The Italian Trip 2018

This year in September, the LOTE Department wished a safe trip to the two teachers and the sixteen students who went to Italy during the last two weeks of the month. Katia Dell’Anna and Leighton O’Donnell took the students to Milano first, where they visited the city and saw The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most famous paintings of the world; they also saw the well-known Gothic Cathedral, Duomo, and enjoyed the great view from the top of the church.

Then the group went to Venezia and spent three wonderful days visiting the most important monuments in town, but also the nearby islands, (Murano, Burano and Torcello,) ending with a special treat: a ride on a Gondola with a real Gondoliere, singing enthusiastically.

Next there was a two day stop in Cinque Terre where students enjoyed hiking and swam in the clear waters of the Liguria sea. They did not miss the chance to visit the Ferrari Museum and some students enjoyed a ride on a brand new convertible Ferrari! It was fantastic to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and to visit the Tower Inside; Even though it was hard to climb 296 Steps to the top, the view of the city from up there was Breath-Taking. Firenze was next, there was so much to see, the squares, the churches, the bridges, the shops and even a cooking class held by a famous chef!

The group admired the variegated landscape of Italy during the bus ride to Sorrento; first the mountains of the alps, then the hills of Toscana and finally the coast line of Campania. In Sorrento, the group enjoyed fresh sea food dishes and also a gelato class with lots of tasting. Capri welcomed students and teachers with open arms! Shop keepers were very kind and sociable, the ride of the chair lift was thrilling, while suspended in the void, at 140 metres high. Pompei was a unique experience, it was amazing to walk in this empty city which once was blessed with intense life.

Roma was the final destination for the travellers. The group explored the entire city moving from the Pantheon to Vatican City and its impressive museums. Then heading to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. It was hard to wrap everything up and come back home after so much travelling and exploring.

We  wish to thank Ryan Melville, Thomas Cartwright, Isabella Coceski and Meg Cresp for being very helpful during the trip and using their orienteering skills to move from place to place. By using their mobile phones, they were directing the group, showing excellent social skills. Bravo!

Dr Katia Dell’Anna

Language Coordinator/Teacher of Italian