CREA has been successfully running fieldtrips for students from European International schools for over ten years. Our activities are specially designed to suit all classes. Programs have a special focus on subjects as varied as medieval studies (heraldry, wax seals, drama, art history, map reading and studying the Etruscans and Romans). Our itineraries always include a choice of the following visits to Arezzo, Assisi, Florence, Orvieto and Siena; Lake ferryboat ride with an island treasure hunt; pizza evening, disco night at a privately hired discotheque; demonstrations of specialized activities with student participation in medieval flagthrowing, crossbow shooting and drama games with a professional animator.

Workshops

HERALDRY
Students learn the international laws of colours (tinctures) that once distinguished friend from foe in the age of the Crusades. They paint their own heraldic emblems (charges) on shields and banners.

MEDIEVAL WAX SEALS
Students learn that seals, the imprinting of an individual symbol on a document, goes back over 5,000 years to the beginnings of western civilization in Mesopotamia. Using a cylindrical seal, clay and red wax, the teacher demonstrates how the Sumerians authenticated their tax and trade accounts and how the use of seals has lasted continuously in many forms to the present day.

SKETCHBOOKS
Students have the possibility to create their personal diary finely covered with florentine paper on which they will write their thoughts and impression about this interesting experience.

DRAMA
“Let’s make our own fun!” This is the essence of drama evenings. Starting with games involving the whole group to relax everyone and stir the imagination, we proceed with role play games adaptable to all ages. In structured improvisations, students amaze and delight themselves and each other with their characterisations and spontaneous reactions to situations.

Accommodations

CREA remains at schools' disposal for suggestions about the best accommodation located in the historical centre of Cortona. These hotels have many rooms available, bathrooms, kitchen, dining room and a studio space where the kids can spend their free time. Tuscan meals are prepared and served by professional Italian cooks.

Other Activities

Medieval banquet; Museum game; Alleycats; Joust; Coats of arms game; Mosaic activity; Disco; Getting to know Cortona; Flagthrowing and crossbow demostrations.

Excursions

CREA itineraries always include day trips to any of the wealth of local towns or cities within striking distance whether by rail or coach. The places we use to visit are:

SIENA (55 KM). Siena is a favourite with its colourful history and unique horse race, the 'Palio';

FIRENZE (120 KM). For art lovers is a couple of hours away. Its centre is full of old buildings and master pieces of any age. There are many important museums to visit such as “Uffizi”, “Palazzo Pitti” and “Galleria dell’Accademia”.

AREZZO (30 KM). For the archaeologists, artists and musicians is just up the road; it is famous for its medieval centre. It has got a lot of art museums; recently the restoration of Piero della Francesca ‘s frescoes has captured the interest of art lovers.

ORVIETO (94 KM). A beautiful umbrian town famous for its etruscan tombs and ancient wells. The monumental cathedral hosts important frescoes painted by Luca Signorelli, born in Cortona.

ASSISI (69 KM). Famous all around the world for its spiritual atmosphere. Saint Francis was born in this town and here he spent most of his life helping the poor people. The huge cathedral, painted by Giotto and Cimabue, is dedicated to this extraordinary person.

ISOLA MAGGIORE (15 KM). It’s one of the three islands of Trasimeno Lake; it’s an uncontaminated place. Few islanders still live there and its attraction is the Guglielmi Castle dating back to the fourteenth century.

MONTEPULCIANO (30 KM). A small medieval town not far from Montalcino, well known for its wines. Every year a medieval evocation, called “Bravio delle Botti”, is held in August.

CREA reserves the possibility to organize different itineraries on the basis of cultural and touristy demand.