{"id":3769,"date":"2018-03-09T13:39:25","date_gmt":"2018-03-09T17:39:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/?p=3769"},"modified":"2018-03-09T13:40:02","modified_gmt":"2018-03-09T17:40:02","slug":"educational-tour-switzerland-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/educational-tour-switzerland-italy","title":{"rendered":"Educational tour to Switzerland & Italy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Snow-capped mountains, meandering canals, artistic masterpieces and stunning works of architecture all await you in this comprehensive educational tour of Switzerland and Italy<\/a>. If you’re looking to take your students on a jam-packed adventure through some of the countries’ most beautiful sites, this tour is for you.<\/p>\n

Here’s an insider’s look at our brand new Switzerland & Italy<\/a> tour:<\/p>\n

Day 1<\/strong>: Travel<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 2<\/strong>: Zurich, travel to Lucerne<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 3<\/strong>: Lucerne<\/span><\/p>\n

Your journey begins in beautiful\u00a0<\/span>Lucerne<\/b>, Switzerland. Surrounded by snow-tipped mountains and bisected by the River Reuss, enjoy taking a walk through the gorgeous medieval town, founded all the way back in the ninth century. <\/span><\/p>\n

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The Kapellbrucke in Lucerne, Switzerland.<\/p><\/div>\n

Your walking tour begins at <\/span>Kapellbrucke<\/b><\/a>. A 14th-century footbridge that runs over the Reuss, Kapellbrucke is a symbol of Lucerne. Get a glimpse of Lucerne\u2019s history when you walk through the bridge: There, 17th-century paintings tell stories of the town.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span> L\u00f6wendenkmal<\/b> (Lion Monument) is your next stop. This somber sculpture, which is six meters high and was carved directly into the cliff face, depicts a lion dying from a spear wound, which you can see on its side. The monument commemorates the over 600 Swiss Guards who died defending the king in Tuileries Palace<\/a> in Paris during the French Revolution in 1792.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve explored the city, now it\u2019s time to head up one of the mountains that make up the city\u2019s backdrop. Ascend <\/span>Mount Pilatus<\/b>, the 6,982-foot tall peak, by cable car or by the world\u2019s steepest cog railway<\/a>, and see what Lucerne looks like from above. Also, if you believe in dragons, which you definitely should, look out for one \u2014 medieval legend has it that a dragon with healing powers lives on the mountain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finish off the day with <\/span>fondue<\/b>, a Swiss National Dish and a symbol of Swiss unity. <\/span><\/p>\n

Day 4<\/strong>: Travel to <\/span>Venice<\/p>\n

Day 5<\/strong>: Venice<\/span><\/p>\n

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A canal in Venice, Italy.<\/p><\/div>\n

From its gorgeous canals and bridges, to its stunning architecture, to its fascinating history, Venice is a traveler\u2019s paradise. Start out in the heart of the city: <\/span>St. Mark\u2019s Square<\/b>. Also called La Piazza, St. Mark\u2019s is the main square of Venice, and is named for the city\u2019s patron saint. As you walk through the square, note St. Mark\u2019s Basilica dominating the scene, pigeons<\/a> covering the ground, and shops and restaurants lining each side. <\/span>Facing the basilica, check out a 15th-century clock tower to the left.\u00a0To your right, you can\u2019t miss the 300-foot, 16th-century bell tower known as St. Mark\u2019s Campanile.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, get a good look at the architectural highlight of Venice, <\/span>St. Mark’s Basilica<\/b><\/a>. Known as the site of St. Mark\u2019s burial, this Byzantine-style basilica was originally built in the 11th century, and was nicknamed \u201cChieso d\u2019Oro\u201d (church of gold). Take a look at the mosaics depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the process of taking St. Mark\u2019s body from Alexandria (in AD 828).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Connected to the basilica is <\/span>Doge’s Palace<\/b>, the residence of the doge (like a duke) of Venice. Don\u2019t miss the Bridge of Sighs<\/a> \u2014 the curved bridge connects the interrogation rooms of the Doge palace with the prison, and was considered a prisoner\u2019s last glimpse of freedom before heading to his cell.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finish off the day with a <\/span>glass-blowing<\/b> demonstration! The island of Murano off the coast of Venice is known for its glass industry<\/a>, which had moved there by the 13th century. Glass was so important to the Venetian economy during this period that by the 14th century, glass makers had a special social status. The demonstration is a unique opportunity to get your students involved in Venetian history and culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 6<\/strong>: Verona<\/span><\/p>\n

