Dear Parents,
We are pleased to inform you about an upcoming overnight educational trip to Tuscany, taking place on January 27–28, 2026. This journey is designed as a full immersion into Italian culture and language, offering students the chance to experience the Renaissance world and the roots of our literary tradition in the places where they were born.
Throughout the trip, students will explore Florence as a living classroom. On the first day, they will visit the historic city center with a guided tour focused on the Renaissance, discovering how art, philosophy, and history shaped the identity of the “cradle of the Renaissance.”
After this shared introduction, students will follow two tailored pathways. Italian Literature students will spend the rest of the day dedicated to Giovanni Boccaccio, travelling to Certaldo, where they will visit the key places linked to the creation of the Decameron. The experience will include a dramatic reading of one of the most famous novellas, followed by a themed treasure hunt, allowing students to engage with the text in an active and memorable way.
At the same time, students in the Language Acquisition group will remain in Florence and take part in interactive workshops connected to essential elements of Italian (and Tuscan) culture, such as cooking and fashion. These activities will be carefully adapted to their language levels, giving them a meaningful opportunity to practice Italian in authentic, hands-on contexts beyond the classroom.
The second day will be entirely dedicated to the History and Philosophy dimension of the Renaissance. Students will visit Palazzo Horne, a magnificent Renaissance palace where the values, daily life, and mindset of that pivotal era are brought vividly back to light. The experience will then continue with guided visits to the extraordinary collections of the Uffizi Gallery, allowing students to admire timeless masterpieces and appreciate the artistic and cultural brilliance that made Florence a centerpiece of European history.
Trip Details
Cost: €600 minimum. The final cost will be communicated once all families have confirmed (or declined) participation.
The cost includes:
- Accommodation at Fantastic Garden Hotel
- All meals during the two days
- Transportation by train and on site private coach
- Entry fees to museums and guided tours
Not included:
- Extras in general, beverages, and public transportation
- Anything not clearly stated under “the fee includes”
- Security deposit requested by the hotel (€10.00 per student, refundable)
- Tourist tax to be paid locally in cash (€1.00 per person per night)
Confirmation and Payment Information
Please confirm (or decline) your child participation by Monday, December 15th at the following link:
https://www.h-is.com/application/product-list/trips, selecting “MYP4 CERTALDO & FLORENCE. The cost can be paid on the website. Alternatively, payment can be made via wire transfer to:
- Beneficiary: H-International School srl
- Bank: Unicredit, Via Roma, 73 – Roncade – Italy
- IBAN: IT36R0200862010000104053334
- BIC: UNCRITM1A68
Please note that this trip is not included in the yearly trips fee, nonetheless it offers students a valuable experience and a chance to enrich their understanding of the Renaissance and Italian culture through firsthand experiences in two historically significant locations.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.