Carrara: marble mines tour and Cinque Terre by boat!

Hi everyone! We're doing very well and enjoying the last few days in Italia! We spent a few hours on our way from the farm in Tuscany to Cinque Terre, touring a mine and marble studio in Carrara. It was an incredible once in a lifetime experience. Now we're heading into our 2nd full day in Cinque Terre. Yesterday we enjoyed hiking, boating, and relaxing in the 5 beautiful ocean side towns.  This will probably be my last blog post from our trip, we will find a way to share more photos from students when returned. 

TUSCANY! (Haley's pictures)

We're currently in Tuscany and just loving every moment of it here! Last night we enjoyed a 6 course farm to table meal at Fattoria Lischeto. You must ask your child about this incredible experience! Freshly made cheeses, pasta, vegetables, and more! We're staying here for another night and we get to enjoy another multi course dinner as well! Cannot wait.

Now, please enjoy some of Haley's beautiful photographs....

Goodnight, Venice

We just arrived safely back at our seriously awesome hotel in Padua after spending all day in Venice. There's too much to update on now and we will try to update tomorrow evening when we arrive in Volterra. Such an incredible day. For now, enjoy a night shot captured on our water taxi.

It's always hard to leave Florence

Good morning from Italia! Just had to share an edited shot from the bapistry view of the Duomo. Now off to a full day in Venice after exploring Padua yesterday afternoon.

Florence updates

Ah, Firenze! The birthplace of the Renaissance, home of David, center for fashion, and so much more! We stayed at a wonderful hotel centrally located to the Accademia, Uffizi gallery, and just blocks from Brunelleschi's Duomo. While only have 1.5 full days in Florence, we really made it count! We clocked over 10 miles on most of our fit bits- isn't technology, handy? Activities included a walking tour of Florence highlights: Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, Galleria dell'Accademia, San Lorenzo, Santa Croce, the central market, and more! After touring the city sites in the morning and seeing the David. We broke into groups, one group headed to the Uffizi Gallery to marvel and wander the largest single collection of renassiance and medieval artworks in the world. For example, Botticelli's Birth of Venus. While the other group climbed the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo, where you can admire Giorgio Vasari's frescoes of the Last Judgment up close and see a marvelous view of the city. This group also climbed several hundred more steps to get a view from the Bapistry, while the museum group headed up to San Michaelangelo Piazza to observe the city from afar and look for the chanting monks at San Minato. We ended our two evenings in Florence with amazing dinners consisting of local tuscan favorites and of course gelato!

Florence: peaks

So many amazing things to say about Firenze! I will update more later as we're now off to dinner, enjoy some sneaks for now!

Orvieto

After leaving Rome we stopped and visited Orvieto! Located in Umbria. We visited and toured the cathedral. Many students were especially impressed by the carvings on the front which depict Judgment Day (see detail below), as we as the large rose window and brightly painted frescos within. We also enjoyed a nice lunch before heading onto Florence!

Rome: 2nd full day

Roma - Day 2
We awoke to a gorgeous day of 75F and sun.  Some of us went up to the "Top of Roma" to take early morning photos and see the layout of this ancient city.  The Colosseum/Forum on one side and Vatican city, and the metropolis on the other.  WOW.
Then we were off to see the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Cathedral.  It was so spectacular and moving.  A nice walk across the Tiber to visit the architectural wonder, the Pantheon and to pay our respects to Raphael who is buried there.  After a huge late lunch, we shopped, drew, photographed and ended our day with gelato at the foot of Trevi fountain.  Walking back through Rome in the sunset light and getting an early night's sleep for ur next adventure!
What an amazing time in a short few days.

First full day in Roma!

Ciao!
We walked over 9 miles today exploring ancient Rome! Fit bits are handy, huh? After waking early and indulging in a few too many Italian pastries at our hotel's breakfast buffet, we headed straight for the Colosseum and learned a little about its history and role in ancient Roman culture. Guided tours of Hadrian's Hill and The Forum. Now off to have lemon pasta and enjoy Rome at night! P.S. I took more photos at Colosseum and just posted these ones for now and will share more later
- Ms. Bertarelli