UNF offering tour of central Italy’s food and culture open to the public
The University of North Florida’s Division of Continuing Education and the Brooks College of Health will offer “In the Footsteps of St. Francis,” a six-week educational and experiential tourism trip open to the public and adults of any age that will embark this October.
Participants will journey to the Italian regions of Umbria and Tuscany for the lived experience of engaging in true Italian food and culture as no traditional “tour” can offer. Each section of the class will focus on understanding the uniquely Italian way of life and the human health benefits of living in harmony with nature and each other through shared experiences of food and culture including language, art, music, media and spiritual/religious practices, ancient and new.
Travelers will learn about Italian culture and St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, through meaningful site visits, immersive cooking classes and authentic language lessons. This is a journey for those that feel passionately about food, wine, spirit and learning with like-minded individuals.
Program leader Dr. Carlene Taylor is a clinical assistant professor in UNF’s Department of Public Health. Her specialty practice and research interests include the integration of spirituality, creativity, animals and nature in healthcare and education. She was ordained as an Episcopal deacon in the Diocese of Georgia and served there until moving to Florida to accept a position at UNF. Dr. Taylor is deeply knowledgeable in the theology and philosophy of St. Francis and its connection to Italian culture.
Dr. Taylor first traveled to the region last year on a 19-day tour with the UNF nutrition and dietetics study abroad program. Her personal transformative experience of this immersion in Italian food and culture prompted her to find a way to make it available to students beyond their college years. Following her trip, she was inspired to create a meaningful experience for adult, lifelong learners interested in a journey beyond the traditional tourist experience; an experience that will strengthen the mind, body, spirit and soul.
“The opportunity to see, touch and feel the history of a place, experience the simplicity of living in harmony with all creation and to be welcomed by the farmers, winemakers and olive oil producers while being fed and cared for by the proprietor of a 500-year-old villa in the Italian countryside is an experience beyond what words can describe,” explained Taylor.
An online information session will be held on Thursday, June 29. Registration and a deposit of $500 for the class and trip will be due on Friday, June 30. For more information and to register for the trip of a lifetime, visit the UNF Continuing Education website.