Journey to Florence
Broaden your perspectives in a magnificent city, where world-class art and centuries of history await at every corner. Here, you will discover the direct thread connecting historical legacy to your own everyday life. Best of all, you get to experience it all within the warm, vibrant fellowship of the folk high school.
As you step out for the day, an authentic Italian espresso awaits on the nearest street corner. Looking up, your gaze meets magnificent architecture, while the balmy air carries a promise of sun and Summer in the heart of Florence’s February.
Ahead lies a day brimming with discovery: world-class art, architecture, and history. Allow yourself to get lost in one breathtaking experience after another.
A journey of wonder through Italy
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Get a taste of the journey
The adventure begins the moment we board the bus for the airport.
Before long, you will find yourself wandering through narrow, winding alleys, only to see one architectural wonder after another tower above you. Quite simply, Florence is steeped in grandeur.
Read on to discover the journey that awaits.
Palazzo Medici
Our days in Florence begin with a visit to the magnificent Palazzo Medici. Here, we gain insight into two of the most influential dynasties in Florentine history. In 1444, the Medici family commissioned the architect Michelozzo to design the palace as their private residence - a bastion of Renaissance power.
The palace has weathered the storms of history; during times of conflict, the Medici were exiled from both their home and their city, only to later reclaim their power and return to the palazzo. It remained their seat until the young Duke Cosimo I de' Medici chose to move the court to the Palazzo della Signoria for strategic reasons.
Later, the palace was acquired by the Riccardi family, who held it until it was purchased by the Province of Florence, which still owns and preserves it today.
As you wander through this mighty palace, you are enveloped by the sight of vibrant masterpieces, gilded ornamentations, and tapestries of the finest craftsmanship. Here, the eye is truly nourished by beauty.
The Cathedral
Leaving the Palazzo Medici behind, we make our way toward the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. Rising majestically from a modest square in the heart of the city, Florence’s cathedral stands as one of the largest and most awe-inspiring churches in the world.
The foundation stone of this magnificent edifice was laid in 1296. Now, more than 700 years later, the cathedral continues to radiate beauty, its vast surfaces of marble adorned with intricate details in a vibrant tapestry of colors and patterns. The facade, as we see it today, reflects a Neo-Gothic elegance from its 19th-century restoration, framing the entrance to a space of profound history.
For centuries, the cathedral’s dome held a closely guarded secret. How could such a colossal structure, with its octagonal shape and a span of 44 meters, be constructed without collapsing under its own weight? This architectural mystery is but one of the many treasures you will uncover.
Masterpieces in Florence
Day after day, great experiences await you at places such as Santa Trinita, Boboli Gardens, San Lorenzo and the Uffizi Gallery.
Between discoveries in the architecture, the ornate details, the remarkable paintings, the sculptures and the layers of history, there is great opportunities to indulge in the delights of Italian cuisine - from delicate pasta dishes and crisp pizzas to creamy gelato, and the list goes on. Savour your way through these pleasures as you hear the melody of the Italian language spoken by the locals. You might even pick up a few phrases yourself - perhaps enough to order your coffee in Italian.
In a community
Traveling as part of a folk high school stay adds new dimensions to everyday life at the school. You get up close with your fellow students, discover new sides of each other, and create unique memories together - memories that stay with you both during your time at the school and in the friendships that continue afterwards. In this way, everyday life at the school is enriched with deeper friendships, fresh perspectives, and travel experiences that bring everyone closer.
Here, there is ample opportunity to broaden your understanding of the world, embrace adventure, and experience it all together as a community.
Practical
Travel Dates: February 9 – 13, 2026 and February 15 – 20, 2027
Study Trip Price: The entire trip is included in the cost of the programme at the school.
