Summer 2024 - Florence

We arrived in Florence just after lunch and stopped in Piazzale Michelangelo for a spectacular view of the city.

After a quick check-in at our hotel, we headed to the centre of town, passing the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and the Duomo, taking in the sights and sounds of this incredible city.

We regrouped in the evening for dinner at Mercato Centrale were students had a wide variety of great food to choose from. Then, an optional walking tour to learn about some of the sculptures in the city. 

The next morning, we toured the Uffizi Galleries. These galleries hold the artwork collected by the Medici family over centuries, and house the most important pieces of the Renaissance. We saw works by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and of course, Botticelli.

In the afternoon, students could choose between three tours. One group visited the Gucci Museum, another visited the church of Santa Croce, and the remainder took part in an off-the-beaten-path tour, learning about wine doors, filling up our water bottles at a fountain that delivers sparkling water, and visiting La Specola museum.

Later, most students chose to climb the Duomo. Though the climb can feel a bit claustrophobic, the view is certainly worth it!

Before returning on our last day, CCI met at the Accademia, which houses David; one of the most iconic sculptures in the world. It’s amazing to think that Michelangelo was only 30 years old when he completed this masterpiece.

With the end of the program in sight, Florence was certainly a great place to finish the month together.

 

Photo credits: Clark Adams