Saturday morning: Take a train from Florence to Venice and check into the hotel.
Venice offers a free-form itinerary with flexibility to explore individually or in small groups.
Water taxi passes will be provided upon arrival, granting access to all water taxis for the duration of the stay; care should be taken not to lose these passes.
Possible group excursion to Murano (glass blowing) and Burano, islands near Venice, demonstrating how the water taxi service works.
Participants can choose to wander around freely, explore specific parts of the city via water taxi, or stay with a group throughout their time in Venice.
Sunday is a free day in Venice, allowing for sleeping in or exploring as desired.
Padua
Monday morning: Travel to Padua with a slightly later start than other mornings.
Check into the hotel upon arrival.
Afternoon: Visit Giuliano Raffigelli, a professor at the University of Padua, and attend her seminar.
Opportunity for dinner with Professor Raffigelli.
Tuesday morning: Visit a Montessori elementary school in Padua that partners with the university, mimicking a Baylor partnership.
Afternoon: Meet with undergraduate and graduate students at the university (pre-service teachers and current graduate students).
Discuss experiences in becoming teachers or current research interests.
Participants should consider potential questions for these visits related to their final paper topic.
Opportunity to speak with a variety of individuals, including English teachers, other teachers, students, pre-service teachers, and graduate students, each providing unique perspectives.
Wednesday morning: Travel to Rome.
Rome
Rome's itinerary will be more open-ended, similar to Venice, but with a few timed entries.
Thursday morning: Tour of the Vatican and Vatican Museums; the group will travel together via subway.
Caution advised on public transportation: be vigilant about belongings to avoid theft.
Consider using theft-proof bags, purses, or wallets for added security.
Be aware of surroundings and potential scams, such as unwanted bracelets tied onto wrists by street vendors or staged incidents involving dropped pictures.
It is recommended to stay in groups of two or three for safety and vigilance.
Participants are free to stay with the group at all times or explore independently, as preferred.
Friday morning: Visit to the Colosseum (time to be determined, aiming for a morning visit to avoid the afternoon heat).
Other activities in Rome include visiting the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and other major tourist spots.
Optional activities include pasta-making classes or visits to less central sites, such as catacombs.
Participants should express interest in specific attractions or activities to facilitate group or individual arrangements.
Saturday morning: Early breakfast followed by departure to Germany Station.
Hotels are located near train stations to minimize luggage transport; the longest walk occurs in Florence (three to four blocks).
Travelers will depart individually based on their flight schedules.
General Advice and Information
The itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as school visit cancellations or bad weather.
Participants should be flexible and adaptable to changes in the schedule.
Questions, concerns, and desired activities should be communicated to the trip organizers.
There is interest in visiting the prison where the apostle Paul was held, near the Forum.
Potential impact of the Pope's activities on crowds, particularly at the Vatican.
The Vatican visit is scheduled for Thursday to avoid the large crowds associated with the Pope's Wednesday audience. Last year, the group was unable to enter the Basilica due to the crowds.
Dinner is usually a group activity, with meals taken later in the evening; it is customary to wander around to find a suitable restaurant.
Aperitivo (happy hour) typically occurs around 5 PM, offering discounted light snacks and drinks.
Participants are welcome to explore independently for meals or other activities, but should do so in pairs or small groups for safety.
Adapters are needed for electronics.
Dual voltage hair tools are necessary; some hotels may have hair dryers.
Participants are advised not to yell loudly in English or be rude to locals expecting them to understand.
Showing respect for the local culture and attempting to use basic Italian phrases is appreciated.
It is acceptable to request modifications to dishes at restaurants.
There is a leather shop near the Pistalozzi school.
Potential discount at a leather shop in Florence if a group purchases items.
Purchased items should be packed in suitcases without declaring them, unless reclaiming VAT tax.
Cross-body bags are preferred for security due to their ability to be held against the body.
Backpacks should have secured zippers to prevent theft.
Use carabiners or small key locks for zippers instead of the two zippers method.
Computers can be brought but should be stored safely in hotels.
A journal may be sufficient for note-taking instead of a computer.
Participants can access Baylor Wi-Fi and online resources without issue.
There is a seven-hour time difference.
Calls home can be made in the late afternoon or before dinner.
During overnight flights, travelers should try to sleep during the designated "nighttime" hours on the plane.
Bring a Baylor ID for potential student discounts.
Medications should be in prescription bottles with a list of prescriptions and their purpose.
It is recommended to have cash for small purchases and restroom fees.
Bring disposable wipes and toiletries due to varying availability in restrooms.
Laundry facilities are available in Florence.
Pack enough clothes for seven days, with laundry available to extend the wardrobe.
Bring a light rain jacket or poncho due to potential rain.
The group will meet outside baggage claim at the airport.
Medication should be in a prescription bottle.
WhatsApp group will be used for communication.
Paying for international phone service (approximately 120 for two weeks) is important for GPS and communication without Wi-Fi dependency during the trip.
Order some currency before the tip date.
Bringing wipes and disposable toilet paper is important.