Two semesters (Spring on campus & Summer abroad), 19 days, 6 cities
Travel Portion:
2024: (FULL)
Start: Tuesday, May 7
End: Saturday, May 25
Price (airfare not included): $3,100 $2,900
Overview
Why participate?
The Grand Tour was a traditional trip through Europe for the upper class. The custom of embarking in this educational journey, started in the 17th century and lasted for centuries. Italy was the key destination of the Grand Tour. Nowadays Italy is still one of the most visited countries in the world and during our study abroad you will find out why. You will step into the past to better understand the present, you will be wondering in the arena where gladiators were fighting for their freedom, you will be touched by the lives destroyed by a sudden eruption in Pompei, you will be overwhelmed by architectonical beauty and timeless art.
Students will also reflect on how tourism has been changed in the last 300 years. Men have been traveling near and far since the antiquity, feeding the human desire of discovery, but the Grand Tour will start a new concept of tourism that is still lasting nowadays. Traveling in the course will expand the students’ awareness and understanding of multicultural perspectives. In order to acquire the necessary knowledge of Italian culture and traditions before traveling in Italy during Summer A, students will be exposed to virtual Italy through Google Arts & Culture App.
Course focus
- Italian Culture
- History
- Tourism
- Food
- COURSE SYLLABUS: 2024 Syllabus
Program information
- Spring 2024 (on campus): IDH 4007 (3 credits) - MMC, Wednesdays, 2:00PM-4:15PM
- Summer A 2024 (abroad): IDH 4008 (3 credits) - May 7-May 25, 2024
Program highlights
- Walking through the Colosseum
- Biking on the Appia Antica
- Watching the Medieval Tournament: Race of the Rings
- Viewing the artworks at the Uffizi Gallery
- Hiking through the five villages of Cinque Terre
What is included
- One-way train tickets within the program
- Metro card for Roma & Naples
- Ferry in Venice
- 18 nights in handpicked accommodations
- 18 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 3 dinners
- Expert Program Director
- 24/7 support from Program Director
- 5 tours with local guides
- Admission to Pantheon, Pompei, Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze, and so much more
What is not included
- Roundtrip international airfare
- $195.00 Education Abroad administrative fee (OEA Fee)
- FIU in-state tuition (6 credits, $205.57 per credit)
- Passport, visa, and other necessary documents
- Personal expenses

Key:
(#) = number of nights
Itinerary
Day 1-4: Rome
Tours of Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon, Bike ride of Appia Antica, and Free Day
Day 5: Travel to Narnia
Train to Narnia, Italy; city tour; dinner at hosteria
Day 6: Narnia
Narnia underground & Medieval Tournament: Race of the Rings
Day 7: Travel to Naples
Overland train to Naples from Narnia; walking tour
Day 8: Naples
Day-trip to Pompei & pizzata
Day 9: Travel to Florence
Overland travel to Florence; city tour; apericena
Day 10-12: Florence
Tours of Uffizi Gallery & Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze; day trip to Pisa
Day 13: Travel to Genoa
Travel overland from Florence to Genoa, Italy; walking tour
Day 14-15: Genoa
While being based in Genoa, Italy, FIU Honors students will have day trips to Cinque Terre and Milan
Day 16: Travel to Venice-Mestre
Travel by train from Genova to Venice-Mestre; walking tour of Venice
Day 17-18: Venice-Mestre
Travel by ferry to the islands of Burano and Murano
Day 19: End of Program
Check-out of housing in Venice-Mestre; end of program
Program Director
Magda Novelli Pearson

Dr. Magda Novelli Pearson is the Italian Program coordinator at FIU. She oversees three Study Abroad Programs in Italy. Advisor of the Italian club and FIU Teaching Professor. She holds a DML (Doctorate in Modern Languages) from Middlebury College and her research focuses on modern Italian literature, Italian cinematography, aesthetics of Italian villas and gardens and history of fashion.
Dr. Pearson has had many years of experience teaching Italian, and she has also partnered with Universities in Italy, Canada, and China for Collaborative Online International Learning. She oversees the CELI exams in cooperation with University of Perugia (Italy). Prof. Novelli was 2022 FIU Top Scholar awardee in the category of Global Engaged and Culturally Responsive Teaching.
Finally, she collaborates with the Italian Consulate in Miami in order to support and promote Italian language and culture in local K-12 schools.
2024 Payment Schedule
1st Payment (Deposit)* |
2nd Program Payment* |
Spring 2024 |
3rd Program Payment* |
Education Abroad Fee* |
Summer A 2024 |
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*Payments are non-refundable & non-transferrable