Finishing it up in Rome

2/20/15 Post

Today was probably one of busiest days the whole entire week. We saw the Vatican Museum, the Pieta, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basillica, the Colosseum, and the Spanish Steps. Even though we had to take the subway, it made the day more interesting. It was a lot for us, but together as a group we made the best of it. I guarantee that all of us are going to miss this wonderful country. - Alyssa

Reminiscing on Italia! A month ago today we left for the trip of a life time (the longest travel of my life!) and I wish I could go back! -Tonja

One Month Later

It's been a month since takeoff, and we are still dealing with depression. Glad our family got back together today for a reunion! This photo was taken the first day we got there in the Piazza del Repubblica. 

- Alyssa

Our last night

My favorite picture of the trip. Our last night in Roma and Edo took us on a little walking tour of some popular places with beautiful monuments and fountains. We went to a gelato place with 150 choices to choose from and it was amazing. This is the last family photo from our trip and I wouldn't have wanted it to be any other way. 

Last day in Italy

Today we spent the day in Rome, starting by taking a bus to Vatican City. First we went into the Vatican Museum with our tour guide and learned about all of the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. After seeing the Sistine Chapel, we went into St. Peter's Basilica. Inside we saw the Pieta, many mosaics and a statue of St. Angela. We left Vatican City and we went to the Colosseum. For dinner we got to make our own pizzas! It was delicious and the best meal we had on our trip. To finish off the night, we went on a walk to the Pantheon and Spanish Steps, and got gelato at a place with 100 flavors. It was a great way to finish off our trip!

-Meghan

Pieta

Last day

For our last day of the trip we had an amazing time. Starting with the Sistine Chapel where we saw Michelangelo's stunning Last Judgment. After that we went to the Colosseum which left us stunned. There are no words to describe it, it was a beautiful experience. We then went on to make our own pizza and got to eat it for dinner and to end the night, our tour guide took us on a walk around Rome and we got to see the Spanish steps and had the best gelato in the world! 

An amazing day to end our journey. 

Pizza making!

Today we went to a restaurant called Ristorante Pizzeria to learn how to make our own pizza!! The Pizza Chef showed us a presentation of how exactly to make the pizza! He first started with showing us how the pizza dough is made and then rolled out the dough and showed us how to put on the toppings. We then got our own dough and toppings and made our own pizza! Soon after they came out of the oven they were perfect and all ready to eat! :)

The Colosseum

Today we all went to see the beautiful colosseum. It is an amphitheatre in Rome that dates back to 70 AD. This huge arena has been used for everything from jousts to executions. Everyone, rich or poor, would climb up several steep steps to get the best view. Some famous architects that worked on this amazing building include Titus and Vespasian. The remaining parts of the arena are still in tact and some of the broken off parts are on display inside. 

Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and Saint Peters

Today was very busy day. We went to the Vatican Museum, we walked through the Sistine Chapel and went inside Saint Peters Basilica. We experienced beautiful art by the best artists in all of history. Such as the work on the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel and The Last Judgment which was executed on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, both painted by Michaelangelo. We also saw the Pietà in Saint Peters which also was done by Michaelangelo. 

Gelato Factory

After we left Florence and visited Assisi, we stopped in a factory to learn the process on how to make gelato! We were given a mini demonstration of how simple ingredients become a popular frozen Italian treat. Here, we had four flavors: vanilla, hazelnut, chocolate, and strawberry. To be turned into gelato, these flavors are poured into the machines behind our guide and within 5 minutes it is turned completely into beautiful gelato.

Assisi & Rome

Today we had our last morning in Florence, and got to visit the Piazzale Michelangelo which overlooks the entire city. After, we drove down to Assisi and got to visit the tomb of Saint Francis. Then we made our way to Rome, where we will be staying until Saturday. 

Piazzale Michelangelo

This morning, everyone was so upset we had to leave the lovely city of Firenze. Our tour guide decided to give us a last taste of the city before we left for Assisi and Roma. He arranged for the bus driver to stop for about 15 minutes at Piazzale Michelangelo. Piazzale Michelangelo is a small piazza on the very top of a big hill where there is a cafe and a large copy of the statue of David. From this area, you can see the entire city of Firenze. Il Duomo is clearly the biggest thing in the landscape and stands out beautifully to the right of Ponte Vecchio. The mountains in the background that are miles and miles away truly make the sight worth seeing. I was so happy we got to stop and take pictures because it is just so breath-takingly beautiful. It is a panorama you really have to see to believe. - Mara

Last day in Florence

Blog 2/19

Today we had our last day of class. After thanking our teachers we walked to All'Intico Vinaio, a delicious panino shop where everyone got lunch. Then we walked to the Misuri leather shop. We were showed their amazing 18k gold jewelry and a lady told us how to tell real leather from fake leather. After some shopping at Misuri, we finally visited the Uffizi Galleria, where everyone presented their knowledge on the piece they chose to research. Then, we had some free time to shop, had dinner, and finished the night off with gelato!

