Student Blog – Friends & Fun in Faculty Led Tours

When I signed up for the faculty-led Arts & History tour in Italy, I was mostly thinking about the academic side -visiting major museums, learning about the Renaissance on-site, and checking off a few iconic landmarks. And all of that happened. We saw Florence, Siena, Tuscany, and Venice. We stood in front of Statua di Davide and actually understood its context. It was everything I hoped for in terms of content.

But what I didn’t expect was how fun it would be.

The best parts weren’t always in the formal itinerary. It was the small stuff: late-night gelato walks, running to catch trains, laughing over awkward Italian phrases, and group dinners that turned into long conversations. Traveling with classmates – some I barely knew before-became one of the highlights. There’s something about navigating a new country together that speeds up connection. By the end of the tour, it felt like we’d known each other for years.

There was a rhythm to the trip that balanced structured learning with genuine downtime. One minute we were walking through a cathedral with a guide, the next we were sitting on the steps of a piazza comparing sketches or swapping photos. (I came home with hundreds, by the way – some good, some blurry, all worth keeping.)

And honestly, that balance made the academic side more engaging. Seeing things up close, asking questions on the spot, and then having time to reflect (or just rest) made the whole experience feel more complete. It wasn’t just about absorbing information – it was about living in the spaces where that history actually happened.

If you’re considering a faculty-led tour, my advice is simple: go. You’ll learn, yes – but you’ll also explore, connect, and probably surprise yourself with how much you take away from it (and fun you will have!).

By: Chloe, History & Art Student from Cape Town