Florence, Siena, & Arezzo

Ciao! This will be a memorable dance retreat and intensive training program in beautiful Tuscany. To begin, students will be participating in dance workshops at a rural villa in the picturesque town of Siena. Students will then devise a final performance to be presented in the charming city of Arezzo, where they will also train for two days at an international arts center there. The trip culminates in three days in magnificent Florence, where students will tour important cultural, artistic, and historical sites, and attend performances at the world-renowned Florence Dance Festival.

This program is offered every two to three years. Future program dates have yet to be announced.

Program Details

Program Itinerary

This is the itinerary that ran in 2024. It is subject to change in future years. 

Nazareth University Dance in Italy Dance Retreat and Intensive Training 

 Day 1: Morning: Arrive in Florence. Meet the On-Site Program Coordinator, and transfer to accommodations.  Afternoon: Neighborhood walking tour Evening: Welcome dinner and orientation

Day 2: Morning: Transfer to Podere Calcinaia dance retreat center in Siena Early Afternoon: Lunch and settle into accommodations. Late Afternoon: Dance Training / Workshops Evening: Dinner and Free Time

Days 3-6: Siena Dance Retreat  Every Day: Dance workshops with Italian dance instructors, devising final performance

Day 7: Morning: Breakfast in Siena Late Morning: Transfer to Spazio Seme International Arts Centre in Arezzo Midday: Lunch and free time to settle into accommodations Afternoon: Dance training and workshops Evening: Dinner and Free Time

 Day 8: Morning: Breakfast, dance workshops Afternoon: Lunch, dance workshops Evening: Dinner, free time

 Day 9: Morning: Breakfast, dance training & rehearsal. Afternoon: Lunch, final performance Evening: Dinner, free time

 Day 10: Morning: Breakfast in Arezzo Late Morning: Travel to Florence Midday: Lunch and free time to settle into accommodations Afternoon: Walking tour and free time Evening: Dinner and Florence Dance Festival (pending festival schedule)

 Day 11: Morning: Breakfast Late Morning: Visit to Accademia Gallery Midday: Cooking class and lunch Afternoon: Backstage tour of dance performance space / theatre Evening: Dinner and Florence Dance Festival (pending festival schedule)

 Day 12: Morning: Breakfast Late Morning: Duomo tour Afternoon: Lunch and free time to explore Evening: Farewell dinner

 Day 13: Morning: Breakfast and transfer to airport for departure

Program Dates

Program will be offered again in a future academic year. Program dates to be announced.

Program Costs

Program Costs are to be determined. 

Included in the Program 

● Accommodations - 2 or 3 students per room

○ Hotel in Florence - 4 nights (1 + 3) 

■ Breakfast included 

■ Bathroom may be shared or ensuite 

○ Podere Calcinaia dance retreat center in Siena -5 nights 

■ All meals included, cooked by resident chef 

■ Ensuite bathroom 

■ Housekeeping - common areas cleaned  daily 

○ Arezzo Sports College - 3 nights 

■ 5 minute walk from Spazio Seme 

■ Outdoor pool and hot tub 

■ Onsite bar and restaurant 

■ Breakfast and dinner included 

■ All rooms have A/C and ensuite bathroom 

● Transportation: 

○ Roundtrip private group airport transfer 

○ Private transport from Florence to Siena, Siena  to Arezzo, and Arezzo to Florence 

● Dance Studio rentals in Siena and Arezzo ● All dance teacher hires and artistic direction / coordination from Samuel Fuscà 

● Two tickets to Florence Dance Festival shows (or  similar, if schedule doesn’t align with program dates)

● Entrance to Accademia Gallery 

● Florence Cooking class and lunch 

● Backstage tour of Florence dance performance space / theatre 

● Tour of the Duomo in Florence (Santa Maria del Fiore)

● Welcome and Farewell dinners 

● Extensive staff support throughout all phases of the  program, and PAA Onsite Coordinator 

● CISI health insurance for all participants

Not Included in the Program

● Flights 

● Passport fees, if applicable 

● Travel Insurance (different from CISI medical and accident insurance ● Some meals - lunch in Arezzo, lunch and dinner (except welcome and  farewell dinners) in Florence 

● Entertainment / souvenirs 

Students should budget additional funds to cover flights, passports, meals, and travel insurance (different from CISI health insurance above). Note: students are responsible for booking their own flights to arrive  during a time window given by PAA. 

 

Accommodation

● Accommodations - 2 or 3 students per room

○ Hotel in Florence - 4 nights (1st night and last 3 nights) 

 ○ Podere Calcinaia dance retreat center in Siena -5 nights 

 ○ Arezzo Sports College - 3 nights

SPARK GRANT:

Qualifying freshman, sophomore, and transfer students can use their SPARK Grant for this short-term study abroad program.

Views from Abroad:

    At A Glance

    Term: Summer A

    Program Level: Undergraduate

    Program Types: Experiential Learning

    Major(s): Open to dance majors and minors

    Language Requirement: None

    Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5