But did you know that you can enhance the educational value of your school ski trip to Cimone by including a stopover in Florence, Pisa or Bologna?
Florence
What should we see?
Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance and is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Italy. There’s so much to see and do here, from world-famous art galleries to spectacular architecture, fantastic shopping and incredible food.
The city is easy to walk around and will leave your students awestruck by its beauty and history. For a snapshot of what Italy is all about, Florence is hard to beat.
What should we eat?
Tuscan food is primarily based on medieval peasant dishes, and so is hearty fare. It’s also really varied, so you should easily find something to suit every taste.
For the meat eaters Bistecca alla Fiorentina is a great bet. This huge steak is usually cooked over roasted chestnuts, giving it a lovely smokey flavour. Or if you fancy pasta, try the pappardelle al cinghiale. The long, wide ribbons of pasta are delicious with the rich wild boar ragu.
For veggies (or those who don’t fancy a meat dish), ribollita is very typical of the region. This is a soup made of stale bread, tomatoes and beans, as well as other seasonal vegetables, and it’s absolutely delicious.
Fancy something a little sweeter? Schiacciata Fiorentina is a very traditional cake that is usually eaten during carnival. You’ll easily recognise it – it’s always rectangular and dusted with icing sugar, with the Florentine emblem on top.
Pisa
What should we see?
Of course, Pisa is famous for its leaning tower, so you mustn’t miss a visit to the Piazza dei Miracoli. But there’s so much more to Pisa than this relatively small square, so do make sure you venture a little further – it will certainly be worth it!
The city is full of, arguably, much more impressive architecture, such as the Piazza dei Cavalieri and the Torre Guelfa.
What should we eat?
Pisan cuisine is, like the rest of Tuscany, based on medieval peasant fare. But unlike Florence, Pisa’s proximity to the sea means that there’s plenty of seafood on offer too.
Cecina is a very typical snack – this flatbread is made from chickpea flour and is similar to the Genoese farinata.
And for a sweet treat, try the torta co’ bischeri, which was once offered to pilgrims. This shortcrust pastry pie has a filling of rice, dark chocolate, pine nuts, candied fruit and spices.
Bologna
What should we see?
Capital of Emilia Romagna, Bologna is famous for two things – its university, which is the oldest in Europe, and its food.
It has three nicknames – La Grassa (the fat one) for its gastronomy, La Dotta (the learned one) for its university and La Rossa (the red one) for its red-hued architecture and traditionally left-leaning society.
Make sure you take time to wander through Bologna’s porticoes, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage list – there are almost 40km to explore!
What should we eat?
Everything! Bologna is the gastronomic capital of Italy and so any foodies in your group will find themselves in heaven.
One of the reasons that Bologna is so famous for its food is the fact that the produce here is so fantastic. This is the home of Mortadella and Parmigiano Reggiano - and nearby Modena is famous for its prosciutto and balsamic vinegar!
You’ll definitely have to try the Bolognese sauce. But don’t expect it to come with spaghetti, as the traditional pasta pairing is usually tagliatelle.
For a quick snack, the piadina is the city’s typical sandwich. A thin flatbread, you can usually choose from a variety of fillings, and it’s great as an inexpensive snack on-the-go.
Want to know more?
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like further information.