Last night was a whirlwind of emotions as we hugged our families goodbye and set off on our journey. For many of our students, this was more than just a trip; it was a huge first step. Some had never left the country before, and a few were even stepping onto an airplane for the very first time!

You could feel the mix of nerves and excitement buzzing through the group as we boarded. Laughter, wide eyes, and whispered “can you believe this?” moments filled the air. By the time the plane lifted off, any jitters had turned into pure anticipation for the adventure that awaited us in Milan.

This morning, we set out on a boat ride into the heart of Venice—gliding along the canals like true Venetians. Our first stop? A mesmerizing glass-blowing demonstration. Watching molten glass transform into delicate art pieces was nothing short of magical.

Lunchtime came with a twist: today’s challenge was to order only in Italian! Every single one of our students rose to the occasion, bravely trying out their phrases with big smiles (and maybe a few laughs when the pronunciation got tricky).

Fueled by pasta and confidence, we spent the afternoon exploring Doge’s Palace, drifting through the canals on classic gondola rides, and even testing our knowledge in a Venice trivia challenge. Congrats to Diego, our trivia champ, who earned himself a special souvenir to remember the day! 

We wrapped things up back at the hotel with a dreamy sunset balcony dinner overlooking the city. Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, we surprised Riley with a birthday cake and a round of singing, definitely a birthday to remember.

The bus ride into Florence started out with excitement… but within 30 minutes, the entire group was fast asleep. Travel life, right?

Once we arrived, though, the energy returned! We wandered the charming streets, joined a guided walking tour, marveled at the incredible Duomo, and even had some fun recreating our favorite statues along the way.

For lunch, we gave ourselves a challenge: street food only. Not only did everyone step up and order from the food carts, but each student was brave enough to try a local specialty, Lampredotto, a sandwich made from the cow’s fourth stomach. Let’s just say… some of us were fans, and some of us not so much.

Dinner wrapped up the “official” part of the day, but we had one more surprise in store. Our very first Bonus Neve Adventure! Ms. G and I whisked the students onto the funicular up to Montecatini Alto, a medieval town perched high on a hill. There, we strolled the town square, treated ourselves to a second round of desserts (because, why not?), and soaked in the breathtaking views of the glowing city below. 

What a way to end the day.

This morning, part of our group set off for the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, and of course, we couldn’t resist a photo competition for the best “tower pose.” From dramatic “holding it up” shots to silly creative angles, the photos had us all laughing.

Our trivia champ of the day was again Diego, he was all ears with the tour guides and nailed every question, earning himself another souvenir of choice to remember Pisa by. 

In the afternoon, we were back in Florence for more exploring. The highlight? Stumbling upon a carousel right in the middle of the bustling town square. Naturally, we had to pile everyone on for a spin, it felt like pure magic against the backdrop of Renaissance architecture.

This time, Rook claimed the trivia crown and picked out his own special Florence souvenir. Way to go, Rook!

We ended the evening with another bonus Neve Adventure, venturing into the city center to experience Florence’s nightlife and see how it compares to back home. Between the sights, sounds, and endless gelato stops, the exhaustion finally started to catch up, just as planned. You can definitely see it in their faces… our mission to tire them out daily is working!

Today’s journey to Assisi came with a delicious surprise. On the way, our WONDERFUL tour director, Matteo, arranged a special stop in the birthplace of fettuccine for a hands-on pasta-making lesson. Rolling, cutting, and shaping fresh dough was such a fun experience, but the real magic came when we finally got to taste it. Let’s just say our students went back for thirds… and even fourths! Clearly, freshly made pasta is a whole new level.

Once we arrived in Assisi, we joined a guided tour through the charming streets and visited the breathtaking Basilica of St. Francis. After some free time to explore the city on our own, we headed back to the hotel for dinner, though the night was far from over.

For tonight’s bonus Neve Adventure, we followed a tip from our hotel about a local celebration happening in town. Naturally, we grabbed a second round of gelato (because one a day just isn’t enough) and wandered into the festivities. To our surprise, it turned out to be a homecoming ceremony for the local Catholic Basilica. The music, lights, and sense of community made it an unforgettable experience, one of those beautiful, unexpected moments that travel is all about.

Today’s adventure took us south to the legendary ruins of Pompeii! But first things first, pizza. Most of our students couldn’t resist trying a true Neapolitan pizza, right here in the region where it was born. Crispy crust, fresh mozzarella, tangy tomato… let’s just say, Domino’s will never taste the same again. 

Fueled and ready, we explored the ruins with Mount Vesuvius looming in the background, a photo op we couldn’t pass up. Walking through streets frozen in time was surreal, like stepping straight into history.

From there, we made our way to Sorrento and… wow. Just wow. Our hotel is perched on a cliff overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, and the view honestly took our breath away. 

Tonight’s bonus Neve Adventure was a little more laid-back, but no less magical. At a local park, a kind local taught our students how to play giant checkers, and then we headed down to the beach for a moonlit swim in the Mediterranean. 

The laughter, the water, the view, pure perfection.

Today we traded the mainland for the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean and took a boat ride out to the Island of Capri. The views alone were enough to make us pinch ourselves!

Once on shore, our students explored the island with a guided walking tour before hopping back on the water for a boat tour around Capri’s coastline. From hidden coves to towering cliffs, it was one jaw-dropping view after another.

For lunch, we kept things simple and delicious with a seaside caprese sandwich, fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and basil, eaten with the sound of waves in the background. 

The afternoon was all about relaxation: swimming in the Mediterranean, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the island vibe. By the time we returned to our hotel, everyone was blissfully tired… but not too tired for tonight’s bonus Neve Adventure!

This one was a scavenger hunt around the hotel. Students split into teams and raced to snap selfies with hidden items on our list. The competition was fierce, the creativity hilarious, and the prize, gelato, of course!

Capri gave us sunshine, sea, and a little silliness, exactly what we needed.

Our Italian adventure ended with a bang in the Eternal City, Rome!

We kicked off the morning with a walk through history, standing inside the mighty Colosseum and wandering the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum. It’s hard to put into words how incredible it felt to be in the very places we’ve only seen in textbooks.

After soaking in the sights, we found the perfect spot for lunch with a view that could rival the food. Then it was time for the highlight of the afternoon: Vatican City. From the treasures of the Vatican Museum to the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica and the awe-inspiring beauty of the Sistine Chapel, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But Rome saved the best for last, our farewell pizza party! Each student got their very own pizza (yes, their own entire pizza), and we happily stuffed ourselves in true Italian fashion.

With full bellies and happy hearts, we ended our night exploring some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks: the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. The perfect way to wrap up our time in Italy. 

Our incredible adventure in Italy has officially come to a close, and to call this a “trip of a lifetime” doesn’t even begin to cover it. Every single student on this journey was amazing, eager to explore, willing to try new foods, up for every challenge, and always wearing a smile that made every day brighter.

I feel so grateful to have shared this experience with such a wonderful group, showing them just how incredible the world can be when you step out and explore it. A huge thank you to EF Tours and our extraordinary tour guide, Matteo, for making every moment unforgettable.

And how could we leave Italy without one last bit of fun? We danced our hearts out on the Spanish Steps, the perfect finale to a journey filled with laughter, adventure, and memories we’ll carry forever. 

Ciao for now, Italy, you’ve stolen our hearts!