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Assassin’s Creed, Armani Silos, and Pinocchio – it must be the MSc Management study tour of Italy

The Arctic freeze that recently swept across Europe didn’t prevent 172 MSc Management students from travelling on their annual study tour in February. The study tour is a non-credited option in term two that provides students with an alternative experience to traditional classroom-based education.

Students had a choice of either visiting Florence to learn more about the wine industry, culture and art or to Milan where design, branding and the luxury goods sectors were the main focus.

Tours were led by four Italian Cass faculty. Professor Davide Ravasi and Dr Alessandro Giudici guided students in Milan and Dr Simone Santoni and Dr Paolo Aversa in Florence. Each of the faculty was able to share stories and their local knowledge via passionate storytelling which brought to life the country they call home.

The Florence study tour started with a day trip to the enchanting Tuscan hilltop town of San Gimignano which was the location of Assassin’s Creed, the massively popular mixed-media franchise. Students then roamed the picturesque streets and squares, browsed the local shops and ate award-winning gelato while walking among the town’s famous medieval towers. After lunch the group visited the Fatoria Poggio Alloro vineyard, where they were able to taste world renowned wines such as Chianti Classico.

The second day was spent in Florence, a city noted for its culture, Renaissance art and architecture. Students visited the Galleria dell’Accademia Museum which displays Michelangelo’s “David” as well as The Uffizi Gallery which displays Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation”.

Students who chose the Milan study tour visited the Kartel and Alpha Romeo museums as well as Galleria Campari and Armani/Silos, a new edition this year.  Armani/Silos is a fashion art museum which showcases Giorgio Armani’s career in fashion. Armani is the most successful Italian designer ever and is fondly thought of as the patron saint of fashion having designed a gospel book cover for the Pope, as well as uniforms for Milanese taxi drivers and the police force. Students later visited Terrazza Triennale, a rooftop restaurant with a magnificent view to listen to a guest speaker talking about design.

“We hope that our study tours are a refreshing and fun experience” says Course Director Dr Joanna Zaleska. “An option to take part in a study tour enhances social skills as students spend time with peers outside of the classroom to explore new things together. The Cass master’s study trips are about experiencing the real world and provide a learning experience that is creative, lively and encourages new friendships.”