This travel guide provides information for visiting Italy during the Renaissance period. It outlines major cities to visit like Florence, Venice, and Rome. It describes various modes of transportation available by water, land, and animal. It also covers local customs, what different social classes wore, common forms of street entertainment, and festivals. The guide is intended to help travelers learn about and navigate life in Renaissance-era Italy.

1. Italy
Travel Guide
Published 1506
1
by Janey Zhao

2. Table of
Contents
Introduction --------------------------------------1
Map of Italy ---------------------------------------2
Cities to visit:
Florence -------------------------------------------3
Venice ---------------------------------------------4
Rome ----------------------------------------------5
How to get around:
Water ---------------------------------------------6
Land-----------------------------------------------7
Local customs and manners----------------------8
What to wear:
The Peasants--------------------------------------9
The Rich------------------------------------------10
Entertainment:
In the streets-------------------------------------11
Festivals & fairs--------------------------------- 12

3. Table of
Contents
Where to stay:
Local & Inns--------------------------------------13
Merchants----------------------------------------14
aristocrats, monasteries--------------------------15
What to eat--------------------------------------16
How to stay safe and healthy------------------17
Famous people:
Leonardo Da Vinci---------------------------------18
Michelangelo Buonarroti--------------------------19
Donatello-----------------------------------------20

4. Introduction
Hello! If you are reading this, you probably are plan-
ning to go to the Italy. Right now, Italy and most of
Europe is going through a change. There is a rebirth of
new ideas and discoveries and different ways of thinking
going on throughout Europe starting in Italy. A lot of
things were discovered, changed and invented.
Before, in around the 14th, 15th century, the Christian
Church ruled almost every aspect of life. People needed
to follow the Bible for everything. The universities only
taught old information that was written in the Bible
thousands of years before them, not trying to learn new
information or ideas. Therefore, most of the people in
university were priests. If someone was sick, they
wouldn't treat the person rather, just read the Bible and
do what it says on there. If people disagree with this sys-
tem, they would be put in jail or death.
During the this period, the people realize this is not
the proper way of living and got fed up of living by The
Bible which in many cases weren’t right. They slowly
changed their way of thinking and started to live life
more realistic and sensibly.
In this guide, you will learn everything you need about
the Renaissance. :)
1

5. Map of Italy
2

6. Cities to Visit:
Florence
Florence is where all this movement
started from and still is where the move-
ment is the strongest. It’s home to many fa-
mous writers, artists and philosophers. It is
a self-governed, independent city-state. The
city has no sea trade since its surround by
land but is still a very wealthy and thriving
due to the successful guilds and banks.
Members of the guilds and founders of the
banks also held positions in government and
contributed a lot into building new struc-
tures and refurbishing old ones around the
city.
The most powerful guild was the textile
workers. Florence was dependant on the
manufacture or trade of cloths chiefly
wool, which was bought from English, and
Iberia untreated then processed into a cloth
Painting of Cosimo De Me-
of excellent superior quality.
The banks in Florence were also very strong and are well known
throughout Europe in places like London, Geneva and Bruges. The gold coin
of Florence called the florin was so in favor that it became the standard
currency in Europe.
The most powerful family who lived there was the Medici family which
ruled the city since the 1370’s and is the most richest and famous in all of
Italy right now. The ruling person right now is Cosimo de Medici which
people nickname him “Cosimo the Elder”. He’s very generous in supporting
scholars and artists and also working in politics, creating peace in North-
ern Italy between cities such as Florence, Naples and Venice during the war
of Lombardy. He founded the famous Medici Library and organized the
Plato Academy, where scholars would come together to discuss ideas about
the Greek classics. He also commissioned artists like Fra Angelico, Fra An-
gelico and Donatello to create the famous pieces like David and Judith
Slaying Holofernes and the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore by the architect
Brunelleschi.
3

