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Italy

Italy: Culture, Food, and the History of Rome — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 12 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Engage in a captivating journey through Rome on this 6-day itinerary. Learn about global food and agriculture issues at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, then tie this into your surroundings through service work at a local food bank. Shine a spotlight on the city’s cultural scene as you explore historic landmarks, indulge in delectable Italian cuisine, and immerse yourself in Rome’s vibrant neighborhoods.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 7-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Depart for Italy

Meet your group at your home airport. Fly together as a group to Italy. Total travel time will depend on your departure location and flight schedule. Be sure to get some rest so you arrive ready for adventure! Flight Details: Rustic Pathways will be happy to book your flight as an add-on service.
2

Welcome to Rome!

Arrive in Rome’s Fiumicino airport, collect your bags, and meet your program leaders for the week. Welcome to Italy! From here the group will head to your accommodations to get settled in and take a few minutes to relax and absorb the amazing place you just arrived. Once everyone has regrouped, we’ll head out to get your first Italian meal at a local restaurant. Can there be such a thing as too much pizza or pasta? We don’t think so! Flight Details: Rustic Pathways can book your flights upon request as an optional add-on service Overnight: Hostel or Hotel
3

Global Food Access and Agriculture

After a refreshing night of sleep, it’s time to get ready for our first morning of service and learning. We will be heading to visit the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for an educational tour and to learn about their mission of creating worldwide food security and defeating hunger with their 195-member organization. After our tour, we will spend some time as a group discussing the learnings and understanding them in the context of our own lives and our visit to Rome. From here, we will explore the Monti neighborhood, one of the quintessential Rome neighborhoods that is just up the street from the Colosseum and full of history and great food. We’ll get pizza for lunch, take some pictures at the famous fountain in the Piazza della Madonna dei Monti & get gelato while roaming the cobblestone streets and exploring. In the evening we’ll get some dinner and relax as a group at our accommodations. Maybe even learn a traditional Italian card game? Did you know that card decks in Italy are different in each region? Overnight: Hostel or Hotel
4

Service and the Sistine Chapel

After a delicious breakfast of pastry and strong espresso, we’ll be charged up to start our next day of service with a local food bank that helps feed local citizens facing food insecurity. We will help support them by sorting food, packing boxes or other activities that they need to support feeding the community. After our morning of work, we’ll grab some sandwiches for lunch and make our way over to the Vatican for an afternoon tour. We’ll see the impressive St Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and explore this marvel of both historic and modern significance. Overnight: Hostel or Hotel
5

Service and the Piazza di Spagna

We will head back to our service partner again this morning to continue our work supporting them and their mission of keeping people fed. Based on yesterday’s experience we’ll be well acquainted with the work and be able to have an even bigger impact today. For lunch, we will stock up on Italian delicacies like prosciutto, cheese, focaccia, veggies and fruit to take as a picnic and explore some of the sites of the famous neighborhoods around the Trevi District. Try your luck with the famous “3 Coin Myth” of the Trevi Fountain, walk up the 'Spanish Steps' that lead from the Piazza di Spagna square to the French monastery church Trinita dei Monti and learn why the Pantheon is so famous. Overnight: Hostel or Hotel
6

The Rise of Rome

We will take our final day to explore some of the most famous and impressive sites of Rome. We will visit the Colosseum for a tour to get a full understanding of its immense size, significance in ancient Rome and impressive architecture. We will then visit a local market and shops to pick out our perfect lunch and many local Romans do during their lunch breaks. What do you need one more time before leaving? Pizza? Pasta? Panini? Gelato? Once we’ve refueled we’ll explore the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum to understand the rise of Rome through the centuries to an estimated population of likely over 1 million people to its decline in the Middle Ages to around 30,000 people. After a farewell dinner, we will do our Rustic Ties ceremony and finish the program with some gelato. Overnight: Hostel or Hotel
7

Addio Roma!

Spend your final morning doing some last-minute souvenir bargaining for family and friends. We trust you’ve had an incredible time and look forward to seeing you again soon! Flight Details: Rustic Pathways can book your flights upon request as an optional add-on service

Total: 7 calendar days / 6 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Italy

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Italy offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Italy Europe Service + Culture
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