TRENDING
Japan Greece Costa Rica
Italy Fiji Korea

Italy Student Travel Programs for Teens

Rustic Pathways offers three Northern Italy summer programs for high school students ages 14–18, blending cultural immersion, authentic Italian cuisine, and meaningful service across the Veneto and Lombardy regions. Students explore Venice, Verona, and Lake Garda from a countryside base house with trained staff and a 6:1 supervision ratio.

Each program introduces Italian culture through hands-on experiences, pasta-making at a local agriturismo, guided city exploration, and trail conservation in the Lessinia foothills—within a proven safety framework designed to build confidence, independence, and cross-cultural understanding. See all Italy programs

✔︎ Since 1983✔︎155,000+ Alumni✔︎6:1 Staff Ratio✔︎4.9/5.0 Rating

Explore Summer Programs in Italy

All programs begin with arrival at Venice Marco Polo Airport and transfer to a countryside base house in the Veneto region. There are three Italy student travel programs available, each focused on a different combination of culture, adventure, and service for ideal summer abroad experiences for students.

Northern Italy Adventure

Students stay at a comfortable converted country estate near Verona, offering a peaceful base for exploring Northern Italy’s food traditions and artistic heritage. The program blends cooking workshops, lakeside excursions, and guided exploration of nearby historic towns.

Best for: First-time travelers seeking a short, immersive introduction to Italian culture.

Northern Italy Adventure →

Italy & Greece: Cultural Immersion and Turtles

This two-country journey begins with cultural exploration in Northern Italy before continuing to Kefalonia for hands-on sea turtle conservation with Wildlife Sense. Students balance meaningful environmental fieldwork with supportive cultural experiences across two Mediterranean settings.

Best for: Teens who want both Italian culture and purposeful environmental conservation.

Italy & Greece →

Europe Odyssey: Portugal, Spain, Italy & Greece

A month-long European journey that connects surfing in Portugal, cultural immersion in Barcelona, exploration in Northern Italy, and sea turtle conservation in Greece. The itinerary is designed for students ready for extended travel, cultural contrast, and meaningful service learning.

Best for: Experienced travelers seeking a comprehensive multi-country summer with substantial service hours.

Europe Odyssey →

Compare Costa Rica Teen Travel Programs

Program Countries Duration Ages Max Students Cost Service Hours
Northern Italy Adventure Italy 8 Days 14–18 20 $3,395 + Airfare 5
Italy & Greece Italy, Greece 16 Days 14–18 20 $6,890 + Airfare 25
Europe Odyssey Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece 30 Days 14–18 14 $13,680 + Airfare 36

Northern Italy Adventure

Duration8 Days
Ages14–18
Service Hours5
Cost$3,395 + Airfare

View Program

Italy & Greece

Duration16 Days
Ages14–18
Service Hours25
Cost$6,890 + Airfare

View Program

Europe Odyssey

Duration30 Days
Ages14–18
Service Hours36
Cost$13,680 + Airfare

View Program

Apply Now

Why High School Students Choose Italy for Summer Programs

High school students choose Italy for hands-on experiences in history, food, and culture. Programs explore Venice, Verona, and Lake Garda while offering village-based living. Students gain cultural insight, build confidence, and earn verified service hours in a scenic and immersive setting.

Accommodations and Daily Life

Students stay at a converted country estate near Verona with gender-separated shared rooms and quiet spaces to relax after excursions. Meals include regional Italian dishes, cooking experiences, and options for all dietary needs.

Each day blends cultural exploration, service learning, and reflection to support connection and growth.

Explore Programs

Safety, Impact, and Transformation: The SIT Process

Safety

Students arrive at Venice Marco Polo Airport and travel with trained staff and vetted drivers. The countryside base house provides a secure home base, with transportation, accommodations, and emergency plans prepared in advance.

Impact

Each activity connects to a defined learning objective. Whether making pasta at an agriturismo, exploring Roman ruins in Verona, or maintaining trails in Lessinia, students understand the purpose behind their experiences.

Transformation

Teens return home with increased independence, cultural understanding, and up to 36 documented service hours. Programs help students expand academic interests and develop practical life skills.

What Your Teen Will Gain in Italy

Confidence Through Experience

Students build practical confidence as they order espresso, navigate new places, and move comfortably through Italian daily life.

Tradition Through Taste and Place

Rolling pasta, dining family-style, and exploring historic cities help students experience Italian traditions through participation rather than observation.

Connection That Feels Like Home

Time at the base house creates shared routines and friendships that give students a genuine sense of belonging.

Service with Skill

Students complete 5–36 verified service hours and learn to contribute with focus, humility, and care.

Italy invites students to slow down, pay attention, and return home more grounded, curious, and at ease in the world.

The base house felt like home by day three. Making pasta from scratch and sharing it with everyone was my favorite memory.

Quote by: Emma, 16 Northern Italy Adventure

Frequently Asked Questions About Teen Travel to Italy

chevron

Is Italy safe for teen travel programs?

Yes. Rustic Pathways has operated in Italy with trained staff, vetted accommodations, reliable transportation, and a 6:1 supervision ratio. Italy is widely recognized as one of Europe’s safest destinations for supervised student travel, with low crime rates and excellent healthcare infrastructure.

What service work do students complete?

The 8-day Northern Italy Adventure includes approximately 5 hours of trail maintenance in Lessinia Regional Park. Longer programs add sea turtle conservation on Kefalonia Island, Greece, including beach surveys, seagrass mapping, and public education.

How many service hours will my teen earn?

Programs include between 5 and 36 verified community service hours depending on duration.

Does my teen need to speak Italian?

No. Italian language lessons introduce essential phrases for ordering food, asking directions, and basic conversation. Program leaders and local guides handle all complex communication.

What is included in the program fee?

Accommodations, meals, in-country transportation, activities, airport pickup, staff support, and insurance. Airfare to and from Venice is self-managed.

What are accommodations like?

Students stay at a comfortable countryside base house in the Veneto region with shared rooms, pool access, and home-cooked meals. The base house provides a secure, authentic Italian home base rather than tourist hotels.

What makes Northern Italy different from Rome or Florence programs?

Most teen programs focus on central Italy-Rome’s Colosseum, Florence’s Uffizi, the Amalfi Coast. Our Northern Italy program offers a countryside base house rather than city hotels, authentic Veneto cuisine rather than tourist restaurants, and destinations that are iconic but less overwhelming.

Does my teen need a visa to travel to Italy?

Most students from the United States do not require a visa for short-term stays in the Schengen Area. Families should check entry requirements for their nationality.

What is a typical day like?

A typical day includes pastries and coffee at the base house, a morning departure for the day’s adventure (city tour, cooking class, or service), lunch at local restaurants or picnic-style, afternoon activities, and group dinner followed by reflection and relaxation.

Schools and Private Groups

Custom Italy itineraries are available for schools, youth groups, and private cohorts. Options include cultural immersion in Venice and Verona, cooking-focused experiences, and Week Without Walls programming.

See all Italy group travel programs

Related Content

Ready to Explore Italy?

Apply Now