-Meghan

Birth of Venus at the Uffizi Gallery

David, Santa Croce, Ferragamo

Blog 2/18

Today was our second day of classes. We walked to school in the beautiful weather. Afterwards, we had free time to go shopping and get ourselves lunch. Then everyone met up and we went to see the statue of David at l'Academia. The statue is 16 and a half feet tall, weighs 5.5 tons, and took Michelangelo 3 years to create. The tour guide then took us to Santa Croce, the cathedral where Michelangelo and Galileo lay in their tombs. The last stop was the Salvatore Ferragamo shoe museum where we learned about Salvator and the way he made his shoes. I learned that his shoes are comfortable because he understood the need for support in the arch of your foot and made his shoes with extra support in the arch. Lastly, we had a nice dinner and got delicious gelato on the way back to our hotel. It was a great day.

-Meghan

Statue of David

The david

We saw the david today and had an amazing tour guide! 🇮🇹 - rachael richter

02/17

Today we went to L'Accademia where the famous Michelangelo's David is. It was a beautiful experience and the tour guide helped us understand all the techniques Michelangelo used for his sculptures. We also went to the church where Michelangelo and Galileo Galilei rest. I learned that Galielo Galielei was born the same month and year that Michelangelo died and like our tour guide said "one genius died and another one was born" 

Soccer Game

Today while walking to the Santa Croce, we walked past a soccer game in the piazza. The men were dressed in Renaissance clothes, and were playing soccer the way it was played in the 1500s. 

Michelangelo and the Afternoon

We went to L'Accademia and saw the statue of David. A tour guide, named Roberto, gave us headsets so he can walk around and point while telling us everything we needed to know. Several works of Michelangelo as well as other artists were displayed in the museum. Afterwards, we headed outside and walked down the cobblestone streets to Santa Crosce, the church where the dead bodies of several famous Italians are, including Michelangelo and Galileo Galilei. Outside, in the piazza, there was a medieval soccer game going on with cameras and a huge crowd. It is a tradition for every February 17. Afterwards, we walked to the museum of Salvatore Ferragamo and looked at his show designs and a woman named Jennifer showed us the anatomy of the foot and why Salvatore's heels were so comfortable- they have steel in them. It was a wonderful afternoon. 

Gelato!!!

4th day of the best gelato in this world, while walking around Florence during our free shopping time!!

School!

Tonja, Alyssa and me today before class! It was such an amazing time learning in a new environment with my best friends!!

Pizza!!

Today tonja and I ate our 10th slice of pizza since coming to Florence

La scuola

Today in class my teacher, Maria Juliana, spoke to us about the government in Italy as well as conjugations and vocabulary. We learned new terminology such as specific food recipes and political terms. Even though my classmates and I are all on different levels back in New York, we're all keeping up the same pace speaking in Italian and using hand gestures. Our classroom is small with seats that have small connected desks as well as one window and a white board. The teacher is also very kind and tries to use English words when we don't know the Italian. - Mara

Learning

Today we went to school and learned the italian alphabet! 😃

Fresco

Today we made fresco paintings! We were told about the history of making frescos and how difficult it was. A man named Giorgio came up with this concept. You have to finish painting quickly because the first "coat" dries within 7 hours. Here's how mine turned out! The turtle represents being steady and the sail represents going fast. - Mara

Florence/ lucca ✌️

Always a fun time with the selfie stick

Coffee

Starting the day with a little taste of Italy. Ready to start school today! After school we're going to do frescos and do a little bit of shopping. 

Lucca

Today we went to Lucca after visiting Pisa, and got to take a bike ride around the beautiful city walls. 

Leaning tower!

Walking through Pisa!!

Leaning tower of Pisa!!

Before getting on the train to Pisa!!

Biking in Lucca!!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Group shot

Il Duomo

Duomo

Firenze

View from our hotel!! 

Welcome!

Benvenuti!

Welcome to the 2015 TUS Italy Immersion Trip blog. Here, you will find up-to-date photos and posts from your daughters, as they explore new cities, speak Italian with locals, and discover everything Italy has to offer!

Stay tuned for daily updates!

Arrivederci!

Mrs. Hanson & Ms. Brittis