7. Cities to Visit:
Venice
Venice this beautiful city is the third
largest city in the world right now. It is
the first Italian city to widely use the
moveable type printing press and is be-
coming the centre of the European book
trade. It is surely about the most beauti-
ful city in Italy and the most unique one
too. Its streets are filled with water ca-
nals and the main transportation is
flat-bottomed boats called gondolas.
Venice was founded in the sixth cen-
tury, when it was just a group of
marshy fishing village islands in a shal-
low lagoon. It was just a refuge from
the invading German tribes until in the Doge Loredano, Cur-
eight century the people gathered and rent doge of Venice
elected a leader called the Doge.
Then from then they started to build
a city on top of the little colony of
islands.
Now the water submerged city is
the Europe’s centre of trade and one
of the three most powerful city-
states in Italy (others are Rome and
Florence). Still growing, this elegant
city already has rich trades from
the Turkish East to the West like
silk, grain and spices.
Typical day in Venice
4

8. Cities to Visit:
Rome
Rome wasn’t the glorious capital we know right now. Around
1350 Rome was abandoned because of the transfer of the papal
court to France and the captivity of the Pope. Since the Pope was not
in the city it caused a sever economic crisis that forced most of the
residents to abandon the city. Rome was reduced to poverty with
filthy, crumbling ruined buildings and cattle and farm animals
running wildly. Nobody would want to stay there or go there see-
ing that beggars and muggers roamed the streets.
Things started to brighten up when the Pope in 1377 was re-
leased from French captivity. Pope Sixtus IV strived to renovate and
rejuvenate life back into Rome again. Since the Pope was and is the
most powerful figure and controlled most aspects of life, many
rich families try to out do each other in restoring the church in a
race to become the next in line. Hiring a lot of famous talented ar-
chitects and artists to work on the church and surroundings, Rome
was quickly back in power in just around 100 years.
Rome before restoration Bridge Ponte Sisto, one of
structures built to replace the
5

9. How to get around:
Water
Depending on how rich you are and where you live, you can get
here in different ways.
By Boat/ships/Gondolas
Water transportation is a must if you live in other continents
or there are large objects in the way (water, mountains, etc.) in-
between where you live and Italy. The speed of transportation
varies throughout places. The main transportation in Venice is
also by gondolas (a type of flat bottom boat). Depending on what
quality and type of boat the cost varies depending on the quality
of the boat but it is usually cheap since the power of wind is free.
For rich people, you can probably afford a private ship and for
poor and normal people you can buy tickets to ferries or boat,
but they are very crowded and dirty. The risk of using water
transportation is high because you might get seasick on the ship
or diseases if you travel with a lot of other people. The weather
might also be a problem if you are caught in a storm.
Ship sailing on the high Gondolas in Venice
5

10. How to get around:
Land
By foot
Walking is the cheapest way of travelling since it’s free. It’s also
very versatile if you’re just going to a nearby city because you can
take shortcuts. But if you live a long way from Italy you’re better
off using the other transportations. Anyone can walk, though rich
people might prefer using a carriage. You should always travel in
groups and have some defense on you because on long roads there
are high possibilities of thieves and killers just waiting for
passersby. You need to plan your journey carefully because there
might not be inns, hospital or stores along the way.
By animal (Oxen, donkeys, horses, etc)
Riding or being pulled by an animal is I think the best way of
transportation on land. The price depends on what animal you use.
Horses are expensive and mostly for rich people. Oxen and donkeys
are cheaper, maybe free if you live on a farm and already own one.
They are however, not as fast as horses and more dangerous if they
turn on you. But they can pull more things per animal than horses,
which mostly used in single short transportations. Like walking,
traveling on the road you should be in groups and have good de-
fense.
By Carriages/ Carried
Carriages are very expensive because of the usage of horses and
needing a driver so it’s mostly for rich people and royal blood. For
the wealthiest, you can be carried in a small cabin by people. There
are very comfortable inside but if you’re not use to small places you
might get cramps or sick just sitting in one place. If you are really
traveling like this, you are likely to afford guards, doctors and food
supply to travel with you so you already have a lot of protection.
6

