The College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management invites you to join our celebrity
hosts, President Emeritus Harris Pastides and First-Lady Emerita Patricia Moore-Pastides,
for an adventure in Italy exploring food, wine and culture!
We'll begin by getting acquainted with the ancient city of Florence (Firenze), birthplace
of the Renaissance and home to some of the world's most iconic art, architecture,
restaurants, and markets. Then, we'll take our time traversing the Tuscan countryside,
enjoying sights and sips at the region's finest wineries. We'll also get behind-the-scenes
access to regional food production facilities, tour the famed Lamborghini auto museum,
and so much more!
Highlights Include:
Three days in Tuscany with accommodations at an enchanting villa
Private tours and tastings at Castello Banfi, Cantina Buccelletti, and Il Borro Wineries
Visit to Emilia Romagna with visit to Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar producer
Guided tour of the Lamborghini Museum (and factory if available)
Exclusive USC faculty-led educational experience with Karen Edwards and Sandy Strick
Five days (total) in Florence, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities
in the world
Guided tour and food/Prosecco tasting at the San Lorenzo Market
Italian cooking class with dinner
You’ll also visit the Accademia Museum, learn to cook like an Italian, watch a live
opera performance, and enjoy world-class shopping
Accommodations
Tuscany — II Verreno
For your three-day trip to Tuscany, you'll stay at Il Verreno, which is situated above the town of Ambra in the southern Chianti area. It is a
Tuscan retreat with the relaxed atmosphere of a country house but with hotel-style
service. Il Verreno boasts the best of Tuscany; tranquillity, sumptuous scenery, delicious
food, and easy access to activities both cultural and sporting. Its large suites are
decorated in a contemporary twist of Tuscan heritage with an emphasis on comfort and
relaxation.
Itinerary
Tuscany
Part of the experience includes three days in an enchanting villa while enjoying the
breathtaking views of Tuscany!
Itinerary
Arrival in Florence, airport pick-up and transport to hotel
Hotel check-in and welcome session
Wine tasting and discussion at Enoteca Alessi
Welcome dinner at Beppa Fioraia
Breakfast at hotel
AM guided visit: San Lorenzo Market, includes food and Prosecco tastings
Visit: Accademia Gallery museum
Evening aperitivo at rooftop bar
PM opera performance at St. Mark's Anglican Church
Breakfast at hotel
AM brunch
PM Italian cooking class, with 4-course dinner
Breakfast at hotel
Hotel check-out and transfer to Tuscany
Visit: Castello Banfi:
Guided visit of winery
Wine tasting
Group lunch
PM check-in to Tuscan villa
Dinner on your own
Breakfast at villa
Visit: Cantina Buccelletti:
Guided visit of winery
Wine tasting
Group lunch
Dinner on your own
Breakfast at villa
Visit: Il Borro Winery
Guided visit of winery
Wine tasting
Group lunch
Return to villa
Group dinner at villa
Breakfast at villa
Hotel check-out
Day trip to Emilia Romagna:
AM visit to Parmigiano Reggiano producer and balsamic vinegar producer, includes tastings
Group lunch tasting of Parma Ham
Guided tour: Lamborghini Museum
Return to Florence and hotel check-in
Dinner on your own
Breakfast at hotel
AM free for shopping on your own
Farewell dinner
Breakfast at hotel and check-out
Transport to airport
Departure to U.S.
Please note that events listed here and on final itinerary are subject to change based
on business necessity.
Florence
St. Mark's Anglican Church
Castello Banfi Winery
Il Borro Winery
Emilia Romagna
Lamborghini Museum
Faculty Leaders
Your faculty leaders on this premier trip abroad are two of the College of HRSM's
most decorated faculty members, Karen Edwards of the Department of Retailing and Sandy
Strick with the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. The duo have led several
study abroad excurions to Italy and across Europe, most recently facilitating the
Maymester course luxury management in Italy.
Karen Edwards, J.D.
Karen Edwards, J.D., is the College of HRSM's interim associate dean of academic programs
and has been a faculty member in the Department of Retailing since 2006. She and Sandy
Strick, Ph.D., have led numerous education abroad programs to Italy and around Europe,
focusing on luxury food, wine and fashion. Edwards' research, which focuses on legal
issues affecting the retail and hospitality industries, has been published in leading
journals including the International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management,
Journal of Retail and Consumer Services, and Tourism Management. She co-authored Fundamentals
of Digital Fashion Merchandising (2nd ed.), which will be published in early 2024.
Sandy Strick, Ph.D.
Sandy Strick, Ph.D., has been at the University of South Carolina in the School of
Hospitality and Tourism Management for more than three decades. Among other things,
she studies and teaches in the beverage sector of the industry addressing issues related
specifically to wine. She is the founder and director of the Wine and Beverage Institute
at Carolina that was created to teach industry as well as the greater community about
beverage. Strick is a certified wine educator, has intro level Sommelier certification,
Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) level 2, and is a Certified Hospitality Educator.
Along with Karen Edwards, she has led students on multiple global learning experiences
to Italy, France as well as the UK.
Eight group meals including five lunches and three dinners, plus seven additional
wine and/or food tastings as scheduled
In-country transportation, including transit to/from Florence airport on program start/end
dates
Entrance to all venues and tours listed on final itinerary
24/7 emergency assistance through our trusted partner organization
$1,000 donation to the HRSM Study Abroad Scholarship fund (tax deductible)
Fees Do Not Include:
Transportation and airfare to/from Florence, Italy
Travel interruption insurance (recommended)
Meals, site visits and excursions not listed on final itinerary
Passports, any required vaccinations and/or medical treatment/testing/documentation
Personal expenses and shopping
Price per participant is $8,700. This trip is limited to 16 participants and is expected
to fill quickly; reserve your space by submitting your first payment of $4,000 per
person by May 31 and your final payment of $4,700 by July 15.
Program fees are not refundable. If the program is canceled by USC prior to departure,
recoverable costs will be refunded.
