Western Civilization: Visions from Italy

From the politics, philosophy, religion, art, and architecture of Italy, cultural forms evolved that inspired much of later Western Civilization. In Ancient Rome and Renaissance Florence, citizens struggled to find the proper relationship of Man to his God(s) and to his community, both in times of political and cultural domination, and in times of societal collapse and civic despair. Explore the material expression in the artistic and architectural treasures of these two fascinating cities: Rome, a city whose history spans more than 2,500 years, one of the oldest continuously occupied sites in Europe; and Florence, the “Athens of the Middle Ages,” and one of the wealthiest cities of all time.

Travel to: Rome, Pompeii, Venice, Florence

Trip Highlights: St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums, Pompeii, Colosseum, Capitoline Museums, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Borghese Gallery, Bargello Museum, Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo’s David, St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs