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Italy

The Best of Italy: Rome, Florence and Venice

Program No. 18206RJ

Learn about three great Italian cities as you visit Rome’s preserved ruins, explore Renaissance architecture in Florence and discover the renowned cathedrals and cuisine of Venice.

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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

Experience the beauty of three historic capitals of Classical, Medieval, and Renaissance acclaim as local experts lead you through some of Italy's greatest cities. Follow the path of legendary artists, scientists, and philosophers from the classical remnants of Rome to the preserved treasures of Florence and Venice.

Best of all, you'll...

Trace history as you visit the Colosseum, Pantheon and Galleria Borghese.
Journey to Florence and Venice via a high-speed train, reaching speeds of over 190 mph.
View the statue of David — and ride in a gondola through the canals of Venice.

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Featured Expert

All Experts

Jane Zaloga

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.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

Please Note:

These experts may not be available for every date of the program

Jane Zaloga

Paolo Alei

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

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.

Domenico Cuomo

Domenico Cuomo nearly completed law school at the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, but then fell in love with leading cultural travel groups. Mimmo has over twenty years of experience working on educational tours throughout Europe. He grew up and still resides in the Campi Flegrei, situated to the west of Naples. He loves working with Road Scholar participants as it offers him the opportunity for cultural exchange and sharing his knowledge of European cultures. Mimmo is fluent in English and Italian.

Rosanna Giannotti

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.

Giulietta Seme

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.

Bianca Obradovic

Bianca is originally from the former Yugoslavia, but after studying at the American Business School in Rome 30 years ago, she decided to make Italy her home. She is fluent in English, Italian, French, and Arabic among other languages. Bianca has worked as the site coordinator and group leader for numerous educational travel companies in Italy and in the Mediterranean.

Alessio Rosoldi

Alessio Rosoldi is a native of Rome and a true lifelong learner. He graduated from the Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" with a degree in foreign languages and literature and an MA in intercultural communication. Alessio went on to work for the World Food Program, a United Nations entity based out of Rome. Recently, he earned a second MA, this time in Italian studies from the University of Washington.

Cristina Davanzo

Cristina Davanzo is a native of Treviso (a city just north of Venice) and has an advanced degree in foreign languages and literature from the Università Ca' Foscari in Venice. She has taught at the primary school level and has studied and worked in Spain, England and Italy as an interpreter, group leader and administrative assistant. When she returned to Italy, she began managing educational travel programs as well as leading Road Scholar groups since 2005. She is fluent in Italian, Spanish, English and Portuguese.

Bruna Baravelli

Bruna Baravelli is from Forlì, on the northeastern coast of Italy. After graduating from Liceo Classico, she earned her Ph.D. in English literature at the Università di Bologna. Before retiring, Bruna taught English literature and held administrative positions in the local school district. She has dedicated her time to public service as a member of the Forlì city council and the National Council for Equal Opportunity. She is passionate about the merits of travel and has fostered educational exchanges in Europe and the United States.

Richard Bowen

Richard Bowen, a native of London, has lived in Rome for most of his adult life. He was awarded a BA in humanities from Middlesex University and an MA in history from University College in London. As a young graduate, he worked as an archaeologist for the Museum of London. Richard is a licensed group leader for the Province of Rome and has led groups in Italy and other parts of Europe. He has a keen interest in political, social, and art history.

Daniela Sarghini

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.

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.

Marco A. Ceccarani

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

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.

Susan Steer

Susan Steer is originally from England. She came to Venice 20 years ago as an art history undergraduate with an internship at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, later serving as a supervisor of the British pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Living and working in Venice changed her life, falling in love with its architecture, art, and lifestyle. She returned to study for an MA and a PhD in Venetian art. Susan married a Venetian. They and their son share their time between the UK and Venice.

Cristiana Filippini

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.

Emily Moloney

Emily Moloney, who is originally from Buffalo, New York, first came to Italy over ten years ago. She holds a master's degree in Renaissance art history and is an officially licensed tour guide. In addition to working as a private guide, Emily lectures as a professor of art history and Italian culture at several study-abroad centers in Florence. In her free time, you can find Emily at the park with her growing family.

Irene Rios

Irene Rios, born in Brazil, spent five years living and studying in the United Kingdom before relocating in 2003 to Italy, where she settled in Naples. With over 25 years of experience in the tourist and hospitality sectors, she is fluent in English, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Irene holds qualifications as a children's teacher and has worked as a freelance group leader in Italy. Additionally, she indulges her passion for photography as a freelance photographer, enjoying hiking, cooking, and meeting new people.

Eduardo Damiani

Eduardo Damiani earned a degree in psychology from the University of Maryland—studies which have served him well while working as a manager and docent in the hospitality business over two decades. As a British and Italian national, Eduardo is fluent in Italian and English; he further acquired conversational Portuguese while living in Brazil. Eduardo brings a wealth of international cultural experience, passion, and positivity to leading lifelong learners on educational adventures throughout his native Campania.

Anna Perkovic

Anna Perkovic is a seasoned group leader with extensive experience in tourism across Europe, North America, and beyond. She holds an M.A. in German studies from the University of Edinburgh and professional hospitality certifications. Fluent in Italian, English, and German, she has a background in education, translation, and customer service. Passionate about culture and travel, Anna enjoys theater, history, and languages.

Elisabeth Stoney

Elisabeth Stoney is an art historian and trained photographer who has taught art and cultural studies internationally, traveling throughout Australia, Europe, and the Middle East. She curates exhibitions, collaborates with museums, and publishes widely on art, film, and photography. Passionate about travel, Elisabeth is endlessly enthusiastic about the life and culture of Europe and the Mediterranean. She holds a Ph.D. in art history and resides in the “Eternal City,” Rome.

Helen Bayley

Helen Bayley received her B.F.A. in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design and her M.F.A. in painting from Indiana University. As a professor for over 30 years, Helen has inspired learners of all ages with her extensive knowledge and artistic talents at universities in the United States and Italy. While Helen is passionate about art history throughout space and time, she is aesthetically drawn to the 18th century in all its musical and sartorial particularities.

Elizabeth Namack

Elizabeth Namack majored in art history and Italian at Smith College and continued her studies with a master's in Italian Renaissance art history from Syracuse University. She took a special course in painting conservation in Florence and truly enjoys sharing her passion for art and history with visitors as a licensed guide for the city and province of Florence. She loves to cook and can suggest excellent local wines.

Activity Level

Let's Go!

Walking up to six miles a day. 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, escalators. Elevator use is limited or restricted in historic sites. Venice's canal bridges have ramps or stairs with handrails. Expect crowded conditions in pedestrian centers and museums. 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.

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.