Program Overview

Program Overview

The Grand Tour of Italy is a study abroad program that takes students on a journey through Italy, exploring its history, culture, and arts. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Italian culture and traditions, and to reflect on how tourism has changed over the last 300 years.

Course Focus

The course focus is on History, Culture, and the Arts. Students will be exposed to virtual Italy through Google Arts & Culture App before traveling to Italy during Summer A.

Program Information

The program consists of two semesters:

• Spring 2026 (on campus - hybrid): IDH 4007 (3 credits) - MMC, Mondays, 2:00PM-3:15PM
• Summer A 2026 (abroad): IDH 4008 (3 credits) - May 11-May 31, 2026

Program Highlights

The program highlights include:

• Walking through the Colosseum and Roman Forum
• Touring Cinecitta' studios
• Speed boating to islands of Giglio and Giannutri
• Cooking class in Chianti region
• Visiting the Venetian islands of Murano and Burano

What is Included

The program includes:

• 20 nights in handpicked accommodations with breakfast included
• Train transportation between cities
• Ferries to Murano and Burano
• Guided tours of historic monuments & museums
• Jeep tour of Carrara mines
• Speed boat to Giannutri and Giglio islands
• Guided street food tours in Rome and Florence
• Cooking class
• International travel medical insurance
• English-speaking tour guide for some activities
• Few meals
• 24/7 support from Faculty Director & Program Assistant
• Admission to Colosseum, Roman Forum, Villa D'Este, and so much more

What is Not Included

The program does not include:

• Hotel city taxes (approximately 3 to 10 per night)
• Airfare arriving to Rome, Italy and returning from Verona, Italy
• $195.00 Education Abroad administrative fee (OEA Fee)
• FIU in-state tuition (6 credits, $205.57 per credit)
• Passport, visa, and other necessary documents
• Personal expenses, including meals

Itinerary

The itinerary is subject to change and includes:

• Day 1-6: Rome
  • Guided visit of Colosseum and Roman Forum
  • Guided street food tour
  • Entry to Cinecitta' studios
  • Day trip to Tivoli with guided tour of Villa D'Este
• Day 7-13: Florence
  • Guided street food tour
  • Scavenger hunt
  • Guided tour of the Uffizi Museum
  • Day trips to San Gimignano, Carrara, and Giglio and Giannutri islands
• Day 14-21: Verona
  • Day trips to Venice, Padua, Murano, Burano, and Milan
  • Goodbye dinner

Faculty Director

The Faculty Director is Dr. Magda Novelli Pearson, the Italian Program coordinator at FIU. She oversees three Study Abroad Programs in Italy and has many years of experience teaching Italian.

Payment Schedule

The payment schedule is as follows:

• 1st Payment (Deposit): $500
• 2nd Program Payment: $1,350
• Spring 2026 In-State Tuition: $616.71
• 3rd Program Payment: $1,350
• Education Abroad Fee: $195
• Summer A 2026 In-State Tuition: $616.71