Why travel on a Family Journey?
Traveling on a Family Journey with William & Mary provides families all the adventure of Study Abroad, without the homework!
Our faculty guide, John Donahue leads William & Mary students during their study abroad journeys through his role as the Program Director of the study abroad summer program in Florence. Guests traveling with us will experience an educational overview and connection to the history and culture of Italy that isn't available anywhere else.
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When is the Journey?
May 21-31, 2022.
- Depart the U.S. Saturday, May 21, 2022.
- Arrive in Italy Sunday, May 22, 2022.
- Depart from Italy Tuesday, May 31, 2022.
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Where will we stay?
This 8-Day trip includes first-class accommodations at Gallery Hotel Art in the heart of Florence, Italy.
The contemporary Gallery Hotel Art is a 4-star design and boutique hotel in Florence dreamed up by Michele Bönan, a refined Florentine architect, and offers a favorite local meeting place in the heart of Florence amongst fashion, art, and stylish people.
Set in a quiet courtyard near the Arno and Ponte Vecchio and close to Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, you may experience art and photography vernissages, enjoy a few quiet moments in the inviting lounge-library, or indulge in culinary Eastern delights at the Fusion Bar & Restaurant.
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What will we do?
Our travels in Italy will include two full days of exploring all of the wonders of Florence, with famous sites such as the Duomo and Galleria dell'Academia. We'll spend an afternoon in Lucca to explore towers and villas dating back to the 12 century. Two planned excursion days will feature a day trip to Siena & San Gimignano where guests will see all Tuscany has to offer. This is followed by a day trip to Chianti where we will wine & dine among the breathtaking landscape of a local vineyard.
Our sample itinerary is below. Please keep in mind, this itinerary is subject to change leading up to our trip. For "Choose Your Own Adventure Days" it is best to pre-plan your independent excursions and travel, as May is a busy time in Italy.
Saturday, May 21
Sunday, May 22
- Hotel Check-In @ 2 PM
- Opening Dinner – Get acquainted with your Family Journey hosts and others on the Journey with us. Professor Donahue will provide an overview of our time in Italy and begin to share his robust knowledge of Italian history and culture.
Monday, May 23
- Breakfast included at Hotel
- Lunch on your own
- Piazza del Duomo (Florence Cathedral), Battistero
- Lunch on your own
- Galleria dell’Academia
- Dinner on your own
Tuesday, May 24
- Breakfast included at Hotel
- Palace Vechhio
- Lunch on your own
- Lucca Afternoon
- Lucca Cathedral, Basilica of San Frediano& more
- Dinner on your own
Wednesday, May 25
- Breakfast included in Hotel
- Siena, San Gimignano, - See all that Tuscany has to offer on this day trip to Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano from Florence. Explore the main square and Gothic cathedral in Siena, followed by a traditional, 3-course lunch with wine. Afterward, enjoy the medieval streets of San Gimignano
- Dinner on your own
Thursday, May 26
- Breakfast included in Hotel
- Chianti Day Trip - Drinking a chalice of Chianti figures as an essential part of any itinerary in Italy. The splendid Chianti region winds its way between Florence and Siena and is characterized by its iconic views of olive groves and vineyards. It offers innumerable tours of wine cellars and guided wine tasting. You will stop in different villages and hamlets rich in serenity, offering food and wine that is unique in the world.
- Lunch included in Day Trip
- Dinner on your own
Friday, May 27
- Choose Your Own Adventure
- Breakfast included in Hotel
Saturday, May 28
- Choose Your Own Adventure
- Breakfast included in Hotel
Sunday, May 29
- Choose Your Own Adventure
- Breakfast included in Hotel
Monday, May 30
- Breakfast included in Hotel
- Boboli Gardens, Pitti Palace, (both require tickets)
- Ponte Vecchio & more
- Closing Dinner
Tuesday, May 31
- Breakfast included in Hotel
- Hotel Check-Out by 12 PM
- Travel Day
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Who is going with us?
- S. Mark Sikes, Ph.D. is the Interim Dean of Students. He has led families for the past several years and is in his 16th year at William & Mary. He is committed to ensuring that all families have a strong connection. Traveling with Mark will be quite an experience. He also serves as the Director of Student Services for the Joint Degree Programme with the University of St. Andrews and has many international trips under his belt. Your journey with Mark will be a trip to remember!
- John Donahue, Ph.D. Professor Donahue received his Ph.D. in Classics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His primary interests lie in Roman history, food and drink in the ancient world, and Latin inscriptions. Professor Donahue is author of The Roman Community at Table during the Principate (2004) and was co-editor of Roman Dining, a special issue of the American Journal of Philology (2005). He teaches courses in Greek and Roman history and all levels of Latin. Since last year, Professor Donahue has the pleasure of serving as the program director for the W&M study abroad summer program in Florence.
- Maggie Evans Maggie Evans serves as the Associate Vice President for Campus Living and is a proud parent of a William & Mary student. After serving as the Chief of Staff for the President of James Madison University and 24 years in Residence Life, she joined W&M in 2017. Not only has she served as the director of an Olympic Village housing for the Olympic Games in Atlanta, but she also partnered with the Center for Global Engagement on many of the international programs at JMU.
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How much will it cost?
COST: $3,600 per person (cost based on double occupancy (2 family members per room); other arrangements may require an additional cost)
Payment Timeline:
- $100 refundable deposit due upon completing interest sheet.
- $500 non-refundable payment due by December 1, 2021.
- $1000 non-refundable payment due by January 31, 2022.
- Full balance due by February 15, 2022.
Included in Cost:
- 4-star hotel accommodations in the center of Florence
- Onsite Trip organizers
- Special activities guided by William & Mary Faculty Member
- All activities and visits included in itinerary
- Hotel buffet breakfast daily
- Incredible meals, including: Breakfast each morning, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners
Please Note:
- Cost does not include airfare to/from Italy or airport transfers
- Guests should plan to fly into Florence airport (FLR)
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How do I sign up?
Complete the interest sheet and pay your deposit by November 29, 2021 to let us know you want to join our inaugural Family Journey in Florence, Italy. The interest sheet will close after November 29, 2021.
Please Note:
- Space on this trip is limited, spots are given on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- We will reach out via email to verify your spot on the Family Journey.
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