Discover Educational Trips to Rome for History Lovers

You could spend hours in a classroom talking about empire, republic and religion. But in Rome, students walk through a city where those ideas are still all around them.

For them, Rome hits differently. Sure, the Colosseum is huge, but what they talk about later might be a bit of graffiti in a market, the cold air in a temple below ground, or just walking streets that feel old and full of stories.

An educational trip to Rome lets students experience the past in a way that’s immediate and real, showing how it continues to shape the world they live in.

Seeing Ancient Rome Where It Happened 

Rome’s power wasn’t just about laws. It was about show. The Colosseum, packed with 50,000 people, turned into a stage for everything from gladiator fights to wild animal hunts.

For students, it’s clear that Rome didn’t only rule with laws. Crowds and spectacle played their part. Power had to be seen.

Just behind the Colosseum is Palatine Hill, a quieter spot where Rome's first emperor lived. Legend says this is where Romulus founded the city after killing his brother.

A short walk from the Colosseum, the Roman Forum might look like little more than ruins at first. But as you explore, it becomes clear this was once the centre of Roman public life, with temples, courts and meeting places built for ceremony and power.

A school trip to Rome gives students the chance to take that in. Once they start noticing the details, the learning quickly deepens.

How Rome Supports More Than Just History 

Rome isn’t all ruins and history. It’s also a place where different subjects come to life. In the Borghese Gallery, students slow down in front of a painting and start to read the story it tells. Bernini and Caravaggio open up questions of belief, feeling and power.

In workshops inspired by Caravaggio, students can experiment with light and shadow and see how it changes the mood of what they create.

An art trip to Rome might include sketching in the city, visits to galleries and space for creative projects. But it isn’t only about art. The same journey can open up religion, ethics and classical studies, with Rome’s archaeological sites bringing these subjects to life.

The learning doesn’t end in Rome. Many school trips to Italy head north into the Aosta Valley, where ancient ruins tell their own stories. For teachers and staff, the mountains also offer something different, with ski retreats that blend team-building, training and time outdoors.

Why the Quiet Stops Often Matter Most  

Students don’t always come home talking about the Colosseum or the Forum. A lot of the time it’s smaller things. A corner, a pause in the day.

In Trastevere the noise drops. One might look up at washing lines, another notices the smell of coffee, maybe someone just sees rain on the cobbles.

The Catacombs are quiet in another way. Cold air, rough stone. You can almost picture people meeting here in secret.

Then there’s Villa Borghese. As they follow its shaded paths, students might stop by a hidden sculpture, sketch under the trees, or simply pause to catch their breath before heading back into the city.

Making Rome Work for Your Trip Plans 

No two school trips to Rome are the same. Some focus closely on ancient history, while others include religion, politics, or art. Rome offers plenty of flexibility to shape a trip that suits your group's needs, from a quick three-day visit to a full week.

Here's how Interschool Travel helps make that happen:

• Itineraries tailored to your subject focus and students' learning stage

• Guidance on timing, pacing, budgeting, and what to prioritise

• Round-the-clock support while you're on the ground

It's about making sure your trip works smoothly—for your students and for you.

Extending Learning Beyond the Trip  

The trip itself is short, but what students take from it lasts. Teachers often warm them up with debates or research beforehand. Afterwards it could be posters, a presentation, or just group work to make sense of what they saw.

If you're thinking about a themed approach or cross-subject link, these trip ideas for schools can help shape that learning arc.

Why Rome Leaves a Mark  

It's one thing to teach history. It's another to feel it take shape in front of you.

That's what makes a trip like this different. The ideas don't stay in the classroom. They connect to place, memory, and experience.

View more information on trips by destination or by subject to start planning your next school trip.