Italian Language Trips to Florence| Educational Trips from Rayburn Tours

Florence

A visit to Tuscany would not be complete without spending a day in Florence. Take a stroll over the famous Ponte Vecchio and watch the world go by from one of the many cafes in the Piazza della Signoria. Admire masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and many more in the Uffizi Gallery, or be dwarfed by Michelangelo’s statue of David in the Accademia. The lively San Lorenzo Market takes place every day and is an excellent place to buy souvenirs and leather goods. Don’t forget to barter - in Italian of course!

Pisa

One of Italy’s most famous landmarks is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. A day trip to the city of Pisa can include visits to the cathedral, the baptistry and offers the chance to climb the Tower itself. Take an obligatory photo of your group struggling to hold the Tower up and sample some of the delicious ice cream on offer at one of the city’s many gelaterias.

San Gimignano

Nestled amongst vineyards and olive groves, this small hilltop town is famed for its medieval architecture, including its many towers built by rival families as a sign of power. A UNESCO world heritage site, this town offers a perfect opportunity to step back in time and appreciate the spectacular beauty of the Tuscan countryside.

Siena

Get lost in Siena’s winding, narrow streets which are lined with restaurants and curious trinket shops. Marvel at the town’s richly decorated cathedral with its gothic style and contrasting bands of black and white marble. Head to the piazza in the centre of town where the air is full of excitement and exhilaration every summer during the famous Palio horse race. A visit to this beautiful town is an unforgettable experience.

Viareggio

Enjoy half a day at one of the most famous and traditional seaside resorts in Tuscany. The coastal strip has over twenty kilometres of beaches with countless ‘bagni’ (bathing establishments). A stroll along the promenade at Viareggio is not to be missed.

Montecatini Alto

Montecatini Alto is located approximately 200 metres above the spa town of Montecatini Terme. It is a quaint old medieval town which was once a fortress and fought over by the cities of Florence and Lucca. It was the origin of the Montecatini that we know now. Take the funicular railway to Montecatini Alto to enjoy breathtaking views of the spectacular Tuscan countryside. The Old Town boasts ancient buildings, including the remains of the castle, palaces and churches. Cafés in the main piazza provide refreshment after a leisurely stroll along the charming, winding streets.

Roman Theatre & Acropolis, Volterra

The construction of the theatre began at the beginning of the 1st century B.C. and nineteen rows of the seating area are still visible. Behind the theatre are the Roman Baths built in the 4th century A.D. by which time the theatre had been abandoned. During the Medieval period the area was used as a rubbish tip, burying the Roman theatre and baths until excavations began in 1951. The Etruscan acropolis is situated at the highest point of Volterra, 552 metres above sea level, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Acqua Village in Cecina

This water park offers a variety of flumes such as the Kamikaze and the Twister as well as Surfing Hill and a wave pool. There is something here for everyone! Facilities in the village include snack bars, a pizzeria and an ice-cream parlour.

A Canal Trip in Livorno

This boat tour with commentary along the canals of Livorno offers an enjoyable way to see the city. Whilst relaxing on the boat you will see Il Fosso Reale (Royal Canal), La Fortezza Nuova (New Fortress) and Il Voltone (the big bridge).

Bowling Valdinievole

This 12 lane ten-pin bowling alley is located in the lovely spa town of Monsummano Terme, only 3km away from Montecatini.

Mini-golf

This excursion provides some healthy competition and a fun way to spend an evening.

Swimming

Why not take your group swimming to the local ‘Piscina Communale’ where you can hire loungers and relax in the Tuscan sunshine? This is an ideal way to spend an afternoon or evening.

Tuscany is the ideal region in which to learn Italian; the Italian language was born in Florence with Dante Alighieri and to this day the purest form of the language is spoken here. Language tuition will be provided at your hotel by expert Italian tutors. Class sizes will be small and everyone will be encouraged to participate in order to maximise their learning potential.

All of our tours are bespoke, therefore the itinerary below is simply an example; the duration, educational visits, leisure excursions and accommodation centre used will be selected to match the requirements of your group. Please contact us to discuss your bespoke itinerary.

Day 1

Depart the UK for Tuscany visiting the historical centre of Pisa before travelling on to your hotel in Montecatini.

Day 2

Spend the morning at the language school in Montecatini. Take an afternoon visit to Montecatini Alto by funicular railway to enjoy the spectacular views over the Tuscan countryside.
Late afternoon swimming at the ‘Piscina Communale’ in Montecatini.

Day 3

Transfer to Florence for a full day exploring the city.
Spend the evening playing mini-golf in Montecatini.

Day 4

Spend the morning at the language school in Montecatini.
Meet the coach for an afternoon visit to the seaside town of Viareggio.

Day 5

Spend your morning at leisure or last minute shopping in Montecatini.
Transfer to airport for flight to UK.

Hotel Valdinievole

Situated near the centre of Montecatini, the Valdinievole is a modern and newly refurbished hotel offering comfortable accommodation and modern facilities in traditional surroundings. The hotel offers excellent dining, with a restaurant offering traditional Italian cuisine. Pupils will be accommodated in multi-bedded rooms and adults in twin rooms, all with private facilities.