Travel For Teens: Italy

Name: Travel For Teens: Italy
Brand: Travel For Teens
SKU: 37265
Rating: 5 (23 reviews)

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5.00 Rating

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Location

Italy

Length

1 - 2 weeks

Program Categories

Adventure Travel Cultural Immersion Language Immersion Service Learning Study Abroad Volunteer Abroad

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Program Details

Timeframe

Summer

Language

English

Pricing

Starting Price

2000

Last Updated: Dec 19, 2023

Last Reviewed: Nov 02, 2023

Wish List

124 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Italy has long been considered the country of every traveler's dreams, and TFT will show you why! Come to know one of the world’s top travel destinations like a local on our tours through Italy! Discover the best of this Mediterranean country’s mouthwatering cuisine, awe-inspiring art, charming villas and vineyards, fascinating history and ruins, and renowned shopping.

Our teen summer program will fully immerse you in the Italian culture with cooking classes, gelato tours, gondola workshops, coastal hikes, and more!

From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the ancient streets of Rome and to the crystal clear shores of the Amalfi Coast, our Italy programs offer something for every traveler! Enjoy your summer in Italy.

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Program Reviews

5.00 Rating

based on 23 reviews

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Rating Spread High School

5 rating 100%
4 rating 0%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Growth 4.95
Support 5
Fun 4.95
Housing 4.85
Safety 4.95

Good for Under 18, Students, Photographers

Showing 1 - 8 of 23 reviews

Travel for Teens is the best decision I’ve ever made! Our Italy Explorer trip was planned out perfectly and executed by the kind, caring and fun Counselors. We felt like a big family on the trip. From eating pasta in Venice to a incredible beach in Monterosso, it was a experience like no other. But what really struck me is the way the staff handled a unfortunate situation in Florence that was out of the companies control. The hostel we were originally planned to stay at turned out to be not up to the companies high standards, so the trip counselor, office staff in Philadelphia and the CEO of the company quickly created a plan of action to move all 25 of us to a different hotel in Florence. Even with this hiccup, the experience of Florence was not ruined but only improved! While the senior director figured out a new hotel, we didn’t skip a beat in enjoying Florence. I am so glad that I found a company I can trust and continue to love. Thank you Travel for teens!

Pros

Incredible Staff
Wonderful Places
VERY organized

My whole life I have wanted to travel the world and experience new things. Once I found Travel for Teens I was so excited to try it out! My first trip was the Italy photography workshop and it changed my life in a great way. At first I was super nervous because I was going to a foreign country with strangers, but I quickly connected with them on our 9 hour group flight. I had the best time with my new friends doing the planned activities as well as the new photography challenges we had each day. The trip really brought out my love for photography and travel. I have traveled with TFT every summer since!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Don't second guess and just go for it! I almost never went on the Italy photography trip because I didn't know anyone. I had the best time on that trip and made a bunch of friends who I'm still close with today!

I went on the 19 day Ultimate Italy trip and it was the most amazing trip of my life. Everything about the trip was perfect, you got to see all the things in the big cities like the Colosseum in Rome or the beautiful beaches in the smaller Cinque Terre. The counselors on the trip were very friendly, organized everything very well and not a day went by were the whole group didn't have a blast. And if you are as big of a foodie as me the meals will not disappoint, they knew of all the best local restaurants so you will constantly be telling yourself that that was one of the best meals you have ever eaten. The hotels/hostels we stayed at were all also very nice and well kept so that was definitely a bonus also. If you are thinking about going on on a trip with TFT to Italy, don't think about it do it... you will not regret it and it will be the trip of a lifetime.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Pesto Lasagna, While visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa we ate at this restaurant right next to it and sat outside. I had never heard of Pesto Lasagna but saw it on the menu and had to try it and It was one of the best meals of my life, I hope to one day eat the same meal with the same view.

For my graduation present last year, I was grateful enough to travel to Italy with TFT! I was a bit nervous about traveling across the world without knowing anyone beforehand, but the staff and my peers were all so friendly and welcoming! Everything about this trip was so FUN, exciting, and very well organized. From the airport designations to the travel itinerary, everything was smooth sailing. There was always something new for us to do/see which was my favorite part of the trip. Although relaxing, it was fulfilling to be kept busy with a new culture to explore. I highly recommend not only the Amalfi trip, but any trip with TFT! They are an extremely trust worthy company and my parents were confident that I was being left in good hands. This trip was hands down one of the best trips I have been on and am excited to be traveling with TFT again soon!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

I was really nervous about traveling across the world without knowing anyone else beforehand. However, everyone on TFT staff and my peers were all so friendly and welcoming. We all still keep in touch to this day!

