Day 5: Thursday March 15, 2012

This morning the girls participated in a guided tour of the streets of Florence which began with a tour of l’Accademia to see the infamous works of Michelangelo, including the well renowned “David.” Ms. Tornambe and I think many of us are still speechless at the ability of Michelangelo to portray such strength and realism in the 17 foot tall statue. Today we also visited many famous sites such as; the Duomo, San Lorenzo square, and Santa Croce. After lunch we took the girls to the leather market where they practiced their bartering techniques and made some great purchases. Dinner was in a great little Tuscan restaurant called “La Cantinetta” which we would recommend to anyone visiting Firenze.

Day 4: Wednesday March 14, 2012

Assisi and Firenze

Our day began very early with a bus ride to Assisi. The girls soon came to realize how beautiful and quaint this city really is. We had a guided tour of the Basilica of San Francesco of Assisi and also visited his tomb. We studied the various painting techniques and stylistic features found in this Gothic era church while learning about the earthquake that destroyed the top 2 levels of this beautifully decorated and honoured Basilica in 1997. We then had an opportunity to take stunning scenic pictures, enjoy a gelato and explore the cobble stone streets.

In the afternoon we loaded onto the bus to drive to Firenze. After checking into the hotel we walked through the streets of Florence to enduldge in a traditional Tuscan antipasto followed by all you can eat pizza. We finished the evening with an evening stroll through Piazza del Duomo and San Lorenza.

Day 3: Tuesday March 13, 2012

After breakfast we began the day with a tour of the Colosseum and Forum. The girls experienced the ancient ruins and learned so many interesting little details and stories about the way the “Roman’s used to live.” However, the most exciting part of the tour was running into our pastor Father Gorman. After lunch the girls were given some free time to explore the shops of Rome and learn how to navigate the main squares using their maps. This evening we enjoyed a traditional Italian dinner which included two types of pasta and then we headed off to bed to get some much needed rest.

Day 2: Monday March 12

Today we had the opportunity to take the Metro into Vatican city. In the Vatican museum the students saw various paintings, sculptures and historically significant artifacts. Our tour guide, Mino also provided the girls with many interesting details about history, religion, philosophy and jurisprudence.  We then were given the opportunity to sit on the same stone seats as the cardinals do during “con clave” while basking in the beauty of Michelangelo’s depictions of the bible in the Sistine Chapel.  We then made our way into St. Peter’s Basilica where the girls gazed upon “La Pieta” and walked through the Popes’ crypts. In the afternoon we were able to visit the Castel Sant Angelo, the court house, Piazza del Puopolo and shop along Via del Corso and Via dei Condotti. This evening we indulged in Italian pizza and gelato at a local restaurant followed by a night walking tour of the Colloseum, the Senate, and the city center.

Day 1: Roma bella!

Buona sera! We made it. After a smooth flight we arrived in Roma at 7:00 am. We then collected our baggage and loaded the bus where we were transferred to the Catacombs of San Callisto. The students enjoyed a guided tour of the ancient cemetery lead by a wonderful priest working on his PhD. He was so excited to know that we were Catholic and that our girls were interested in the persecution suffered by our fellow Christians so he brought us into the hidden prayer rooms and burial rooms that are usually blocked off to the public. We then headed to the hotel where we checked into our rooms and then took a stroll down Via Cavour to get some lunch. Then it was time to get a taste of all that Roma has to offer so we headed on a guided walking tour of the most famous hot spots: Piazza Navona, St Ignazio, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish steps. After a 4 hour tour the girls were exhausted and we headed back to Hotel Mediterraneo to wash up and get ready for dinner. After a delicious three course meal the girls headed back to their rooms to get some much needed rest since we will be up at 6:00 am tomorrow in order to visit the Vatican, it's museums and the Sistine Chapel. A domani :)

Are you ready?? The countdown is on!

With departure quickly approaching, everyone here at Georgia Hardy Tours is committed to making this the ultimate Mrch Break trip to Italy!  You just have to make sure your bags are packed and you're ready to go.  Buon Viaggio and Buon Giorno Italia!!