Florence & Barcelona: Sustainability & Social Enterprise Immersion
- Dates: January 3 - January 17, 2026
- Duration: 15 days, 14 nights
- Prerequisites: None
- Apply By: November 28, 2025
Time Left to apply:
Program Overview
This immersive program takes students beyond traditional tourism to engage with authentic sustainability challenges and social innovation in Florence and Barcelona. Through partnerships with local social enterprises, artisan cooperatives, and environmental initiatives, students will explore how historic cities are adapting to modern sustainability challenges while preserving their cultural heritage.
Key Program Elements
Engage with Leading Social Enterprises and Sustainability Initiatives
- Visit local cooperatives exploring sustainable fashion and social inclusion
- Experience community-led housing and development projects
- Visit circular economy innovation hubs and urban agriculture initiatives
- Collaborate with food waste reduction organizations on hands-on activities
- Meet with city council sustainability offices and climate action teams
Participate in Transformative Workshops and Expert-Led Sessions
- Attend workshops on circular economy design and urban systems transformation
- Experience hands-on cooking classes featuring local, seasonal ingredients
- Engage in urban agriculture workshops with composting and food sovereignty
- Learn from artisan workshops preserving traditional crafts and cultural heritage
- Join sessions on sustainable tourism and community impact management
Immerse in Authentic Cultural and Sustainability Experiences
- Explore Florence’s artisan districts and traditional workshops
- Journey through Chianti region wineries showcasing organic farming practices
- Discover Barcelona’s sustainable urban planning through guided walking tours
- Experience regenerative tourism approaches in both historic city centers
- Visit renewable energy cooperatives and community sustainability projects
Learning Outcomes
- Sustainability Analysis and Innovation
- Analyze sustainability challenges facing historic European cities and evaluate innovative solutions
- Assess the effectiveness of circular economy models and urban planning initiatives in addressing environmental concerns
- Cultural Heritage and Modernization
- Assess the balance between cultural heritage preservation and sustainable modernization
- Analyze how traditional craftsmanship and artisanal practices contribute to cultural sustainability
- Social Enterprise and Community Impact
- Evaluate the role of social enterprises in addressing social, economic, and environmental issues
- Examine community-led development models and cooperative approaches to sustainable living
- Applied Learning and Professional Development
- Design practical recommendations for sustainable tourism and community development
- Demonstrate cross-cultural competency through direct engagement with local communities and enterprises
Program Snapshot
- Location
Florence, Italy
Barcelona, Spain
- Suitable Professions
Multidisciplinary
- Cost
US $3520
Program Highlights
Chianti Region Excursion
Local Food Market Tour, Florence
Italian Cooking Class
Tour of Artisan Workshops, Florence
Visit to Historic Sites, Florence & Barcelona
22@ Innovation District, Barcelona
Eixample District, Barcelona
Aix-en-Provence Walking Tour
Program Itinerary
- Date:January 3 – January 9, 2026
- Florence
Day 1: Arrival & Orientation
Afternoon: Arrival at Florence Airport, transfer to accommodations
Evening: Welcome dinner and program orientation
Accommodation: Hotel in historic center
Day 2: Florence Foundations
Morning:
- Orientation at Centro Italiano (Health & Safety protocols)
- Lecture: "Florence Through the Centuries: From Renaissance to Sustainability"
- Guided walking tour focusing on urban sustainability features
Afternoon:
- Lunch at Mercato Sant'Ambrogio (exploring local food systems)
- Lecture: "Ancient Cities, Modern Challenges: Florence's Sustainability Transformation"
Evening:
- Free time for independent exploration
Day 3: Artisanship & Cultural Sustainability
Morning:
- Lecture: "Italian Food Culture and Sustainable Gastronomy"
- Market visit to Mercato Centrale
- Cooking class featuring local, seasonal ingredients
Afternoon:
- Lecture: "Crafting Identity: Artisans as Guardians of Cultural Heritage"
- Guided tour of artisan workshops: leatherworkers, silversmiths, paper makers, mosaic artisans
- Discussion: "Slow Hands in a Fast World: Artisanship vs. Mass Production"
Evening:Free time
Day 4: Rural Sustainability
Full Day: Chianti Region Excursion
- Sustainable winery visit with organic farming practices tour
- Wine tasting with focus on terroir and sustainable production
- Village of Greve exploration: rural sustainability initiatives
- Lunch featuring farm-to-table dining
Evening: Return to Florence, free time
Day 5: Cultural Heritage & Tourism
Morning:
- Guided visit to Uffizi Gallery
- Discussion: "Managing Cultural Heritage in the Age of Mass Tourism"
Afternoon:
- Walk to Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte
- Reflection session on tourism's impact on historic sites
Evening: Dinner at traditional Florentine restaurant with sustainable practices
Day 6: Social Enterprise Deep Dive
Morning:
- Lecture: "Social Enterprise Landscape in Italy and Europe"
- Visit to Flo Social Cooperative: Fashion as social impact
- Workshop: "Sustainable Fashion and Social Inclusion"
Afternoon:
- Lunch at Ragazzi di Sipario: Theater and catering for disability inclusion
- Presentation by social enterprise founders
- Reflection: "Business Models for Social Impact"
Evening: Free time
Day 7: Travel Day
Early Morning: Hotel checkout
Travel: Private coach to French Riviera via Ventimiglia and Cannes
Evening: Arrival in Aix-en-Provence, overnight stay
- Date: January 9 – January 17, 2026
- Barcelona
Day 8: Arrival & Orientation
Morning: Aix-en-Provence walking tour focusing on sustainable urban planning
