Italy - Overview

• Premier Italy summer program for high school students completing grades 9, 10, 11, 12
• Courses in Italian language, fashion, italian cooking, Soccer, Basketball & more!
• Full program of afternoon, evening and weekend activities & excursions included in tuition!
• Visit Ponte Vechhio, Il Duomo, Uffizi Gallery & more!
• Weekend road trips to Rome, Pisa, Siena, beaches & more!
• The Princeton Review SAT Preparation
• No Italian Language experience required.
• *June 29 departure from the U.S, with June 30 arrival in Italy 

Special Options Include:

• Italian Cultural Immersion
• College Credit Available
• Venice Celebration Weekend

Study Abroad in Italy!

The warmest people, the most delicious food, the most fashionable fashion, the most magnificent art - are all found in Italy. From the Roman ruins and Venetian canals to Florence’s treasures bathed in the Tuscan sun, Italy is a delight from dawn to dusk, and well into the night. Italy is both steeped in history and one of Europe’s most contemporary and hip countries. In Florence, you can sit in a trendy café in the Piazza Santa Croce with the ancient Duomo as a backdrop.

Florence

Florence is a mecca for students and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is a rare combination of a Renaissance city of grand palazzos and artistic treasures, plus a bustling modern city with terrific entertainment. Located in the heart of Tuscany and connected by beautiful bridges across the Arno River, Florence and its environs offer our students a wealth of cultural, recreational and social activities. Living and studying in this remarkable place, students will be immersed in Italian language, academics, culture, the arts, travel and recreation. 

Florence has long-been synonymous with superb craftsmanship including fine leather, jewelry, silk and cool fashion. Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Long ruled by the powerful Medici family whose patronage allowed the arts to flourish, Florence is renowned for its  art and architecture. It is said that of the 1000 most important European artists of the second millennium, 350 lived or worked in Florence including Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. 

Istituto Lorenzo de’Medici

Summer Discovery students study at the renowned Istituto Lorenzo de’Medici. Several of the finest universities in the USA use the Istituto Lorenzo de’Medici for their accredited study abroad programs in Italy. Established in 1973, Lorenzo de’Medici offers students opportunities to study in Florence with international university students.

Lorenzo de’Medici is located in the heart of Florence in the city’s historical centre. The main building, situated on Via Faenza, dates back to the 13th century. Rich in medieval frescoes and sculpture, it has been beautifully restored and updated. In addition, Summer Discovery students will have the opportunity to study in some of Florence’s other historical buildings. All classrooms/studios are air-conditioned. Students have access to computers with high speed internet access at Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici.  

Living and Learning Together in One Residence

All Summer Discovery students live together in one hotel - a special feature of our programs. This enables Summer Discovery students and staff to develop a close-knit community feeling of living under one roof. Although our students enjoy their independence in the greater Florence community, they have a distinct, centrally located “home” in the city, which provides immeasurable social, educational and safety benefits.

Grand Hotel Mediterraneo

We are proud to stay at the beautiful 4-star first-class, fully air-conditioned Grand Hotel Mediterraneo. The GHM is an amazing hotel in an amazing location - directly on the Arno River, and is the finest residence of any student program in Florence. The hotel is very close to the most important city center sights, including Piazza Santa Croce, Piazzale Michelangelo, the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio. Within walking distance from the hotel you’ll find the coolest shopping areas, such as Via Tornabuoni, Via Roma, and Via Calzaiuoli. Only Summer Discovery features a residence with huge meeting rooms, the largest lobby in Florence (ideal for group gatherings/socialization), our private TV/movie lounge, 3 excellent restaurants, room service, high-speed internet points, a concierge and much more. Please visit the hotel website www.hotelmediterraneo.com for photos, location, facilities and more. Rooms are mostly doubles, with very limited triples. Room amenities include private bathrooms, satellite television with several English language channels, in-room phones, air-conditioning, and daily housekeeping service.

Food For Thought / Cucina Choice

Mangia, Mangia, Mangia! The foods of Florence are fantastic and rank among the world’s best and Summer Discovery students can enjoy it all! Breakfast and dinner are provided daily. A daily breakfast buffet is served in the Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, including choice of juices, meats, breads, cereals and fruit. For dinner, students will savor all the specialties of authentic Tuscan and other cuisines through our excellent Cucina Choice dining program, where students have the privilege of dining in various selected restaurants (a choice of 4-5 per night) throughout Florence. Dinner at La Taverna, an authentic Tuscan restaurant with mouthwatering food and a new menu everyday, is offered every Cucina Choice evening. Don’t forget to leave room for gelato! There are several pizzerias, ristorantes, cafes and even American-style and Chinese restaurants to choose from. Students enjoy the opportunity to purchase lunch on their own in a variety of cafés, sandwich shops, and pizzerias galore.

Health, Safety and Security  

• The health, safety and security of each student is our primary concern. 
• The Grand Hotel Mediterraneo has bilingual doctors on call 24 hours a day.
• For 24 hour emergency care, students are taken to Hospital Santa Maria Nuova, one of Florence’s finest hospitals.
• Summer Discovery staff make all medical appointments, transport and accompany students to medical facilities, obtain prescription medications and notify parents after medical visits.
• Resident counselors live in the Grand Hotel Mediterraneo with Summer Discovery students.
• For additional safety, there are daily/nightly sign-ins and room checks.
• In keeping with a collegiate atmosphere, students are permitted to walk in our “home area” of Florence, but are required to be in small groups.

Transportation

• Students may walk to all of our classrooms and athletic facilities within the Florence city centre. In addition students may opt to be transported to their morning class by private, air-conditioned motor coach.
• For large group excursions chartered buses with professional drivers, and public transportation are used.
• Summer Discovery provides escorted transfers to/from Rome airport for $60 each way. Staff meets all incoming flights after customs and assists with all departures. Travel arrangements must be made through Musiker Travel, our own travel agency. Our group flight departs the USA from New York’s JFK airport on the evening of June 29 and arrives in Rome at approximately 10am on June 30. All students from the US are required to take this group flight. From Rome, students are transferred by private motor coach with Summer Discovery staff to Florence. International participants should fly directly into Florence Airport (FLR) on June 30.