There are so many amazing places in Italy, it seems impossible to see all the famous and breathtaking sights in one trip, right? WRONG! I had always wanted to travel throughout Italy to get a chance to explore both the countryside of Tuscany and the beaches of Cinque Terre, and this trip was the perfect way to do just that. The activities on this trip ranged from a vast variety of making homemade pesto in a local Italian restaurant in Monterosso to climbing up the steep and slanted stairs of the Duomo in Florence. Whether I was hiking along the breathtaking views of the Cinque Terre trails or attempting to take a clever photo holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, I was never found without a smile on my face. The friendships I made on this trip are still strong to this day, and the memories and experiences were unforgettable.

This trip to Italy was such an amazing time. From swimming in the Mediterranean Ocean for the first time, to eating true Italian cuisine, this was such a great trip. I saw and experienced a whole different culture from mine. Modes of transportation, housing and the food were all different from what I was used to. I got to see the magnificent, old ruins of the ancient city Pompeii, and explore the cities of Positano, Amalfi, and Capri. I got to eat true Italian gelatto and make and paint my own ceramics. I loved swimming in the water on the pebble beach looking at the volcano in the distant. I learned more skills on working with peers and in a group to figure out the best way to complete tasks and time management. Also, I met some really cool people! I cannot wait to go back to Italy again one day.

What would you improve about this program?

A little more educational experience! I loved the ceramics class we took with a local artist and more of that would be really great.

Sorrento and Amalfi coast is a really fun fast paced trip! This trip shows you all of Sorrento and the town. You get to experience Italy in a short amount of time. In this trip you get to go on a gorgeous boat ride where the view is unimaginable. You also get to learn about the interesting history of Pompeii and after you’ll be able to roam the streets of Naples!It was such a fun time!!

What would you improve about this program?

it can't its perfect

This trip gave the opportunities to have the summer of my lifetime! We started out with a week of community service in the gorgeous setting the Cinque Terre. During this week we amounted 20 hours of community service, but still had time to participate in different activities within the different towns. From there the group moved south- from Tuscany to Sorrento, even stopping in Rome for a few days. The itinerary was jammed packed with different planned activities for us to participate in, as well as built in free time for us to have the ability to explore the towns. The counselors were amazing on this trip, making sure that we were safe at all times, while still giving us time to explore on our own! They were pretty cool and it was super easy to talk to them about ANYTHING going on, if anything happened :)

Questions & Answers

How old do I have to be?

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose Travel For Teens because I really liked what the company offered. Having two European parents, I grew up hearing about the wonders and history of Europe. I wanted to have the same type of eye opening travel experiences my parents grew up with, but my school never offered international trips. TFT provided me with a way to see the world in a safe and productive way.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Travel For Teens had basically everything covered trip-wise. They booked the hotels for me and my fellow travelers, they created flexible itineraries, and provided amazing trip leaders to guide us. They also worked with my parents to book the group flight. The only thing I personally had to organize was my suitcase!

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Keep an open mind. A few kids on our trip didn’t have the sunny experience I did because they were constantly comparing what they saw in Italy to life back in the US. It's important to embrace the culture you are in and realize that different isn’t always bad. It was my positive outlook and the positive energy of the group leaders that gave me the amazing experience that I had on this trip.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Every day was something new, which was refreshing.

Most mornings would start with a relaxed breakfast in our hotel, and our trip leader would tell us what was on the itinerary for the day. We’d usually be out and about by 9:00am, and off to our first destination. Typically, if the location wasn’t too far, we’d walk the whole way. That was a good time to catch up with friends, take pictures of our surroundings, or make mental notes of where we wanted to stop in our free time. As we were in Italy, we visited lots of monuments and cathedrals.

After one or two locations in that part of the city, we’d break for lunch and get some free time to explore the neighborhood in smaller groups. We loved shopping for souvenirs and trying new gelato shops. Once the whole group was back together, we’d visit our next location, usually with an added twist. One day, we had a photo scavenger hunt around Florence, another we went swimming in the Mediterranean. The best moments were when we got to explore with a few friends and feel like regular Italian teenagers. And there was always lots of time for those moments.

After our afternoon activities, we’d walk to a new restaurant and enjoy a lovely meal with all of our friends and recap the day. We might stop to another little dessert shop or local hangout on our way back to the hotel. Once we were back in our rooms, the fun times kept rolling. Most nights me and my roommates would play games, haven impromptu dance parties or talk to some locals in the lobby. Either way, every day carried a new memory.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I think I was always a bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to be become friends with my fellow travelers. Once I was dropped off at the airport to meet everyone for the first time, it was slightly awkward. We were all a bit shy at first. So I made a conscious effort to talk to as many of them as I could, even if the conversation was as simple as “What are you most excited for?” Luckily, once we landed in Rome and got to talking, a few of the girls and I became fast friends. And then we kept branching out to our other group members and got to know them better too. One way we did that was by simply sitting next to someone new at dinner.

