Arguably, Italy has more significant art than any place on earth and so we study painting, architecture, sculpture, textiles, gardens, mosaics, drawings and decorative arts over the following periods:

  • the Ancient World
  • Romanesque
  • Gothic
  • the Renaissance
  • the Baroque
  • Classicism
  • Modern and Contemporary

 

At a Glance:

  • Study art first hand with brilliant, unstuffy tutors
  • Stay in Rome, Naples, Siena, Florence, Verona & Venice
  • Courses leave four times in the year: January, April, August and November
  • For those of every academic background who seek a cultivated mind
  • Open to 18 – 22 year olds

Each course is slightly different in that we pay attention to the seasons and geography of Italy. It is a real advantage that our courses voyage between the regions which have distinctive histories, artistic traditions and dialects. This trip is open for anyone aged 18 – 22, undergraduates and graduates.

 

SPRING GAP YEAR COURSE – FROM JANUARY TO EARLY MARCH (6 WEEKS)

  • Rome (10 nights) – Naples (5 nights) – Montepulciano (3 nights) – Siena (3 nights) – Florence (8 nights) – Verona (3 nights) – Castelfranco (2 nights ) – Venice (8 nights)

We have Italy to ourselves; the smell of roasting chestnuts wafts around the city squares, the early morning winter light heralds the spring as the course progresses.  While staying in the stunning Tuscan hill-top town of Montepulciano, students will be able to partake in two Italian language classes and use their time to explore new skills such as drawing and cooking.  In Venice, students have the opportunity to soak up its unique atmosphere with fewer crowds and an early morning gondola ride.  They can also partake in a traditional Venetian mask decorating workshop.  A lot of students find this course fits in well after work experience in the autumn.

 

EARLY SUMMER GAP YEAR COURSE – FROM APRIL, JUST AFTER EASTER, TO EARLY JUNE (6 WEEKS)

  • Venice (8 nights) – Castelfranco (2 nights) – Verona (3 nights) – Florence (8 nights) – Titignano (3 nights) – Siena (3 nights) – Rome (9 nights) – Naples (6 nights)

This course is very popular and Italy is at its greenest; the wisteria is flowering.  It’s a wonderful time for markets and feast-like picnics.  In Venice this course can have a go at learning the traditional and iconic voga veneta – the rowing style used by Venetian gondoliers.  We also stay at Titignano, an amazing agriturismo set in a medieval hamlet on the hills near Orvieto. We watch classic Italian cinema, take long walks, read and eat – this is a welcome respite.  The 6 nights in Naples create time for a seasonal day trip to the island of Ischia with its amazing gardens, ecology and swimming.

 

LATE SUMMER GAP YEAR COURSE – FROM MID AUGUST TO MID SEPTEMBER (4 WEEKS)

  • Venice (7 nights) – Florence (7 nights) – Siena (3 nights) – Rome (7 nights) – Naples (4 nights)

This is perfect for those going straight to university or college after summer exams or indeed those already at university; it’s the gap year experience in short. Departing after UK A-level results we return in time for university.  The timing also allows a less crowded opportunity to visit the Venice Biennale and the stunning island of Ischia.  Like the Early Summer course, students have the chance to try learning the traditional and iconic voga veneta – the rowing style used by Venetian gondoliers.

 

AUTUMN GAP YEAR COURSE – FROM LATE OCTOBER TO EARLY DECEMBER (6 WEEKS)

  • Rome (10 nights), Naples (5 nights), Siena (4 nights), Florence (10 nights), Verona (3 nights), Castelfranco (2 nights), Venice (8 nights)

This is an enchanting time to be in Italy with bright blue winter skies and the run up to Christmas.  We stay an extra two days in Florence and an extra night in Siena – allowing us to explore more off the beaten track treasures.  Like the Spring course, students have the chance to take part in a traditional Venetian mask-making workshop.

 

Dates & Prices

  • Spring: 22 January – 5 March (6 weeks) - £9,870
  • Early Summer: 23 April  – 4 June (6 weeks) - £10,170
  • Late Summer: 20 August – 17 September (4 weeks) - £7,540
  • Semester: 14 September – 10 December (12 weeks) - £21,000
  • Autumn: 29 October – 10 December (6 weeks) - £9,950

* Please note you can also pay in Euros or US Dollars.

 

What is Included?

  • Tuition in small groups
  • Train travel or private coach travel between cities
  • All accommodation
  • Breakfast
  • Transfers in Italy
  • All transport in Italy when concerned with teaching
  • Instructional materials
  • All museum entrance fees
  • Notes and reading lists
  • Drawing tuition
  • 2 conversational Italian lessons
  • Extras included in the Semester Course:
  • The additional courses in Tuscany (language, cookery, literature, and film)
  • All travel and air travel between cities on the tour i.e. flights from Paris to Tuscany and travel from Tuscany throughout Italy on the Autumn course
  • Transport when concerned with teaching (by issuing Oyster cards, bus passes, or buying train tickets)

 

What is not included in the fees?

  • Flights to and from Italy
  • Lunch and supper
  • Travel Insurance, repatriation or cancellation insurance