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Ella Jennings and Anna Norris
Nighttime in Florence
During a hot week in late July, 40 students and 6 Watauga High School faculty members came together for a week in Italy. The students partnered with the educational program, EF Tours, to embark on an action-packed week visiting 8 Italian cities and seeing countless sites. Eating delicious foods, walking miles and miles every day, beating the heat, and learning about history up close, the trip turned out to be nothing short of an unforgettable adventure.
"The EF tour we took to Italy was incredible! It was one of the first times I've ever been out of the country and my experience was better than I could’ve asked for. Getting to travel with my friends and teachers made the trip so much more memorable and meaningful to me," said Sydney Moretz, junior. "The Wilsons were the staff I knew the best and helped me figure out how to use an ATM one time-over Facetime at about 9 p.m.- which is something I’ll always laugh about. I loved getting to try new things and explore the cities. One of my favorite memories was when for dessert a waiter brought me a whole apple and banana on a plate with a fork and knife- it was hilarious! This trip has made me want to travel for the rest of my life so that I can experience new cultures, places, and people!"
Advisor and Spanish teacher, Savannah Wilson, organized the trip. If you're interested in going on a similar EF tour, The 2025 trip will see Paris, Barcelona, and London.
First Glimpse of Italy: Verona
First Glimpse of Italy: Verona
Students enjoyed bruschetta in the first stop at Verona.
Students enjoyed bruschetta in the first stop at Verona.
After a long day of traveling, students were excited to see their first glimpse of Italy. Finding shade under outside dining, they tried the most delicious antipasti.
Buildings in Verona
The city structure of Verona is unique due to its colorful, tall, complex architecture.
Venice
Venice
Olivia Winger, 11, and Sofia Wells, 11, in front of Venice's cathedral.
Olivia Winger, 11, and Sofia Wells, 11, in front of Venice's cathedral.
"Venice was such a beautiful place, my favorite part was the gondola ride," said Winger. "It was such a fun way to explore the whole city."
Cora Smith, 11, Iyla Freed, 11, Anna Norris, 11, Athena Elliot, 11, and Sydney Moretz, 11, in Venice.
"My favorite part about Venice was all of the canals," said Elliot. "We took a gondola ride and it was so magical being able to tour Italy from the water. This was definitely one of my favorite parts of our trip and something I’ll remember forever."
A glass-blowing artist in Murano shows visitors his newest creation.
Burano's decorated windowsills and vibrant colors were a key feature of the city.
Students visited Murano and Burano, two islands only accessible by boat. Murano, also known as the city of glass, supplies most glass items to the rest of the country. Here the students had the opportunity to watch a glass-blowing demonstration.
On the island of Burano, or the Island of Lace, students were given plentiful free time to partake in some souvenir shopping and admire the historic buildings.
Pisa
Pisa
Anna Norris, 11, and Iyla Freed, 11, holding up the leaning tower of Pisa.
Ella Jennings, 12, and Elizabeth Pearce, 12, driving through Tuscany.
Students traveled by bus from city to city. The bus had big windows so travelers could see all the scenery while driving through the Italian countryside.
Florence
Florence
Florence was the fan favorite of the trip. Students spent a full 48 hours enjoying the breathtaking locale. Known as the Renaissance city, many world-renowned artists from the period came from this area. Students were in complete awe of the heavenly Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, located at the city's center.
Here, travelers went on a walking tour of the city, admired the ancient architecture, shopped at local leather markets, and looked at lots of artwork.
Ella Jennings, 12, and Elizabeth Pearce, 12 at the Ponte Vecchio.
"One night, we ran from dinner to the Ponte Vecchio bridge where my friends and I watched the sunset," said Pearce. "After that, we found a big square where local artists played music and we danced in the streets with hundreds of people for hours."
Rome
Rome
The Roman Coliseum
A view into Vatican City
Jonah Norris, 12, about to enter the Roman Forum
"My time in Europe was life-changing especially Rome," said Norris. "I have always been an avid history fan and Gladiator lover and seeing the actual coliseum and original glass paintings and statutes in the Vatican were just breathtaking. Everywhere I looked and walked I witnessed places that in the past held world-changing significance and today there still remain reminders of the influence art has on our ever-changing world. Rome truly is the place everyone should visit one day."
Vatican City
Featured in a walking tour through Cathedral Square, students witnessed the beauty of history through architecture and artwork.
It took approximately 120 years to complete the construction of Saint Peter's Basilica. Every aspect of the building was constructed with the greatest attention to detail.
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