IST24: That’s a wrap on our Study Tour!

On day five, the journey to Bath began with a tour of Audley’s diffusion brand, Mayfield Watford followed by a regal lunch at the famous Highclere Castle, known for its role in Downton Abbey. The afternoon took the group through Siddington Park before arriving in Bath at the renowned Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa.

Day six saw the group hitting the road again, heading toward Bristol with a focus on visiting not-for-profit organisations making a significant impact in the region. The itinerary included visits to two St Monica Trust communities incorporating a working lunch, followed by a stop at the ExtraCare Charitable Trust’s Stoke Gifford. The evening featured an optional dinner at a trendy spot in Bristol’s wharf area, where attendees dined in a converted shipping container.

The next leg of the tour took us south to Venice, where we spent the afternoon and evening exploring this historic city built on over 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. With no roads, only canals, participants enjoyed a free day wandering along the iconic Grand Canal, flanked by Renaissance and Gothic palaces.

Another stunning day unfolded in Florence, offering a chance to explore Italy’s best. Arriving before lunch, the group dropped their bags and set out to discover Tuscany’s capital, home to numerous masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture.

The tour continued to Siena, where a highlight was our visit to the Guild Living workshop. Guild Living represents a new way of life, with everything from restaurant menus to social and wellness activities tailored for longevity and personalised to the individual needs of each resident.

We can happily say that IST24 has been a resounding success. All those on the tour came away more informed, more inspired and more knowledgeable about the workings of some of the UK’s and Italy’s finest senior living communities! Gaining such invaluable insights allows every one of our delegates to bring world-class innovative thinking into their respective areas of expertise within the seniors’ living industry. In turn, this helps all of us to deliver better lived experiences and outcomes for Australian seniors. To join us on our next International Study Tour, register here