Afternoon: Travel to Barcelona
Evening: Arrival, hotel check-in, welcome dinner
Day 9: Barcelona's Sustainable Vision
Morning:
- Lecture: "Barcelona's Superblocks: Reimagining Urban Mobility"
- Walking tour of sustainable urban initiatives in Eixample district
- Visit to bike-sharing and public transportation hubs
Afternoon:
- Partner Visit: Barcelona City Council's Sustainability Office
- Presentation: "Barcelona's Climate Plan and Green Urban Agenda"
- Workshop: Comparing Florence and Barcelona's sustainability approaches
Evening: Dinner in sustainable restaurant
Day 10: Circular Economy & Innovation
Morning:
- Site Visit: Fab City Barcelona - circular economy initiatives
- Workshop: "From Linear to Circular: Redesigning Urban Systems"
Afternoon:
- Visit: La Borda Cooperative Housing Project
- Presentation: "Cooperative Living and Community-Led Development"
- Discussion with residents about sustainable living practices
Evening: Free time
Day 11: Food Systems & Social Innovation
Morning:
- Visit: Can Masdeu Occupied Social Center & Ecological Garden
- Workshop: "Urban Agriculture and Food Sovereignty"
- Hands-on gardening and composting activities
Afternoon:
- Partner Visit: Espigoladors Foundation (food waste reduction)
- Presentation: "Fighting Food Waste Through Social Innovation"
- Volunteer activity: food rescue and redistribution
Evening: Dinner featuring rescued food products
Day 12: Tourism & Community Impact
Morning:
- Lecture: "Tourism's Double Edge: Barcelona's Experience"
- Visit: Neighborhood association in Barceloneta or Gràcia
- Discussion: "Community Responses to Tourism Pressure"
Afternoon:
- Project Time: Team development of sustainable tourism recommendations
- Site visits for project research (various locations)
Evening: Free time for project preparation
Day 13: Energy Transition & Future Cities
Morning:
- Site Visit: Solar energy cooperative or renewable energy project
- Workshop: "Community Energy and Democratic Ownership"
Afternoon:
- Visit: 22@ Innovation District
- Presentation: "Smart Cities and Sustainable Innovation"
- Final Project Presentations: Student teams present sustainability recommendations
Evening: Celebration dinner with local partners
Day 14: Reflection & Synthesis
Morning:
- Final reflection session: "Lessons from Two Cities"
- Peer evaluation and program feedback
Afternoon: Free time for final exploration and shopping
Evening: Farewell dinner and program closure
Day 15: Departure
Morning: Hotel checkout
Transfer: Barcelona Airport for departures
Inclusions
14 nights accommodation (multi-bed rooms)
All ground transportation including Florence-Barcelona transfer
9 group meals (welcome/farewell dinners, special restaurant experiences)
All site visits, entrance fees, and workshop materials
Experienced program director and local guides
24/7 emergency support
Exclusions
- International airfare to Florence/from Barcelona
- Most meals (approximately $40-50 per day)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Travel insurance (required)
- Single room supplement (US $1860)
FAQs About the Program
Rather than surface-level sightseeing, students engage directly with local communities, social enterprises, and sustainability initiatives. You’ll participate in hands-on workshops and collaborate with local organizations.
No prerequisites are required. This program is designed to be accessible to students from various academic backgrounds and disciplines.
This program awards 3 semester hours of academic credit.
Students stay in hotels in historic city centers with multi-bed rooms rooms. Single room supplements are available for an additional $1,400.
Assessment is based on participation and engagement (25%), daily reflection journal (25%), cultural immersion assignment (25%), and final team project presentation (25%).
Students complete required readings, attend a 2-hour online orientation, complete a sustainability baseline assessment, and participate in a basic language phrases workshop.
Yes, many students choose to extend their stay for personal travel. Our team can provide guidance on travel logistics, but extensions are at your own expense and arrangement.
Transportation is included via private coach through the scenic French Riviera route, passing through Ventimiglia and Cannes, with an overnight stop in Aix-en-Provence. During the stop, you’ll experience a walking tour focused on sustainable urban planning before continuing to Barcelona.
The program includes 9 group meals featuring welcome and farewell dinners, plus special restaurant experiences that align with the program’s sustainability focus. Other meals allow you to explore local food culture independently.
No foreign language skills are required. All lectures, workshops, and presentations are conducted in English, though basic Italian and Spanish phrases are helpful for daily interactions.
Pack layers for cool winter weather with temperatures typically ranging from 35-50°F (2-10°C). Bring comfortable waterproof walking shoes, a warm waterproof jacket, sweaters or fleece layers, and a winter coat for outdoor activities. January can be rainy and occasionally chilly, so warm, waterproof clothing and layering are essential.
Students must purchase their own travel insurance. We can recommend providers that offer comprehensive coverage for study abroad programs.
Personal expenses include some meals, local transportation for independent exploration, shopping, optional activities, and any travel extensions.
Yes, the itinerary includes free time for independent exploration, personal reflection, and experiencing local culture on your own terms.
We provide comprehensive safety briefings, 24/7 emergency support, and ensure accommodations and activities adhere to high safety standards. The program group will be accompanied by the Authentica team member(s), who will be available 24×7 during the program. In case of an emergency, measures will be taken in real-time.