Every year, tens of thousands of international students flock to Italian shores as part of their study abroad experience. During their term in Italy, students take in the art, architecture, food — and, of course, wine. The Bel paese is unsurprisingly the most popular destination for study abroad excursions.

This tradition, however, is nothing new. The practice of educational excursions is rooted in a long history dating back to the 17th century, and many aspects of the tour haven’t changed over 300 years. One could consider these new waves of students the ‘Modern Italian Grand Tour’.