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A journey through art, food, and fashion in Florence
Experience Florence through its history, art, and culture on an exclusive 7-day journey, staying on the grounds of NYU Florence, a group of villas including Villa La Pietra, a Renaissance villa nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany. Wander amidst the classic formal gardens, an inspiration to artists writers, musicians, poets, actors, students, and scholars. And imagine doing so in the company of a small cohort of fellow NYU alumni. This intimate, 12-person group will dive into the richness of Florence, embracing a student’s-eye view of this stunning city. From the hilltop oasis which Lord Acton’s family donated to NYU, you will explore nearby Florence, rightly known as the “cradle of the Renaissance” for its museums, churches, domed cathedral, and more. You will visit a working farm, a winery, a cooking school, a textile conservation workshop, markets and more.
Led by Faculty Director Jenny McPhee, novelist, translator of works by major Italian authors, recipient of a Guggenheim fellowship, and above all someone who knows and has a genuine love of Italy which she will share with you.
2025 Dates
2025 Dates
Arrive: Sunday, July 20
Depart: Sunday, July 27
Location
Location
NYU Villa La Pietra
Florence, Italy
Cost
Cost
$5500
20% discount for NYU alumni
What's Included
What's Included
Small Group: 12 guests
6-8 days at NYU Florence
Meals: All breakfasts, most lunches and dinners
Transportation to and from site visits
Enrichment by expert speakers
Engaging excursions that showcase local culture & heritage
Villa La Pietra
Villa La Pietra
The group will stay on campus at Villa La Pietra, a Renaissance villa in the hills outside Florence, in Tuscany. It was formerly the home of Arthur Acton and later of his son Harold Acton, who at his death in 1994 bequeathed it to New York University. You will be the only visitors staying on the estate and will have the rare privilege of seeing Lord Acton’s private collection of paintings and sculptures in the very rooms in which he and his extended family lived.
Guests will enjoy an authentic student experience by staying in single dorm rooms with private bathrooms in La Pietra's historic estate.
"It is the most beautiful college campus I have ever seen and every staff member was beyond friendly and helpful!" - Madeleine (Summer 2024)
Itinerary
Itinerary
Itinerary is subject to change
Sunday, July 20 – Arrival and welcome dinner
Monday, July 21 – Take a walking tour of Florence, followed by an enriching discussion over lunch at the Ospedale degli Innocenti and a visit to the iconic Duomo.
Tuesday, July 22 – Take a morning tour of Villa La Pietra and the gardens, luncheon with art historians followed by a visit to the famous Accademia and Uffizi Galleries. Spend your evening at an organic olive oil farm.
Wednesday, July 23 – Travel to San Gimignano and learn about the Slow Food movement, concluding with a winery tour and dinner.
Thursday, July 24 – Indulge in the world of Italian fashion with visits to couture labs, one of the last remaining silk manufacturing workshops in the world, and a tour of the Museo Ferragamo.
Friday, July 25 – Further explore artisanal Florence with visits to local artisans followed by a cooking class.
Saturday, July 26 – Spend the day at your own pace, delving into Florence’s hidden gems, finishing with a farewell dinner at La Pietra.
Sunday, July 27 – Departure from Villa La Pietra.
The link below is the itinerary from our program to Florence in Summer 2024. The structure for 2025 will be similar, however we will be making small changes to the program.
"I think what made our trip special was the expertise of our tour guides and our speakers. NYU curated that exceptionally. While others may travel to Florence, my value of this experience was through the NYU experience."
"I think what made our trip special was the expertise of our tour guides and our speakers. NYU curated that exceptionally. While others may travel to Florence, my value of this experience was through the NYU experience."
-- Ellysa 2024
"This trip was excellent and exceeded my expectation. Villa La Pietra was such a special place; the staff from NYU are so professional, knowledgeable and dedicated. There were so many memorable activities with the new friends I made during the trip."
"This trip was excellent and exceeded my expectation. Villa La Pietra was such a special place; the staff from NYU are so professional, knowledgeable and dedicated. There were so many memorable activities with the new friends I made during the trip."
-- John 2024
Questions regarding the program?
Email the SPS Global Office at sps.global@nyu.edu.
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