Latin Language Trip 2027

Italy

Spring Break 2027
Grades 10 – 12 Latin students

Explore the Latin language, art, and culture of Italy throughout the ages with stops and hands-on activities in Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Pompeii, Ravenna, and Venice. Upper School students enrolled in Latin III or higher, who have completed Latin IV, or with teacher approval are eligible to participate and encouraged to join us for a fun-filled, language intensive trip. This trip is planned for every three years.

Important travel documents, including but not limited to passports, are required to travel and are the sole responsibility of the student.

Why Travel?

Students’ learning is expanded beyond the classroom walls when they experience in person the richness of a painting discussed previously in class, read Latin inscriptions on nearby architecture and from 12th century Latin manuscripts, or physically stand on the stones laid in a historically important courtyard. Students will make memories to treasure for a lifetime while traveling with classmates and teachers, sharing experiences, and creating bonds that forge stronger friendships.

Authorizations and Agreements: These forms will be signed and submitted through Magnus Health. In spring, please log in to the health portal to complete these forms.

• Consent and General Liability Release and Waiver of Claims
• 18YO Consent and General Liability Release and Waiver of Claims (if required)
• Trip Authorization and Consent for Medical Services
• Copy of Passport

Tentative Itinerary

Day 1 – Travel Day (Thursday, April 8)

Day 2 – Arrival Day (Friday, April 9)

• Land in Florence, Italy 
• Transfer to hotel
• Private Guided Walking Tour of city including the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Maria del Fiore, “Gates of Paradise” – Ghiberti’s doors original and Museo Dell’Opera del Duomo
• Dinner and Night in Florence
• Night sites of Florence

COMBO TICKET: Duomo, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo Baptistry, and Giotto’s Bell Tower climb

Day 3 – Florence (Saturday, April 10)

• Breakfast
• Visit the Museo Nazionale di San Marco Library to see Latin manuscripts; possible workshop
• Lunch
• Guided Tour of the Accademia and the Uffizi
• Dinner and Night in Florence

Day 4 – Tuscany (Sunday, April 11)

• Breakfast
• Latin Mass
• Travel to a nearby Tuscan farmhouse for a cooking class
• Return to Florence
• Free time to enjoy the city
• Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower (using Combo Ticket from walking tour)
• Dinner

Day 5 – Lucca (Monday, April 12)

• Breakfast
• Travel to Lucca by train
• Enjoy a bike ride around the city walls
• Roundtable discussion about Italian walled cities
• Find churches with Latin inscriptions – scavenger hunt
• Return to Florence by train
• Dinner

Day 6 – Rome (Tuesday, April 13)

• Breakfast and hotel check out
• Travel to Rome by coach OR Fast Train
• Lunch
• Domus Aurea tour of Emperor Nero’s vast palace complex under Oppian Hill
• Circus Maximus visit/tour and Gladiator School Workshop
• Authentic trattoria dinner
• Walk to the Spanish Steps for photos and shopping
• Dinner and Night in Rome

Day 7 – Vatican City (Wednesday, April 14)

• Breakfast
• Guided tour historic center including walk up to Pantheon, Piazza Novara, Castel San’Angelo, Arch of Constantine, Arch of Titus, and Roman Forum with the Basilica di Maxentius
• Lunch
• Guided tour of the Vatican Museum and time to visit the Sistine Chapel 
• Self-guided visit of St. Peter’s Basilica 
• Dinner at Trattoria of choice and stroll around Piazza Navona with gelato tasting
• Night in Rome

Day 8 – Pompeii (Thursday, April 15)

• Early Breakfast and hotel checkout
• Depart by coach 
• Enjoy a morning guided tour of the well-preserved archeological site of Pompeii
• Lunch in Pompeii
• Excavation/Archeology workshop (tentative)
• Return to Sorrento
• Dinner and Night in Sorrento
• Evening walking tour of lights around harbor 

Day 9 - Sorrento (Friday, April 16)

• Breakfast
• Visit to working Mozzarella Farm or Cameo or other local hands on workshop*
• Lunch and enjoy free time in the town with beautiful views
• Swim in the Sea
• If possible, afternoon cruise on Sorrento bay
• Dinner and Night in Sorrento

Day 10 – Ferry to Naples (Saturday, April 17)

• Breakfast and ferry to Naples
• Guided tour of Naples Archeological Museum Pompeii Relics
• Climb Mt. Vesuvius to learn how the volcano was made and see views of city*
• Neopolitan pizza cooking class and Dinner
• Night in Naples

Day 11 – Travel Day (Sunday, April 18)

Early departure for Naples and return to Seattle

For trip itinerary, registration, and payment questions, please contact Director of Special Events and Travel Peggy Roth (proth@tbcs.org).

Parent Information Meeting: Parents of interested students should plan to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in Andrea Lairson Library with Latin teacher and trip leader Marianne Scrivner (mscrivner@tbcs.org) and trip coordinator Peggy Roth (proth@tbcs.org).

About Our Trip Leader

Ms. Scrivner, Upper School Latin teacher, has been teaching Latin at The Bear Creek School for six years and has travelled internationally several times. She is confident that international travel expands student learning and worldview in vital ways that cannot be replicated in the classroom. She is excited for students to see the continued use of Latin as well as its evolution into Italian and the impact it has had on the arts.