SAI Excursions by SAI Programs

Excursions

SAIPROGRAMS SAI Italy Excursion Highlights Assisi and Umbria: The Green Heart of Italy Experience the beautiful and unspoiled hill towns in the verdant region of Umbria, full of olive groves, sunflower fields and emerald pastures. Students stay in an historic local farm with a rich history dating back to the 1300s, and participate in a chocolate workshop and a tour of the Frassasi caves, and then travel to the beautiful medieval town of Assisi. The weekend ends with a visit to the amazing Marmore Falls built by the ancient Romans.

Tuscany by Bike For students looking to get some exercise and fresh air, SAI offers a bike tour in the heart of Tuscany and the Chianti area. Students cycle through Tuscany’s breathtaking hills, vineyards, villas and olive groves. During the tour, students visit a charming medieval castle, enjoy a typical Tuscan lunch, and visit a classic winery.

Bologna: The Culinary Center of Italy Located in the region of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna is known for culinary delights like tortellini, lasagna, Bolognese sauce, prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Students spend the day exploring the city’s covered walkways, large squares and historic towers and churches. Home of the oldest university in Europe, the city exudes a young spirit and alternative culture that can be seen in the unique shops, street markets and typical eateries.

The Tuscan Riviera: From Etruscans to the Islands of Tuscany SAI takes students off the beaten path to southwestern Tuscany and the area of Maremma. Known for its long horned steer, cowboys (butteri), natural parks, pre-Roman Etruscan ruins and exquisite coast, the area offers a plethora of natural beauty and cultural heritage sites. Students taste the area’s best specialties at a typical restaurant, take a boat to visit the enchanting Giglio Island, and lounge on the Mediterranean white sand beaches. The trip is a unique opportunity to visit an often-overlooked area of Tuscany.

Siena: Tuscany’s Medieval Gem in the Heart of Chianti Siena is one of Italy’s best-preserved medieval towns. Students visit Siena’s Gothic cathedral and climb to the top of the church’s unfinished façade for a view of the town and breathtaking countryside (the Chianti Region). The trip includes a walking tour of the medieval center of town and a typical Sienese lunch.

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SAIEXCURSIONS Milan and Como: Italy’s Design and Fashion Capital and Beautiful Lake Como This weekend trip begins in Milan, the second-largest city in Italy, and the main financial, fashion and design capital. Students visit cultural jewels like Castello Sforzesco, the Duomo, La Scala Opera House and Leonardo’s masterpiece The Last Supper. The group then travels to nearby Lake Como, which has been a popular retreat for the wealthy since Roman times, and takes in the beautiful scenery on a boat ride backdropped by the snowcapped Alps.

From Earth To Table: An Inside Look at Tuscan Food and Culture Students get a first-hand look at organic agriculture in Italy with a tour of an organic farm. The tour includes a look at the grounds, animals, vineyard and wine cellars, followed by a rustic lunch prepared with the farm’s products.

Venice and Murano Island Venice is made up of a collection of more than 110 small islands, connected by a web of canals and bridges. The city appears to be floating in the Venetian lagoon, calm and serene. Students visit the Torre dell’Orologio, discover the secrets of the Doge’s Palace, and understand the story behind Olivetti design and Carlo Scarpi architecture at Negozio Olivetti. Students also take a boat to the island of Murano, home of Venice’s glassmaking industry, to watch the artists at work.

Cinque Terre: Hiking Between Sea and Sky Cinque Terre is a Natural Reserve, with 15 miles of rocky coastline, bays, beaches and cliffs surrounded by coastal mountains. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997 Cinque Terre means literally “Five Lands”, where tiny fishing villages are connected to each other by paths, immersed in nature and suspended between sea and sky. Students walk a portion of the hike, dip their feet in the water, and enjoy the picturesque views.

Lucca and Carrara: the “Walled City” and the “Quarries of Michelangelo” Students tour the famous quarries of Carrara, where marble has been extracted since the Roman times, including the blocks used by Michelangelo himself. From the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean visible from the Carrara Mountains, students descend to the town of Lucca. Famous for its 16th century perfectly preserved walls, Lucca is a wonderful place to take a leisurely afternoon stroll or bike ride.

Soccer Florentine Style See why soccer is the most popular sport in the world! Students experience the thrill of Italian soccer amongst the throngs of dedicated fans who sing, yell and cheer on their team.

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SAIPROGRAMS SAI Spain Excursion Highlights Cava Cellar Day: Vineyard Tour and “Sparkling Wine” Tasting Cava is the prestigious sparkling wine made in Catalonia and exported all over the world. More than eighty local manufacturers produce 90% of Spain’s domestic Cava. Students visit a Cava cellar, participate in a tasting, and enjoy the countryside of one of the best-known Catalan wine regions.

Tarragona and the Human Castles In the ancient Roman times, the city of Tarragona was a main Roman Mediterranean Port. The city has preserved its Roman ruins facing the sea, creating a beautiful landscape. Tarragona is well-known for its traditions: its cuisine offers many traditional Catalan dishes like the calçots, but the Castells, or human castles, are one of the biggest attractions of the city, with impressive performances. This is a trip of Spanish traditions and history!

Salvador Dalí and Girona Trip This day trip takes students to visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Salvador Dalí’s hometown of Figueres, followed by a visit to the beautiful capital city of the province: Girona. This city has more than 2000 years of history, and its highlights include the old Jewish quarter, its historical fortified enclosures, as well as the Palanques Vermelles Bridge, built by the Eiffel Company in 1827.

