SUMMER CREDIT PROGRAM IN ITALY – July 2026 

Niagara Catholic District School Board with the assistance of the Hamilton Dante Centre - Program Details  

This summer credit program in Italy has earned a great reputation since its inception in July 1995. In that year the predecessor Board of the Niagara Catholic District School Board and its staff requested the collaboration of the Hamilton Dante Centre (a not-for-profit organization whose mandate was to promote Italian language and culture) to facilitate the organization of the “Study/Travel High School programme” briefly described in the following comments.  

Over the years, the objective has been to organize and offer a unique study and travel opportunity in a superior, competitive and more affordable programme when compared to other for-profit travel / study companies. 

In previous years, the enrolment numbers have reached as many as 85 students. In recent years, we have limited the enrollment number to approximately 60 participants (14 – 18 years of age). Students from across the province of Ontario, who are enrolled in any High school are entitled to apply and be considered for participation. 

The Niagara CDSB (NCDSB) hires Ontario qualified staff to supervise and teach (the credit courses offered in the Study/Travel programme) through a contractually approved process. 

NOTE: Applications for Summer Travel/Credit Courses in Italy 2026 are now open! 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY USING GOOGLE APPLICATION FORM 

*Earn 1 or 2 Credits* – Your choice 

Students may earn up to two (2) High School credits only if they combine “Photography/Digital Media” with another primary credit course. NOTE: When selecting your primary course, students must also select an alternate. All students must select a first and second choice. The choices include the course offering listed below.  Students are encouraged to earn a second credit by taking the “Photography/Digital Media” course in conjunction with any other credit course chosen. NOTE: All courses offered are subject to viable enrolment numbers in that course. 

NOTE: All courses are part of the secondary school curriculum of the Province of Ontario and valid for graduation, scholarships etc. 

Courses offered depending on enrolment. 

ENGLISH: 

• ENG 3U1 – Gr. 11, University Preparation 

• ENG 3C1 – Gr. 11, College Preparation 

• ENG 4U1 – Gr. 12, University Preparation 

• ENG 4C1 – Gr. 12, College Preparation 

ITALIAN: 

• LWI BD1 – Level 1, Beginner’s Italian 

• LWI CU1 – Level 2, Intermediate Italian 

• LWI DU1 – Level 3, Advanced Italian 

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS (new offering) 

• BBB4M1 – open and no prerequisite required 

CLASSICAL CIVILIZATION: 

• LVV 4U1 – Classical Civilization, University Preparation 

PHOTOGRAPHY/Digital Media (as a second credit only): 

• TGP 3M1 – Gr. 11 Communications Technology, Photography, University/College Preparation 

• TGP 4M1 – Gr. 12 Communications Technology, Photography, University/College Preparation 

Please be aware that eventually students must provide proof of pre-requisites for the following course selections… 

• ENG 3U / ENG 3C / ENG 4U / ENG 4C 

• LWI CU / LWI DU 

• LVV 4U 

• TGP 4M 

Please note that information meetings will be held for those students and parents wishing more information and registering for the Summer Credit Programs in Italy. Dates and Time will be announced via e-mail. 

TRAVEL DATES  2026 

DEPARTURE: Air Transat 308 Toronto to Rome Friday, July 3, 2026 

RETURN: Air Transat 139 Venice to Toronto Saturday July 25, 2026 

GENERAL PROGRAM DETAILS
Fee Includes: 

• Non-stop round-trip airfare Toronto to Rome – Venice to Toronto 

• Canadian and Italian airport taxes, departure taxes, hotel taxes 

• Air-conditioned luxury motor coaches throughout trip 

• Accommodation in 4 *** and 3*** hotels 

• All daily breakfasts, all dinners & most lunches  

• All excursions on itinerary (i.e. Rome, Pompeii, Chieti, Sulmona, Florence, Assisi, Pisa, Venice, Verona, etc.) 

• All tours and entrance fees to museums, art galleries and monuments 

• Culinary demonstrations in Sulmona 

• Use of Italian High school classrooms as well as other sites 

• Instruction by Ontario certified teachers as the credit program is offered by a local Ontario District School Boards 

• Use of textbooks 

Fee does not include: 

• Transportation to / from Toronto Pearson Airport 

• Light lunches to save time when travelling (approx. 7) 

• Cell phone usage (cost for phone plans) 

• Non-instructional items for Photography students 

• School supplies 

• Purchase of items of a personal nature 

• Cancellation and Health Insurance is not included but offered at additional cost. We encourage all to exercise this option. 

