Italy and Sicily
The Legacy of the Ancient Mediterranean
This trip offers students studying Latin and/or Greek the opportunity to explore the cultural inheritance of the Greek and Roman worlds. By visiting archaeological sites, museums, towns and cities, students will gain experience with the cultural diversity and diversity of cultures presented in the Latin and/or Greek curricula at Deerfield. Significant themes include the study of antiquity through material culture, locality & identity in modern Italy, and the nature of current research in the field of classics.
Upon their return from this trip, students will be able to confidently converse on the nature and legacy of multinationalism, internationalism, cosmopolitanism, and diversity in the ancient Mediterranean; they will describe the many facets of Greco-Roman identity and their collective (or distinct) impact(s), become familiar with the study of history from both texts and artifacts, and gain comfort with slow-paced, open-ended, reflective travel.
Program Notes
- This trip conflicts with the June 7 SAT and June 14 ACT test dates.
- During this trip students will stay in hotels and eat meals at the hotel and at local restaurants.
- As part of Deerfield’s commitment to face-to-face interactions, during certain times of the trip students will be “unplugged” without access to cell phones.
- Students and faculty leaders will update families and friends at home through our Notes From The Field blog.
- Families are responsible for transporting their students from Boston Logan airport to their home destination for the summer.
Program Dates
May 27 -June 14, 2025
Program Eligibility
This program is open to current ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade students with a preference to those enrolled in Latin and/or ancient Greek. Financial Aid is available to all qualifying students.
Faculty TRip Leaders
- Dan Houston
- Anna Delwiche
Estimated cost: $8,250
This price is subject to change depending on enrollment numbers and flight costs. The final price will be set before initial deposits and enrollment paperwork are due.
2025 Preliminary Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change.
This 19-day trip starts with the group’s arrival in Palermo, Sicily, on Day 1, followed by a walking tour and dinner at Bisso Bistrot. After a few days in Palermo exploring local culture and historical sites, the group moves to Marsala on Day 2, including a ferry trip to Mozia. Days 3 to 5 are spent visiting archaeological sites in Segesta, Selinunte, and Agrigento, with time for relaxation and journaling.
The trip continues with visits to Porto Empedocle and Scala dei Turchi, then a multi-day stay in Siracusa, which includes exploring the Archaeological Park and nature reserves. On Day 12, the group travels to Reggio Calabria for reflection and beach time, followed by a visit to the National Museum of Magna Graecia. From Reggio, the group transfers to Paestum for an archaeological tour, then moves on to Pompeii and Sorrento, where they visit Mt. Vesuvius and Herculaneum.
The final days include a boat tour of Capri, a visit to Naples Archaeological Museum, and an exploration of Cumae before ending with a night in Sorrento and departure on Day 19.
** Families are responsible for transporting their students from Boston Logan Airport to their home destination for the summer.