Weekend Trip to Seville Seville is the region’s capital and biggest city, which represents the Southern Spain way of life in its purest and most intense form. It is known for its narrow, winding, medieval lanes and romantic, hidden plazas soaked in the scent of orange blossom and for its two traditions: flamenco and bullfighting. Students take a weekend trip to enjoy the beauty of the city, eat great food, and take a fun bike tour.

Montserrat Mountain Retreat Montserrat is a spectacularly beautiful Benedictine mountain retreat. Its unusual rock formations and its natural beauty have made it a Catalonian icon. Students take the cable train up the mountain to visit the monastery and wander the mountain paths, with amazing views of the Catalonian countryside.

Soccer Club Barcelona Stadium and Museum You can’t be in Barcelona without experiencing one of the most famous soccer stadiums in the world: Camp Nou, the Barça Stadium. Students join the Camp Nou Experience, which retraces the steps of players that have made history, and tours the most emblematic areas, including the changing rooms and the tunnel onto the pitch, where students can enjoy a panoramic view of the whole stadium.

Sitges Beach Day Barcelona is surrounded by beautiful coastline, north and south. The nearby town of Sitges is a paradise of sun, sea and mild temperatures year-round, and a venue for international film and music festivals. Sitges is known for its Art Nouveau and Modernist architecture, but above all, it is a charming town with beautiful views and long beaches. Students spend the day enjoying the sun of this lovely seaside town.

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The weekend excursion through SAI was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. From Tuscan food to beautiful hikes to meeting new friends, it was a weekend to be remembered forever. ~ Rome Student, Spring 2015

SAIEXCURSIONS A Weekend in Bèziers A former Roman colony dating back to 36 BC, Bèziers, located in the southern Languedoc region, is known for its wine and bullfighting. Students spend the weekend exploring this ancient town, and catch a glimpse of the nearby Mediterranean Sea.

Reims and the Champagne Region The Champagne region is famed for its wine making villages and rolling countryside. Students travel to the city of Reims where they visit the numerous Maisons de Champagne in the region along the Route Touristique de Champagne, with the chance to taste and purchase Champagne directly from the producer. The trip includes a beautiful lunch in a local French restaurant.

SAI England Excursion Highlights Bath, Somerset and Stonehenge

SAI Photo contest nominee Taylor H.

The weekend trip begins with a traditional English pub lunch, followed by guided tours of the Fashion Museum and the Roman Baths. Students also take a whirlwind tour of some of the most famous historical sites in Wiltshire, including Lacock village, Castle Combe, the Avebury Stone Circles, and of course, Stonehenge.

Stratford-Upon-Avon and Warwickshire

Annecy, located in the mountainous region of Eastern France, is famous for its beautiful turquoise-colored lake and view of the often-snow-capped mountains. On this weekend trip, students explore the old town and lake, enjoy culinary treasures, and visit a castle that dates back to the Middle Ages.

We travel to William Shakespeare’s birthplace, and talk to on-site historians to discover what life was like in Renaissance England for old Will. Students experience some of the highest profile Shakespearean theatre in the world at the Royal Shakespeare Company, which has trained generations of famous British actors from Patrick Stewart and Dame Judi Dench to Jude Law and David Tennant. The group then travels to nearby Warwick, to experience the 1000 year old Warwick Castle, described by some as England’s Ultimate Castle.

Fairytale Landscapes of Alsace

Hidden Pubs of Old London Town

SAI France Excursion Highlights Weekend Trip to Annecy

The eastern Alsace region of France is dotted with fairytale villages and marked by a unique history, culture, and aesthetic. Students stay in Strasbourg, discovering the many reasons that make this region so enchanting. The group spends two days exploring various villages and castles, tasting local food and wine, and taking in the countryside.

There are plenty of “ye olde” pubs in London, but where are the genuinely historic places to eat and drink in the capital? Through old alleyways and amongst other famous sights of the city, students explore 2,000 years of London’s best pubs and inns, tabernas, alehouses and coaching inns frequented by famous poets and writers such as Oscar Wilde and Charles Dickens.

Treasures of the Normandy Coast

Globe Theater Show

Students explore the seaside towns that make Normandy one of the most beloved regions in France; from the stunning ancient monastery on the island of Mont Saint Michel, to oyster and wine tasting next to the beaches of Deauville. Returning to Paris, the group visits the famous home and gardens of Claude Monet.

We visit the replica of the primary home of Shakespeare’s acting company, the Globe Theatre. Students have the opportunity to see one of Shakespeare’s plays as many of the theatre-going folk did at the time, standing up! A wonderful experience in an amazing setting.

Auvers sur Oise

Tour of the Camden Market and Canals

The group visits the gorgeous countryside village of Auvers sur Oise, which saw the likes of many famous artists, including Vincent Van Gogh. Students visit various important sites, including where Van Gogh spent his final days, and walk through a landscape that was captured by many of these artists.

SAI offers a tour through the famous Camden Market, made up of 5 markets that offer food, crafts, books, clothing for all tastes, jewelry, accessories, souvenirs, footwear, household items, antiques, a myriad of unusual items and so much more! After checking out the market the group stops at a local eatery for a nice lunch and ends with a stroll along the canal up to the park.