Italy

The Culinary Experience

ROME, FLORENCE & VENICE

The Experience

CALLING ALL FOODIES! EXPLORE ALL THAT ITALY HAS TO OFFER STARTING WITH ITS CUISINE! FROM PASTA TO PIZZA TO PASTRY DELICACIES, EXPLORE THE COUNTRY'S UNIQUE FOOD CULTURE AS YOU VISIT SOME OF THE MOST ICONIC LOCATIONS IN ALL OF ITALY. SAVOR THE DIVERSE AND COMPLEX MEDITERRANEAN FLAVORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY'S MANY REGIONS. AND LEARN TO PERFECT ITALIAN FAVORITES WHEN WE TAKE TO THE KITCHEN AND PUT OUR OWN CULINARY SKILLS TO THE TEST!

This trip will not be running during Summer 2024. If you like this trip explore our Trip Guide or check out our upcoming trips below to find another summer adventure with Teen Travel Network!

Trip Highlights

  • Visit the Vatican, Colosseum and hidden gems of Rome
  • Delve into the diverse flavors of the Mediterranean
  • Visit Pompeii and savor some classic Neapolitan pizza in Naples
  • Enjoy the eye candy of Cinque Terre’s colorful and picturesque coastal villages
  • Create edible art with the best of the best at Tuscany’s Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute
  • Glide through the canals of Venice and discover the city’s unique cuisine

Program Overview

Begin your Italian tour in Rome, the Eternal City. Marvel at the Colosseum and Roman Forum, two of the most iconic ancient Roman ruins in the world and explore hidden gems such as the Trastevere neighborhood and the Jewish Ghetto. Sample the delicious cuisine of Rome, from pizza and pasta to gelato and coffee. Cross country lines in the heart of Rome to the Vatican City, home to iconic religious and artistic sites like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Be sure to try some of the city’s most famous dishes, such as carbonara, cacio e pepe, and saltimbocca alla romana.

Travel to Pompeii, an ancient Roman city that was buried by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD. Explore the ruins of the city’s temples, theaters, baths, and homes, and learn about the history of Pompeii and its people at the Pompeii Archaeological Museum while enjoying a classic Pompeii dish, Neapolitan pizza. Journey to the picturesque Cinque Terre region. Hike between the five colorful villages, perched on the cliffs overlooking the Ligurian Sea and eat the fresh seafood caught by local fishermen.

In Tuscany, learn to create edible art at the Lorenzo de’ Medici Cooking School, one of the most famous cooking schools in Italy. End your adventure in Venice, the city of canals and bridges. Explore the enchanting city, visit St. Mark’s Square, and take a gondola ride through the canals. Discover the hidden culinary secrets of Venice, from its fresh seafood to its traditional Venetian dishes.

Experience the best of this Italian adventure starting with its iconic cuisine!

KEY DESTINATIONS

REGION: EUROPE

COUNTRY: ITALY

CITY: FLORENCE, ROME, VENICE, POMPEII, CINQUE TERRE, NAPLES, PISA

"THIS EXPERIENCE HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON MY CONFIDENCE...I HAD TO GET OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE TO TALK TO STRANGERS WHO EVENTUALLY BECAME FRIENDS."

ISSABELLA R., UPLAND, CA

PROGRAM ITINERARY

THIS ITINERARY IS AN APPROXIMATION OF THE OVERALL PROGRAM EXPERIENCE. THE ORDER OF ACTIVITIES ON YOUR TRIP MAY CHANGE.
IF A PARTICULAR SCHEDULED EXPERIENCE IS CANCELED, WE MAY REPLACE IT WITH AN ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY.

Day 1: Arrival Day

Day 1: Arrival Day

Benvenuti a Roma!

Our Teen Travel Network Trip Leaders will meet you in the Rome airport wearing their TTN t-shirts.

We will spend this first day settling into our accommodation and building connections with fellow travelers. Before we sleep off our jetlag, we will enjoy a local welcome dinner.

