Birthplace of modern Italian, there really is nowhere better than spectacular Florence to immerse your students in the language.
Our school trips to Italy are always a popular choice with teachers and students. Not only does this vibrant European country offer a fantastic range of educational experiences, but it also offers the opportunity to enjoy them under the Mediterranean sun.
Italian school trips can work well for many subjects. They are the perfect opportunity for language groups to sharpen speaking, listening and reading skills in a real-life setting, all while soaking up the unique culture on offer.
Meanwhile, there's almost too much to pack into a history trip. From famous ancient ruins to the Vatican City, Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country in the world.
Furthermore, art students will love the experience of witnessing some of the world’s most famous works in the museums and galleries of Florence, Rome and Venice.
But it's not just including history and art, Italy is a great choice for groups interested in classical studies, maths, food technology, religious studies, and geography, too.
Browse our trips
School Italian Culture Trip to Florence
School Art Trip to Florence
The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, your students will love exploring Florence's many art museums and galleries!
£625PP
School Mathematics Trip to Florence
Want to show your students the beauty in maths? Then head to Florence, where expert mathematics can be seen in the city's skyline.
£699PP
Italian Culture Trip to Naples and Sorrento
Learn about ancient & modern Italian culture in one of the most important cities in Southern Italy.
£599PP
Geography Trip to Naples and Sorrento
Explore the pros and cons of life in the shadow of an active volcano.
£599PP
Classical Studies Trip to Naples and Sorrento
Explore the incredibly well-preserved ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
£575PP
Food Technology Trip to Naples and Sorrento
Naples is the home of pizza - so, where better to discover Italian cuisine?
£599PP
School Italian Culture Trip to Rome
Discover the fascinating history and culture of Italy in the spectacular Eternal City!
£549PP
School Art Trip to Rome
Explore some of the most exquisite religious art in Europe at the Vatican's museums.
£529PP
- 1
- 2
Activities in Italy that your school group will love
Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre)
Echoing the giant stadiums of today, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre ever built by the Romans.
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
The world's smallest state manages to play host to one of the finest art galleries.
Pizza Experience
Give your students the opportunity to learn how to make a true Neapolitan pizza.
Vesuvius National Park
The volcano whose eruption destroyed Pompeii, the menacing presence of Vesuvius can be seen from anywhere in the Bay of Naples.
Archaeological Site of Pompeii
The small Italian town of Pompeii entered the history book in AD79 when it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption.
Amalfi Coast
The world famous Amalfi Coast is a geographical wonderland, with an incredible beauty at every turn.
Doge's Palace
The Palazzo Ducale was built in the 9th century as a public palace and was the residence of the Doge.
Grand Canal
The Grand Canal is the main aquatic thoroughfare in central Venice.
Uffizi Gallery
Florence's finest art gallery grew out of the private collection of the city's ruling de' Medici dynasty.
Why choose a school trip to Italy?
1. For the rich history & culture
Along with Greece, Italy is considered one of the cradles of Western civilisation and is widely recognised as a cultural superpower. The Roman Empire, the Roman Catholic Church and the Renaissance all began here and continue to have a major influence over much of modern society.
2. For the spectacular landscapes
Italy boasts an incredible variety of spectacular landscapes, from Alpine mountains and lakes to the volcanoes of Campania and Sicily.
The opportunity to visit the Campanian volcanic arc, which includes Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, makes Italy an excellent choice for those interested in physical geography. Your students will see the dangers of living in the shadow of an active volcano, while also discovering some of the benefits.
Students can also visit Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, including its two active volcanoes – Mount Etna and Stromboli - for a practical learning experience.
3. For the unbelievable food
Italy is famous for its cuisine so, of course, it works well for food technology groups, especially if you want to show your students the importance of using good produce. Many Italian dishes are quite simple and are created from only a handful of ingredients – meaning the dish relies on the quality of its ingredients.
If food is the main focus of your trip, then Naples and Sorrento is a strong choice. The fertile land around Vesuvius means the produce here is unbelievable. Moreover, your students will discover that a traditional Neopolitan pizza is a much simpler affair than the pizzas we’re used to in the UK.
Where to visit in Italy
Florence
A trip to Florence offers your students the opportunity to explore a city with an incredibly rich cultural heritage!
Florence is very popular among art, Italian language and maths school groups. Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and your students will love exploring the rich culture that developed here during that period.
Naples and Sorrento
Trips to Naples and Sorrento offer students the exciting opportunity to explore Southern Italy.
Ideal for geography, Italian, food technology or classical studies, Naples and Sorrento offers a wide variety of educational experiences. A highlight for many will be the opportunity to visit Pompeii or Herculaneum, to walk the streets of Roman towns buried by the ash of Mt. Vesuvius.
Rome
Trips to Rome are a fantastic option for a number of subjects, including religious studies, classical studies, art and Italian.
