EXCURSIONS

EXCURSIONS IN ITALY

All of Italy’s major city centers are reachable via train from Torino. Student Services is available to assist students in the organization of single trips and will organize at least two Italian trips per semester.

MILAN is the most important Italian economic center. It is the Italian hub for finance, industry, commerce and trade. The best time to visit the city is in late spring when the foliage in the parks is in blossom and the landscape is picturesque. Students can begin their visit to Milan at Duomo Square in the city center. All of these beautiful sites can be visited in a single day, and can be easily reached by train.

RAVENNA is a city located in the region of Emilia-Romagna. It has been the capital of three important epochs: first, of the Western Roman Empire, second of the Ostrogoth Kingdom and third of the Byzantine Empire. It is called "the city of mosaics" and has been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The cultural offerings of Ravenna are rich and diverse. Ravenna is an easy weekend trip from Torino.

VENICE is without a doubt one of the most charming, picturesque and evocative cities in the world. The city is situated about four kilometers from the mainland in the vast Adriatic Lagoon which carries its name. This city of art is an incomparable cultural, artistic and tourist center. The omnipresent water, the canals, the buildings that seem to emerge from the sea, the sailboats and motorboats as well as the world famous gondolas make Venice, indeed, unique. The convenient railway connections make Venice an easy weekend getaway for SJIU students.

BOLOGNA is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy; only three hours by train from Torino. Bologna has a pleasant historic center (one of the best preserved in Europe) which is rich with old palazzi, works of art and churches. Bologna is also famous for its towers and porticoes. The medieval towers in Bologna are one of the most characteristic aspects of the city.

ROME, "The Eternal City", is situated on the banks of the Tiber river. The original city developed on the hillsides which face the bend of the river in which the Tiberina Island arises. This island is the only natural ford of the river. Rome is a dynamic metropolis. It is proud of its glorious past, but at the same time, tolerant and cosmopolitan, which has distinguished it throughout history. The city of Rome is very large, but one can visit the historical center, which is the area of main interest, easily on foot or by metro. Direct flights from Torino allow students to visit the city for a weekend.

FLORENCE has played a major role in the artistic and linguistic development of Italy. One of the most famous citizens of Florence is Dante Alighieri. Today, the city is visited by tourists who come from every part of the world to see the artistic treasures held in the Uffizzi Gallery and Palazzo Pitti. Both of these buildings are splendid for their architecture and beauty. A trip to Florence is a pleasant weekend for SJIU students.

CINQUE TERRE has been made a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Cinque Terre is the name given to this area of coastline from Liguria to the Coast of Levant which is situated in the province of La Spezia. Located there are the famous five villages (or, as the ancients called them, "five lands"): Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and

RIOMAGGIORE. Students can explore the coast and its coves by boat, on foot or by diving. During the summer, SJIU students can easily organize exciting weekend trips to the beaches of the Cinque Terre, famous all over the world for their marine beauty. Students may also be surprised to learn they can also observe whales in this area.

EXCURSIONS IN EUROPE

Torino is the ideal starting point for visiting the most beautiful European capital cities. The Torino Caselle International Airport, situated only 16km away from the city center, students can reach many major European cities in a very short time. Torino, in fact, is only one hour and 45 minutes away from Amsterdam; one hour and 20 minutes away from Barcelona; one hour and 30 minutes away from Dublin; one hour and 50 minutes from London; one hour and 15 minutes from Munich; one hour and 20 minutes from Paris; and one hour and 20 minutes from Rome. Student Services is available to assist students in the organization of single trips and will organize at least one European trip per semester.

AMSTERDAM is the capital city of Holland and is one of the most visited cities in the world. SJIU students can arrive there within a 1.5 hour flight from Torino Caselle Airport. The city has thousands of examples of architecture from 1580 and 1700 and has the largest historical city center in Europe. Amsterdam is relatively small and can easily be visited over a weekend. It is a very tolerant and cosmopolitan city with a great number of museums, art galleries and cultural exhibits. It is a very lively city due to its clubs, fashionable restaurants, concert places and artistic events.

BARCELONA is the second largest city in Spain and rivals Madrid as the intellectual and artistic capital of the country. The city is famous for its museums, theaters, art galleries, the architectural works by Gaudi and the unmistakable paintings of Picasso. It is a pleasant and beautiful city that offers many fun occasions. The best time to visit Barcelona is in the summertime. If SJIU students wish to visit Barcelona, they may do so with only an hour and twenty minute flight from Torino Caselle Airport.

LONDON is the modern and dynamic capital city of England which can be easily reached in just a short hour and a half flight from the Torino airport. Once in the city, you mustn’t miss the British Museum, the National Gallery and the Tate Gallery. Among the city’s many attractions, we suggest the Tower of London where the crown jewels are housed. Don’t miss Big Ben, the symbol of London, along with the Tower Bridge which is, without a doubt, the most famous bridge in London.

PARIS is one of the most romantic, elegant and culturally important cities in the world. SJIU students can visit Paris with a 1 and a half hour flight from Torino airport or by train with very fast connections. Paris offers visitors never-ending beauty. Here, you will find the most important museums in the world: the Louvre, The d’Orsay Museum and the Picasso Museum. The churches in Paris are also spectacular: the gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the neo-classical church La Madelaine and the huge temple built for Napoleon by his soldiers. As for historical monuments: the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc Du Triomphe which was built to celebrate the victories of Napoleon, Montmarte and Versailles.

MUNICH is the city of a thousand faces. The best known event in Munich is Oktoberfest which is the biggest folk festival in the world. From September to October, the capital city of Bavaria is in a great state of festivity. In the remaining months of the year, however, this cosmopolitan city offers a variety of leisure activities. The great number of museums in Munich is impressive: the Residenzmuseum (one of the most prestigious court art in Europe), Alte Pinakothek (which contains works of art from Durer to Da Vinci) and the Neue Pinakothek with 22 rooms of contemporary art. Shopping lovers won’t want to miss the jewelry shops, boutiques and antique shops of Leopoldstrasse. Tours around the luxury avenue of the city, Maximilianstrasse: here you can drink coffee at a cafè or go shopping. SJIU students can reach Munich in just 1 hour and 35 mintues by plane from Torino.

VIENNA is the capital and largest city of Austria. It is a wonderful city with great atmosphere. Apart from its glorious past, Vienna has many things to offer: stylish and bizarre contemporary buildings, a very lively cultural life and a lively nightlife year round. All of these aspects contribute to the charm that the city transmits to its visitors. To get a taste of what Vienna has to offer to tourists, it’s worth it just to spend a weekend there. You can’t miss the delicious Austrian cuisine and the exquisite pastries. SJIU students can arrive in Vienna by only a 1 hour and 45 minute flight and will be able to see the various and incredible palaces, castles and churches from different time periods.