School Trips to Florence for Cross-Curricular Studies

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore’s incredible neo-gothic façade is something to behold. Inside are impressive tombs, frescoes and paintings. The Baptistery, a romanesque minor basilica, is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. The external imagery, particularly on the 3 bronze doors, is incredibly intricate.

The Uffizi Gallery – built in 1560 for Cosimo I de’Medici – is one of the most famous museums of paintings and sculpture in the world. Students can trace the progress not only of Italian art but also the art of Western Europe from the 13th-18th centuries. They can view works by Boticelli, Michelangelo and da Vinci among many others.

Here your group can view major religious paintings of the Renaissance, with the highlight of the original Michelangelo’s David, a milestone in sculpture and an important symbol of Florence. Students can reflect on the context and the importance of this sculpture to the people of the region.

The Boboli Gardens are situated behind the Pitti Palace. Over centuries it has become one of Italy’s largest and most elegant Italian style gardens. The garden includes beautiful sculptures, wonderful fountains and amazing panoramic views.

Tip: This visit can be combined with the visit to the Modern Art Gallery and Galleria Palatina.

Set on the second floor of the Pitti Palace, this gallery has a fine collection of paintings and sculpture, mostly Italian, dating from the late 18th century to World War I.  The gallery makes a fine setting for students to reflect on the art of this grand era. The elegant rooms, formerly inhabited by the Lorraine grand-dukes, are decorated with works of the neo-classical and romantic periods. Photo © Sailko

Set on the first floor of the Pitti Palace this gallery shows an impressive collection of works by Raphael, Titian, Correggio, Rubens, Pietro da Cortona and other Italian and European masters of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The sumptuously framed paintings cover the walls of the rooms in the style of traditional 17th-century picture galleries.

The best place to learn Italian is in Italy and we can arrange language lessons at a local language school with a native speaker.  This gives students a chance to work on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation and to discuss cultural and social aspects of Italian life with the teacher. Afterwards, students can use what they have learned in a real context.

This medieval arched bridge spanning the river Arno is arguably the most photographed landmark in Florence. Lined with jewellery shops, great views can be had from the bridge which gives access to the artisan quarter of Santo Spirito and attractions across the Arno such as the Pitti Palace.

The Franciscan church of Santa Croce was re-built in 1294 and contains notable frescoes by Gaddi and Giotto and a gilded sculpted relief of the Annunciation by Donatello. The church is the final resting place of Florence’s famous sons Michelangelo, Rossini and Machiavelli and the scientist from Pisa Galileo Galilee. There is a memorial to Dante

Like so many others, you may feel compelled to get a photo of you holding up Pisa’s leaning tower as a keepsake. But away from this tourist hotspot, there is much more to see. Check out the dramatic cathedral-baptistery-tower complex of Piazza del Duomo, or hang in one of the lively cafes or bars among the locals and some of the city’s many students.

One of Italy’s best-preserved medieval cities, Siena boasts a stunning Gothic Duomo, and the glorious Palazzo Pubblico overlooking its vast Campo – where the opening of Quantum of Solacewas filmed. But it’s far from a dusty heritage stop, and students can explore its hip clothes shops and buzzing cafes mixing with the friendly locals.

Come and wander around this classic medieval walled hill town known as the ‘City of Beautiful Towers’. Its 14 medieval towers – built by patrician families to show their wealth and power – create a beautiful skyline visible from the surrounding countryside. In the middle ages, the town was an important centre for trade and for pilgrims going to or from Rome.

You can stroll around the 16th-century ramparts protecting this charming town. It’s filled with 99 churches among terra-cotta-roofed buildings and narrow cobbled streets. Here Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus agreed to rule Rome as a triumvirate in 56BC. The composer Puccini was born here; he is celebrated during the summer opera and music festival.

Your group can tune up their tastebuds with an olive oil tasting at the beautiful Vicchiomaggio Castle. Three different types of extra virgin olive oils are offered with homemade bread, fettunta(toasted bread topped with extra virgin olive oil and garlic), bruschetta with fresh tomato sauce. The production process of different kinds of oil is explained.

A self-guided walk takes students on a discovery of the charming city of Florence. The quest, punctuated with a wide range of head-scratching tasks and challenges, takes in many iconic sights including Piazza de Pitti and Ponte Vecchio. An enjoyable mix of treasure hunt-style clue solving and team activities keep students engaged until the very end when the winning team is finally revealed. Enrichment or MFL version available.