College Program -Italy, Croatia, Austria and Hungary

Program Length:

18 Days

Program Dates:

Enrollment Closed for Summer 2023. Please view our Summer 2024 Programs.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Board your overnight flight bound for Rome.

Day 2 - Rome
Arrive in Rome. Meet your Travel Director at the airport and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Start exploring the city on an orientation tour before a group welcome dinner.

Day 3 - Rome
Today your focus will be on the monumental vestiges of the Rome Empire. A local expert will guide you around the Colosseum and Forum. This afternoon, check out the Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps. After dinner, see the city lit up at night and visit the Trevi Fountain.

Day 4 - Vatican City
This morning discover the jewels of the Renaissance on a guided visit to Vatican City. A local expert will guide you through St. Peter’s Basilica as well as the Vatican Museums to see highlights such as the Sistine Chapel. Enjoy free time this afternoon to explore your favorite parts of The Eternal City. This evening learn to make your own pizza with a local chef and then enjoy your creation for dinner.

Day 5 - Umbria
This morning drive north to the region of Umbria and go river rafting on the River Nera, the largest tributary to the Tiber. Your overnight will be in the Umbria region.

Did You Know?

Originally named the Flavian Amphitheater, the Colosseum could hold up to 50,000 spectators who would come to watch gladiatorial combats, exotic wild animal hunts and naval ship battles.

Day 6 - Florence
This morning drive to Florence the birthplace of the Renaissance in Italy. A local expert will guide you around the highlights of the city such as Ghiberti's Baptistry Doors, Santa Croce and the beautiful Duomo. Enjoy free time for some shopping in the local market places.

Day 7 - Florence
Travel to the town of Pisa. You’ll visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Return to Florence for dinner and a free evening in the city.

Day 8 - Padua
First stop today is at a small family run pasta making factory. You will learn from the family about the business and art of making pasta. Later, continue to Padua, one of the oldest cities in Northern Italy. Enjoy a walking tour this evening.

Day 9 - Venice
A day trip takes you to the beautiful city of Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic. Upon arrival, a local guide will show you the highlights such as St. Mark’s Square where you can see the Basilica of St. Mark and the Doges Palace. Enjoy a gondola ride on the canals and take a walk to see the famous Rialto Bridge. In the afternoon, you will learn all about the art of Venetian glass-blowing in a demonstration by a local master. Return to Padua for overnight.

Did You Know?

Did you know the water at Plitvice Lakes National Park, a World Heritage Site, in Croatia is always changing colors? The water can be a bright emerald green, aquamarine, turquoise, deep blue, or even grey. The colors change depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight.

Day 10 - Postojna
Today drive through Northern Italy and cross the border into Slovenia. You will visit the stunning Postojna Cave. A mini train will take you through a complex system of passages and dramatically lit chambers, formed over by the Pivka River over the years. After your visit enjoy views of Predjama Castle.

Day 11 - Split
Your first stop today is in Zadar, a town on the Dalmatian Coast known for its famous Sea Organ where the sea waves naturally play the music. Continue south to the city of Split where you will stay for the next 2 nights. Time permitting, you will hike up the Marjan Hill to see wonderful views of of the old town and port.

Day 12 - Split
Join a local expert for a guided sightseeing of the old town, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is quite literally an open air museum! Visit Diocletian’s Palace built by the Emperor Diocletian in the 4th century. This afternoon spend the rest of your day at one of the local beaches.

Day 13 - Zagreb
This morning drive to the spectacular Plitvice Lakes - a chain of 16 lakes connected to waterfalls that flow into a limestone canyon. Marvel at this natural wonder as you hike around its trails and footbridges. Later, continue to Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia.

Did You Know?

Like Berlin, Vienna was also divided into four parts after World War II. It was occupied by United States, France, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. The occupation, and division, of Vienna ended in 1955 with the Austrian State Treaty.

Day 14 - Vienna
See the highlights of Zagreb with a local guide this morning. You will see Gornji grad (Upper Town) and Donji grad (Lower Town). Enjoy the view of the twin neo-Gothic spires of Zagreb Cathedral and visit Dolac Market with the famous Ban Jelacic Square honoring the well known army general. Continue to Vienna, the capital of Austria.

Day 15 - Vienna
Enjoy a guided visit of Vienna including the Ringstrasse, the Hofburg Palace, the Opera House and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Later, learn about the world famous Viennese Waltz during an interactive demonstration and lesson with a professional dancer. Afterwards, enjoy hot chocolate and "sachertorte" in a local cafe. After dinner, attend a concert featuring the music of Austrian composers Mozart and Strauss.

Day 16 - Budapest
Today you will have your 3 meals in 3 different countries - breakfast in Austria, lunch in Slovakia and dinner in Hungary. Depart Vienna for Bratislava the capital of Slovakia. Upon arrival there will be a walking tour of the old town with its cobble stoned streets and lovely plazas. After lunch, depart for Budapest. Take in the beauty of this city on an evening walking tour.

Day 17 - Budapest
This morning a local guide will introduce you to this beautiful city, split in half by the River Danube - one side is Buda and the other Pest. See Heroes' Square, St. Stephen's Basilica and the Hungarian Parliament building. After crossing the river along the famous Chain Bridge, admire wonderful views from the Fisherman's Bastion, and visit Matthias Church. In the afternoon, enjoy a soak in one of Budapest’s many thermal baths, a practice which has been a part of every day life here for centuries. Cap off your adventure with a farewell dinner this evening.

Day 18 - Departure Day
Transfer to the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport for your group return flight to USA.