This summer, West Branch students Gracie Eyerly, Megan Eyerly, Cheyanne Bush, Alexis Bush, Maddex Bickel, and their moms went on an eleven-day trip to Italy with Spanish teacher Lori Bollinger.
Their journey began in Rome, where they climbed the Spanish Steps, which were completed in 1725 and connect the Piazza di Spagna with the Trinità dei Monti church. They also tossed coins into the famous Trevi Fountain, a tradition said to ensure a return to Rome, and admired the beauty of the Pantheon, a nearly 2,000-year-old temple known for its massive domed ceiling. After a dinner at the Birreria Maritini, the group settled in for their first night abroad.
Day three took them to Vatican City. They explored the Vatican City Museum, home to one of the largest and most important art collections in the world, and spent time admiring the beautiful Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes. Lunch offered a choice between authentic Italian pizza or Italian McDonald’s, which they discovered was very different from the McDonald’s in the United States. After that, they had free time to explore the city of Rome on their own and dined at Hostaria de’ Pastini, where they had the chance to try authentic bruschetta, pasta with marinara sauce, sausage, and mushrooms, and a delicious tiramisu for dessert.
The next morning, they visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colosseum, which could hold up to 50,000 spectators for gladiator games and public events in ancient Rome. After many pictures and an hour-and-a-half tour, they walked through the Roman Forum, the political and social heart of ancient Rome. Next, they explored the historic Jewish Ghetto, established in 1555, which confined Rome’s Jewish residents under harsh restrictions until 1870. Today, the neighborhood is lively and charming, with narrow cobblestone streets, synagogues, traditional bakeries and restaurants, and cultural sites that reflect its heritage. The group enjoyed lunch, gelato, and some shopping before boarding a bus to Naples. An overnight ferry carried them to the island of Sicily, where they toured the Cathedral of Monreale, famous for its stunning Norman mosaics, the Palazzo dei Normanni, and the Palermo Cathedral.
On the sixth day, they explored the town of Taormina, which sits on a hill overlooking the Ionian Sea and features a well-preserved ancient Greek theater. They then spent the afternoon on Mt. Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano. The following day was a rest day at their hotel, which was located right next to the beach. They spent most of the day in the Tyrrhenian Sea and even tried a blow-up obstacle course in the middle of the water.
On the eighth day, they returned to the mainland and stayed at a hotel in Salerno. The next day, they traveled along the Amalfi Coast, touring a lemon farm where they sampled homemade lemonade and lemon cake. The Amalfi Coast is famous for its colorful cliffside villages and incredible Mediterranean views. They also had time to shop and enjoy the stunning scenery. On the final day, the group explored the archaeological site of Pompeii, preserved under volcanic ash after the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. That evening, they returned to Rome to prepare for their early morning flight home.
Trip leader Bollinger stated, “ My favorite part of any trip is seeing new sites and experiencing the culture of places that I’ve never seen before. I like to try out the language, too. Traveling really opens you up to new experiences and people, and I love that.” Going on an EF tour is very fascinating and fun, and a great opportunity for students. Bollinger is going to take a little break from travel, but she plans to take another trip in 2027. She has a list of places she would love to travel, but Costa Rica is at the top of her list! If you are interested in taking an EF tour to another country, stay tuned for more information in the future!
