Get creative
Organize your art supplies and get to crafting. Consider painting the coastline of Riomaggiore, assembling a Venetian mask, or creating your own Italian mosaic tiles.
Need more inspiration? Check out this virtual tour of the Vatican’s collections.
Pick a film
Watch a movie that relates to your destination. Some ideas for Italy include:
- Roman Holiday (1953)
- Eat Pray Love (2010)
- Life is Beautiful (1997)
Study some history
Dive deep into the history of specific sites you’ll visit on tour. Ponder the ancient gladiator and ship battles that took place in the Colosseum, icons of the Italian renaissance, or Italy’s turbulent World War II past. Then, tour some of Italy’s ancient history and modern marvels with this virtual reality video.
Choose a book
Read and discuss a book that takes place in your destination or describes the local culture. Pick from titles like:
- A Room with A View by E. M. Forster
- Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Maye
- The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
Fill up your plate
Arrange a potluck and encourage your friends to bring a traditional dish from your destination. Know a chef? Hold a virtual cooking class with your travel group, or support a local restaurant that offers delivery/take-out of your destination’s cuisine. Try focaccia, bruschetta, or polenta with mushrooms!
Learn the language
Call up a friend or set up a group video chat and practice your language skills. It helps to make flashcards with common sayings to use on the phone or throughout your travels (think about ordering at restaurants, buying souvenirs, and chatting with locals).
Did you know?
Italy has the most UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world…there are 55 in total!
Meet Your Partner in Travel
Tylo has visited over 10 different cities in Italy! In fact, her first day outside of the U.S. was spent exploring the streets of Rome on an Explorica trip in high school. That life-changing tour inspired multiple solo trips throughout Italy. Tylo’s favorite memories include making lifelong friends while exploring Cinque Terre, marveling at the breathtaking views in St. Peter’s Basilica, and relaxing alongside Lake Como. Now back in San Diego, Tylo takes time each week to learn Italian and dreams about restoring a villa in the Italian countryside one day.