National Geographic Student Expeditions - On Campus Tuscany Italy

The Program

It's no accident that so many writers and artists have found their way to Tuscany since the days of Michelangelo and Dante—inspiration lies around every corner. The cobblestoned piazzas of Florence and Siena are lined with medieval and Renaissance architecture, but filled with the modern energy of bustling markets and lively cafés. The hills roll on as far as the eye can see, some striped with vineyards, others silver with olive groves, and still others gilded with fields of dazzling sunflowers. From our base in a villa in San Domenico, capture the essence of Tuscany through writing or photography.

Settle into a beautiful 16th-century villa perched high on a hillside overlooking Florence and break into On Assignment groups, working in teams with the guidance of our trip leaders and the National Geographic expert to develop your ideas. Then spend ten days pursuing your project, whether it's a collection of portraits or an essay about a local personality.

A typical day begins with a workshop or an exercise designed to hone your photography or writing techniques. Then we head out into the field to experience the region through hands-on activities. Record your impressions of Michelangelo's powerful marble masterpieces in the Accademia or interview a local artisan about his or her craft. Photograph different architectural styles of the city's palaces and churches. Travel by train to explore picturesque Tuscan villages, and write a travel narrative about the adventure. On hikes in the countryside, capture images of tapered cypress stands on the hilltops or take portraits of local farmers. Take advantage of free time in the afternoons to play a pickup game of soccer with Italian teenagers, or sample the flavors in one of the world's oldest family-run gelaterias. In the evenings, head into Florence to experience the city by night, attend a workshop on oral storytelling, or set out on a nighttime photo shoot. On the final day of the program, we'll share our projects in a final reading and photography presentation.

Active Excursions

Explore the cobblestoned lanes of medieval Sienna and the iconic towers of San Gimignano. Climb Pisa's legendary leaning tower, or visit Machiavelli's rural Tuscan estate. Take a day trip to the coast to explore Cinque Terre, where five brightly painted seaside villages are tucked in along the rocky shores below impossibly steep mountains. Set out on hikes amid sunflower fields, visit an olive press, and discover little-known hilltop villages.

The Campus

In Tuscany, our campus is a beautiful 16th-century estate perched high on a hill overlooking Florence. The walled villa, located in the small town of San Domenico, is a short ride from the heart of Florence, and the beautiful hilltop village of Fiesole. Students live in double or triple rooms within modern suites. The campus has spacious meeting rooms with views of the Tuscan countryside and a cafeteria that serves delicious Italian dishes with vegetarian options.

National Geographic Expert

Born and raised in Italy, photojournalist MASSIMO BASSANO has been photographing his country for many years. His work has been published in National Geographic Traveler and on nationalgeographic.com and he has taught many National Geographic Photography Workshops in Tuscany and Venice. His acclaimed photography book, The Color of Silence, detailed the 12 weeks he spent in a little-known Italian monastery.

Choose one of the following On Assignment projects. Throughout the ten days, break into teams to focus on your selected area of interest through field activities, workshops, and discussions.

icon for Photography On Assignment Project PHOTOGRAPHY: With the guidance of a professional photographer, improve your grasp of the fundamental elements of photography: light, composition, and perspective. Gain technical and editing skills during workshops with your peers. Take portraits of street performers, assemble a travelogue in pictures, or turn your lens toward the evocative architecture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

icon for Journalism and Writing On Assignment Project TRAVEL WRITING: Develop your writing skills with the assistance of a published writer. Learn how to use the power of the places you visit to develop your story-telling and descriptive skills. Find a niche in a place that inspires you—a cathedral, palace gardens, an open-air market, or a Roman amphitheatre—and write your story. Engage in constructive critiques with your peers during informal workshops.

Your participation in a National Geographic Student Expedition provides support to National Geographic's mission of increasing global understanding through exploration, geography education, and research.