March Break SS Trips to Italy

After a long 20 hours of flying and driving, the students were exhausted, and after a quick dinner and a walk for gelato, they soon rested, not only to recover from fatigue, but also to prepare for the early travels and adventures the next day.

On the first full day of the trip, the students took a bus ride to the shore of Sorrento for a short boat ride to Capri. This was the first time on a hydrofoil for many students, so they were alternatively thrilled or rendered seasick by the experience! On Capri, the students were given a tour around the island and learned much about its history. They also learned about the skills of the Italian drivers, which are truly remarkable, and something that the students learned to live with for the rest of the trip. The highlight of the day for most of us was taking a chairlift up the mountain of Capri. The view from the top was both exhilarating and breathtaking; the students were literally standing amongst the clouds. The ride up the mountain was definitely memorable for many as well. The students then continued their tour of Capri and its shops. After a long but thrilling day, we took a boat back to Sorrento, pleased with how well the trip began.

The next day was one that many students were looking forward to; touring the ruins of Pompeii and seeing the volcano that destroyed it - Mt. Vesuvius. Starting off with a tour of Pompeii, the students explored the old town, learning about the citizens’ culture and how the town functioned. Although there was a lot of walking, the students had a great time gazing at the exceptional architecture of such an ancient town. After the tour, the students drove to see the volcano that long ago destroyed the town of Pompeii. Prior to visiting the volcano up close, lunch was enjoyed at a family owned vineyard, where we sampled an olive oil produced right on the sides of the volcano. The second half of the day was spent on top of Mt. Vesuvius, which involved the students climbing up the mountain. The hike was hard, but it paid off, with a stunning view of the Bay of Naples and the rim of the famous volcano.

On day three, we left Sorrento and its fragrant lemon trees behind for Rome. On our long journey to Rome, we wound our way up to the Montecassino Abbey, and learned about its founder, as well as its strategic importance during World War II. Before leaving, the students visited the Commonwealth war cemetery to reflect on the dangers of war and the immense sacrifice given by so many Canadians and other allies. After arriving in Rome, students went on an extensive walking tour around the city to learn the history and culture. We also enjoyed putting our newfound knowledge to use and filling our bottles with free water from the ancient fountains.

There are many sights to see in Rome, and many different neighborhoods to shop in as well! Our walking tours of Rome, took us by many of these locations and inspired the students' plans for their free time. The Grade 11 and 12 trip visited the Vatican, which was a bucket list item for many on the trip. We were awed by the Sistine chapel and overwhelmed by the sheer number of statues and artwork on display. The grandeur of St Peter’s Basilica did not disappoint, and we enjoyed wandering around admiring the famous architecture and art.  

After a quick rest, the students woke up early for a tour around the famous Colosseum, and the remains of the ancient Roman Forum. At the Forum, we were able to see how future generations built on top of the older ruins and the city was raised progressively higher. Just around the corner, we saw where the Emperors put on their mass celebrations, including the fights of gladiators. 

One of our favourite hidden gems that we visited was on the way to Florence. We stopped in San Gimignano, a little town in the hills that offered something for everyone. Some of us went off to hunt truffle products, such as truffle-laced porchetta, while others simply admired the medieval architecture. This Tuscan beauty was also surrounded  by the most beautiful vistas. Some of our students had the “best gelato in the world,” but this title was awarded at several stops during the trip, so it was difficult to determine an absolute first place. They never stopped testing the claim though.

Florence held its own charms: it was an artistic smorgasbord. Highlights of our time there included a visit to the Accademia Gallery, where we saw Michaelangelo’s David and heard how he carved the veined beauty from a cast-off piece of marble. The Uffizi’s amazing collection is organized by time periods and we were able to see when the artists first discovered the idea of perspective and moved beyond purely biblical subjects. The junior trip enjoyed sniffing their way through a tour of the apothecary that birthed modern perfumes. For many, shopping in the local leather market and haggling to get the best deal for that perfect item, was a trip highlight. After long days of walking, shopping and sightseeing, we enjoyed some of our favourite pizzas of the trip at a local pizzeria. 

From Florence, the students took a wonderful side trip to Venice. The group took a high-speed train which reached speeds of 250 kph, arriving in Venice in just over two hours. Our guide took us on a walking tour through the labyrinth that is the city on water, crossing countless bridges and winding through narrow alleys. An early highlight was going to the top of a designer store to take in a panoramic view of the city. After a quick lunch, the group toured St. Mark’s Church and the Doge’s Palace. Both were immense and spectacular. The latter, in particular, was on par with visiting Versailles or Charlottenburg. The group took in an overwhelming array of art pieces and got to cross the enclosed Bridge of Sighs. There was even an opportunity for some free time to make purchases, take a gondola ride, or admire the masks and jewellery before boarding the train back to Florence.

Our return trip home was smooth and uneventful, and we were happy to relax with our families for the duration of March Break, while processing all of the beautiful scenery we witnessed, reflecting upon the history and culture we experienced, and digesting the delicious Italian cuisine we sampled along the way. Alla prossima!