It’s a wonderful time to take Italian and AP Art classes! During spring break, Italian and advanced art students went abroad to visit the beautiful cities in Italy to see historical art and architecture!
The journey started with a layover flight, stopping in Zurich, Germany, and landing in Florence, Italy. This day was mostly full of planes and airports, until finally arriving in Italy and feeling the nice warmth from the sun. Then, the tour began in Piazza Michelangelo, a gorgeous view overlooking the entire city of Florence (shown on the cover of this Smoke Signals edition)!
The second day started with a calm breakfast, consisting of biscotti and treats. The group made their way over to Piazza della Signoria, walking through the thin cobblestone streets of Florence. The Piazza della Signoria is an open-air museum located in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, featuring masterpieces like a replica of Michelangelo’s David, the Fountain of Neptune, Perseus with the Head of Medusa, and much more! Then, the group walked to Ponte Vecchio, a stunning yellow bridge that spans the Arno River. The tour then led them to see the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, which holds the famous David sculpture. The gallery also features other works by Michelangelo, called the Prisoners, which represent Michelangelo’s vision as he sculpts people out of blocks of marble. Then, the students and chaperones visited an authentic leather factory and purchased items for themselves and their families back home.
The third day was mostly spent in a bus watching the scenic Tuscan landscape as they traveled from Florence to Rome, stopping in San Gimignano and Siena. At both of these locations, the group was led by experienced tour guides who explained the rich cultural history of both of those locations. San Gimignano is a medieval town in Siena, Tuscany, and due to its hill-top elevation, it displays a view of grassy Tuscany. The tour guides told stories of the town and of its rich history. Then, at our next stop, they visited Fonte Gaia in the Piazza del Campo. Some of the students tried drinking water from the drinkable water fountain, with an AP Studio Art student, Alexandra Katz, claiming the water was “very fresh and tasted better than American water.”
On the fourth day, they started their adventure in Rome. Their first stop was the Campo de’ Fiori, which is known for its daily morning market, offering fresh produce, flowers, and spices. The group had a wonderful time purchasing souvenirs for their friends and family. Then, the group walked to the area immediately surrounding the Colosseum. This place is the heart of ancient Rome, featuring the adjacent Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Nero’s Golden House. They explored the ruins near the Colosseum. The tour guide gave a wonderful description of the area, and the group had a lot of fun taking pictures and exploring the ruins. Alyssa Slavin, an AP Art History and AP Studio Art student, says that she “had a lot of fun and [the] tour guide, Mattia, is super funny!” Their tour ended with a trip to the Colosseum. They learned about the rich history of gladiator fights that once happened in the same place they were walking. Then, they ended the day with an authentic Roman pizza dinner, talking about their adventures in Ancient Rome.
On the fifth day, the students and chaperones took a quick excursion out of Rome and visited the Vatican Museum to learn about the religious history of Vatican City. Inside the Vatican Museum, the students marvelled at the ancient tapestries and masterpieces. They walked under the famous Sistine Chapel and enjoyed a quick lunch before they walked to the Vatican. Inside the Vatican, they looked at detailed sculptures and heard the religious background of many masterpieces. After this, they walked back to Rome and saw many famous fountains, including the Trevi Fountain. Many of the students even threw a coin over their shoulder into the fountain for good luck!
During the sixth day, the group went on another long bus ride from Rome to Sorrento. Along the way, they stopped at an authentic family-owned Italian farm where they learned how olive oil is produced and how wine is stored. They also saw a real-life demonstration of how mozzarella is made and got to see and pet the farm animals! Lemon trees, a staple of Sorrento, lined the entire farm, and many students tried lemon olive oil as they enjoyed a handmade lunch at the farm.
On the seventh day of the trip, the group visited Capri, taking a ferry across the Tyrrhenian Sea. The students and chaperones got to enjoy their entire day in this beautiful coastal town before ending their journey in Italy. Most of the students took a cable car up the mountains and visited the beautiful gardens at the top. Senior Sofia Kriegal states that “Capri is truly a sight to behold.” However, some students chose a different route and explored the Blue Grotto, a sea cave known for its luminous, sapphire-blue water. The students all enjoyed their final lunch together, eating gnocchi together and enjoying the cool breeze and warm weather. They had a wonderful time marvelling at the beautiful sights and buying some last-minute souvenirs for their friends and family on their last day in Italy.
The next day, the group departed early for their flight back to America. All of the students loved their time in Italy, with Alexandra Farina claiming that she is “ready to move there!” Gabriella Matteo perfectly summarizes the trip, saying that she “loved vlogging [her] experiences with [her] friends and creating memories [she] will never forget.” For all those who attended, the trip was definitely an unforgettable experience.