Over February Break myself and group of 17 other Latin students embarked on a week long trip to Sorrento, Carpi, and Rome. We started our adventure in Sorrento where we attempted to fight off the impending jet lag with visits to a local gelato shop. When we first arrived we took a tour of the main piazza and wandered down cobblestone roads filled with smells of fresh produce and packed with adorable little shops selling anything and everything. True to form, our first Italian dinner (and nearly every other meal) was amazing with gnocchi followed by beef and vegetables and a chocolate mousse for dessert. The next day we boarded boat and set off for the isle of Capri.

Despite the spitting rain we took a bus up to the main shopping area and walking around looking at all the different high end shops and villas that covered the area. After our tour and many picture opportunities, we stopped for lunch which was as delicious as the island is pretty and we stopped for what would be the first gelato of the day. Once we rode the bus back down to the docks we decided to walk on a small rocky beach and soon many of us found shells and stones to commemorate our time of the island. Once the boat arrived we sped back to Sorrento where we were given time to explore a street fair. After a couple hours and another stop for gelato we headed back tot he hotel to eat and prepare for our trip to Pompeii that would commence the next morning.

At Pompeii we met our local guide and took a near 2 hour tour learning about the demise of the famous city. We were able to see where these people lived, worked, and even some of the artifacts that were preserved over the years. After a quick lunch break we boarded our bus, captained by our driver Ansel, and headed to a mozzarella farm. Once at the mozzarella farm, we were given a quick tour accompanied by an explanation of the history of mozzarella making. From there we saw Maria, an older woman who hand makes the cheese every single day, make the mozzarella and after we were treated to a plate of samples that included mozzarella, salami, prosciutto, olives, eggplant, and tomato. After we finished our plates they brought our little cakes topped with orange and lemon marmalade (oranges and lemons both being staples of Sorrento).

The next morning we packed up our suitcases and got back on the bus to go to Rome. A four hour drive and one impressive road stop later we had finally arrived in the city. We took a panoramic bus tour and stopped at St. Paul’s Basilica where we walked through a jubilee door (a door that’s only opened every 50 years). After a few more stops we finally checked into the hotel and got ready for dinner. After our meal as we walked back to the tram we stopped at the Colosseum which was all lit up and we stopped to take pictures.

The next day we met our local guide for a tour through the Colosseum and through the forum. After a near 3 hour tour we stopped for lunch and got a chance to relax. After a plate of amazing carbonara and many gelatos later we all reconvened to make our way to the Spanish Steps. After arriving and discovering that they were closed for renovations we set off to shop. After our shopping excursion we walked to the Trevi Fountain where we reminisced about Lizzie McGuire, took pictures, and even threw a couple of euros in. After a quick stop at the Pantheon we walked to the restaurant where we were each given individual pizzas the size of regular (shareable) pizzas. Once we polished the pizzas off we walked to yet another gelato store and proceeded back to the hotel.

Our final day we drove to the Vatican City and made our way through the endless museums, chapels, and cathedrals. We walked through the Sistine Chapel with its world-famous frescos and beautiful architecture and finally we walked through St. Peter’s Basilica. After taking many pictures we stopped at the official gift shop of the Vatican where we bought presents and sent them off to be blessed by the Pope. After lunch we went back to the hotel to pack up our things and get ready for dinner. That night we walked to dinner where we had lasagna, a vegetable frittata, roasted potatoes, and finally tiramisu. At the end of the meal our guide Marco stood up and gave us his goodbye complete with more corny jokes and it was only then when the fact that we were finally going home started to sink in.

The next morning we did final packing preparations and boarded our bus one last time to head to the airport. Once we arrived we said goodbye to Ansel and walked to our terminal. From there we got our boarding passes and said our final goodbye to Marco and boarded our plane. After the week we had it was hard to leave but the impact the trip made on us ensures that we will definitely be going back.