Assignments

Because the weekends are your own, you may either remain in Rome or travel outside the city as you choose. And the options for travel outside the city are many. But because several of you have expressed interest in visiting the city of Florence and/or spending a weekend in the countryside, I have put together two options for your consideration, below.

Remember that these trips are not part of the course and, therefore, are not included in the course program fee. All prices are given in euros and then in Canadian dollars. Currrently, 1 E = $1.50. Please note that both conversion rates and prices are subject to fluctuation.

Option 1: Weekend in Florence

For this trip, I will arrange travel and accommodation only. Once in the city, you’ll be on your own. However, I will also be in Florence on this weekend and will happily provide you with a tour of the historic centre and/or design one or two short talks on key Florentine monuments of interest to you should you want this.

Schedule

Depart from Rome on the afternoon of Friday, 13 June.
Return to Rome on the evening of Sunday, 15 June.

Cost of Travel

Train: Intercity (150 minutes between Rome and Florence).
Round trip ticket, 2nd class = 55 E / $82.50. 

Note: Once I know how many of you want to take up this option, I will pursue the possibility of getting group discounted train tickets. If we are able to book these, it will reduce the price of each return ticket by about $10.00-$12.00. 

Cost of Accommodation

Ostello Archi Rossi (Red Arches Hostel)

  • 2 nights
  • 23-26 E per night / $34.50 - $39.00 per night.
  • Total for two nights = 46 – 52 E / $69.00 - $78.00. 

Note: Accommodation is in dorms, some with private bathroom, some without. I will try to arrange a group booking but, depending on availability, we may be sharing dorms with other travellers. (This is a common practice in hostels throughout Europe.) However, each of you will have a lockable wardrobe in which to leave your belongings over the weekend. 

Total cost (travel and accommodation only)

$151.50 - $160.50

To this cost, please add the cost of your meals, possible museum/gallery entrance fees, and/or tickets to cultural events. 

Deadline

The hostel I have selected is very popular, not only because it is located in the historical centre of the city but also because it is known for its cleanliness and services. If you are interested in joining this weekend trip, please contact LK via email by next Tuesday, 8 April. 

Option 2: Weekend in the Abruzzo Countryside

This trip offers a special opportunity to spend time in the wilder, rocky, forested countryside about an hour or so north-east of Rome. Relatively little visited by tourists, the region includes a number of outstanding Medieval hill towns as well as part of the Apennine mountain range. Wherever we go, we’ll be surrounded by spectacular views. Our accommodation will be at a newly restored country villa located at the gates of the tiny hill town of Lucoli, above the capital city of the region, L’Aquila. 

To get a sense of the countryside from on high (in winter), visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsGunjw8Csk.

Schedule

Depart from Rome on the afternoon of Friday, 20 June.
Return to Rome in the late afternoon of Sunday, 22 June. 

Cost of Travel

Bus, Rome to L’Aquila.
Round trip ticket = 20 E / $30.00. 

Cost of Accommodation and all Organized Activities

250 E / $375.00.

Unlike the Florence option, all costs associated with this weekend are included as follows: 

  • Two nights accommodation at the villa, Le Fornacelle.
  • Six meals (breakfast x 2, lunch x 2, dinner x 2)
  • Informal cooking class.
  • Saturday tour of the towns of Santo Stefano di Sessiano and Calascio as well as the plateau of the Gran Sasso d’Italia (Great Stone of Italy), the highest mountain among the Apennines.
  • Barbeque lunch featuring local produce on the Gran Sasso plateau.
  • Minivan to transport us from the villa to the various sites on the Saturday tour.
  • Informal tour of L’Aquila on Sunday afternoon.
  • Transfer from L’Aquila to Lucoli and back. 

Note: Because this region is somewhat remote, I have arranged for the tours and minibus transportation in the region. However, there will also be lots of time for just hanging out and relaxing at the villa. 

Total Cost (travel, accommodation, meals, all organized activities)

290 E / $395.00 

Deadline

If you are interested in joining this weekend trip, please contact LK via email by next Tuesday, 8 April 2008.

Banner Image

Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo. Photograph: Chris Ward-Jones, New York Times, 22/04/07. / Rome. Photograph: Fritz Steiner, © 1998. / Abruzzo Countryside just below the Gates of Lucoli. Photograph: Leslie Korrick, © 2007.