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Travel Program
"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page"
- Saint Augustine
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Our vision is to develop a holistic component to the travel program that brings students’ experiences in the classroom and during their travels into equilibrium.
The success of Gonzaga-in-Florence depends upon both traditional instruction and experiential learning, and we aim to provide these elements in a balanced environment that promotes growth as individuals and as a community.
The main goals for travel:
- Gaining knowledge of new ways of life (contemporary culture, languages, local mentalities, economics,politics, gastronomy, etc.)
- Learning to respect other people, cultures, and rules
- Community building
- Physical recreation
- History and Art appreciation
- Cultural exchange with students from other countries
- Exposure to the Tuscan and Italian world
- Opportunities for spiritual growth and discernment
- Encouraging and reinforcing independent travel
In order to achieve these goals the travel and student life staff organize each trip in a very careful way. In addition, the faculty members enrich the trips with their knowledge and expertise. Specifically, we seek contributions to link travel with the contents of instructors’ lectures.
We usually offer three weekend trips a month. The fourth weekend is reserved for study, relaxation, exploration of Florence, and independent travel. In addition, the Opening Tour has been designed to incorporate several of the very long trips of past years (Berlin, Krakow, and Prague).
The travel program includes local trips within Italy. We have included three one-day trips within our regular travel program: Assisi, Siena, and Viareggio. We hope to continue to offer other day trips as a supplement to the travel program.
OPENING TOUR
The program begins with the Opening Tour in Germany where students learn the essentials of being a savvy traveler. They will visit museums, parks, churches, and much more. The Opening Tour will include a trip to Berlin, several days in Krakow, home of Pope John Paul II, and Prague, the Florence of Eastern Europe. Students will then travel to Florence to begin the school year. Since the Opening Tour is only offered in September it is included in the program cost for the academic year and fall semester.
CHRISTMAS TOUR
The two-week Christmas Tour is a wonderful bonding experience. The destination can vary from year-to-year and is dependent upon the current political situation. Yet, regardless of the destination, it is always an exciting historic adventure! During the Christmas Tour students stay in fine hotels and have daily guided excursions. Airfare, excursions, hotels, and some meals on this tour are included in the academic year fee. All year students are expected to go on the Christmas Tour. Exceptions will be made on an individual basis. Fall or spring semester students are invited to join the Christmas Tour.
WEEKEND & DAY TRIPS
The academic schedule of Gonzaga-in-Florence allows students three-day weekends throughout the duration of the program. Gonzaga-in-Florence offers organized excursions during many of these three-day weekends as well as some one- day trips to Tuscan towns. Students participating on these weekend or day trips may do so for an extra fee. Some of these trips will concentrate on cities within the Italian peninsula while others may include travel opportunities beyond Italy. Past trips have included the following: Alberobello, Amalfi Coast, Athens, Auschwitz, Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, Cefalu, Chamonix, Cinque Terre, Czestochowa, Dublin, Eolian Island, Genova, Innsbruck, Isle of Capri, Isle of Elba, Ivrea, Kitzbuhel, Krakow, Matera, Medjugorje, Milan, Monaco, Monreale, Nice, Palermo, Pompeii, Prague, Rome marathon, Sarajevo, Sardinia, Sassi, Segesta, Stromboli, Swiss Alps, Taormina, Trulli, Tuscany, Venice, Verona, and Vienna.