Cultural Activities and Travel

City Tours – Art, Architecture, and History

Whether you are traipsing around Siena, Cortona, or Arezzo, let our guides bring your through a history that often stretches back to ancient Rome. Rather than focusing on one subject, let the visual history of the city serve as the blackboard for a holistic look at its cultural life. We’ll take the back streets, pop into ancient churches, and gawk at awe-inspiring frescos, all with expert explanations provided by our teachers. Depending on the length of the excursion, we might find a pub or bar that offers a local speciality.

"Under the Tuscan Sun” - Nature in Tuscany

Enjoy the bright colors and stunning landscape of Tuscany on foot. Students will walk in the nearby Balze, exploring a landscape much studied by Leonardo DaVinci. Marvel at the erosion of small canyons from the feet of the Pre-appennini Mountains, while wandering past ancient farmhouses and small villages. For another outing, students will hike to the summit of Pratomagno which offers a panoramic view of the Valdarno Casentino.

The following sample list strives to balance academic study with cultural immersion activities during a stay at il Sillabo. Depending on the interests of the students and teachers the program can be adjusted to emphasize the academic instruction in our classes or the cultural activities outside of the classroom.

• FIRST DAY WELCOME MEETING, BUFFET, INTRODUCTION TO THE SCHOOL
• ORIENTATION TOUR IN SAN GIOVANNI VALDARNO - DINNER AT SCHOOL OR AT A RESTAURANT
• VISIT TO CORTONA: SETTING OF “UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN
• VISIT TO THE CRETE SENESI AND SMALL VILLAGES SUCH AS MONTEPULCIANO, PIENZA – THE SETTING OF “IL PAZIENTE INGLESE” – WINE TASTING COMBINED WITH DELICIOUS LOCAL FOOD
• VISIT TO FLORENCE: PALAZZO VECCHIO AND LOGGIA DEI LANZI
• VISIT TO FLORENCE HILLS: P.LE MICHELANGELO, S. MINIATO, FORTE BELVEDERE, A BREATH-TAKING LANDSCAPE
• OLIVE OIL TASTING AT A FARM
• WINE TASTING AT A FARM
• VISIT TO SANTA CROCE AND THE MEDIEVAL FLORENCE CITY CENTER
• VISIT TO AREZZO (IN THE AFTERNOON), SETTING OF “LA VITA È BELLA”
• VISIT TO FIESOLE AND ITS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
• HIKING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE: LE BALZE
• MULTICULTURAL MEETING WITH OTHER STUDENTS OF IL SILLABO
• DRAMA SESSION: HOW TO PRACTISE YOUR ITALIAN IN SHORT SKETCHES
• FAREWELL PARTY – ALLOWING STUDENTS TO PRACTISE WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED: PREPARE A CAKE, SHOW A SKETCH, MAKE A SPEECH IN ITALIAN …