MRHS In Italy!
Embedded Files
DescriptionAn article overviewing the MRHS's trip to Italy.
MessageIt was a good time.
Image
Ashley SmithIntroductionSo, you may have heard rumors that there was a school trip to Italy over February break. You would be correct in assuming that these rumors are right. Maybe you saw a few pictures or videos shared over social media, but I’m here to give you a full recount of each day of the tour, along with some photos I snapped along the way!
Day 1Our first official day was Thursday, February 15th, which was entirely spent traveling. We had a 5 pm flight out of Logan to Frankfurt, Germany, where we landed at 6 am the next day.
Day 2From the airport in Frankfurt, we had a small layover, and then got on a short hour-and-a-half flight to Milan, Italy, where we met our phenomenal tour guide Rosella for the first time. We all said some quick greetings before being shuttled off to our bus (which we would have for the next 6 days), where we met our (also wildly phenomenal) driver, Giovanni.
And so off we went, driving through Northern Italy to our hotel in Padua. The four-hour bus ride was broken up by a stop in Verona, the city William Shakespeare chose for the setting of Romeo & Juliet. Love was in the air, as we stepped off the bus into the long-awaited Italian sunshine.
A brisk walk along the Adige River took us through cobblestone streets and into the heart of Verona. We saw the Arena di Verona, an ancient Roman amphitheater that looks eerily familiar to the Colosseum. After our small walking tour, we had free time to spend in Verona, where many people got gelato, sat down for lunch, or roamed the streets. After this, it was back on the bus and a long ride to the hotel. I’m pretty sure no one remembers this ride as we were all fast asleep after our day of travel.
After checking in, we had dinner at the hotel and were asleep in no time!
Day 1Our first official day was Thursday, February 15th, which was entirely spent traveling. We had a 5 pm flight out of Logan to Frankfurt, Germany, where we landed at 6 am the next day.
Day 2From the airport in Frankfurt, we had a small layover, and then got on a short hour-and-a-half flight to Milan, Italy, where we met our phenomenal tour guide Rosella for the first time. We all said some quick greetings before being shuttled off to our bus (which we would have for the next 6 days), where we met our (also wildly phenomenal) driver, Giovanni.
And so off we went, driving through Northern Italy to our hotel in Padua. The four-hour bus ride was broken up by a stop in Verona, the city William Shakespeare chose for the setting of Romeo & Juliet. Love was in the air, as we stepped off the bus into the long-awaited Italian sunshine.
A brisk walk along the Adige River took us through cobblestone streets and into the heart of Verona. We saw the Arena di Verona, an ancient Roman amphitheater that looks eerily familiar to the Colosseum. After our small walking tour, we had free time to spend in Verona, where many people got gelato, sat down for lunch, or roamed the streets. After this, it was back on the bus and a long ride to the hotel. I’m pretty sure no one remembers this ride as we were all fast asleep after our day of travel.
After checking in, we had dinner at the hotel and were asleep in no time!
Day 3We woke up the next morning to an early hotel breakfast, which was no American continental one by any means, and had an hour busride to our boat for the day. This tiny little sightseeing boat took us around the Adriatic Sea to the islands of Murano, Burano, and of course, Venice. Believe it or not, this was the foggiest day known to man, so the only thing we could ever see from our boat was a wall of white fog. Not the best for a day on the water!
Our first stop was Murano, where the group got a glass-blowing demonstration at Vetreria Ducale, a family-owned glass-blowing business. Most people couldn't help but get a beautiful souvenir!
Next, we jetted to the island of Burano, which is most famous for its rows of colorful houses. Here we had free time to take pictures, get souvenirs, some gelato, and my favorite: many cappuccinos!
The last stop was Venice! First, we went on a gondola ride along the canals. We also had a walking tour of some portions of the island. We saw the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, and the adjoining cathedral. After a while in Venice, the sun was setting and it was back to the hotel we went!
Our first stop was Murano, where the group got a glass-blowing demonstration at Vetreria Ducale, a family-owned glass-blowing business. Most people couldn't help but get a beautiful souvenir!
Next, we jetted to the island of Burano, which is most famous for its rows of colorful houses. Here we had free time to take pictures, get souvenirs, some gelato, and my favorite: many cappuccinos!
The last stop was Venice! First, we went on a gondola ride along the canals. We also had a walking tour of some portions of the island. We saw the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, and the adjoining cathedral. After a while in Venice, the sun was setting and it was back to the hotel we went!
Day 4This day, it was goodbye to Northern Italy and hello to the Tuscan countryside! After waking up and getting on the bus, we drove a couple of hours to Fattoria Il Poggio, a picturesque family vineyard in the countryside. Here, we got a tour of the vineyard and had an authentic Tuscan lunch under the beautiful sun.
After some more time on the bus, we found ourselves in Pisa, where we got a walking tour of the Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistry of Pisa), the Cattedrale di Pisa (Cathedral), and of course, the famous Leaning Tower Of Pisa, which was originally built as a bell tower for the Cathedral. All three attractions are built in a line on the Field of Miracles. Here, we were given free time to snap some photos with the tower, grab souvenirs, and some gelato, and then it was off to our hotel in the heart of Florence.
Here we had an exhausting walk through the streets with all of our luggage, a quick dinner, and it was off to bed.
Here we had an exhausting walk through the streets with all of our luggage, a quick dinner, and it was off to bed.
