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Overview

A totally immersive experience

Many of us dream of living abroad, but few of us ever get the chance. After the enthusiastic response to our first Travel/Study Sabbatical to Aix-en-Provence, we’re pleased to offer another golden opportunity to realize that dream! This program provides a richly enhanced way to spend an entire month living like a local in Florence while learning a new language and digging into a different culture.

Here, amid rolling countryside, cobblestone streets and marble church facades, you’ll experience authentic Italian living at its best, delighting in handmade pasta, engaging in informative lectures and savoring encounters with the local residenti. Join us for this deep dive into la bella vita.

Dates

April 3–May 1, 2024

Duration

29 days

Price

From $12,595 per person

Trip size

29 participants

Minimum age

18 years
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Faculty leader

A different kind of classroom

With renowned Stanford faculty and scholars leading the way, every Travel/Study trip is a one-of-a-kind educational experience.

David Kennedy

History

Learn about Italian history and international relations from historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Kennedy.

Itinerary

A month-long sabbatical in the cradle of the Renaissance

Attend Italian language classes on weekday mornings, then practice using those new skills while exploring Florence and Tuscany on group excursions and during ample free time.

Language Track

Learn to communicate in Italian! Whatever your level of proficiency, you can focus on acquiring or improving both written and oral communication skills and learn to understand and speak on various topics. Classes are three hours a day, four mornings a week, and are offered at multiple levels, from beginner to advanced. Classes are taught at Accademia Europea di Firenze, located a brief tram ride and a short walk from our hotel. Molto bene!

Included in program price for all participants

Art and Architecture Track

View firsthand Florence’s Renaissance through the art and architecture of this cultural hub. Enjoy three half-day excursions, two in the Florence city center and one at the nearby site of Fiesole, which dates back to the 9th century. In Florence, view the striking Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Brunelleschi’s famous dome that tops it. Visit several other historically significant churches in the city center, including the Franciscan Basilica of Santa Croce, which holds the remains of Michelangelo, Galileo, Alberti and many other luminaries.

Optional addition available to participants: $550 per person

Cooking Track

Try your hand at the fundamentals of Italian cuisine. On a guided shopping excursion to a local market, discover the region’s bounty of artisanal cheeses, handmade pasta, locally produced olive oil, and just-picked fruits and vegetables. Then head to our cooking school with fresh ingredients in hand to learn about Tuscan wines, breads and cheeses while preparing typical Italian appetizers. As in the traditional Italian kitchen, each participant will take part in preparing the dishes and then enjoy them together with the others.

Optional addition available to participants: $660 per person

Trip details

Start preparing for the trip of a lifetime

From top to bottom, we’ve taken care of all the details, so you can enjoy a no-stress, worry-free travel experience.

“The Florence Sabbatical was an incredible experience both in terms of travel and study. It has enriched my life, rekindled my attitude for learning, and renewed my ties with Stanford.”

— Link Jaw

Pricing

Secure your spot today

The price of your trip covers a comprehensive educational program in addition to meals, accommodations, tours and excursions. Continue reading for a full list of what’s included.

Join us in Florence

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