Navigating the Grand Tour
2024 Day by Day Itinerary
Below is our day by day itinerary. This plan will evolve as reservations are made and specific activities are booked. Participating students are welcome to contribute ideas for ways to make the program match their goals and expectations.
London
Our time in London begins as soon as everyone arrives and gets checked into our London hotel on Tuesday. Note regarding meals "on your own". Other than breakfast provided at our hotels, there will always be an option of "Dutch Dates" for meals. These are recommended destinations and menus that fit our food budget where you can eat and explore with your classmates (or not). We use the buddy system and encourage small group outings.
Tuesday
Students arrive in London by 2pm. Our API rep will be meeting Tuesday arrivals at the airport with your "Oyster" card and instructions for how to get to the API office to leave your bags. Following API Orientation, we'll head through Bloomsbury neighborhood to British Museum at 3pm.
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PREP: On your flight, read through the syllabus for your section carefully including the separate Assignment Instructions (links: 352 or 252). Make sure you have finished all your prepwork.
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Meals: You will have breakfast on the plane. You'll need to get yourself some lunch before entering the British museum. We'll check into the hotel after the Museum closes at 5ish. Then we'll head out for dutch dinner. Having snacks available is a good idea!
Wednesday
Breakfast at Hotel. Meet in lobby at 8:45 for travel to Museum of London (Docklands). Self-guided visit to the museum (about 1.5 hours) and then we'll go as a group to Greenwich (about 30 minutes)
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While in Greenwich: Plan to visit the Maritime Museum and the Queens House (reserve tickets on the half hour...we'll discuss on Tuesday). Dutch date lunch in Greenwich village. Plan on at least 2 hours in Greenwich.
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Option to take Uber Boat down the Thames. Allows you to see most of the big items from the water. Afternoon Free & Dinner on your own.
Thursday
Breakfast at Hotel. Sign up for check in's with Jane. Morning and Lunch Free for Siteseeing (and working on travel assignments).
1:50pm Afternoon walking tour in Brixton. Meet our tourguide outside the Brixton Underground station by the David Bowie mural. Tour will last about 2 hours+. Make sure you've had lunch. Great local food for early dutch dinner/snack when we finish.
Friday
Breakfast at hotel and Check Out at 8:30 for train station. 10:24 Eurostar to Paris plan on packing picnic lunch and drinks for train. We'll have small group chats while waiting at the train station and on route.
On arrival to Paris, Metro to Hotel. Check to Hotel and Rendezvous for API orientation. 3-4pm.
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4-6pm. Group walkabout orientation. If you have tickets for Louvre, make sure to let us know what time.
Paris
We travel to Paris by Train and leave by Plane. A note regarding transportation: Reservations and tickets for group travel within our program is provided by our partner, ASI. In each of the larger cities, you'll also receive a travel card (e.g. London Underground, Paris and Rome metros). Navigating those transportation systems as well as using maps for walking around will be one of the skills you'll learn by doing. Getting lost is part of the adventure!We arrive in Florence by plane. A note regarding "free" time: Our itinerary has plenty of flexible time built in; however, you will have plenty of information about where/what you might do that will allow you to explore our destination cities while also completing your travel assignments. Many destinations now require reservations, so we will discuss "bucket list" items pre-travel so you can plan ahead.
Saturday
Breakfast at Hotel. Morning trip to Museum of Immigration with Self Guided Voice Map Walk. Dinner on your own.
Sunday
Breakfast at Hotel. Morning and Lunch Free. Afternoon walking tour in Goute D'Or (near Sacre Coeur & Montmartre). Dinner on your own.
Monday
Breakfast at Hotel. Small Group Salon Meetings. Self Guided Voice Map Assignment including visit to the Palais Garnier. Dinner on your Own.
Tuesday
Breakfast at Hotel and Check out. Depart by Plane for Florence.
Florence & Bologna
We arrive in Florence by plane. A note regarding "free" time: Our itinerary has plenty of flexible time built in; however, you will have plenty of information about where/what you might do that will allow you to explore our destination cities while also completing your travel assignments. Many destinations now require reservations, so we will discuss "bucket list" items pre-travel so you can plan ahead.
Wednesday
Breakfast at Hotel. Black History Month Florence or Related Activity. Uncovering Walking Tour. Work on Flanneur Assignment. Dinner on your own.
Thursday
Breakfast at Hotel. Day trip to Bologna
Friday
Breakfast at Hotel and Check Out. Morning free in Florence with Afternoon Train to Rome. Check in and API Orientation.
Rome
We arrive in Rome by local train. By now you'll be comfortable checking in and out of hotels, navigating different kinds of transportation, finding what you like to eat (and trying things that are new). Although this is our last destination, you should plan on extending your travel at least a few days if you can beyond our official program. Where else would you like to go?
Saturday
Breakfast at Hotel. Morning visit to Non-Catholic Cemetary & Testaccio. Lunch in Testaccio Market (if desired). Afternoon and dinner free.
Sunday
Breakfast at Hotel and Morning Free. Final Seminar in the afternoon (4ish) followed by dinner on your own and Last Gelato Stroll.
Monday
Breakfast at Hotel and Check Out. Leave for airport (or other travel arrangements as appropriate)