APPLICATION PROCESS / FEE: 

1. Complete the online Google Form and click “SUBMIT” at the end of the form (PLEASE USE NAMES AS THEY APPEAR ON PASSPORT): 

GOOGLE APPLICATION FORM 

There is no fee for the online application. You will receive an email soon afterwards to confirm receipt of the application. Please note that the online application will reserve a space in the Summer Credit Program, but the registration is not complete, and participation will not be confirmed until the first payment has been received. 

1. Payments will be accepted only via e-transfer. This can be done through your banking institution by e-mailing the payment to travel@ventrescatravel.ca. 

Please write name of student and “NCDSB Credit Program Italy 2026” in the message box. 

Note: The funds will be automatically deposited into the travel agency TRUST Account as per TICO regulations. Once the funds have been deposited, the Bank will send an acknowledgement to the payee. When all the payments have been made, Ventresca Travel will be pleased to give official receipts upon request. 

Should you require further information regarding the payments, please feel free to contact Frank Ventresca (owner) at 1-800-866-7695 or at frank@ventrescatravel.ca. 

Ensure all installment payments are made prior to or on the due dates (see schedule below) via e-transfer as indicated above: travel@ventrescatravel.ca. 

Note: If you are taking Photography, e-transfer the additional fee ($200) on or before Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.  

PROGRAM FEE SCHEDULE:   

Total Cost: $7,950.00 per student (additional fee for $200.00 for Photography) 

Make the following payments by e-transfer before or on the deadline dates: 

• Friday, November 28, 2025 ($ 500.00) (NOTE: This amount not refundable after December 8,2025) 

• Friday, December 19, 2025 ($ 1500.00) (+ $200 if Photo chosen) 

• Friday, January 23, 2026 ($ 2,000.00) 

• Friday, February 13, 2026 ($ 2,000.00) 

• Friday, March 20, 2026 ($ 1,950.00) 

REMINDER- Second Credit Payment for Photography students: Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 ($200.00 via e-transfer) 

Other costs related to trip (NOT included with total cost): $75 cash gratuity fee collected in May 

Cancellation Fees: 

• Cancellation by or before 11:59 p.m. on January 24, 2026: full refund of all money paid except the initial $500. Cancellations will be accepted only via e-mail from the parent(s) / legal guardian(s) to angelo.diianni@gmail.com and frank@ventrescatravel.ca. The cancellation will take effect on the date that the written notice of cancellation is received. 

• Cancellation on January 25, 2026, and thereafter:  100% non-refundable. (Travel cancellation insurance rules will become operational) 

PRE-DEPARTURE MEETINGS 

Students are expected to participate in the following pre-departure classes to be held at Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School in Grimsby, Ontario and submit assignments prior to the departure date. 

• Saturday, May 30, 2026 (9:00 am to 12:00 pm – all classes  

• Saturday, May 30, 2026 (12:00 pm to 2:00 pm – only Photography students) 

• Saturday, June 6, 2026 (9:00 am to 12:00 pm – all classes 

• Saturday, June 13, 2026 (9:00 am to 1:00 pm – only Photography students) 

Family Meetings: 

Parent(s) / Legal Guardian(s) should make every effort to attend the general family meeting (the last prior to departure). This meeting will begin at 12:00 noon (after the student classes) on Saturday, June 6, 2026. 

Hotel Rooms: The organizers will have the exact hotel room configurations early in the month of May. Students will be facilitated in billeting with choice partners. Rooms are usually in double, triple or quads accommodations. Staff has developed an online room selectionwhich will be explained at parental information meetings and at the May class time. 

PLEASE NOTE: 

We expect to confirm participation in the program on a timely basis with consideration of the priority list by application completion date. 

The Summer Credit Program in Italy is subject to all Niagara Catholic District School Board policies and code of conduct. 

All travel arrangements are made through Ventresca Travel Agency TICO #1375988. 

VIRTUAL INFORMATION MEETING (TBA): 

A virtual information meeting for parents and students interested in the program will be scheduled in late October or early November. Pre-registration will be required by the Niagara Catholic District School Board (host board) to participate in the information session. Please monitor the Hamilton Dante Centre website for details including the registration form. Once you register, you will receive an email with the access code for the Zoom meeting. 

To communicate, we will use the e mail addresses you provide to communicate with students and parents/guardians once the online application has been submitted.