Day 5A full day in Florence! We awoke to the sounds of the busy streets below us, and delicious breakfast at the hotel, before we were off to a guided tour of historic Florence. We saw the Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore (famous for its Duomo engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi), the Baptistry Of St. John adorned by the gilded 8-paneled door, better known as the Gates Of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti, the Pallazo Vecchio (a famous Medici palace) in the Piazza della Signoria, and of course, the Ponte Vecchio, a famous bridge that serves as a symbol of Italy.
After our guided tour, we visited a famous leather and gold shop (where some people made some damage to their bank accounts) and had some free time to shop and get lunch. After this, some of the group went to a fresco workshop, where we learned the art of fresco painting from a “master artist.” Frescos are paintings that decorate the walls of cathedrals, restaurants, and just about every place imaginable in Italy. During the Renaissance period, they were a popular way of painting as the paint is applied to wet plaster and therefore becomes a part of the wall; which is the reason many frescos are still around today.
To end off the day, we had dinner at a lovely restaurant and got a ghost tour from none other than the most amazing tour guide: Rosella! Walking through the streets of Florence at night and seeing all the art and statues was truly one of the best memories from the trip!
Day 6After our final breakfast in Florence, a small group left the hotel early to go to the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze, or the Academic Gallery of Florence, home to the David statue by Michelangelo, and much more priceless Rennaissance period art. As a major art history person, this was one of the highlights of the trip!
To end off the day, we had dinner at a lovely restaurant and got a ghost tour from none other than the most amazing tour guide: Rosella! Walking through the streets of Florence at night and seeing all the art and statues was truly one of the best memories from the trip!
Day 6After our final breakfast in Florence, a small group left the hotel early to go to the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze, or the Academic Gallery of Florence, home to the David statue by Michelangelo, and much more priceless Rennaissance period art. As a major art history person, this was one of the highlights of the trip!
We joined back up with the group, and it was back on the tour bus to Rome! To pass the hours, Rossella took anonymous questions from our peers and gave her expert love advice! After the relaxing bus ride, we finally came to Roma, the capital of Italy and the largest city by far! Off the bus, we got a guided tour of the Roman Forum and The Colleseum. The Colleseum was by far the most crowded place we visited. The security to get in was more strict than the TSA's (and I’ve had my fair share of TSA experiences)!
After our tour, we walked to a famous Gelateria with over 150 flavors. This was by far the best gelato of the whole trip. We then walked to the Spanish Steps where we saw a beautiful sunset over the city of Rome from the top. Then, it was dinner and to the hotel!
Day 7Our last full day in Italy! We woke up and immediately were off to Vatican City. The Vatican is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and home to the Pope. It is in fact its own country (the smallest in the world) and has an official language of Latin. After passing through more strict security (and guards ensuring your clothing is modest enough), we split off into 3 groups and got guided tours of the Pope’s Collection (thousands of priceless works of art), the Sistine Chapel (home to Michelangelo’s famous frescoed ceiling), and St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world. St. Peter’s Basilica houses Michelangelo’s Pieta (probably my favorite piece of art), the famous Baroque bronze canopy over the body of St. Peter, and so much more priceless art.
After our guided tour, we left Vatican City and walked around Rome for the rest of the day. We saw the Trevi Fountain (another one of the most crowded spots), The Pantheon, and Piazza Navona, a less-crowded square with a beautiful fountain. We then had our last dinner in Italy and said goodnight to the city of Rome.
Day 7Our last full day in Italy! We woke up and immediately were off to Vatican City. The Vatican is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and home to the Pope. It is in fact its own country (the smallest in the world) and has an official language of Latin. After passing through more strict security (and guards ensuring your clothing is modest enough), we split off into 3 groups and got guided tours of the Pope’s Collection (thousands of priceless works of art), the Sistine Chapel (home to Michelangelo’s famous frescoed ceiling), and St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world. St. Peter’s Basilica houses Michelangelo’s Pieta (probably my favorite piece of art), the famous Baroque bronze canopy over the body of St. Peter, and so much more priceless art.
After our guided tour, we left Vatican City and walked around Rome for the rest of the day. We saw the Trevi Fountain (another one of the most crowded spots), The Pantheon, and Piazza Navona, a less-crowded square with a beautiful fountain. We then had our last dinner in Italy and said goodnight to the city of Rome.
Day 8We woke up at the ripe time of 5 am to get on the bus to the airport in Rome. From here, we said a tearful goodbye to Rosella and had a short flight to Zurich, Switzerland. Here, we had a roughly 5 ½ hour layover, just to get on another 9-hour flight to Boston. The trip back was exhausting and everyone was happy to be home, but also sad to leave such a beautiful country.
ConclusionIf you read till the end, I applaud you! This trip was only 8 days, but it felt like we were there for 8 years. I tried to include as much detail as possible, but still so much was left out. Every day was exhausting, but worth every second. I’m so grateful to have had the experience of being on this trip. Thank you to all the chaperones who made it possible. Ciao Bella!
ConclusionIf you read till the end, I applaud you! This trip was only 8 days, but it felt like we were there for 8 years. I tried to include as much detail as possible, but still so much was left out. Every day was exhausting, but worth every second. I’m so grateful to have had the experience of being on this trip. Thank you to all the chaperones who made it possible. Ciao Bella!
Google Sites
Report abuse