Scotch College

A unique cultural and life experience in Italy

Last December’s art and language tour of Italy was a wonderful experience for all who participated in it.

Words: Cameron Newnham – Year 12 Photography: Mr Mark Mason and Wikimedia

It was one week until our art and language tour left for Italy, and our trip was in jeopardy. With the volatile situation in Thailand, it was uncertain whether the tour would continue.

After some lengthy negotiations with the travel agent the original flights were cancelled, and, luckily, new ones issued. Unfortunately, the group had to be split. Half the students travelled on an earlier flight with Mrs Vera Bifano on Cathay Pacific airlines through Hong Kong (with an eight-hour stop) then on to Milan, while the other half flew through Singapore and London on a Qantas flight with Mr Mark Mason.

Finally, after 25 or so hours sitting restlessly in economy class, the groups were reunited late in the evening in Milan. We were met at Milan airport by our trusty bus driver – and some very cold air. After a quick trip to the hotel we were greeted by Mrs Bifano with our room allocation, and we were soon off to bed for a good night’s sleep.

The next day after a 6.00am start and a great breakfast we spent the morning seeing the sights of Milan. The rearranged flights meant that the tour had less time in Milan, and we all vowed to return in the future to experience more of what it had to offer. After seeing a few of the major sights, including Leonardo de Vinci’s masterpiece The Last Supper and the Piazza del Duomo, we set off again for the smaller town of Verona on our way to Venice.

Verona is a charming little town with some unique sights including the Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheatre. After climbing the steps of this ancient auditorium we were rewarded with magnificent views in all directions. As the sun set on this marvellous place we again boarded our bus to make our way to Venice.

We arrived in Venice in the early evening, and wove our way by water through this amazing floating city on the way to our hotel. The mist rising from the many canals added to the mystery and intrigue of this wonderful place. Venice had been flooded for days prior to our arrival, but luckily during our visit the water receded and we could move freely to explore this unique city.

Next day we caught a ferry to St Mark’s Square to meet our guide for an informative tour of Venice. We saw many wonderful sights, and then we broke up into small groups to explore more of the city. Some students visited the famous Venetian glassworks.

We next spent a few days in Florence, sampling its beautiful, breathtaking art and architecture, including Michelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. In Florence the group had more time to experience Italian life: the food, the shopping, the markets and the culture.

We then travelled down the autostrada, passing snow-covered mountains, to the place where we would spend the next seven days. Entering through an underground tunnel, the group arrived by night in Orvieto, a medieval town perched on top of hill with beautiful 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. We stayed in an old monastery that we would call home for the next week.

The following day art and Italian classes started. For the next four days, mornings would be filled with classes and afternoons with tours and time simply to relax, for which everyone was grateful.

In Orvieto we experienced the wonderful hospitality of the local people, including cooking lessons at a local restaurant and bakery and visits to local artists and artisans, including a printer and sculptor. Day trips to ancient towns gave the group opportunities to explore and experience many different communities and historical sites.

After the quiet of Orvieto the hustle and bustle of Rome was a shock to the system. We saw the Colosseum and the Spanish Steps, as well as the Vatican. The streets were surprisingly busy all the time, and people parked their cars anywhere. Due to the timing – a few days before Christmas – people were everywhere, doing their last-minute shopping.

The tour was a wonderful experience for everyone. We all arrived home safely, with the second group arriving at 6.30am on Christmas morning. We were blessed to be able to arrange alternative flights, avoid the floods and a state of emergency in Venice and Rome, and arrive home safe and sound with everyone having their own set of experiences and memories they will have forever. It was a unique experience. Thank you to students, parents and teachers. GS