If you are looking for a chance to travel but don’t want a study tour and would rather commit yourself to doing something useful and learning something new, consider volunteering.
Here are some opportunities —
American Friends Service Committee — I was a volunteer in their Mexico project in 1956. AFSC entry at Volunteer Match
Volunteer Abroad — opportunities in Italy
Transitions Abroad — opportunities in Italy
Global Volunteers — opportunities in Italy
CADIP — Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects — opportunities in Italy