Europe: a continent filled with great diversity, wealth, and prosperity. March 9th a group of Ball High students and their chaperones met at a Target here on the Island to start our grand journey to Italy and Spain over Spring Break.
We had a layover in London, and it was great! It gave everyone time to relax before the hefty flight that awaited us. I bought some souvenirs for my family back home, then we had an eight-hour flight to Italy where we landed at the airport in Rome. Everyone was happy and excited and eager to begin our adventure.
After we got settled in our hotels, we made our way to see our wonderful travel guide and learn our itinerary. After the meeting with our travel guide, we walked to our bus to go to our hotel and rest up for a big adventure the next day.
We had breakfast every morning in every hotel we stayed at during our adventure, and the food was delicious! After breakfast we headed out to explore Rome. The moment I arrived in Rome, I was captivated by the rich history and stunning architecture.
I wandered through the beautiful streets for some time simply lost in the wonder of it all. Our lovely tour guide took us to the famous Trevi Fountain where we took photos and I made sure to toss a coin over my shoulder for good luck! After a long day of exploring the amazing ruins, all those remains of the once mighty Roman Empire, we headed back to the hotel for the evening.
Walking through the streets of Rome at twilight is a magical experience. A beautiful sight anytime, but especially at night, Rome with the glowing lights against the subtle blue sky is truly amazing! Back at the hotel we prepared for our next adventure.
The next place we headed was to Vatican City, but before Vatican City we detoured to St. Mary’s Major Basilica. To me, all churches are stunning, but St. Mary’s Basilica was fantastic!
No visit to Rome is compete without a trip to Vatican City! It’s a tiny country within Rome that holds so much beauty and significance to Western civilization. I marveled at the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica, with its breathtaking dome and intricate details. It was truly a spiritual experience.
I explored the Colosseum, imagining the gladiators battling it out in ancient times. It was great!
Exploring Rome and Vatican City was like stepping back in time and immersing myself in their art, culture, and history. It’s an experience I will cherish forever! If you ever get the chance to visit Rome, I highly recommend it!
Then after our amazing visit of Italy it was time for Spain. We visited Madrid and Barcelona! I’ve been fortunate enough to visit both cities, and they each have their own unique charm.
Madrid is the vibrant capital of Spain, known for its rich history and lively atmosphere. One of my favorite experiences in Madrid was exploring the stunning Royal Palace. It’s breathtaking! The city is also famous for its art scene, and of course, you can’t miss trying some delicious tapas while wandering through the bustling streets.
Barcelona, on the other hand, has a more modern and artistic vibe. We saw a flamingo show and it was stunning. The architecture in Barcelona is truly unique, especially the iconic