11. Local Customs/
Manners
Greetings in Italy are very unique and quick yet formal. If you do
not really know the person a simple handshake and a smile will do.
If it was a friend, you can add on air kissing or kissing on both
cheeks starting with the left and patting on the back if it is between
two men. They first impression is very important so it is important
to be respectful and humble.
There are some things not to give while giving
a gift. Do not give chrysanthemums or wrap gifts
in black as they are given at funerals and sym-
bolize mourning. Don’t wrap things in purple ei-
ther because purple represents bad luck. Don’t
give red or yellow flowers because they mean se-
crecy and jealousy. Quality, not quantity is im-
portant when giving any kind of presents, espe-
cially wine. The gifts are usually opened straight
away so do not give something private. If you are
invited to dinner or a meal, make sure to bring
Red wine gifts such as flowers, wine or chocolate.
When invited to eat first, remain standing
until the host invites you to sit down, maybe
to a certain seat. Allow the host to start eat-
ing first and then follow. The host may give
the first toast and other woman after can
offer toasts. While eating, it is important to
hold the fork in the left hand and the knife
in the right and do not put your elbows on
the table since it is considered rude. When
taking food, always jus take a small amount
because you can get seconds later. Always
pick up food with your cutlery except bread. Basket of bread
7

12. What to wear:
Peasants
Clothing is very important, as the rich
would spend most of their fortune on clothes,
literally “wearing their wealth”. You can tell
who is poor or rich just by looking at their
clothes. It helps establish a reputation and
status among the people.
Poorer people, peasants wore completely
different style of clothing. They were plain,
simple and dull looking. They were made out
of poor materials like flax and were uncom-
fortable but loose and not complicated.
The woman wore a chemise with long skirts
and a laced bodice in front. Dagger sleeves
were invented to keep the sleeves out of the
way while working but still can cover the arm
Peasant Man Clothing
or warmth.
The men wore simpler clothes, a long shirt tied
with a rope on the stomach if the shirt is too loose
and pants. If it was cold or windy they would use a
piece of cloth and tie it to their head. The shoes they
wore, if they can afford were made out of a wooden
sole and cheap bull hide.
They were mostly very dull colored like grey, dif-
ferent shades of brown and green.. They weren’t al-
lowed better cloth even if they have enough money
because the upper class banned good quality textiles
to peasants and only allowed them to wear one
color. The peasants rebelled against this by wearing
two or more colors, slashed the outer layer to show
Peasant the colour of the inner layer. This techinique called
Woman Cloth- “slashing” eventually became a popular trend.
8

13. What to wear:
The rich
Rich people wore very fancy embroi-
dered clothes made out of expensive fab-
rics such as velvet, satin, brocade or cot-
ton. Their fashion was very different from
the lower classes and was more compli-
cated. They were very colorful and deco-
rated with laces and jewels with a lot of
layers. These layers can be very hot and
tight but with choosing the right type of
fabric can be more comfortable and prac-
tical.
If you are a rich woman you’ll have to
wear a lot of layers of clothes. Starting
Rich Women Clothing from the inside of course you have to wear
your undergarments then a tight corset
around the waist. Then you have to wear a
bodice and with an over and under skirt.
This was sometimes also decorated with
frills and big laced collars that flare out.
Long, braided hair was also considered
beauty and they were adorned with dazzling
jewels.
If you are a rich man you had to wear
pants sometimes puffed on the upper leg,
tucked inside pointed leatherboots or shoes.
For the top you just have to wear an inside
shirt and a jacket or vest with padded
shoulders. You have to wear a hat, which is
sometimes decorated with big feathers that
slope to one slide and trimmed with jewels. Rich Man Clothing
9

14. Entertainment:
The streets In order to gain popularity rulers in It-
aly provided entertainment for the people.
It was similar to the old Roman strategy of
“ Games and Grain” giving the people food
and amusement so they won’t cause a riot.
Lorenzo de’ Medici and other leaders
wrote songs to be sung in the street by
hired musicians who’s income depends on
jobs like these. These songs helped make the
work lighter for the sellers on markets and
soothed their minds. Dancing were followed
Group of musicians by the music like just simple folk dances
playing, left to right: and in higher more sophisticated places, the
lute, trumpet, harp Volte and Pavanne.
Plays and storytelling were also very popular since they are
the only things to watch. Travelling storytellers and actors would
go from town to town and through their acts, teach the people
about past history and lessons about life. Families would sit down
to a good play or story as they often get to hear and learn about
lands and cultures farther away and makes a stronger bond be-
tween them.
Table board games were also popular between the upper and
lower classes. They played games like backgammon and chess and
just recently playing cards were introduced to Europe and are now
very trendy to play.
Commedia dell’arte, a new
form comedy of improvisa-
tional theatre
10