her eyes in heaven<\/span><\/p>\n

Would through the airy region stream so bright<\/span><\/p>\n

That birds would sing and think it were not night.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u2014<\/span>Romeo and Juliet<\/span><\/i>, Act 2, Scene 2<\/span><\/p>\n

Shakespeare fans will love the next stop, the UNESCO World Heritage site of <\/span>Verona<\/b>, Italy. Famous for its medieval architecture, Verona is also well known for being the setting of two of Shakespeare\u2019s plays, <\/span>Romeo and Juliet <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>The Two Gentlemen of Verona<\/span><\/i>. Head to the <\/span>Casa de Giulietta<\/b><\/a>, which features a bronze statue of Juliet. <\/span>Then, see the <\/span>Verona Arena<\/b>, a Roman theater that was built in the first century and is still in use. At one time, it could hold 30,000 people, but now holds far fewer due to safety issues. The arena is now known for hosting operas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 7<\/strong>: Florence<\/span><\/p>\n

Take a train south to the seat of the Italian Renaissance, <\/span>Florence<\/b>! Another World Heritage Site, this red-roofed city was ruled by the powerful Medici family throughout its artistic peak. Start your tour at the <\/span>Palazzo Vecchio<\/b>, the Florence town hall, where a copy of Michelangelo\u2019s <\/span>David<\/span><\/i><\/a> stands in the original\u2019s place. The Palazzo overlooks <\/span>Piazza della Signoria<\/b>, a 14th-century plaza featuring plenty of beautiful sculptures. Nearby, the <\/span>Ponte Vecchio<\/b> bridge\u2014dated as early as the 10th century\u2014crosses the Arno river. Known for the many shops built along it, locals say the bridge was spared by the Germans during WWII on Hitler\u2019s orders.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The replica of Michelangelo’s David in the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy.<\/p><\/div>\n

Go southeast along the Arno to get to <\/span>Chiesa di Santa Croce<\/b>. The burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and other famous Italians, this basilica includes 16 chapels.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve probably already noticed the <\/span>Duomo<\/b>\u2014actually called Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, this 13th-century Gothic style cathedral dominates Florence\u2019s skyline. Featuring the world\u2019s largest brick dome \u2014 completed in the 15th century \u2014 the cathedral has 436 steps to the top. Near the dome, you\u2019ll see <\/span>Giotto\u2019s Bell Tower<\/b><\/a>, a 14th-century tower with seven bells and featuring niches with statues by Donatello. Fun fact about the tower: The top three levels were completed after the bottom ones, and they were made larger so all of the levels appear the same size when you look up at the tower.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your itinerary also includes the 11th-century <\/span>Baptistery<\/b>, which<\/span>\u00a0is\u00a0famous for its three bronze doors with relief sculptures, and <\/span>Dante\u2019s House<\/b>, the dwelling of the 13th-14th century poet, known for the Divine Comedy and for inventing terza rima. Stop by a <\/span>leather workshop<\/b> to learn about one of Florence\u2019s prized industries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your day ends with one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, <\/span>the leaning tower of Pisa<\/b>. Actually the bell tower behind the Pisa cathedral, it\u2019s gained notoriety for its four-degree tilt<\/a>, which has been a feature of the building since its 12th-century construction on too-soft ground. Spend a few moments walking the <\/span>Campo dei Miracoli<\/b> (Field of Miracles), a World Heritage Site.<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 8<\/strong>: Rome<\/span><\/p>\n

