During the September Holidays, 25 Year 10 and 11 students had the trip of a lifetime, as they journeyed across France and Italy, learning about culture, history and language. Commencing in France, we began the trip with a whirlwind Parisian tour, encompassing the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, Montmartre and Eiffel Tower – as well as lots of yummy French Pastries. From there, we headed to the Western Front, for a sobering few days on the battlefields, visiting the trenches, mines and memorials to the fallen. There was also the amazing Amiens cathedral light show, and plenty of time to explore, shop, and try out French cuisine, including snails, steak tartire, terrine and cassoulet. The less adventurous preferred to check out the local McDonalds, and see what the French had on offer – cheeseburger croissant, anyone?
From France we jetted across the Alps to Sorrento, where we explored the ancient towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which had been decimated by the explosion of Vesuvius in 79 CE. We drank out of 2000-year-old fountains, crossed Roman roads on the original stepping stones and walked through the houses of the rich and poor. We climbed Mount Vesuvius, ate lots of Pizza, pasta and of course, gelato, swam in the Amalfi, and wandered the cobbled streets of Sorrento,
From there we went to Rome, where we explored the Palatine Hill, Forum, Colosseum and Capitoline Museums, the Vatican Museum and the Ara Pacis. A late-night walk around the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and some last minute gelato, finished off an awesome two week trip!
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