Creative Writing & Italian Culture

Along the sparkling coastline south of Rome, you arrive in the seaside town of Sperlonga, where the ruins of Villa di Tiberio overlook the Mediterranean Sea. Surrounded by ancient sculptures, dramatic landscapes, and centuries of history, you'll explore how places shape the stories we tell. As you discover the site, your instructor will introduce the ways writers and artists draw inspiration from the environments around them, transforming real locations into vivid narrative settings.

Working individually and with your peers, you'll observe the landscape, reflect on the atmosphere of the site, and experiment with creative writing exercises designed to strengthen your storytelling skills. From the coastline and sea views to the archaeological remains, you'll consider how setting, mood, and sensory details can bring a story to life. Through discussion, brainstorming, and guided writing activities, you'll develop ideas for your own creative work while learning techniques that writers use to build immersive worlds.

This experience offers a fresh perspective on creativity and inspiration. Writing in a place where history, culture, and nature intersect encourages you to see stories in new ways and helps you transform observation into compelling narrative. Sharing ideas with fellow Global Navigators in this unique setting will strengthen your confidence as a writer and deepen your connection to Rome and its rich storytelling traditions.

Aprons on and ingredients ready, you step into a professional Roman kitchen to learn the secrets of two beloved staples of Italian cuisine: fresh pasta and tiramisù. Guided by an expert chef, you'll mix, knead, shape, and prepare each dish from scratch, discovering the techniques and traditions behind recipes that have been passed down through generations. As you cook alongside your fellow Global Navigators, the aromas of fresh ingredients and lively conversation create a memorable shared experience.

Gathered around the table, you'll enjoy the dishes you've created together and reflect on the role food plays in culture, memory, and storytelling. Just as writers use details to bring a scene to life, food can evoke places, emotions, and personal experiences through taste, smell, and texture. Through guided discussion and reflection, you'll explore how sensory details can enrich creative writing and help readers connect more deeply with a story.

Leaving the kitchen, you'll take with you more than new culinary skills. This hands-on experience offers insight into everyday Italian culture and provides inspiration for your own creative work, showing how the sights, sounds, and flavors of Rome can become powerful tools for storytelling.