Teotihuacan Located 30 miles outside Mexico City, Teotihuacan was the largest city in the Western Hemisphere prior to 1450. During its golden age, Teotihuacan covered 8 square miles and supported a population over 100,000. It is renowned for its immense causeway and pyramids— notably the Temples of the Moon and the Sun— which are comparable…
Cenote Ik Kil Students love swimming in this dreamlike cenote, a beautiful underground swimming hole rich with lush green vines. Cenotes were spiritually important to the Maya, and there are many theories about their significance to death rituals, fertility offerings, and a connection to the underworld.
Mexico City Mexico City is a stunning cosmopolitan blend of traditional and modern, evident in its impressive architecture, artwork, food, music, and fashion. Despite Mexico City’s size and population, its distinct and lively neighborhoods lend the capital an intimate, almost homey feel. We explore the famous Zocalo, cutting-edge exhibits like those found at the National…
Orvieto Orvieto is a small fortified city approximately an hour and a half outside of Rome that was founded by the ancient Etruscans. Dramatically perched atop a volcanic rock, students spend the day exploring the city’s famous basilica, quaint medieval streets lined with shops and cafes, museums, caves, and panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.
Vatican City Vatican City is considered to be the center of the Roman Catholic Church and home to the Pope. The KIIS group will visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum, all of which are the most popular landmarks of Vatican City. On occasion, the KIIS group has been known to…
Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum The Palatine Hill, Roman Forum & the Colosseum are some of the most important landmarks of western civilization. You spend an entire day exploring these ancient ruins that were once the center of the world and that have captivated our collective imagination ever since.
Santa Maria del Fiore Santa Maria del Fiore – The Duomo is the main cathedral of Florence. With its famous cupola (dome) designed and engineered by Brunelleschi, fascade, baptistery and campanile, it is one of the most memorable landmarks in the world. Students typically have the chance to attend a service presented by the Archbishop…
Fresco Painting Workshop Fresco Painting Workshop at the Palazzo Vecchio introduces students to the basic materials and methods used by painters of the Italian Renaissance to permanently adorn the walls and ceilings of palaces, churches and other important buildings.
Uffizi & Accademia Galleries The Uffizi and Accademia Galleries showcase some of the most important artworks created during the Italian Renaissance. Home to famous artworks, such as, Michelangelo’s David, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and countless others, participants will experience these masterpieces firsthand.
Tour of the Historical Center City Orientation Tour of the Historical Center (Centro Storico) helps students to get their bearings and gain a very basic historical overview of the city, in order to locate the main landmarks including the Arno River & Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio & Uffizi Gallery, and Piazza del Duomo.