Make a brief stop at the <\/span>St. Francis of Assisi Basilica <\/b>before you head to Rome. This 13th-century basilica is a popular pilgrimage site, and is known as Francis\u2019 birth and death place. It also holds the saint\u2019s remains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next stop: Rome! Start off with a walking tour of Italy\u2019s capital city, beginning with the <\/span>Spanish Steps<\/b>. Built in the 18th century, the 135-step stairway connects the Spanish embassy to the Holy See below. T<\/span>hen, take your spare change to the<\/span> Trevi Fountain<\/b><\/a>, one of the most famous fountains in the world. Also built in the 18th century, the massive fountain is a popular site for making a wish \u2014 an estimated $1.5 million was thrown in the fountain in 2016. Throw a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you wished to see one of the world\u2019s greatest feats of architecture, you\u2019re in luck: Your next stop is the world-famous <\/span>Pantheon<\/b>. First a Roman temple and now a church, the Pantheon was built in 126 AD and is still the world\u2019s biggest concrete dome. View the massive columns and pediment before heading inside to take a look at the dome. Don\u2019t forget to look up \u2014 the dome has hole in the center for sunlight.\u00a0<\/span>Just west of the Pantheon, you\u2019ll head to the site of the 1st-century stadium <\/span>Domitian<\/b>, now a massive plaza.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 9<\/strong>: Rome<\/span><\/p>\n

Start at the <\/span>Vatican Museums<\/b>, a collection of artistic masterpieces founded in the 16th century. Featuring several Raphaels and one da Vinci, this spellbinding museum will keep you moving from room to room in awe.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Trevi Fountain in Rome.<\/p><\/div>\n

Don\u2019t forget to look up at the end, when you reach the <\/span>Sistine Chapel<\/b><\/a>. Painted by Michelangelo over a four-year period in the 16th century, the reluctant sculptor initially told Pope Julius II that he would rather not focus on painting. But the Pope wouldn\u2019t budge, and Michelangelo painted the ceiling standing on a scaffolding with his head tilted back.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Exit the chapel directly to your next stop, the largest church in the world. <\/span>St. Peter\u2019s Basilica<\/b> is well known as the burial site of Saint Peter. The sprawling church contains over 100 tombs, masterpieces of sculpture\u2013including Michelangelo\u2019s Piet\u00e0\u2013and the world\u2019s tallest dome, partially designed by Michelangelo himself. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Head to the city center to see the <\/span>Colosseum<\/b>, one of the world\u2019s premier tourist attractions. The largest amphitheater ever built, it\u2019s estimated that the Colosseum could once hold between 50,000 and 80,000 people, but it was designed so that it could be emptied in mere minutes. Once it was completed in AD 80, it was used for public spectacles, like gladiator fights and executions. It later fell into disrepair, being used at various times as a cemetery, housing units, and a fortress.<\/span><\/p>\n

The largest collection of Roman ruins stands nearby, at the <\/span>Forum Romanum<\/b>, or Roman Forum. Once a marshland, the Roman Forum was the site of countless shrines, temples, political buildings, and statues of ancient Rome. Walk through the crumbling masterpieces and imagine what it looked like as the political center of Rome almost 2,000 years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, head to a modern plaza, the <\/span>Piazza Venezia<\/b>, where many roads intersect and locals gather. Take a walk through the massive square \u2014 you can\u2019t miss Il Vittoriano, the monument to the first king of Italy. <\/span><\/p>\n

Day 10<\/strong>: End tour<\/span><\/p>\n

Take an optional extension to Sorrento for a visit to Pompeii and the Blue Grotto. Read the full itinerary<\/a>.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Snow-capped mountains, meandering canals, artistic masterpieces and stunning works of architecture all await you in this comprehensive educational tour of Switzerland and Italy. If you’re looking to take your students on a jam-packed adventure through some of the countries’ most beautiful sites, this tour is for you. Here’s an insider’s look at our brand new Read More …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":3770,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-explorica-news","category-teachers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3769"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3769\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3771,"href":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3769\/revisions\/3771"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}