15. Entertainment:
Festivals & Fairs
Every once in a while, there are festivals and carnivals held for
holidays and celebration of high-class people coming to town. These
events were expensive but magnificent and lasted for days at a time.
The upper and upper middle class gets to enjoy great feasts and
games with entertainment while the poor peasants get those days
off to rest from working on farms.
Famous and professional musicians were hired to entertain the
people while they talk and eat. After, they would have unique per-
formances like fire-eaters, jesters, acrobats, jugglers, minstrels,
and dancers. Jousting were also a favorite to play and watch, also
was exclusively for the rich. They first start out as small armies
combat then turn into single man-to-man combat.
Two knights Juggler and mu-
Don’t worry if you don’t have the money or status to join those
festivals, there are local fairs every spring and autumn. In these
fairs you can get to sell your own products and buy some rare or
overseas goods that cannot be grown in your house like exotic spices
and decorations. They are also entertainers there but they aren’t as
grand as the rich would have. There is fun sport games held such as
archery, gameball, horseshoes or shinty. Every year there would
also be horse-racing which the whole town gather to see.
11

16. Where to stay
Traveling to cities can take a long time and you most likely have
to stay somewhere for a night or two before reaching your destina-
tion.
LOCALS
If there aren’t a lot of inns around so you might have to sleep in a
local’s house. These locals will charge little to no money for a stay
or maybe just in exchange for a few stories or news from other
places.
Their houses aren’t clean or tidy, in fact just in front there might
be a giant dung heap used to burn for heat and energy. The inside is
very big but only because they cram everything in there, a barn,
kitchen, storage and bedroom. The earth floor is filled with decom-
posing garbage and vomit and the air is damp, smelly and dirty. Pigs,
cows, ducks run around everywhere. You probably won’t even get
your own bed! At night, everyone, sometimes even the cattle jump in
and sleep on one bug-infested straw mattress. That is lucky, if you
meet very poor peasants they live in poorly built shacks that have
faulty roofs that let in rain and wind and don’t even have anything
to sleep on. You’re probably better off sleeping under a tree if
you’re in that situation.
INNS
Unluckily the inns weren’t that much better either. Only few inns
are clean and most were very dirty. Coming into the inn during night
isn’t a very good idea as mostly bad people roam the night and it makes
the innkeepers have a bad impression on you. The risk of robbery and
murders is actually the same in the inns as on the road. Some really
cruel innkeepers actually set up thieves to steal valuables! Since the
chances of good inns are very low, you should just stay in a local’s
house if you don’t mind some the dirtiness.
12

17. Where to stay 2
MERCHANTS
If you are lucky enough you can stay at a merchant’s house.
They sometimes have two or more floors, the bottom for their
shops and second for their kitchen and dining room, which occupy
the whole floor. Then the other upstairs are for bedrooms. The
house has tiled or carpeted floors decorated with fine vases, jugs,
and mirrors that show the family’s wealth. If you find a chest
(which is in most rooms) it will be finely adorned with carvings
and paintings with even more precious elaborate clothes, dishes
and clothes inside. The bedrooms are spacious with four-poster
beds that are so big, they have to be built inside because they can’t
fit in the doorway.
You can sleep in a bed like
this!
A typical merchant’s house
13

18. Where to stay 3
MONASTERY
In the event that if you have no money or very little you can
stay in a monastery for free. They will provide you with free
meals and housing and you can even meet other travelers there. At
the very least if you have some money you should make a donation
as gratitude.
ARISTOCRATS
You’ll be thrilled to stay at a rich person’s house. They live in
big luxurious town-houses called palazzi, with columns and
arches and a large courtyard in the middle. They have everything
in there, instruments, suit of armor and crossbows and other
weapons all for your entertainment and use. The extravagance
carpets are weaved with real gold thread and the walls are cov-
ered in precious gemstones and spices that give off a divine smell.
They of course have many large spacious rooms and you can enjoy
a delicious dinner in a fancy comfy chair by the fireplace.
Outside of Palazzo Medici
Riccardi of the Medici family
14

