Art history semester course - England, France & Italy
Art, power, politics, modernism, cookery & culture!In brief
Starting college in the spring or considering a Gap Year? Why not kick oS this exciting chapter by immersing yourself in European culture?
Our most expansive and influential programme begins with six weeks exploring Oxford, London, Paris, and Nice – discovering art, architecture, cuisine, and local culture. The journey continues in Tuscany’s hilltop town of Montepulciano, where students take a two-week Italian language course.
For the second six weeks, our group is joined by more students signed up to our Autumn course for a memorable trip across Italy, visiting Venice, Castelfranco, Bologna, Florence, Siena, and Rome, with day trips to Padua, Ravenna, San Gimignano, Naples, and Pompei.
England – Oxford & London
Begin your journey in the scholarly heart of Oxford, exploring its historic colleges, punting along the Cherwell, and diving into centuries of intellectual legacy at the Bodleian Library and the Ashmolean Museum. Then it’s on to London, where you’ll encounter world-famous institutions like the National Gallery and the British Museum, explore contemporary culture at Tate Modern and Frieze Art Fair, and enjoy unique moments like a Shakespeare play at the Globe and a speedboating down the Thames.
Highlights
• Street art walk, portrait painting, and ‘behind the scenes’ auction house visit
• Day trip to Salisbury and Stonehenge
• Evenings filled with pub quizzes, evensong, and tutor-hosted suppers
France – Paris & Nice
Cross the Channel on the Eurostar to Paris. Wander through the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, watch the sunset from Sacré-Cœur, and discover Impressionism where it was born. Then head south to Nice, where art meets the sea. Enjoy vibrant markets, Matisse’s chapel, and a day trip to Antibes to explore modern art and coastal charm.
Highlights
• Monet’s garden at Giverny
• Music at Au Lapin Agile
• Visits to the Centre Pompidou, Rodin Museum, and Musée Marmottan
Live like a local – Two Weeks in Montepulciano
Settle into the hilltop town of Montepulciano, where mornings are for Italian lessons at the charming Il Sasso school, and afternoons unfold with creative sessions, and local excursions. You’ll stay in town apartments, shop at the market, and host “Come Dine With Me” suppers. This is where the course slows a little – allowing time for language focus, reflection, and relaxation.
Highlights:
• Wine tasting, cooking with Lilian, and local thermal baths
• Day trips to Arezzo and Pienza
• Creative sessions including film-making, scavenger hunts, and journaling
