UCA in Florence - June 2013 Tentative Schedule
SUNDAY
3
MONDAY
4
DEPART LITTLE ROCK
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
5 • Individual class schedule TBA.
6 • Individual class schedule TBA.
7 • Individual class schedule TBA.
8 • Individual class schedule TBA.
9 • Free time in Florence
ARRIVE IN FLORENCE
Benvenuti a Firenze!
GUIDED WALKING TOUR
& SITE VISITS
DAY TRIP TO SIENA
Duomo, Baptistry, Museo
dell’Opera & Crypt
SITE VISITS
Santa Croce Church &
Uffizi Gallery
APARTMENT ORIENTATION
with Florence & Abroad
Santa Maria Novella Church &
Museum and Brancacci Chapel
Move into your Florentine Apartment!
Florence is home to world-renowned
works of art, including Michelangelo’s
statue of David and Botticelli’s Birth of
Venus. As you explore the city, pass by
classical statues in the Piazza della
Signoria.
Siena is one of Italy's prettiest medieval
towns, famous for its large, fan-shaped
piazza and horse race festival, Il Palio
di Siena.
Visit the intimate burial place of
Michelangelo, Machiavelli and
Galileo, then visit one of the world’s
most famous collections of art at this
office building turned museum.
Enjoy your day while
discovering Florence! You may
choose to re-visit the famous
Uffizi Gallery, among many
museums, or wander the city’s
streets, as Florence’s collection
of impressive art makes it a
veritable open-air museum
itself.
10 • Free time in Florence
11 • Free time in Florence
12 • Individual class schedule TBA.
13 • Individual class schedule TBA.
14 • Individual class schedule TBA.
15 • Individual class schedule TBA.
16 • Free time in Florence
Spend the day exploring the
city, visiting museums or take
a day trip. Florence is a city
best explored on foot and in
doing so you can take in and
experience the city the best
way possible. If you are on a
budget, you can do this for
literally next to nothing if you
wanted to!
When shopping at the Mercato
Centrale, try something new…
or stick to fresh pasta
and mozzarella!
DAY TRIP TO PISA
SITE VISITS
Climb to Top of Duomo Cupola
& Museo dell’Opera
SITE VISITS
Bargello Gallery &
Accademia Gallery
SITE VISITS
San Lorenzo Church, San Marco
Rectory & Museum
Climb to the top of the dome that
dominates the Florence skyline, taking in
a 360 degree view of the city. Later, view
the tools used to create it.
View the notable sculptures in the
National Museum which was once a
prison. Later, visit what some consider
to be the most famous sculpture in the
world.
One of the oldest churches in Florence,
San Lorenzo is the burial place of the
principal members of the Medici
family. The Laurentian Library hosts a
collection of manuscripts and the
rectory offers a collection of
architecture and sacred art.
Take advantage of a 3-day
weekend and travel
independently with friends. The
cities of Rome, Venice and
Cinque Terre are all easily
reachable by a train from Santa
Maria Novella rail station.
17 • Free time in Florence
18 • Free time in Florence
19 • Individual class schedule TBA.
20 • Individual class schedule TBA.
21 • Individual class schedule TBA.
22 • Individual class schedule TBA.
23 • Free time in Florence
Take advantage of a 3-day
weekend to work on class
projects, visit nearby towns
and travel independently with
friends.
Venture around Florence for the
best scoop of gelato. Gelateria la
Carraia, Gelateria Pitti and
Vivoli are all contenders!
SITE VISITS
Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace & Boboli
Gardens
DAY TRIP TO FIESOLE
SITE VISITS
Medici Homes
SITE VISIT
Museo di Storia della Scienza
The Galileo Science Museum
There are many free things to
do and see in Italy, put on your
walking shoes for a stroll along
the Arno, picnic atop Piazza
Michelangelo or take time to
journal while sitting at Loggia
dei Lanzi.
24 • Feast of San Giovanni
25 • Free time in Florence
26 • Individual class schedule TBA.
27 • Individual class schedule TBA.
28 • Individual class schedule TBA.
Celebrated in Florence with
a medieval tournament
followed by music, drinking,
and feasting. In the evening
on the Arno River, there is a
palio of rowboats carrying lit
candles followed by
fireworks.
Stroll through San Lorenzo
Market to pick up some
souvenirs! Leather goods and
scarves are plentiful
and timeless.
Fun Fact: How do the Italians
really eat pasta?
The correct technique involves
piercing some pasta near the edge of
the bowl, not in the center but at the
twelve o'clock position, then twirling
the pasta around the fork against the
rim of the bowl.
Weird Fact: Florence streets can be
one name at one end of the street and
another name at the other end.
For example, Via Martelli is the street
leading away from Piazza del Duomo
then at the first intersection it turns into
Via Cavour.
CIAO ITALIA
PICNIC SUPPER
Take advantage of this classic photo
opportunity! The Leaning Tower of
Pisa, where Galileo is said to have
performed a number of experiments
involving speed, mass and
acceleration. Surrounding the tower,
you’ll see the oft-forgotten but
strikingly beautiful Baptistery and
Cathedral.
With a collection of art so grand, a
second visit to the Uffizi is a must.
Later, a visit to the palace described as
grand, opulent and pompous will leave
you delighted to rest in its picturesque
gardens.
The perfect hilltop destination for a
change from the city and its crowds,
Fiesole offers a glimpse into Etruscan
history with its ancient walls and
Amphitheatre.
Take time to visit some of the places the
Medici actually lived! Entry is free with
your Museum Card, but a small bus
fare will be required. Budget for a 10
euro bus fare, though prices are subject
to change.
Here, you’ll find a fascinating
collection of scientific instruments, a
reminder that the Florentine
Renaissance was not only an artistic
movement, but also fostered the origins
of modern science.
29
DEPART FLORENCE
30
ARRIVE IN LITTLE ROCK
Italy is a dream that keeps returning
for the rest of your life.
-Anna Akhmatova
“The program, the leaders, and the place were absolutely incredible. I'll never forget it. And, I really enjoyed the walking tour of Florence, it really helped me figure out
where everything was and I'm really glad we did it!” - 2011 PARTICIPANT