Greenwich High School 2024: Florence, Siena, and Rome

Depart Greenwich High School for a coach transfer to New York JFK. Depart New York JFK to Rome Fiumicino FCO on ITA Airways, overnight flight 603.

Upon arrival at Rome-Fiumicino International Airport "Leonardo da Vinci," our Group Leaders will be available outside customs to direct the group to the train station. We'll continue our journey via high-speed train to Florence Santa Maria Novella, with the added perk of beverages and snacks during the train ride.
Upon our arrival in Florence, we'll head to our hotel to drop off our luggage. From there, we'll embark on an immersive orientation walk led by a local expert, exploring the charming streets and rich history of this captivating city. Our walk will culminate at the magnificent Santa Maria Novella, an architectural gem and art treasure trove. This basilica, constructed in the 15th century, features a renowned façade designed by Leon Battista Alberti. Inside, we'll marvel at 15th-century frescoes by artists like Masaccio, Domenico Ghirlandaio (and possibly a young Michelangelo), Lorenzo Ghiberti, Giambologna, Bernardo Daddi, and Filippino Lippi.
Returning to our hotel, we'll check into our rooms and have time to refresh before gathering in the meeting room for an Orientation and Safety session. Here, our Group Leaders will provide introductions, review the program schedule, cover logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and address any questions. We will also discuss COVID-19 protocols, ensuring we adhere to all relevant requirements and policies throughout the program.

We will walk to a local venue to attend a lecture with an esteemed art historian. This expert will provide a captivating overview of medieval and Renaissance art, preparing us for our upcoming field trips to the renowned Accademia and Uffizi.
We will walk to the Accademia for a lecture on one of the most famous statues in the world, Michelangelo's David. In addition to admiring this extraordinary figure, we will also see the unfinished statues known as the Prisoners. It has been suggested that Michelangelo left them in their incomplete state to symbolize the struggle of humankind to free the spirit from matter.
We will then have time for independent exploration in the Accademia that includes works by other great sculptors and artists-many of which were collected by the Medici and donated to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany-and a Museum of Musical Instruments.
We will walk to the reserved entrance of the Galleria degli Uffizi for our self-directed field trip, where we are free to venture through the museum at our own pace and explore according to our individual interests. Renowned as the most extensive collection of Renaissance art worldwide, the Uffizi showcases a remarkable journey through various artistic periods, from Gothic to medieval, Renaissance to Mannerist, encompassing painting, architecture, and sculpture. Within its hallowed halls, we will encounter a multitude of iconic masterpieces, including Leonardo da Vinci's mesmerizing Annunciation, Botticelli's ethereal Birth of Venus and enchanting Primavera, captivating works by Titian, Michelangelo's poignant Holy Family, as well as a selection of Caravaggios and Artemisia Gentileschi's compelling artworks.

We'll set out on foot for our expert-led field trip to Santa Felicita and the Palazzo Pitti, both nestled in a neighborhood called the Oltrarno, on the south bank of the Arno. Our first stop on our morning walk is the church of Santa Felicita, near the Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti, where there is a vibrantly colored Deposition by Jacopo Pontormo.
We continue a couple of blocks down the main road to the imposing Palazzo Pitti. Built in 1458, the Palazzo Pitti is a monumental emblem of the Renaissance, imbued with profound historical and artistic value. Named after Luca Pitti, a prominent Florentine banker, this grand palace became the Medici family's home from 1589 until the passing of its final member, Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici, in 1743. During Tuscany's subjugation to French rule, it served as Napoleon's residence and later became the regal palace of the House of Savoy during Italian Unification. Today, it hosts an impressive art collection featuring works from esteemed artists like Antonio Canova, Artemisia Gentileschi, Raphael, Tiziano, and Peter Paul Rubens.
The Group Leaders will let you know the appointed time and place to set out for our San Miniato al Monte visit. We'll set out on foot, embarking on a scenic springtime journey that involves ascending hills and traversing ancient staircases that overlook the picturesque city of Florence. This remarkable adventure leads us to the 11th-century basilica of San Miniato, which serves as a historical landmark and continues to operate as an Olivetan monastery. The basilica is famed for its breathtaking façade, a masterpiece of architectural artistry, and its interior boasts a collection of exceptional mosaics that narrate captivating stories of the past.
At a venue in the heart of the Oltrarno, we will attend a captivating performance of opera arias by Giacomo Puccini, a treasured native son of Tuscany from the nearby city of Lucca.

