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Rome: The City Stay

7 days in Italy

Optional 3 day extension

Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine seen from above in Italy on student tours of Rome.
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OVERVIEW

Take time to know Rome, where a deeper stay transforms famous sites into a fuller understanding of the city itself

By focusing on one extraordinary city, this tour allows students to experience Rome with greater context and connection. They trace the legacy of the ancient world at the Colosseum and Roman Forum, then wind through the city’s streets to see iconic landmarks like the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and Spanish Steps in the flow of modern Roman life. In Vatican City, students experience how art, architecture, and faith come together on a monumental scale. Then a guided visit to Castel Gandolfo rounds out the experience with sweeping countryside views and a glimpse of life in a hilltop town above Lake Albano. As students explore Rome more deeply each day, the city becomes not just a stop along the way, but a place and culture they can more fully understand.

Italy route map

What you’ll do

Explore a sample itinerary

Day 1: Fly overnight to Italy

Due to national and/or religious holidays, some sites may be closed and your itinerary may be modified on the following dates in 2028: March 19, April 14-17, April 25, May 1, June 2, June 29. These dates fluctuate each year—please contact us for more information.

Board your international flight to Rome

Day 2: Rome

Meet your Tour Director at the destination airport

Day 3: Rome

Take a guided tour of Rome. With your expert local guide you will:

  • Visit the Colosseum

  • Visit the Roman Forum

Take a self-guided walking tour of Rome. You will see:

  • Trevi Fountain

  • Pantheon

  • Piazza Navona

  • Spanish Steps

Day 4: Rome

  • Visit the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums

Enjoy time to explore St. Peter's Basilica on your own

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Roman Catacombs

Roman Catacombs

Explore the mysterious world buried beneath Rome since the 2nd century, featuring Christian burial grounds, priceless relics, and world-class art. Afterward, journey down the ancient Appian Way to a historic Roman basilica. Note: Sturdy walking shoes are recommended. This excursion is not recommended for those who are claustrophobic.

Day 5: Rome

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Pompeii

Pompeii

Gain unparalleled insight into the lives of the ancient Roman elite on this excursion. Buried in volcanic ash in 79 A.D., the former resort town of Pompeii is now fully excavated and, uniquely preserved as it was, one of the world's richest archaeological sites. After a guided tour, enjoy an included lunch and free time before returning to Rome for dinner. Note: Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Day 6: Rome

Take a guided tour of Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence on the shores of Lake Albano. Learn about its rich history as you explore:

  • The Papal Palace

  • The Barberini Gardens

Add this in-depth experience
Rome cooking class

Rome cooking class

Discover why food plays such an integral role in Italy's culture as you dive into this hands-on cooking class. With a local Italian chef as your guide, participate in making several classic Italian recipes. Upon completion, sit down at the table and enjoy the tasty fruits of your labor.

Day 7: Depart for home

Board your flight home from Rome

What makes this tour special?

Gaze up at Michelangelo’s breathtaking Sistine Chapel ceiling and explore the Vatican Museums with an expert local guide

Gaze up at Michelangelo’s breathtaking Sistine Chapel ceiling and explore the Vatican Museums with an expert local guide

Explore the Pope’s private gardens at Castel Gandolfo and take in sweeping views from one of Italy’s most scenic hilltop retreats

Explore the Pope’s private gardens at Castel Gandolfo and take in sweeping views from one of Italy’s most scenic hilltop retreats

Walk in the footsteps of gladiators and emperors around the Colosseum and Roman Forum

Walk in the footsteps of gladiators and emperors around the Colosseum and Roman Forum

All of our tours are powered by our proven EF Method

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Your experience includes

Airfare & transportation
Hotels
Regional-style meals
Guided sightseeing
Entrances
Full-time Tour Director
Expert Local Guides
Personalized Learning Support
Continuous Support
Worldwide Presence

Travelers save when you lead this tour before October 1, 2027

See 2027 pricing

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Payment plan options

Pay over time interest-free or pay all at once

Fundraising

Every traveler receives a no-fee donation page

Global Citizen Scholarship

Every year EF awards $100,000 to student travelers

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Frequently asked questions

Let’s unpack that

We’ll connect you with your personal Tour Consultant—someone who works with other teachers in your area and specializes in planning EF tours. They’ll walk you through this itinerary (along with other tours in our portfolio that match your curriculum or catch your eye), explain student pricing, and show you just how easy it is to partner with EF.

Once you decide to lead a tour, your Tour Consultant will help you get school administrators on board, students excited, and families ready to enroll. You’ll host an informational meeting to kick off the enrollment period, and we’ll provide everything you need—from a digital presentation to printed handouts, parent resources, and more.

You’ll have a dedicated Tour Director who will guide your group from the moment you land in your first destination until your final goodbye. They:

  • Take all the same transportation and stay in the same hotels as your group

  • Speak the local language (but lead the tour in English!)

  • Support you 24/7 as your right hand

  • Offer deep cultural context to help students feel connected to their destination

  • Handle all the logistics, so you don’t have to

  • Are the secret ingredient that makes your tour truly shine

Yes! You earn a free spot on tour as soon as six paying travelers enroll. For every additional six paying travelers, you earn another free spot for an adult chaperone of your choosing. For example, if 30 students sign up, that’s four free chaperone spots in addition to yours.

All travelers on international EF tours must have a valid passport. When it comes to documentation, every traveler and destination is different, so once your group starts enrolling, we’ll help direct you and your families to relevant resources.
 
Passports should have at least three blank pages and be valid for at least six months after your return date.

EF has set the standard for travel-based learning for over 60 years. Not only do our educational tours amplify the lessons you’re already exploring in your classroom, but they also help build more empathy, open-mindedness, confidence, and cross-cultural understanding.
 
Our educational philosophy, the EF Method, is built into every itinerary, so your students are immersed in a continuous journey of engaging, hands-on learning in real-world situations from the moment they step off the plane.

Yes! Plan to explore each destination primarily on foot, so be sure to pack your comfiest sneakers. You’ll have time to rest on the bus while traveling between cities and activities. If any travelers need accommodations, just let your EF Travel Team know in advance.

Every hotel your group stays in is required to meet EF’s rigorous standards for quality, safety, and cleanliness. (We have an entire team dedicated to ensuring that!) However, it’s important to remember that international hotels designed for student travel may feel a little different from what students are familiar with. For example, some hotels may not have an elevator. Rooms will have multiple single beds or shared double beds, and every room will have a private bathroom.

You’ll receive more detailed meal information closer to your tour, but here’s an overview of what to expect:

  • Daily breakfast is served continental-style at your hotel.

  • Most tours include daily group dinners, which take place at local restaurants (or your hotel) and feature a mix of familiar favorites and local dishes from a set menu.

  • Lunches are usually not included, but this varies by itinerary. If lunch isn’t included, this is the perfect opportunity for students to explore local markets and discover their new favorite food.

Travelers will share allergy or dietary information with EF after signing up, and we’ll help make the necessary accommodations.

We’re here to help! Start a live one-on-one chat with a team member.

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