Europe Trip 2018
During the summer of 2018, five faculty members took 30 students to Europe to visit Italy, France, and Spain for a 13 day adventure. During their time they visited many sites they have learned about in History class, as well as experiencing local culture.
Among the places they visited were:
- Rome, Italy: Victor Emmanuel building, Borghese Gardens, Spanish Steps, The Colosseum, The Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, The Vatican/The Sistine Chapel
- Florence, Italy: River Arno, Academia Gallery, Uffizi Art Gallery, Duomo of Florence
- Pisa, Italy: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Basilica, Baptistery
- Southern France: Antibes, Nimes, Pont-du-Gard aqueduct, Avignon, Carcassonne, Grasse, Gourdon
- Barcelona, Spain: Casa Mila (designed by Antoni Gaudi), Park Guell, Sagrada Familia
- Madrid, Spain: Bullfighting rings, Real Madrid Stadium
- Toledo, Spain
Some of their experiences included:
- Devoured tons of gelato and cappuccinos
- Drank from the Roman fountains
- Napped in the park
- Attended Gladiator school – They fired real bows and arrows, and ended their training with a mini fight where 2 gladiator trainees were chosen to try capturing challengers with a net. They also enjoyed a traditional rustic gladiator barbeque.
- Rode a bus through Tuscany
- Bonded with their tour guide, Guila (Julia)
- Rubbed the St. Peter statue’s toe for luck
- Glimpsed La Pieta, visited the statue of Dante, and marveled at the statue of David
- Learned how to distinguish real leather from fake at a genuine leather shop
- Took a class on art restoration, including gold leafing a box they could bring home
- Reenacted famous paintings
- Were brought to tears seeing favorite paintings like the Birth of Venus by Botticelli
- Some of the group climbed the 700 steps to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Played foosball in the park with the locals in Florence
- Saw the Carerra marble quarry
- Drove along the southern coast of France
- Learned about the perfume-making process in a perfume factory
- Bought lavender bouquets from a grandmother who was selling them from her doorstop
- Swam in the Mediterranean Sea
- Tried on Roman clothing by way of a digital device
- Enjoyed a street festival in Avignon
- Toured a medieval castle – got “locked” in the stocks and found a guillotine
- Visited Madrid’s bullfighting rings and the Real Madrid Stadium
- Took a cooking class in Spain
- Visited a sword factory
- Zip lined across the Tagus River
- Came home safe and sound with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime!
