave many of his political speeches
    • The Colosseum, the world’s most famous arena used for gladiatorial combat

    Take a self-guided walking tour of Rome

    You will see:

    • Trevi Fountain, Rome's iconic landmark
    • Pantheon, built to honor all the gods of Rome
    • Piazza Navona, a lively square lined with restaurants and shops
    • Spanish Steps, Europe's widest staircase
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    🔹 Cultural engagement: Food walking tour

    🔹 Cultural engagement: Food walking tour

    Explore the culinary history of Italy on this food-focused walking tour of Rome. Pizza, pasta, and cold cuts give you a taste of traditional staples. Expand your knowledge (and taste buds) with suppli, a favorite fried snack made with rice & mozzarella before ending your day with Italian ice cream.

  • Day 5: Rome • Florence

    Travel to Florence, the birthplace of the Italian language, opera, and the Renaissance 

    🔹 Guided learning: Take a guided tour of Florence

    With your expert local guide you will see:

    • Piazza della Signoria, which is lined with classic statues
    • Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge where many of Florence’s famed leather and gold artisans still keep shop 
    • Basilica of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and others are buried 
    • Gates of Paradise, bronzed doors that depict scenes from the Old Testament and are considered an icon of the Renaissance 

    Enjoy dinner in Florence

  • Day 6: Florence

    Visit the Accademia to admire Michelangelo’s statue of David and explore the winding halls of busts

    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Pisa

    Pisa

    Journey to Pisa on this half-day excursion. Enjoy a guided tour of the city’s Field of Miracles, where you can snap a picture of the 12th-century Leaning Tower, aslant ever since the third floor was built. This is where Galileo was said to have developed his laws of gravity. Also, visit the adjacent cathedral and baptistery, which contain exquisite marble pulpits carved in the Gothic style by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. 

  • Day 7: Florence

    Visit the Uffizi art museum to see Botticelli’s famous Birth of Venus painting up close and study the details of Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation

    🔹 Cultural engagement: Attend a gelato-making demonstration and tasting

    🔹 Independent exploration: Spend a half day exploring Florence on your own

  • Day 8: Depart for home

Add more days

  • Day 8: Florence • Siena • San Gimignano

    Visit the Siena Duomo and admire its 800 year-old architecture 

    Take an excursion to the beloved Medieval cities of Siena and San Gimignano and learn about them alongside an expert local guide 

  • Day 9: Florence

    Visit the Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens, a 500 year-old park filled with sculptures from the 16th, 17th, and 18th century

    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Tuscan wine tasting

    Tuscan wine tasting

    Take an excursion to a Tuscan winery and sample the distinctive wines of the region.

    Enjoy dinner in Florence

  • Day 10: Depart for home


Learning outcomes on this program

Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness


EF Global Learning Model Post-Study Abroad Learning Resources
Academic resources

With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions
  • Sample assignments
  • Journal prompts
  • Webinars
  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development
See the resources you get
EF Global Learning Model Post-Study Abroad Learning Resources
Academic resources


With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions
  • Sample assignments
  • Journal prompts
  • Webinars
  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development

See the resources you get


What's Included

  • Transportation

    Various modes of transport are tailored to your program. While some transfers are included, others may come at additional cost.

  • Accommodations

    Safe, comfortable lodging will be waiting for you at your destination.

  • Select meals

    Enjoy a combination of included meals and the freedom to explore local cuisine on your own.

  • End-to-end support

    Your dedicated EF team helps secure administrative approval and academic credit, provides enrollment tools, and helps establish your program’s ongoing presence on campus.

  • EF Global Learning Toolkit

    We offer various tools to help educators facilitate student growth abroad and on campus, including academically enriched travel programs, industry engagement opportunities, global learning resources, and a Global Competencies Assessment tool.

  • Field Director

    Your Field Director is on the ground with your group, providing deep local insights while handling program logistics.

  • Guided exploration

    Gain insider knowledge and cultural perspective from licensed local guides: natural historians who provide cultural insights to enhance learning moments throughout the program.

  • Field Visits

    Experience academics in action during engaging visits with relevant organizations, thought leaders, and partners.


Programs in real life

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Programs in real life

EF College Study Tours Instagram page     Instagram →

EF College Study Tours Facebook page     Facebook →

EF College Study Tours blog page     Blog →

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