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School Trips to Florence
Few European cities can rival the sheer quality of art galleries and architecture that Florence has to offer. A school trip to this historic city presents the perfect opportunity for Italian language students to put their conversational skills to the test, while developing a taste for the authentic Italian way of life.
As the epicentre of the Renaissance movement, Florence is also a choice destination for those studying art. It is home to a vast wealth of iconic paintings, sculptures and buildings – from Michelangelo’s David, to the masterpieces found in the Uffizi Gallery, to the ornate halls of Palazzo Vecchio.
The city teems with cultural landmarks at every turn; the only problem your group will face is seeing them all! That’s exactly where NST can help. Our team of dedicated travel experts draw on years of experience to help tailor a school trip to Florence that suits the precise needs of your class.
Our trips to Florence are part of a wide selection of school trips to Italy that we offer. Get in touch today for more information, or take a look at some of our popular options below.
Browse our curriculum-linked school trips to Florence
Art & Design
Art & Design
Your students will be amazed by the vast array of impressive buildings, fascinating galleries and churches. The birthplace of the Renaissance will leave your group with a lasting impression of Italian heritage and culture.
Cultural & Transition Year
Cultural & Transition Year
On your Italian cultural or Transition Year tour to Florence, you’ll benefit from our first-hand knowledge of visits and attractions and accommodation that will best suit your group’s needs.
Learn more about our cultural & transition year trips to Florence here
Florence trip highlights - our groups love...
The Boboli Gardens
The Boboli Gardens
The Boboli gardens are one of the greatest open-air museums in Florence. With centuries-old oak trees, sculptures and fountains, the Boboli gardens are a must visit.
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio
Dating back to the 14th century, the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is a medieval bridge spanning the river Arno in Florence. It is one of the few remaining bridges with houses built upon. The Vasari corridor that runs over the houses connects the Uffizi with the Pitti Palace on the other side of the river. The unique Vecchio is one of the most photographed bridges in Europe.
Uffizi Gallery
Uffizi Gallery
One of the world’s finest art galleries which features all the great names of the Florentine Renaissance. Includes paintings by Piero della Francesca, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Giotto, Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio. There is a whole room dedicated to Michelangelo and the 16th century.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Leaning Tower of Pisa
The freestanding bell tower of the cathedral in Pisa is world-famous for its unintended tilt. Construction of the tower started in 1173 and took over 200 years to complete - it began to lean almost from the outset! A must-see for any group and a great photo opportunity for your students.
Galleria dell’ Accademia
Galleria dell’ Accademia
Europe’s first artistic academy and home to Michelangelo’s famous masterpieces. The academy features the famous marble David sculpture, created between 1501 and 1504. The Muscular Four Slaves can also be seen, and range from virtually finished to the barely blocked out. Also on offer is a superb range of Gothic and Renaissance paintings.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo
For spectacular panoramic views of Florence and the Arno Valley, a visit to Piazzale Michelangelo is a must. Designed in 1869 by Florentine architect Giuseppe Poggi, Piazzale Michelangelo is a popular spot with locals and a great venue for Language students to interact with native speakers.
Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria
The original location of Michelangelo’s David. Sights include the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and an outdoor gallery sheltering several outstanding pieces of sculpture.
Florence school trip experts
Hundreds of students travel with NST to Florence every year, and members of our team regularly visit the region to really get to know the ins-and-outs of the area, from logistics and visits to our range of student-friendly accommodation.
Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their knowledge of Florence to create an itinerary that’s tailor-made, perfectly timed and meets your exact school travel needs. They’ll be able to share their first-hand experience, suggest options you might not have considered and give you insight into the feedback other teachers have given us too.
Planning your first school trip?
If you're planning your first school trip, our essential guide will take you through each step of the process...
- Choosing your destination
- Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
- Promoting your tour in school
- Confirming your booking
- Tailor-make your tour
- Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
- Quick reference timeline
- Pre-tour checklist
Additional support, resources & information
Tour planning service
Tour planning service
With NST, you’ll get your own dedicated, knowledgeable Tour Co-ordinator who’ll work with you from start to finish. You’ll benefit from their unrivalled destination knowledge, and their experience gained from working with many other groups too. They’ll tailor-make your itinerary from scratch and take care of everything for you:
- Pulling together an itinerary that runs smoothly
- Planning the right balance of visits every day with realistic timings
- Pre-arranging and pre-booking your visits, entrance tickets, passes and meals
You’ll receive your final itinerary a full 4-weeks before you travel too.