Your students will be able to learn about the Roman Empire and the power of the Catholic Church throughout history. They can also discover some of the most incredible art, as well as get to the heart of modern Italy.
Sicily
A trip to Sicily offers students the opportunity to explore this fascinating, historic Italian island.
Sicily is most popular with geography groups who come to the island to explore Mount Etna, Stromboli and the Alcantara Gorges. The largest island in the Mediterranean and on the edge of the African continental plate, there's plenty here to inspire your young geographers!
Venice and Lido di Jesolo
A trip to Venice and Lido di Jesolo offers your students the chance to explore Italy's incredible floating city.
Venice and Lido di Jesolo are most popular with art and Italian language students. This is the perfect place to explore the country's art and culture, as Venice was an important and wealthy maritime republic and cultural centre for over 1,100 years.
Learn more
26 Jun 2023
Our Adventure in Naples and Sorrento
Find out what our team got up to when they visited Naples and Sorrento recently!
16 Jun 2017
Why Choose Naples & Sorrento for Geography?
Perhaps Italy isn't the first place that springs to mind when you start thinking about a geography trip. But it offers some incredible learning opportunities for your students.
03 Jul 2018
Arguably one of the most important cities in European history, there are endless reasons to visit Rome on a school trip. Here are just a few of them.
21 Feb 2022
Need some inspiration for your next geography field trip? Here are some of our top picks for geography trips.
28 Feb 2023
Thinking about a secondary school trip but need some inspiration and support? Don't worry, our school travel experts are here to help with a collection of the best ideas for your group.
Why choose Halsbury?
We build your trip around you
Tell us your learning objectives, curriculum and budget and we’ll do the rest.
Contact usWe’re trusted for a reason
We’re members of ABTA, ABTOT and the School Travel Forum. We also hold an ATOL and the LOtC Quality Badge.
Read moreOur Education specialists
Laura Lucas
Tour Consultant
Paul Hudson
Tour Consultant
Laura Martin
Language Sales & Product Manager
Emma Gray da Silva
Tour Consultant
Meet our education specialists and get to know more about the people committed to making your school trip the best it can be.
Case studies
Queen Mary's Grammar School's Geography Trip to Naples and Sorrento
Find out how teachers from QMGS brought geography to life and fuelled the passion of their young geographers.
Hornsea School and Language College's Trip to Sorrento
Find out why Hornsea School and Language College chose to visit Sorrento.
Hathaway Academy's Geography Trip to Italy
Hathaway Academy's Geography Trip to Italy Naples and Sorrento April 2014
FAQs
I can't see the exact location in Italy that I want to visit here, can you still help me?
Definitely. We've included examples of our most popular school trips to Italy on this page, but we've got great relationships with suppliers all over Italy, so we're sure we'll be able to help. Just get in touch and let us know what you're looking for - we'll do our best to make it happen.
Do you offer travel insurance?
We do. Travel insurance is an optional extra and you can find out more about it in our travel insurance resource (which includes the policy documents and FAQs).
If you decide against arranging this insurance through us (which is absolutely fine, by the way), please just remember you must have suitable travel and medical insurance to cover your group.
When is the best time to visit Italy on a school trip?
Italy is a fantastic year-round destination for a school trip.
That said, it can get very hot in the peak of summer. Most Italians who live in big cities head for the coast to escape the heat. So if you want warm (but not stifling), sunny days, and smaller crowds at tourist attractions, then late spring and autumn are great times to visit.
Can the trip itinerary be adapted to my curriculum and requirements?
Every single trip we arrange is tailor-made, so yes, the itinerary can be adapted.
Our Tour Advisers and Itinerary Coordinators are all experienced school travel specialists. They'll work closely with you to make sure your itinerary supports your learning objectives. They'll be able to offer suggestions and advice to make sure you make the most of your time.
So, when you're browsing through our school trips, just remember that the itineraries and activities you see are there for inspiration only - your own itinerary can look as similar or as different as you want.
Equally, we've suggested trip durations based on what groups usually request - if you want to go for a shorter or longer duration, just let us know.
How far ahead should I start planning my trip?
As a general rule, we recommend that you start planning your trip 12-18 months before you want to travel. This gives you plenty of time to get it approved and launched to students and parents.
Planning early will mean you have a greater choice of accommodation and travel options - and it will make paying for the trip easier for families, as they'll be able to break it down into smaller, more manageable payments.
You can check out our trip-planning timeline for a better idea of the process and when you should expect to be doing things.
If you are looking to travel sooner than this, it is possible. It will depend on availability and you may find prices are a bit higher, but get in touch and we can see what's possible.
What accommodation options are there in Italy?
There's a great range of accommodation options in Italy, so we'll find something that suits your requirements and budget.
As an Assured Member of the School Travel Forum, we'll only offer you accommodation options that we believe are safe and suitable for school groups. You can read more about how we select the accommodation we offer in our Safety Management System.
Let's chat!