Days 2-3: Rome & Vatican City

Your Italian adventure begins in Rome, the Eternal City. With its rich history, culture and cuisine, Rome has something to offer everyone.

Visit the Vatican City and admire some of the most renowned art in the world. Try pizza al taglio the traditional way–cut into rectangles and sold by the pound–from the Pizzarium pizzeria, owned by the esteemed “Michelangelo of Pizza” Gabriele Bonci. Marvel at the ancient Colosseum and Roman Forum, which hold traces of civilizations that go back centuries. Check out the mouthwatering pizza on the Netflix show Pizzarium! Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain and climb the artful Spanish Steps as you soak up the unique culture of one of Europe’s oldest cities.

Try your hand at making some of Rome’s most iconic dishes, from savory pizza to sweet gelato, ice cream’s richer and creamier cousin. We’ll be sure to try the foods the city is famous for, such as cheesy cacio e pepe pasta, tender saltimbocca alla romana and Roman trapizino, the original pizza pocket.

Day 4: Pompeii

Pause for a day in Pompeii and explore the beautiful UNESCO site of Pompeii, the ancient Roman city that was buried by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD and known for being the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. Explore the meticulously excavated streets and houses, delving into the stories of its residents and their vanished lives.

Follow the day of exploration by going to Naples for an incredible neapolitan pizza. Known for its simplicity, you won’t find a pizza fresher topped with fresh basil, mozzarella, olive oil, and tomatoes.

Days 5 - 6: Pisa & Cinque Terre


Time to travel to the Tuscan region where you will find some of the best fresh food! Journey to the famous city of Pisa to learn about its incredible diverse history, translated into phenomenal graffiti found in the city centre and home to the iconic Leaning Tower. Climb to the top of the tower and absorbe the stunning views of the city and surrounding countryside.

Take a boat trip to the picturesque villages in the beautiful Cinque Terre region, a 5-town beach enclave. Explore their narrow streets and colorful houses and delight yourself with some of its incredible seafood dishes caught by local fishermen!

Day 7: Florence

Finish your Tuscan adventure with a visit to the fascinating city of Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Climb to the top of the Duomo for some breathtaking panoramic views of the city, followed by a visit to the famous ponte vecchio to do some shopping.

Take part in a private 3-hour cooking class at the world famous Lorenzo de’ Medici Cooking School with master chefs where we will learn all the best kept secrets of Italian cuisine!

Days 8 - 9: Venice

Ciao Bella! We are in Venice! Explore one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in the entire world, woven with canals and bridges. We are in the company of a local guide to help us discover the stunning square of San Marco Square, where history echoes with every step you take.

Voyage on a gondola, one of the main forms of transportation in Venice, to the charming islands of Murano and Burano, renowned for glassmaking and craftsmanship. Explore the picturesque canals and vibrant houses that paint an idyllic picture.

Navigate Venice’s labyrinth of canals and take a private tour of the Jewish quarter of Venice, known for being the hidden gem of authentic Venetian gastronomy. Here our local guide will take us on a restaurant crawl, that will make sure that we learn about the history of this beautiful neighbourhood and we end this visit stuffed with the real tastes of Venice.

Day 10: Departure Day

Before we know it, our Italian food adventure has come to an end. Head​ ​to​ the airport with​ ​incredible memories​, new friends, and confidence that​ ​will​ ​benefit you for life!

TTN Trip Leaders will accompany travelers to the airport and check them in for their flights home.

As you settle into your seat for the journey home, reflect on the things you saw, the people you met, places you went, and the amazing tastes. We’ll see you on your next adventure! Welcome to the Network!

Dates & Tuition

10-Day Travel Program
2024 Dates
JUN 23 – JUL 2, 2024
Trip Duration: 10 days
Tuition: $5,299 + Airfare
Student/Staff Ratio: 7 to 1
Language Hours: N/A
Accommodations: Hotels, Youth Hostels
Age Range: 14-18 Years Old
Arrival Airport: Rome (FCO)
Departure Airport: Venice (VCE)

All-Inclusive Tuition

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