We have such a great variety of experiences going on this trip - people who have never gone abroad, and those who regularly travel world-wide. I do respect this, and want to give the best individual experience to everyone on the trip.
Thus, parent attendees, if, when you're looking over our itinerary, you see a day in which you would prefer to do something else, or if there's an experience you want to have which isn't on the itinerary, talk with me, and we can work things out! Students, you just get to have quality time with me the whole time (but I'm willing to go to Castel Sant'Angelo)!
Exempla gratia:
1. You've already visited the Vatican Museums.
Just down the street from there is the Castel Sant'Angelo (which is included on the Romapass - reservations not necessary), which began as Hadrian's Mausoleum and was turned into a place of refuge for popes throughout history - it's where they ran every time Rome was under seige. Or maybe you want to do a tour of the catacombs under the Vatican? You'll want to book reservations when you sign up for this trip, to see if you can get the exact day (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20040112_it.html is the website, but it's in Italian - I can help translate it/help you with trying to book reservations). Also, you could go to the Museo Borghese, just a few metro stops away from the Vatican Museums (reservations required - http://www.galleriaborghese.it/info-en.htm) which houses an amazing collection of artwork, including many sculptures by my favorite sculptor, Bernini.
2. You've been to Florence, and have been to the museums we'll visit (Uffizi), and would rather visit elsewhere.
Tuscany has a wealth of experiences to have, besides just seeing Florence! And they have a FANTASTIC regional bus line - TRAIN - where you can hop on a bus, get off at a town, and catch the bus at the same intersection to return home. I will highly encourage you visit one of three very charming towns: San Gimignano, Montalcino, or Montepulciano. San Gimignano has the best gelato in the world (certified - I'll attest to it), Montalcino is well-known for its history and Rocca (local fortresses in Tuscany - only Siena has a Fortezza . . . but I'll explain the differences when we're in Siena), and Montepulciano/Pienza is known for the town, and for the pecorino cheese which originates there. YUM. There is always Pisa and the tower . . . I'd recommend Lucca, but it's just a lot of transferring (no direct bus). Or you could always sleep in and enjoy the day in Siena (my favorite town in Tuscany). I can recommend places for you to visit/experiences to have there, too!
3. You've done Pompeii, and want to enjoy Rome on your own.
There is NEVER a way to see all of Rome. I've been going there since 1995, and still have places I haven't seen (closed whenever I had stopped by, etc.). You can go to one of their hundreds of museums (pasta museum, anyone?), you could visit the major basilicas (the Vatican is just one of four in town, and the others are all on metro stops), you could shop (shoes! perfume! clothes!), or you could just plant yourself on a sidewalk cafe and watch people pass by (don't forget to keep ordering food - courtesy, people). I can plan out a day's itinerary for you, based on the personal experience you want to have! Or, if you want, you can always go out to Ostia Antica and experience a quieter, lusher experience of an abandoned city (2nd C, rather than Pompeii's 1st C). You can take a local bus out to Tivoli, and visit the Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa, too!
Some people are even looking at taking the opportunity to arrive early/depart later than the scheduled itinerary, which is fine, parents. Students can travel with me and the accompanying teachers. If you're looking at arriving a few days before or staying a few days afterwards, let me know what you want to do, and we can work out a schedule! Really, down to the train/bus schedules.
pax,
Laura :)
