“The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page.” St. Augustine

At Rockbridge Academy we believe that the study of Western Civilization, the “Flower of Christianity,” is central to our students’ proper understanding of the world in which they live. However, to properly understand the grand achievements of Western culture, we also believe it is necessary to examine them firsthand. For this reason, as a capstone to our students’ educational experience at Rockbridge Academy, we take our rising seniors to Greece and Italy. Prior to departure, the students will research and prepare an oral presentation on some aspect of the trip that interests them, and then deliver that presentation on the ground. The course of the trip, during the first two weeks in June, follows carefully the flow of Western culture from Ancient Greece through to Ancient Rome. Following that, the students proceed to examine medieval culture in the cities of Assisi and Siena, and finish with an examination of the flowering of the Renaissance in Florence and Venice. As part of their rhetorical training, students are required to journal during their tour, and make a formal presentation of their experiences and impressions at the beginning of their senior year.

Rockbridge Academy,

2011 Grand Tour Itinerary

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Depart Dulles Airport, Washington, D.C., arrive Paris, Monday, May 30.

Monday, May 30

Depart Paris, arrive Athens.

Tuesday, May 31

Morning – National Archeological Museum

Afternoon – Tour Acropolis

Wednesday, June 1

Morning – Depart for Corinth,

Afternoon – Mycenae, Epidaurus

Thursday, June 2

Morning – Acropolis Museum/Free time

Afternoon – Departure for Delphi

Friday, June 3

Morning – Tour of Delphi

Afternoon – Departure for Olympia

Saturday, June 4

Morning – Tour of Olympia

Afternoon – Departure for Patras

Evening – Ferry to Ancona, Italy

Sunday, June 5

Morning – Worship on board

Afternoon – Arrival in Ancona, Italy, Coach transfer to Rome

Monday, June 6

Morning – Tour of Catacombs, Ancient Roman Forum

Afternoon – Tour of Coliseum

Tuesday, June 7

Morning – Tour of St. Peter’s Basilica

Afternoon – Tour of Vatican Museum

Evening – Walking tour of Pedestrian District, Including Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. Dinner at Pizzeria Baffetto.

Wednesday, June 8

Morning – Free

Afternoon – Departure for Assisi. Visit the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

Thursday, June 9

Morning – Tour Basilica of St. Francis

Afternoon – Free time in Assisi. Departure for Siena.

Friday, June 10

Morning – Walking tour of Siena, Duomo, Museo del Opera, Plazzo Pubblico.

Saturday, June 11

Morning – Free time in Siena

Afternoon - Departure for Florence

Sunday, June 12

Morning –Worship

Afternoon – Uffizi Museum, Academia

Monday, June 13

Morning – Visit Churches of San Lorenzo and Santa Maria Novella

Afternoon – Departure for Venice

Tuesday, June 14

Morning – Doge’s Palace, Basilica of St. Mark

Afternoon – Free time

Wednesday, June 15

Morning - Departure from Venice, arrive Paris

Afternoon - Depart Paris, arrive Dulles Airport

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