19. What to eat
The food in the Renaissance feasts is extremely delicious and
tasty. They were made to pleasure the taste buds and the eyes.
The peasants had a very constant regular diet of food like
baked bread, porridges and stews and vegetables. Meat wasn’t a
very daily food and only eaten during big feast and they only
slaughtered the animals in the fall. If the peasants lived near wa-
ter they can catch fish. They grow most of their food crop since
most of them are farmers and have vegetable patches and fruit
trees in or near their homes. They pick berries and nuts in nearby
forest and make their own butter and cheeses from milk. Even
though it is very plain and simple life, a normal peasant still had a
variety of foods to choose from.
The rich in contrast ate a lot of meat like pork, beef, mutton,
quail, birds and any fish they could catch. Wild boars were cooked
whole and birds would be stuffed with lots of different herbs and
spices. They didn’t eat a lot of vegetables, fruit or dairy products
because they believed it was considered “poor people’s food”. As
for drinks, they had a variety of grape wine, apple cider and beer
to their liking. They were very elaborate and topped off occasion-
ally with crushed pearls or gold flakes which didn’t really im-
prove the taste .
-
A big Renaissance feast, sure to
fill your stomach to the brim
15

20. How to stay
healthy & safe
ON THE ROAD
When traveling you should always bring some medicine and ban-
dages in case you get hurt or sick because it’s sometimes a long
way till the next town. At night thieves and murders come out, so
if you’re still on the road you should have some protection, some-
thing to defend yourself maybe a small knife and always travel in
group. The best is to find some shelter, best not in inns.
HYGENE
Being hygienic and clean will help you stay healthy by bathing
regularly, best daily and washing your hands before eating. Stay
away from dusty and cold wet places. You should always cough
and sneeze away from the face and hands because the bacteria in
that sneeze or cough can easily transmitted to other people.
DIET
Eating a well balanced diet is an essential. If you’re cooking
you should always wash the foods under clear water first and
fully cook the food. Make sure to eat vegetables, meats, grains and
dairy products to maintain a healthy diet which will give you a
good immune system.
THE PLAGUE
The Plague or sometimes called The Black Death was a deadly
pandemic that killed 30% to 60% of Europe. It was caused by bacte-
ria brought over from Asia by black rats on merchant’s ships. Any-
one who catches the disease will almost definitely die within 160
days. It has died down a little since 1350 but is returning in waves
with varying infections and mortality and should be watched out
for. Following the things above will help you decrease the chance
of catching the disease.
16

21. Famous People:
Leonardo DaVinci
Leonardo Da Vinci was everything, a polymath, scientist, mathe-
matician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, archi-
tect, botanist, musician and writer but most widely known for his
paintings. He was born the illegitimate son in a place called Vinci,
just outside of Florence on April 5th, 1452 to a notary father and a
peasant mother. His father treated Leonardo very kindly, giving him
the best education he can but still Leonardo was not very outstand-
ing as a child.
In 1466 when he was fourteen he was apprenticed to the most fa-
mous artist of that time, Andrea del Verrocchio. In Verrocchio’s
workshop learned artistic skills like drawing, painting, sculpting
and also skills like casting, mechanics metal and leather working. He
collaborated with Verrocchio a lot like painting the young angel in
The Baptism of Chris. He worked his way up and started to get good
commissions like the Adoration of the Magi for the monastery of San
Donato a Scopeto. But this was interrupted in 1481 when he had been
sent by Lorenzo de’ Medici to Milan to give a silver lyre as a gift to
the Duke of Milan hoping to secure peace with him. Then from there
Leonardo continued to work for him and was commissioned to paint
great masterpieces such as Virgin of the Rocks and The Last Supper.
Now he is moving back to his hometown of Florence.
The Last Supper (1498)
17