After breakfast, our bags are loaded onto the bus, and we check out of the hotel. We drive south of Florence toward the famed medieval hilltop city of San Gimignano, where the magic of the medieval era lingers in every corner. Our local expert will lead us on a remarkable journey, delving into this Etruscan town's captivating history and architectural marvels. Marvel at the well-preserved medieval aspect that permeates the streets, a testament to the city's rich heritage.
Once a city adorned with an astonishing 77 towers, each vying for prominence in family rivalries, San Gimignano offers a glimpse into the fascinating dynamics of medieval society. Discover the intrigue behind these towering structures, symbols of power and status strategically built throughout the town.
Leaving the captivating confines of San Gimignano, we embark on a short bus ride, venturing a few miles outside the town to an organic farm. Here, amidst the peaceful Tuscan countryside, we uncover the intricate process behind the production of extra-virgin olive oil, the cultivation of local wines, and the care and preservation of the cherished Chianina cattle.
Following lunch, we will continue by bus to Siena, where we check into our hotel.
After settling into our rooms, we will meet a local expert who will lead us on a walking field trip into the heart of Siena. Our journey will bring us to the awe-inspiring Siena Cathedral-also known as the Duomo-a marvel adorned with intricate decorations, and the expansive Piazza del Campo, which holds the legendary Palio horse race held every July and August.

After breakfast, our bags are loaded onto the bus, and we check out of the hotel. We drive south of Siena toward Rome.

We will walk to the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, a magnificent 19th-century residence. Here, we will be treated to an expert-led museum visit, which boasts expansive, sun-drenched exhibition halls displaying a remarkable collection of ancient Roman art. Among the treasures, you'll find the captivating bronze sculpture Boxer at Rest and a stunning array of frescoes, including those from the dining room of Villa di Livia, the former residence of Caesar Augustus' (Octavian) wife.
Following our visit, we will board our bus that will take us to the drop-off point nearest to our hotel.
After a short break, we will convene in the hotel's designated meeting room upon our return from the Colosseum and Forum. Here, we will be joined by a local history professor whose expertise will guide us in unraveling the intricate layers of Roman history. This engaging session will be a captivating introduction, setting the stage for our upcoming explorations and deepening our understanding of this remarkable city's past.
Rome, known as the Eternal City, has a rich and storied history of over 2,500 years. Founded in 753 BCE, Rome began as a small village and grew into a mighty empire that dominated the Mediterranean world. It witnessed the rise and fall of great civilizations, from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire, leaving a legacy in governance, engineering, art, and culture. Rome was the center of power and influence, producing iconic figures such as Julius Caesar, Augustus, and Constantine the Great. It witnessed triumphs, conquests, and significant architectural achievements, including the Colosseum, Pantheon, and the expansive network of aqueducts.

Our day begins as we board a bus or vans to take us to Piazza del Colosseo, where we will be joined by our local expert who will captivate our imagination as we envision the now-ruined buildings. Our field trip will then proceed to the Colosseum, where intriguing anecdotes about Roman entertainment from centuries past will be shared. Constructed in 80 CE and officially named the Flavian Amphitheater, the Colosseum stood as the grandest structure in the Roman Empire. Spanning an impressive 620 by 513 feet, it had a seating capacity of over 50,000 spectators. The methods employed to create the numerous wonders within its walls continue to mystify architects and researchers today. Throughout history and even in contemporary popular culture, it has become an iconic symbol of gladiatorial combat and the tragic fate endured by countless enslaved people, prisoners of war, condemned criminals, and animals from across the empire.
After our lunch, we will meet at the entrance to the Colosseo Metro stop to take the Metro to Spagna, where we will embark on a captivating walking field trip with a local expert to explore three iconic landmarks nestled in the heart of Rome: The Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

We will embark on a walk that will take us to a gate of the Jewish Quarter, where we will meet a knowledgeable local guide. They will lead us on a captivating field trip through what was once the Jewish Ghetto, spanning the 16th to 19th centuries. While Rome had a Jewish community even before the Diaspora, the establishment of the Ghetto was a result of the Catholic Counter-Reformation in 1555, ordered by the Pope.
Within the confines of a mere seven-acre area located in the flood zone of the Tiber, Jews were forced to reside. They were confined behind a wall and stripped of many rights and privileges. This arrangement endured until the unification of Italy under a secular government in 1870, which restored their citizenship. Today, the neighborhood has transformed into a vibrant and bustling community. Apart from the remarkable Jewish Museum of Rome and the magnificent Great Synagogue, the area offers excellent dining options showcasing the rich traditions of Roman Jewish cuisine.
Our next destination will be the renowned Galleria Borghese, an opulent palace that once served as the private pleasure and reception residence of Cardinal Scipio Borghese (1577-1633), a notable art collector, patron of the young Bernini and nephew of Pope Paul V. Accompanied by a local expert, we will enter the gallery at our scheduled time to embark on an enlightening exploration. Within the gallery's walls, we will encounter an impressive array of significant artworks, including paintings by masters such as Caravaggio, Raphael, Botticelli, and Titian. However, the collection's true highlight lies in Bernini's emotionally charged sculptures, which eloquently capture the essence of the Baroque era. After our captivating visit, we will make our way to the designated bus pick-up point, concluding our field trip and returning to the hotel.

Depart Rome Fiumicino FCO to New York JFK on ITA Airway, flight 608. Depart New York JFK for a coach transfer to Greenwich High School.