Free school trip promotion pack
Free school trip promotion pack
We’ll support you and provide everything you need to advertise your school trip around school and to parents. Our free school trip promotion pack consists of:
- Parents’ letter & permission slip template for you to complete A3 posters to promote your trip around school
- PowerPoint presentation templates which you can tailor to your own needs
- Online parents’ video which showcases the benefits of taking a school trip
Risk assessment support including preview visits
Risk assessment support including preview visit
Risk assessment plays a vitally important part in the planning and organisation on any school tour.
Our risk assessment guide aims to help you understand more about your obligations and how you can more effectively manage group safety on your next educational visit and provide you with risk assessments for your trip.
Planning first school trip
Planning first school trip
Organising your first school trip can appear to be a daunting process.
If you're planning your first school trip, our guide will help to take you through each step of the planning process, answering frequently asked questions and providing tips and support along the way.
Our helpful guide covers the following:
- Choosing your destination
- Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
- Promoting your tour in school
- Confirming your booking
- Tailor-make your tour
- Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
- Quick reference timeline
- Pre-tour checklist
Get live updates on your group's tour location
Get live updates on your group's tour location
Locate My Trip uses GPS technology and is the easy, convenient way for your school to follow your location whilst on tour. Specifically designed to provide reassurance to both parents and teachers, NST will know where your group are 24/7. If your schedule needs to change, we’ll put plans in place to keep your tour on track.
With Locate My Trip your group can also share photos and videos with the school and parents, via a secure link, to keep them updated on your experience whilst you’re away.
Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager
Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager
Save time and stay on track with your school trip admin with our online orgnaniser - designed to help busy teachers like you.
With My Tour Manager, you'll be able to download FREE resources and access trip paperwork online and in one place. Your personalised checklist details what you need to do and by when, plus you'll receive fortnightly reminders too.
What's more, you can take all your trip documents on the go whilst on your tour with our app, My Tour Manager-On-the-Go.
Find out more and watch out short My Tour Manager video here
Free classroom resources
Free classroom resources
We've created a range of free geography resources and educational posters to brighten up your classroom!
Take a look at our downloadable posters here
Why choose NST...
Here's why hundreds of teachers choose NST each year...
- Unrivalled knowledge
Your dedicated tour co-ordinator will use their unrivalled local knowledge and expertise of Florence to create a tailor-made, curriculum-linked itinerary to meet your group’s exact needs.
- Making it easier for you
With our online school trip organiser, travel app, free classroom posters to support in-school promotion.
- FREE group leader inspection visits
We offer a free inspection visit to your chosen destination to support your risk assessment planning.
- Value for money
We’re committed to bringing you the best possible value trips to help make every penny count.
- More than 20 years’ experience
With over 20 years’ experience, with NST you can rest assured that your group is in safe hands.
- Risk assessment guidance
Our risk assessment guidance will help you to manage group safety on your next educational trip.
- Peace of mind
Your group’s location can be followed with our trip tracking device - Locate My Trip - plus you’ll have 24/7 support from us whilst you’re away.
- Offsetting carbon emissions
For every trip taken, we'll plant a Maya nut tree in Peru to support reforestation, local communities & biodiversity. Plus, we'll offset an additional tonne of CO2 to guarantee carbon emission reductions.
Looking for protection on your next school trip?
Booking with a school travel company is the best way for you to protect parents’ money and give yourself peace of mind.
Financial protection from the moment you book
NST are fully bonded & licensed:
- ABTA
- ATOL
- IATA
- Commission for Aviation Regulation
Managing safety on school trips
For your protection, NST's independently audited Safety Management System covers:
- 24-hour emergency cover
- Audited accommodation & transport
- Excursions & school visit assessment
- Group leader preview visits to assist with risk assessment planning
Package Travel Regulations 2018
Don't forget - if your school arranges transport, accommodation and other services directly, you’ll be liable under the Package Travel Regulations – meaning you’ll have all the responsibilities of a travel company, both legal and financial.
We're LOtC Council’s Quality Badge assured
For groups travelling from Northern Ireland... the Department for Education advises schools to always look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing a school travel provider.