22. Famous People:
Michelangelo
Michelangelo was also very tal-
ented, being a painter, sculptor, archi-
tect, poet and engineer. He was born on
March 6, 1475 near Arezzo in the town
of Caprese in Tuscany. His family for
generations had been small bankers in
Florence and they had a comfortable
upper middle-class life. His father
wanted him to take over the family
business but after much dispute agreed
to let him study art but if his first
three years didn’t work out he would
David (1504) have to return to studying.
So then he was apprenticed to the painter Domenico Ghirlandio
at age 13 and surpassing him in his own art in just six months of
study. One year later in 1489, he began working under Lorenzo de’
Medici and studied sculptor from Bertoldo di Giovanni in the Hu-
manist academy. When Lorenzo died in 1492 Michelangelo had to
search for commissions that would financially support him and his
family. Then in 1497 the French ambassador in the Holy See com-
missioned Pietà which is one of his most famous works. He re-
turned to Florence in 1499 after changes in the republic due to the
fall of Girolamo Savonarola. Then he was asked by the Guild of
Wool to complete the unfinished sculpture of David by Agostino di
Duccio 40 year earlier. Michelangelo, just 26 completed the statue
in 1504 with the poor conditions the material was in showed his
amazing skills at such a remarkable young age. He was commis-
sioned to Rome in 1505 to build the newly elected Pope Julius II’s
tomb and is still working on it.
18

23. Famous People:
Donatello
Donatello (Donato di Niccolò di Betto
Bardi) was a Florentine famous artist and
sculptor. He was one of the first artist to at-
tempt to sculpt a shallow relief that has per-
spective.
He was born in 1386 and was the son of a
Florentine Wool Guild member. Not much was
known about his childhood but was got train-
ing in a goldsmith’s workshop and maybe
stone carving from sculptors working in cathedrals. He then was
apprenticed to Lorenzo Ghiberti, a famous bronze sculptor which
work’s shaped the base foundation of this present Italian style.
His first famous work was a marble statue of St. Mark com-
pleted on 1413 for the church of Orsanmichele. Then in 1417 he com-
pleted the St. George the Evangelist for the Confraternity of the
Cuirass-makers. Theses two pieces shows the original style of his
works and that it stood out from other sculptures
of his time. It was the first signs of central-point
perspective shown in a sculpture, which at that
time most sculptures were made on a flat back-
ground. What was more interesting was the base
for it, St. George and the Dragon that was done in
schiacciato the technique of bas-relief.
His most famous work was the bronze statue of
David, the first large-scale freestanding nude
statue in Italy. The statue shows the young David
smiling with his foot on Goliath’s head just after he
killed him. This was very new and unique at that
time since all figures in statues were fully dressed.
Donatello died in 1466 while working on two bronze
David pulpits and was left unfinished.
19

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2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Raffael,_Sixtinska_madonnan.jpg>.
20."SparkNotes: Italian Renaissance (1330-1550): General Summary." SparkNotes. Web.

25. Works Cited 2
1. Dinner Rolls. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.bayareaonthecheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/dinner-rolls
.jpg>.
2. Donatello. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/ltrupe/art%20history%20web/final/chap17Earl
yRenaissance/DonatelloDavid.JPG>.
3. Donatello. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.oldandsold.com/a1photos/donatello.jpg>.
4. Four poster bed. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.arabesqueoak.com/products/bedroom/686Linenfold-bed.jpg>.
5. The Golden Hind. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.bergoiata.org/fe/voiliers/great_ships_csg004_the_golden_hind.jpg>
.
6. Jousting. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://hankblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/page36_1.jpg>.
7. Juggler. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.juggling.org/books/alvarez/Icon/p25b.gif>.
8. The Last Supper. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://wemakethefunny.com/wp-content/uploads/last_supper_davinci.jpg>.
9. Leonardo Da Vinci. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.windows.ucar.edu/people/images/davinci.gif>.
10.Merchant's house. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/16/62/166280_3c4e94fd.jpg>.
11.Michelangelo's David. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Michelangelos_David.jpg>.
12.Old Map of Italy. Digital image. Web. 15 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.artviva.com/map-italy-old.jpg>.
13.Peasant Clothing. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/info_CO_3004.html>.
14.Peasants. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.euratlas.com/Atlas/romania/transylvania_peasant.jpg>.
15.Ponte Sisto. Digital image. Web. 15 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.inforoma.it/img1/PonteSisto.jpghttp://www.inforoma.it/img1/Ponte
Sisto.jpg>.
16.Red Wine. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/1-30days-pour-wine-
lg-63555269.jpg>.
17.Renaissance Clothing. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://karenswhimsy.com/public-domain-images/renaissance-clothing/images/
renaissance-clothing-4.jpg>.
18.Renaisssance Musicians. Digital image.
Http://earlymusichicago.org/images/Musicians60.jpg. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
19.Rome in Ruins. Digital image. Web. 15 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.laputanlogic.com/images/2006/05/09-11CBY5HWM00.jpg>.
20.Venice. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://z.about.com/d/goitaly/1/0/U/0/-/-/venice_10.jpg>.
21.Venice in Renaissance. Digital image. Web. 16 Oct. 2009.
<http://www.divart.com/RenaissanceOfVeniceEast.jpg>.

