Programs in Italy
Our Programs in Italy offer educational travel opportunities in various Italian cities. Each program addresses the art, history, food, wine and culture of a specific city (Florence, Rome, Venice or Siena) or of a specific Italian region (Northern Italy). Group size is normally limited to approximately 10 people in order to create an intimate learning environment.
All of our Programs in Italy can also be scheduled and customized upon request for friends, family and colleagues traveling to Italy outside of our scheduled program dates.
Why Travel with Rocky?
Expert Knowledge
Learn Art History
Amalfi Coast, Capri and Naples Program 2023
The Amalfi Coast, Capri and Naples Program is the perfect manner to explore one of the most naturally beautiful, historically rich and gastronomically appealing areas of Italy. There is also no better time to do it than in early fall with warm Mediterranean water and mild temperatures.
Thanksgiving in Florence 2023
The Thanksgiving-holiday week is a great opportunity to visit Florence!!! It provides the perfect vacation window for family members of all ages.
The Italian Renaissance in London Weekend 2024
To celebrate the bicentenary of the National Gallery, join Dr. Rocky in London in April 2024 to explore the world class collection of Italian Renaissance art at the National Gallery which is one of the most impressive outside of Italy and contains some of the most iconic works of the Italian Renaissance. All the while, you can enjoy the timeless elegance of one of London’s top hotels – the Claridge’s – as well as some of the finest Italian food and wine outside of Italy!
Northern Italy Program 2024
This week-long program in Italy will examine the Renaissance art and architecture of Northern Italy. Although Florence and Rome are usually considered to be the centers of Renaissance art, many cities north of the Apennines were also centers of extraordinary artistic production. Many believe that this was the result of an artistic “contamination,” as many of Florence’s greatest artists, such as Giotto, Donatello, Alberti, and Leonardo da Vinci, traveled to northern cities, exposing them to the ideas and movements of the Renaissance.
Palio Program – July 2024
Twice a year, on July 2 and August 16, the city of Siena transforms its main medieval square into an arena of unbridled fury. Ten bareback horses and their respective jockeys race three laps at breakneck speed around a dirt-covered piazza that is filled with fifty-thousand people! That is the Palio, and for the past seven centuries winning it has been the most important objective of every Sienese citizen.
Palio Program – August 2024
Twice a year, on July 2 and August 16, the city of Siena transforms its main medieval square into an arena of unbridled fury. Ten bareback horses and their respective jockeys race three laps at breakneck speed around a dirt-covered piazza that is filled with fifty-thousand people! That is the Palio, and for the past seven centuries winning it has been the most important objective of every Sienese citizen.
Amalfi Coast, Capri and Naples Program 2024
The Amalfi Coast, Capri and Naples Program is the perfect manner to explore one of the most naturally beautiful, historically rich and gastronomically appealing areas of Italy. There is also no better time to do it than in early fall with warm Mediterranean water and mild temperatures.
Sicily Program 2024 “The Soul of Sicily”
Sicily truly does have something to offer to everyone. Whether it’s natural beauty, archaeology, medieval, Renaissance or Baroque art and architecture, theater, opera, food, or wine, you will find it all at an exceptionally high level on this magical island.
Thanksgiving in Florence 2024
The Thanksgiving-holiday week is a great opportunity to visit Florence!!! It provides the perfect vacation window for family members of all ages.
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"What is the Renaissance? Spend one day with Rocky Ruggiero and you will have your answer. Rocky brings the Renaissance to life in a manner that befits both the student and the scholar, eloquently weaving the paintings, sculptures and architecture of the age into his narrative. ”
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LISA MARIE BROWNE Executive Board of Directors, Friends of the Uffizi -
“Rocky is a star and with him you will experience the hidden Florence and see what life was truly like in the 14th Century. Never has an art education been so enjoyable.”
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Lynda Resnick Vice Chairman, The Wonderful Company“Rocky is absolutely one of the most articulate and knowledgeable experts on the history and art of Florence and Tuscany. He is also a blast to be with for an afternoon or an extended course or event. He also knows food and wine and where to enjoy it.”
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Edgar M. Cullman Managing Member, Culbro, LLC“The thing that made Rocky so valuable was his ability to build a story that placed a building, painting or architectural feature in its historical context. Sometimes I felt that he was a composer, using a path through a museum to build towards an artistic climax.”
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Vance Lemmon, Ph.D. Professor of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine