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VENICE • CASTELFRANCO • SIENA • NAPLES • ROME • FLORENCE
28 April – 06 June 2025
“From start to finish this is a unique and fantastic experience” Julia, Early Summer
IN SHORT: THE EARLY SUMMER COURSE (6 WEEKS)
This course is very popular and Italy is at its greenest; with the wisteria is flowering and the perfect temperature to be outside. It’s a wonderful time for markets, feast-like picnics and aperitivos in busy.
We start in Venice where you are introduced to Venetian School, and several local crafts such as voga veneta – the traditional rowing style used by Venetian gondoliers. Then we proceed to the Veneto, stopping in Castelfranco, a small fortified town which we use as our base for exploring Palladian countryside villas. Next, the medieval town of Siena, placed in the rolling Tuscan hills with gentle charm yet full of gold. Then to Naples which is busy and full of life, the home of pizza and football, with Pompei and Vesuvius close by. A short ride to marvellous Rome, where ancient history meets modernity, here one of our highlights being the private sunrise visit to the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel. This year, we end in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, where all our learning will fall in to place as we get close to some of the world’s most beautiful and renowned art and architecture.
- Can’t make the dates? Have a look at our Spring Gap Year Course or our Autumn Gap Year Course.
This trip is the perfect occasion to broaden your intellectual horizons – through art, architecture, sculpture, food, culture, people.
Highlights:
- broaden your intellectual horizons – studying art, architecture & sculpture
- study art first hand with brilliant, unstuffy tutors
- practice the habit of creativity
- open to all: for any 18 – 22 year olds of every academic background who seek a cultivated mind
- access to once in a lifetime experiences (private visit to the Sistine Chapel and St. Mark’s Basilica)
- no classrooms and no homework: just learning in front of masterpieces!
Read “A day in the life of an AHA student” to get a better idea of what an AHA day looks like!
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Venice
The city is baffling; architecturally, politically and artistically it is a place where Venetians have found their own solutions. We find ourselves drawn to Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto as well as modern art at the Peggy Guggenheim Foundation.‘Venice, it’s temples and palaces did seem like fabrics of enchantment piled to heaven.’ –
Castelfranco
Most tourists never quite make it to the jewel of Castelfranco. From this peaceful commune of the Veneto, we can access wonders by a short bus ride. We will discuss what makes good building in front of Palladio’s finest works as well as visiting various architectural masterpieces by the modern maverick, Carlo Scarpa.
‘If the architecture is any good, a person who looks and listens will feel its good effects without noticing’ – Carlo Scarpa
Florence
Florence is, quite simply, the cradle of the Renaissance. Over ten days you will walk the same streets of a twenty-something Michelangelo, see where the Medici rulers would pray in their private family chapel, grab a sandwich nearby Dante’s childhood home or eat ice cream in the square that an enormous bonfire was created to destroy all ‘sinful’ art known as the Bonfire of the Vanities. During our days in Florence we will try cooking, paper-marbling and drawing classes and look at the giants of Renaissance art and architecture. We will think about Michelangelo and the study of anatomy, Brunelleschi andhis inspired engineering solutions and Botticelli’s art in the context of Neo-Platonism and Humanism.‘You look around the world at geniuses, and they don’t appear randomly, they appear in genius clusters. Athens in 50 BC, Florence 1500, Silicon Valley today. This is not a coincidence.’ – Eric Weiner
Siena
Siena was the first cities to ban the car in the 1960’s so the mediaeval feel of the city is undeniable. As the ban suggests, this is a strong community with an independently minded government. In art they were masters of gold ground painting and fresco painting with masters like Duccio, Simone Martini and the Lorenzetti brothers. The latter decorated the city council chamber with ‘Good and Bad Government’ which will form the corner stone of our discussions about art and power. We also plan to get out into the country a little as well as a gold ground painting workshop.
‘Siena began to occupy the sort of uneasy reverence the devout might feel towards Mecca or Rome or Jerusalem’ – Hisham Matar
Rome
We probably don’t need to tell you that from the Forum to the Colosseum to St Peter’s Basilica, Rome holds more mind-boggling moments than any other city. We’ll learn about the legalisation of Christianity underground in a once-illegal Christian Church, discuss Romantic Poetry at Keats’ House, visit the Vatican’s awe-inducing collections and marvel various palaces and churches to experience and understand the Counter Reformation and Baroque art.
‘I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble’ – Emperor Augustus
Naples
Naples is extraordinary . Outstretched on the seafront, the city boasts brilliant Baroque – from brilliant palatial interiors to Caravaggio’s hidden masterpieces reminding us that Naples was once the most affluent city in Europe. We’ll explore old and new, from the greatest archaeological museum in the world to contemporary treasures at the Museo Madre showcasing modern giants including Anish Kapoor. One day sees a journey up Mount Vesuvius and an afternoon wandering the mysterious streets of Pompeii. Expect tile painting, sketching, local folk music and arguably the greatest pizza in the world.
‘Here we are at last. The Italian proverb says “See Naples and die” but I say, see Naples and live; for there seems a great deal worth living for’ – Arthur John Strutt
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A transformative experience:
At AHA, we carry our ethos wherever we go and our courses are designed for the creative, the curious and the adventurous. We intend for you to come away with more than just halcyon memories but also…
Take away a life-long love of learning and appreciation of arts and culture – something to be cherished on all future travels.
- A broader education – We fill the cultural gap in school education. Whether it’s mythology, Dante, Shakespeare, jazz or opera, we seek to open your mind to wonders that a prescribed school timetable cannot
- Something that stands out on a Personal Statement and CV – It illustrates an interest in The Arts and Culture, showing you have used your time wisely and engaged with up-and-coming talents in the creative industries
- An ability to critique, debate and discuss provoking subjects – not only making you more interesting as a person, but allowing you to stand out in a seminar or interview context
- A greater confidence in public speaking-and an understanding of the power of rhetoric
- Fresh Air & Exercise! After this long stint indoors…
- New prctical skills – including cookery, film-making, photography, painting, creative writing, songwriting, play-writing…
- An opportunity to step back from technology-and ideas of how to be inspired in your free time, preventing boredom.
- Preparation for university and/or the next stage – meeting new people, getting out of the school context and partaking in independent and collaborative thought
- A curious mind – Come away with questions and thoughts and aspirations for your future
- The ability to form and articulate new ideas effectively – We teach creativity as a habit that should be trained and encourage you to express yourselves freely. Not only useful for practicing artists or writers, but also useful for budding Entrepreneurs or those looking to break the mould.
- Good conversation at mealtime
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Arguably, Italy has more significant art than any place on earth and so we study painting, architecture, sculpture, textiles, gardens, mosaics, drawings and decorative arts over the following periods:
- the Ancient World
- Romanesque
- Gothic
- the Renaissance
- the Baroque
- Classicism
- Modern and Contemporary
Within these periods we study
- painting techniques (fresco, oil, tempera, etc.)
- artists: their biographies, significances, influence and patronage
- connoisseurship and collections
- art criticism and propaganda
You will be in some of the most beautiful cities in the world
Venice – for the Renaissance and modern art
- Castelfranco – for Palladio’s Villas
- Florence – for the Renaissance
- Siena – for the Gothic and politics
- Rome – Ancient, Renaissance, Baroque and modern
- Naples – Ancient Pompeii, The Baroque and modern
Please note duration in the cities above may vary according to the course or time of year.
We break up the course with day visits to:
- Padua – for Giotto
- Pasagno – for Canova
- Villas Emo and Maser – for Palladio
- San Gimignano– for its beautiful medieval towers
- Subiaco – for the first monastery
- Pompeii or Herculaneum
- Vesuvius
The programme is very carefully designed to be both chronological and thematic in order that students can fathom large swathes of history.
We teach the context of art, so we touch on the following where relevant:
- Music
- Political theory
- Literature
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Theology
- Poetry
- History
- Food
- Anthropology
- Environmental Studies
We build a solid foundation of the terminology of art and history:
- artistic and architectural; vocabulary & descriptive terms
- classical and biblical narrative; myths & stories
- geographical; Italy and Europe
- basic datelines, significant families, Popes, historical events
- general themes; politics, propaganda & patronage
AHA also issues our “Shortish Notes” which are an unusual compendium of maps, significant dates, lists and descriptions of mythological gods, emperors, old and new testament figures, saints, popes and leaders. The notes include architectural terms, notes on the guilds and the family trees major families. It is a much sought after document as no such item is to be found in print.
There is also time for the following extracurricular activities:
Drawing; there is always someone to help and encourage craftsmanship
Marbled paper making
Marble making in Florence
Italian classes in manners and comportment
Mask making in Venice
Gondola rowing lessons
Visits to concerts and the Opera and the football
Italian Language and Culture classes
Italian cooking classes
An introduction to Italian Cinema
English Romantic Poetry
I hope you will agree this course aims to make the most amazing use of your time. Quite simply, we want this to be the greatest experience and a true education.
Apply now Gallery - the Ancient World
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Our tutors are chosen for their intellect, knowledge, energy, manners, reliability and sensibility.
The doors of heaven, Ghiberti
‘For you as a student, the reason why a tutor is so important to you is because they are accessible. They aren’t stuffy, they’re youthful, they’re inspiring, they’re somebody to look up to and they are somebody to be conversational with’ – Nick Ross, Director of AHA
What are the tutors like?
Judging from thank you letters and word of mouth recommendations, we know that our tutors are a significant selling point for the course.
AHA tutors are specialists, entirely approachable and have a passion for all things Italian. They are sympathetic and dedicated to encouraging the best in all students of every academic background.
Much as they wear their academic laurels lightly, they are committed to making comprehensible the artists, writers, and architects who are the real stars of the cultural galaxy.
Having brilliant tutors on the course who pitch in every evenings, travel with the students and stay in the same hotel, not only means they are on hand at all times, but also allows students to imbibe the positive wonder, happiness and satisfaction that we all get from Italy.
Students should drop any ideas they have about teachers versus students, as do all our tutors – this is not a ‘school trip’. Our tutors are dynamic, enthusiastic experts from various academic fields. They roll back the disciplines of formal education and provide an inter-disciplinary approach that includes (to name a few) philosophy, history, theology and mythology.
How do small tuition groups work?
Great teaching ratios are fundamental to on-site study and AHA’s ethos. Teaching to 9 students or fewer, tutors can reach everyone, draw them into discussion and satisfy the interests and capacities of each student.
Each day one or two tutorial groups set out in different directions to follow a theme according to the carefully structured itinerary. Tutors teach according to their specialist interests enabling students to appreciate different approaches to the subject. Usually a tutorial group would visit two or three sites in a morning with a break along the way.
Day by day students become more confident; understanding, enjoying and commenting on the vast visual world around them. Students are supplied with a suggested reading list and shorter notes, which are invaluable for the course and thereafter. We go to many places far from the madding crowd, some of which are public but are barely visited, others are by private appointment.
Before we have met any students, we form the tutorial groups by picking names from a hat. With each new major city these groups are reshuffled by this pre-ordained method. The dynamic of the party is therefore changed throughout the course and we find this a good way for students to get to know each other as we progress through Italy.
Want to know more? Read Nick Ross’ piece on why a tutor is not the same as a lecturer.
Apply now Gallery -
We understand that going through the small print can be arduous, so do apply to arrange a call with one of us.
AHA’s Nick Ross takes you through what to expect with our programmes. You can either watch the videos through or navigate to a video of your choice by clicking the top right hand corner of the video.
Useful Links
Dates & Fees Apply nowAccommodation
Our view on hotels is that it is better to stay near the middle of the wonderful cities we visit, where there is a sense of history and atmosphere. Rooms are shared with en suite bathrooms in 2’s and 3’s; occasionally we may use quadruple rooms for the shorter stays. Over the years we have built up strong relationships with family run hotels in all the cities we visit.
It’s worth calling the office to ask which hotels we are using on the course you would like to attend, but generally in Rome the hotel is next to the lively Trastevere; in Florence we stay a stone’s throw from the Duomo and in Venice we stay across the Grand Canal from St Marks.
Luggage
You will be expected to carry your own luggage, lift it onto trains, buses, upstairs occasionally and so on. This is no idle observation; if you have a bad back, tell us about it. Most people have luggage with wheels, but be sure they are robust and up to going over cobbles. Ruck sacks are good.
In the run up to your course we will send notes about what to bring but please follow the old adage that whatever you pack at first you should then halve it. Furthermore, one of the joys of travelling is to come back with trophies from your travels, whether this be clothes, books or pictures. We have had occasions when students have spent a fortune either posting luggage or spending extra fees with airlines. Both should be unnecessary.
Transport
When we move between cities we often take the train or we hire a bus. The train is perhaps more fun, with a real sense of travel. Usually, when leaving a hotel for the station we will walk for 10 minutes or so, but if you would like a taxi, we can order one for you.
Flights
When you register, we will inform you of the flights we have chosen for the group for you to book direct with the airline. If you come by another route, we will do our best to meet you, but bear in mind that once in Italy, tutors have lots of responsibilities both in terms of teaching and pastorally and they might not be able to meet you off the plane. In any event, we will give you good instructions on how to find the hotel and how to meet us.
For non UK students, some fly to the UK, which is a major hub, and then join the group to fly to Italy. If they arrive a day early, we can advise on where to stay if needs be.
Photo: Airplane Flying (Malevich, 1915)
Meals, Food & Wine
The food in Italy is one of the great pleasures of an AHA course. At lunchtime, students are free to do as they please – it’s a great time to explore or draw, but often students and tutors will end up enjoying an inexpensive lunch or picnic together. We feel that convivial suppers for students and tutors make a strong bond on the course and are part of Italian life. It is where conversation flows and we at AHA understand your interests and passions. This is why almost all evenings, tutors will have organise dinner all together somewhere special. This might sometimes be followed or preceded by or a film or a concert.
Eating, diet and allergies are issues raised on the Registration Form and it is really important that we know.
Those coming on Gap Year Courses are over 18 and therefore allowed to drink alcohol; however, as detailed in the Code of Conduct, we expect that this is done in moderation and drunkenness is not acceptable. Responsible consumption of alcohol is, in our view, a lifelong issue.
Breakfast is included within the fees though it has to be said that Italian hotels often perform some indescribable ritual to their coffee to render it questionable.
Mid way through the morning, it is usual to perk ourselves up with a break for a coffee and rest.
Spending Money
Lunches and suppers are not included in the course price. We recommend that students bring £35 – £38 per day to cover these meals and spending money. Very occasionally, if a student has a problem with cash flow, tutors will lend money but for administrative reasons, we would be grateful if loans could be repaid before the end of the course.
Money is best drawn regularly on ATMs and in modest amounts for fear of inadvertent loss. Pre-loaded travel money cards are a good solution to this issue because, if lost, they limit exposure to fraud.
Mentoring & Care
With tutor ratios of 1:9 or fewer, there are never less than 2 and up to 4 tutors on each course. This promotes excellent care for young adults. AHA tutors are instructed and mentored before they can be considered senior tutors or a lead tutor. Tutors stay in the same hotel, travel together and enjoy meals in the company of students. Tutors are there to help and offer advice. At all times tutors are supported by AHA’s offices in the UK.
A brief look at our tutors’ page reveals that we have tutors of a variety of ages. We feel it is important to have young tutors who are both a mentor and inspiration to young adults as well as more venerable tutors. New tutors to AHA are trained via our manual, through training tutorials and while on courses as a trainee tutor.
We will send you a Code of Conduct which lays out the understanding between students and AHA about reasonable standards of conduct.
Throughout the Gap Year & Semester courses there are one to one tutorials during which the academic progress of students are discussed. These are especially useful to encourage the development of students and form the basis for references in the future if requested.
Museums, Itineraries & Timetables
All museum fees and special entry costs are included and make up approximately 15% of the fees. Bookings for most of our visits are made in advance; this means less time spent queuing and reinforces the need for punctuality throughout the course.
Pre-Course Preparation
We will send you our list “Books worth reading, films worth watching” none of which is obligatory but which may enhance your experience of the course. In the weeks running up to your course, you will receive a note on what to bring as well as useful notes to accompany the course. AHA will also send you a watercolour set and drawing pad. Practical art is not compulsory on the course but we hope that these will be useful for those who already are happy to draw while being an encouragement to others.
Sketching
Application & Registration
If you’re ready to apply, just go to How to Apply page to fill in the form to begin the two-part registration process. Once we have your application, we will contact you to discuss the course further. We will want to know more about you, what are your interests and plans. Importantly, it is a chance for you to ask detailed questions of us. All being well, we will send you a link to a registration form and give you details of how to lodge a deposit.
By signing the registration form and returning it with a non-refundable deposit you are bound by the terms and conditions of the course. The terms and conditions require each attendee to have paid in full prior to the course date of departure. Should you need to cancel, there are clear guidelines and terms available. Where possible, and at our sole discretion, we will transfer your place to another course if needs be, having taken account of any pre-payments or unrecoverable costs.
Insurance
AHA carries public liability insurance to a total value of £5m in case AHA should cause loss or injury to a client or student. It is also essential that students should acquire sufficient insurance to cover the fees in the event that a student needs to cancel their course at a time when all or part of the fees are due. Insurance for health is also mandatory as well as repatriation. On top of this, you should insure your possessions, particularly electronics, having noted separately the make, mark and serial numbers of any valuables. You are obliged to inform AHA of the company providing the insurance cover and the Emergency Help telephone contact number. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs.
Payment Schedules
At our discretion, we may offer interest free, monthly payments for a course. Full and final payment must be in our account before the course departs. Please contact the office directly to enquire about this.
Scholarships & Bursaries
See our Scholarship page for details, read our blog “How to find grants for your gap year” and call us to ask about bursaries.
Risk Assessment, Responsibility
Those joining our Gap Year Courses are over 18 and young adults and can expect to be treated as such. Adult life goes with free will and free will has an element of risk within it. However, parents and students can reasonably expect AHA courses to be safe in the provision of services and tuition. To this end, we write extensive risk assessments for all our courses and we also have a crisis management plan. We follow the standards laid down by the Year Out Group and we review all our courses through questionnaires and tutor feedback. Lastly, we have public liability insurance to a limit of £5,000,000 per any one occurrence upon which we have never had to claim.
For UK residents, check the FCO website for their current risk assessments by country. For US residents, check the Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP) for up to date advice and help.