Northern Italy

Northern Italy is the industrial and commercial power-house of the country, and has a rich variety of destinations for your school group to choose from.

Long a centre of learning, culture and art, the beautiful city of Florence sits majestically on the banks of the River Arno, and is truly an art-lover’s paradise. From the wonders of the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery, to Michelangelo’s indomitable statue of David, Florence has perhaps the best collection of Renaissance art of any town in the world, all housed in spectacular palaces which remind the visitor of Florence’s aristocratic heritage. Indeed, the history of the Medici family in the city makes a fascinating case study for students of history and politics alike, and this one-time capital of Italy and modern-day capital of Tuscany has a rich and diverse history. Of course, no visit to Florence would be complete without a visit to Santa Croce, resting place of a number of great Italians, including Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and Rossini.

Further north is the modern fashion capital of the world, Milan. Home to several of the world’s most well regarded fashion houses, including Gucci, Versace, Armani and Prada, the city is an obvious choice for an Art & Design or Textiles trip, and as one of Italy’s commercial centres is also interesting for those pupils studying business. Of course, behind the glossy veneer of modern Milan sits an ancient and historical city; its fine Gothic cathedral is the largest in Italy, while the nearby Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II with its impressive roof and historical mosaics unites the glamour of Milan’s present with the grandness of its past.

Travelling further north still, you will find the largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda. Perfect for Italian themed tours, this traditional holiday resort makes an excellent stop-off, and will give your pupils a chance to practice their language skills in one of Italy’s most picturesque mountain settings.

Of course, to the east of Garda and Milan is the one-an-only Venice, the ‘Queen of the Adriatic’. Actually situated upon a total of 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon, this famous city is connected by a maze of bridges, canals and concourses, each more charming than the last. At the centre of this magical city, which was once capital of a vast trading empire, lies the Piazza San Marco, with its splendid Campanile and the ancient Caffè Florian, while St Mark’s Basilica is a triumph of Italo-Byzantine architecture which recalls the wealth and influence of the former Republic of Venice.

Of course, all of these places are just some of the more famous examples of the many destinations in northern Italy which we can offer. Whatever your subject specialism or chosen destination, Schools Into Europe will tailor-make your tour to be suited to your exact requirements. Why not contact us today and let your journey begin?

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Perhaps the most famous mistake in all of Europe, the subsidence which affects this picturesque bell-tower has made it synonymous with Northern Italy, and is a ‘must see’ visit for those school groups visiting Tuscany. Set in the delightful Piazza del Duomo in the Cathedral city of Pisa, much engineering work has been done to stabilise the campanile, and it is now once again open to visitors. Photographs of visitors seeming to lean against the tower, or else prop it up, are mandatory!

Galleries of Florence

Florence has a wide array of galleries, including the Uffizi, the Academia and the Pitti Palace, to name but a few. Each has its own ‘claim to fame’ in its collection, and whether your students are Key Stage 3 or A-level, these impressive galleries are sure to pique their interest!

Gardaland

Split into several themed area, this amusement park offers visitors a variety of rides and amusements, and is an excellent visit to include on a rest day between more overtly educational excursions. There are plenty of roller-coasters to choose from, and in an idyllic setting near Lake Garda, this park is the perfect place for your pupils to let off some steam! Please click here to visit their website.

The Last Supper

Located in the renovated refectory of the Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan is perhaps the most famous Leonardo da Vinci work, the Last Supper. Serious damaged during the intervening centuries, the painting has been painstakingly restored to an approximation of its Fifteenth Century glory, and now appears to visitors as a fascinating glimpse of early Renaissance art history. Please note that booking is essential for this excursion, and subject to availability, as visitor numbers are strictly limited.

San Siro Stadium

Home of both AC and Inter Milan, the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza is a splendid visit for inter-curricular or sports science tours, and includes a museum which takes you through the history of these two famous clubs. Please click here to visit their website.

The Doge’s Palace

This iconic building, long the political centre of Venice, sits just behind St Mark’s Square and provides visitors with a glimpse of the wealth and power which was once exercised by the rulers of this fiercely independent trading empire. The famous Bridge of Sighs also forms a part of this extensive complex.

The above is just a sample of the many excursions which we offer in Northern Italy. Why not contact us today for more information?