From April 11th to April 20th, the week of spring break for South Windsor Public Schools, the SWHS Travel Club embarked on a tour of Italy and Spain, visiting five different cities over the course of nine days. Around 35 students and 6 chaperones departed from Logan International Airport in Boston on the evening of April 11th, and by the afternoon of April 12th, they set foot in a new country.
The iconic Trevi Fountain located in the heart of Rome, Italy. (
Jane Carty )
Rome
Rome, Italy was the first city that the students of the South Windsor High School Travel Club visited during their 10-day European tour. Immediately after hopping off their intercontinental British Airways flight, the group traveled directly to Piazza Navona and the notorious Trevi Fountain. The following day began bright and early with a guided tour from a local who brought the group to some of the most well known places of Rome; Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Capitoline Hill. SWHS junior, Jenna Martin, spoke about her experience in Rome, saying, “I loved going to Rome, especially when we visited the Colosseum. It was so interesting learning about all the gladiator fights and the architecture, and I loved taking pictures and experiencing it all with my friends.” To finish off the day, the group took part in a guided food tour, called "Backstreets and Bites: A food experience," where they experienced some of the traditional and ancestral cuisine of Italy.
Ornate artwork lines the walls and ceilings of the Vatican Museums, getting more and more detailed as visitors approach the Sistine Chapel. (
Jane Carty )
Vatican City
Vatican City was the second country of the trip, the smallest country in the world. This country, city, and state all in one, was a favorite stop among students. The visitation included a full day tour from a local expert, who brought students to the Sistine Chapel and through many of the Vatican Museums, where they got to witness first-hand the dedication and effort that has been put into each piece of art and building in the city. SWHS junior, Luca Corticelli, said, “I really appreciated the opportunity to learn about the history of Vatican City through a guided tour that showcased the city’s architecture, art, and natural beauty.” When students had breaks from touring throughout the day, they took time to look around the main plaza, visiting restaurants and gift shops where they had the chance to buy a souvenir that could be blessed by a priest of the Vatican.
A scenic outlook of the Arno and Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy. (
Maeve Verzella )
Florence
To finish off the tour of Italy, the group spent their last day in the “City of Flowers”, otherwise known as Florence. After an early morning accompanied by a breakfast buffet at the hotel, the students hopped on the bus for their first few visits of the day. With devices called “Whispers”, the group took part in a guided tour, led by a local guide who spoke through a microphone connected to the student’s headphones. This technology was helpful throughout the trip, especially in the crowded areas of Florence, including the Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and the Duomo di Firenze. SWHS junior, Ava Parente enjoyed her time in the City of Flowers, saying, “Florence was such a beautiful city and I am so glad that the school gave us the opportunity to go visit. My favorite part was how the city was a blend of beautiful historical churches and statues, along with tons of moderns shops of all kinds.” Following an afternoon break for lunch and shopping around the city, the night finished off with one final tour at the Academia, home to Michelangelo's masterpiece, the Statue of David.
A statue of King Carlos III sits in the center of Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Spain. (
Jane Carty )
Madrid
Madrid marked the halfway point of SWHS’s journey through Europe, and students had an early wake up call to catch a morning flight that would take them from Italy into Spain. On their first day in the city, students explored the area’s iconic landmarks, walking through Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. They enjoyed Spanish style tapas for lunch, and had time to explore the shops and sights of the city during the afternoon. The group made a second stop in the city the next day, after a morning in Toledo, and visited the Royal Collections Gallery, getting a glimpse into the history and culture of Spain through art. SWHS senior, Lily Lines, reported, “I had a great experience in Madrid, we were able to explore the city which had such beautiful buildings and so much nature incorporated into the city. We got to see beautiful historical buildings and art, and tried churros con chocolate. It was such an amazing experience that I got to have with my friends.”
An aerial view of the village of Toledo, Spain, which sits next to the Rio Tajo. (
Jane Carty )
Toledo
The Travel Club’s stop in Toledo was brief, but beautiful, as they started the day with a stop at an overlook of the entire village and surrounding rivers. Toledo is known for their high quality metal craftsmanship, so the group visited a local workshop, where they observed an expert metalsmith in the process of crafting a sword, and a jewelrymaker using a precise metal stamping technique to create a pendant. Traveling further into the city, students visited the Church of Santo Tome next, which featured an architecture style that represented the blend of Arabic, Jewish, and Christian influences on the town’s culture and history. Finally, the group toured the Cathedral of Toledo, an ornately decorated cathedral that began construction in the 13th century. Students had a break for lunch before taking a bus back into the center of Madrid
Park Güell highlights the art of Gaudi, offering a view of La Sagrada Familia in the distance. (
Jane Carty )
Barcelona
For the last stop of their journey, SWHS travelers took a high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona, passing through the Spanish countryside during the morning. Upon arrival in the city, the group stopped in a neighborhood known as Las Ramblas, completing a scavenger hunt of the area and exploring the Boqueria market. That evening, the group stayed at a hotel near the coastline, and visited the beach after a long day of touring the city. SWHS senior, Jordin Foran, was appreciative of this stop, saying, “I had an incredible experience in Barcelona. I loved all of the nature mixed with architecture in the city. My favorite part was going to the beach; the Mediterranean was beautiful and I had the best time ever with my friends.” On the second day in the city, and the last day of the trip, the Travel Club visited Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks, La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, admiring the work of famed architect Gaudi. On the final evening in the city, students watched a live flamenco performance featuring the different styles of dance and music originating from Spain.