By the end of the trip, I definitely found some lifelong friends. We even bought a little souvenir that we mail around to each other every few months, so it keeps us together despite the distance. I now realize that making friends on a TFT trip is actually really easy. As long as you’re open and willing, you can become friends with anyone.

Is it as fun as it looks? Why should I go?

My answer is always that it will change your life. I understand that that sounds dramatic, but it truly changed mine. Going to Italy with Travel for Teens changed my perspective on the world. I couldn’t stop smiling on the whole trip, and once I came back home, it followed through.

With TFT, you get to meet so many new people and see so many new things every day. Have you ever stepped where great artists created their masterpieces, and been in complete shock? Have you ever squeezed through hidden streets to find the most beautiful shops owned by the loveliest people? Have you ever made lifelong memories with people you only just met? Everything about my trip with TFT taught me about the world and filled me with light and laughter.

Again, it sounds like I’m kidding, but TFT was so much more than just a trip. And that’s why I’m traveling with them again this summer.

Taleen Cochran

2018 Alum

Kara Klemme

2016 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What position do you hold at Travel for Teens? What has been your career path so far?

I’m currently the Director of Operations here in the office, and I also lead 5 or 6 trips per year, in the Spring and Summer. I first heard about TFT when I was teaching English in Verona, Italy in 2007. As a teacher, I had the summer free, and my college buddy encouraged me to apply for a summer staff job so we could work together. I worked TFT’s Italy trips that summer and afterwards I jumped at the opportunity to come on board full-time as the Italy Director. After developing programs for Travel for Teens in Italy, I eventually took over the role of Director of Operations at our headquarters near Philadelphia.

Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?

When I went to college, the one thing I knew I wanted to do was study abroad. I ended up studying Italian and I chose to spend my entire Junior year studying at the University of Ferrara in Italy. This was the ultimate in being "thrown into the deep end," but it was the ideal way to master the language and meet other Italian students. I wouldn’t have made it without the friendships I developed with my fellow students, who helped me with all sorts of advice about how to get through the year in the Italian university system (which is very different from the States). I also studied for a year in Florence, where I did my master’s degree in Italian Studies.

I was inspired to study abroad by a series of trips that I was fortunate enough to take with my parents when I was younger. The people I met and the places I experienced awakened a lifelong wanderlust in me, and the opportunity to study abroad in college was just far too good of an opportunity to pass up. And that study abroad experience led directly to my choice to live abroad for the next eight years!

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What does the future hold for Travel for Teens - any exciting new programs to share?

We are super excited about Travel for Teens’ 2014 programs and we are already on track to have our most successful summer ever in 2014. One new program that I am particularly excited about is the Croatia & Italy Sailing and Adventure trip, which includes a 3-day sail up the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia! Our trip in Japan is also one of our more unique offerings, and it was a huge hit last summer. Our goal for the future is to continue striving to offer experiences that impact teens’ lives in a meaningful way. Whether it’s a cultural trip to Italy or a community service trip in South Africa, all Travel for Teens programs share the power to transform young lives and open entirely unexpected doors to the students who travel with us.

What about the future of the high school abroad industry? How do you think international education will change over the next 10 years?

One thing travel does is teach you that we really are all living in a global village, where events in one community can have a ripple effect across the world. Over the next 10 years, I think that student travel abroad will become even more important and essential to what we consider to be a ‘well-rounded education’. I see more and more high schools integrating international programs into their curricula as a vital way for teachers to physically bring students face-to-face with their subjects. Travel for Teens will be bringing a record number of high school groups abroad in 2014, and we aim to be a leader in the high school abroad industry over the course of the next 10 years as more schools recognize the advantages of an international education.

Location

Location:

Italy

Currency:

Euro

Weather:

Jan-Mar

59 F / 37 F

Apr-Jun

82 F / 46 F

Jul-Sep

88 F / 61 F

Oct-Dec

72 F / 41 F

Airports:

Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino

( FCO )

Milan Malpensa

( MXP )

Venice Marco Polo

( VCE )

Italy has long been a bucket list item for people, and it's no wonder with the ancient ruins, astounding scenery, and renowned museums -- all accompanied by the beautiful Italian language. When visiting Italy, be prepared to see big differences in accents and food while moving between regions.

About Travel For Teens

Travel For Teens is a program provider that believes that teen travel should be both enriching and fun. TFT offers a full range of travel experiences that teens can choose from to create their own ideal international experience. TFT's motto is "Teaching teens to be travelers, not tourists," and their itineraries are designed to reflect this. While...