26. Beijing BISS International School
Italian Renaissance – Travel Guide
Grade 9
Assessment Criteria
September ‘09
Criterion A: Knowledge
Maximum 10
Achievement level Level descriptor
0 The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors given below.
The use of terminology is inconsistent or incorrect.
1–2
Facts and examples are either absent, or those used are irrelevant or do not show understanding.
The use of terminology is mostly accurate and usually appropriate, though some errors remain.
3–4
Facts and examples used are mostly relevant, and usually show understanding.
Terminology is used accurately and appropriately.
5–6 Relevant facts and examples are used to show understanding.
The student provides accurate descriptions; explanations are adequate but not well developed.
A range of terminology is used accurately and appropriately.
7–8
A range of relevant facts and examples are used to show understanding.
The student shows an excellent command of a wide range of terminology, and uses it appropriately. An
9–10
extensive range of relevant facts and examples are used to show understanding.
Criterion C: Skills
Maximum 10
Achievement level Level descriptor
0 The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors given below.
The student can select and use some relevant information..
1–2
The student attempts to carry out investigations, demonstrating few skills.
The student selects and uses mostly relevant information.
3–4
The student demonstrates basic investigative skills.
The student selects and uses relevant information.
5–6
The student demonstrates adequate investigative skills.
The student selects and uses a range of relevant information.
7–8
The student demonstrates effective investigative skills.
The student selects and uses a wide range of relevant information.
9–10
The student demonstrates sophisticated investigative skills.
Criterion D: Organization and presentation
Maximum 8
Achievement level Level descriptor
0 The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors given below.
The student communicates information that may not always be relevant.
The student attempts to structure the work, but it may be unclear and/or inappropriate to the format re-
1–2
quired.
Presentation is unclear and imprecise. There may be some evidence of documentation.
The student communicates information that is mostly relevant.
The student attempts to structure and sequence the work but is not always successful.
3–4 Presentation is occasionally unclear.
Sources of information are documented, though there may be omissions or consistent errors in adhering
to conventions.
The student communicates information that is relevant.
The student uses a structure appropriate to the task and sequences the content logically.
5–6 Presentation is clear; attention is paid to the audience and purpose in terms of appropriate language,
style and visual representation.
Sources of information are documented, with occasional errors in adhering to conventions.
The student communicates information that is always relevant.
The student organizes information into a well-developed and logical sequence, appropriate to the format
required.
7–8
Presentation is clear, concise and effective, and the language, style and visual representation used are
always appropriate to the audience and purpose.
All sources of information are documented according to a recognized convention.
Modified from the IBO MYP Humanities guide

27. My Travel Guide – Final Checklist
Name: __________________ Date: __________
Use this checklist before you hand in your travel guide!
□ Does your travel guide have a cover page?
□ Does your travel have an introduction with basic information about the
renaissance (Who? What? Where? When? Why?)?
□ Have you included detailed information on
a) which cities to visit (Florence, Rome, and Venice)
b) how to get around (by land and by water)
c) local customs and manners
d) what to wear
e) what to see and do
f) what to eat and drink
g) how to stay safe and healthy
h) who’s who in the Renaissance (4 PEOPLE)
□ Did you write your information in paragraphs?
□ Does each paragraph have a topic sentence?
□ Does each paragraph have supporting sentences?
□ Are all the supporting sentences relevant (important)?
□ Did you use connectors to connect your ideas? (e.g., First, in addition,
furthermore, etc)
□ Did you include a correct bibliography? See homework diary for help.
□ Does each section of your travel guide have a heading?
□ Does your travel guide have useful pictures or graphics that help us understand
the Renaissance period better?
□ Did you use the same font for similar points?
□ Did you revise and edit your travel guide?
□ Will other people be interested in reading your travel guide?