Well-Read Travelers

Immerse yourself in some of the most beloved literature in the Western world, on the page and in person. In Shakespeare’s Italy I, we’ll dive into three of the Bard’s most famous Italian plays, plus a selection of other poems and texts. Learn how the rich literary culture of Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, spread throughout western Europe and England, giving rise to many of the works we still discuss today—and even influencing Shakespeare to set one-third of his plays in Italy and create the feuding families, love-soaked soliloquies, and star-crossed lovers we know so well. Then travel to the cities where these works are set, visiting the places that inspired this unique literary moment and tracing the footsteps of Shakespeare’s characters—and perhaps even the author himself.  

While you may have been to these cities before, we promise you haven’t visited them like this. Our itinerary is built around exclusive experiences we’ve designed with local Italian colleagues, friends, and other experts. You’ll go behind the scenes at sites you may have heard of and visit others you almost certainly haven’t. Alongside, we’ve built in ample time for sightseeing, enjoying local food and wine, and other non-academic pursuits.

Learn more about the classes, itinerary, and other details on the program page.