Welcome to
Florence

Excursions

While participating on a CIS Abroad program, you'll be able to take part in built-in excursions at no additional cost. These trips are subject to change from term-to-term; listed below are excursions that have run in the past.

Check dates in the student calendar to learn exactly what your session offers. Your Site Director will give you instructions on how you can RSVP for all of the events on site. 

Day Excursions

Arezzo

The itinerary will include: Chianti wine and extra virgin olive oil tasting, lunch at an ancient Benedictine monastery, Casa Vasari tour, Arezzo churches tour, train from/to Florence.

Before the trip, we recommend you watch the movie “La vita è bella - Life is Beautiful”, available on Netflix!

CIS Abroad will take care of:
- transportation from/to Florence (train)
- lunch (traditional local meal)
- entrance fees
- group activities 

WHAT TO WEAR/BRING:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Refillable water bottle
- Your ID and a photocopy of your passport
- Umbrella and rain jacket …just in case!
- Your phone, camera and power bank if you plan to take tons of pictures 

 

Prato 

The itinerary will include: guided tour of Prato historic center and Chinatown; lunch; visit at a textile lab; train from/to Florence.Before the trip, we recommend you to read the following articles:

The biggest Chinese community of Europe in the heart of Tuscany;

A postcard from Prato’s Chinatown: https://www.elledecor.com/it/viaggi/a43735001/cartolina-dalla-chinatown-di-prato/

Local Life Activities

Renaioli Boat Tour

This tour is a relaxed boat trip along the Arno River in the heart of Florence. You will be able to see the sights of Florence from the quiet peace of the Arno, riding in a boat propelled by a renaiolo, a skilled helmsman similar to the gondoliers of Venice. 

florence-renaioli

Oltrarno District Tour

Oltrarno is the most authentic district in Florence, thanks to its distance from the tourist attractions of the Duomo and Michelangelo's David and the separation of the Arno River. Early in your time in Florence you will receive a guided tour of Oltrarno, pointing out the best places to visit and the most fascinating sights in this unique area of Florence. 

florence-oltrarno

Pizza Night

Come and enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza in Florence! Who doesn’t like pizza? It’s famous all over the world and everybody loves it! The real authentic  pizza is the Neapolitan, did you know that pizza was invented in Naples? We will take you to a family run pizzeria napoletana and treat you to a fine pizza, prepared the way it should be by Southern Italy pizzaioli. They only use fresh, top-quality ingredients, with regional flavors that change according to the season, you should not miss it! 

Fiesole Hike and Aperitivo

Do you want to see the best sunset view of Florence?? We will take the public bus from a stop close to TSH, and get off near Fiesole where the group will be guided by a local guide for an amazing 3 km hike (1,8 mile). After the walk we can relax having an aperitivo admiring the amazing Florence skyline.

Fiesole (Italian pronunciation: fi-eh-so-le) is a town and "comune" of the Metropolitan City of Florence in the Italian region of Tuscany, on a scenic hill above Florence, 5 km (3 miles) northeast of the city. It has structures dating to Roman times. 

Sant'Ambrogio Market Visit and Lunch

We'll immerse ourselves in the smells and flavors of Tuscany in one of the best food markets in Florence. Taking advantage of the morning we'll head for the Loggia del Pesce, the portico under which the Sant' Ambrogio market is located. We'll stroll among the fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese and fish stalls as we watch the Florentines shopping. Of course, we will try some amazing food such as: pecorino cheese, ricotta cheese, meatballs with couscous and eggplant, grandma's meatballs, schiacciata and more. You will learn about food sustainability, the importance of the seasonality of food, and we will share some groceries shopping tips.

Gucci Garden Visit

Other Events

Many events that are included as part of your study abroad package are provided by Florence University of Arts and The Social Hub. You will receive more information about these events directly from the institution.

Florence University of Arts (FUA)

Florence University of Arts (FUA) is the primary university for students studying abroad in Florence, and offers several different types of activities onsite. Before your departure you will receive an opportunity to sign up for the Educational Field Learning (EFL) trips provided by FUA, which are guided day trips to various locales in Italy. FUA additionally provides Student Life activities for their students. 

Please note that we at CIS Abroad do not provide these activities directly, and any questions about EFL trips or Student Life activities should be directed toward FUA. 

The Social Hub (TSH)

The Social Hub (TSH) in Florence offers a variety of events to students staying at TSH. Some of these events are additionally available to students staying in apartments, typically at a small cost. Events available include cooking classes, exercises classes, and various city tours.

For any questions about TSH activities, ask at the front desk.

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