Young Women's Leadership in Italy

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Rome

Benvenuti in Italia! Meet your ACIS Tour Manager, settle in to your hotel at the heart of bustling, historic Rome. Begin your Young Women’s Leadership Program with an introductory leadership discussion on modern women in Italy—likely with a journalist. Later, you can mingle with café-goers around the Pantheon and Piazza della Rotonda.

Day 3: Rome

This morning engage in a meaningful leadership workshop with a female Italian politician. Discuss the presence and role of women in Italian politics, as well as current laws and initiatives that are important to women's rights. In the afternoon enjoy a Global Exchange focused on comparative learning and sharing dynamics with a local young women's group and participate in joint activities as you compare and learn about each other's lives and challenges. Tonight we'll provide restaurant vouchers so that you and your new Italian amici can bond over a shared dinner together. After, we'll head out for a passeggiata romana around the Piazza Navona.

Day 4: Rome

Rome is called “The Eternal City” because the ancient Romans believed that no matter what empires rose and fell, Rome would endure forever. Today's panoramic sightseeing drive of the city is a great introduction to the many phases of Roman history. Our local expert accompanies you through the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. These are timed entrances, meaning you'll breeze right by the long lines facing other tourists. Then go inside the iconic and historic Colosseum with a local guide (another line-avoiding timed reservation) and learn the many stories of this nearly 2,000-year-old Roman landmark that's considered one of the architectural wonders of the ancient world. In the afternoon your first leadership workshop has you meeting with the female head of a relief organization aimed at supporting and assisting immigrant women refugees, often coming from Africa or the Balkans.

Day 5: Tuscany

After breakfast journey north to the region of Tuscany and visit Florence, known as the “Cradle of the Renaissance” for its role as a center of education, art, and science. Your sightseeing tour with a local guide shows you Brunelleschi's splendid Duomo, Ghiberti's famous Baptistry Doors and the Piazza della Signoria—the political center of the city. Then breeze by the crowds with your own timed entrance to the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo's David. Later continue to your picturesque lodging in the Tuscan countryside.

Day 6: Tuscany

Today's leadership workshop connects you with the strong Donne in Campo organization of women farmers. Visit one of these local, woman-run farms where you will meet with the farmer, learn about what drives her and discuss the challenges she faces. You will also have the chance assist with some of the daily activities on the farm. In the afternoon explore Siena, one of Italy's best-preserved hill towns. A walking tour shows you the green and white marbled Duomo and the famous Piazza del Campo before you return to your Tuscan hill town accommodations for the evening.

Day 7: Milan

Nearly 20% of the Italian municipalities presided over by a female mayor are in Tuscany. Stop in one of these towns for a leadership workshop with the mayor or a senior female member of her staff to discuss the achievements and challenges faced by women in Italian politics. Then continue north to the thriving and chic city of Milan.

Day 8: Milan

Today discover Milan, a city renowned as one of the world capitals for design and fashion. A sightseeing tour with a local guide shows you the spectacular Duomo, Galleria and La Scala. Then your final leadership workshop this afternoon connects you with a member of the 30% Club at Milan University. The 30% Club runs initiatives to broaden professional growth opportunities for women across all industries. During tonight's farewell dinner at a local restaurant, you and your fellow classmates will enjoy recapping the previous nine days of amazing and unique leadership learning experiences.

Day 9: Departure

Depart for the USA.