EXCHANGE XXVI
TRIP DATES: Thanksgiving
Break (tbd on airline tickts availability)
DESTINATION: Exchange School Liceo Deledda in Genova, Italy TRIP: To Florence, Rome, and Sicily |
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Immerse yourself in Italian life by living with a family in Genoa, navigating sun-drenched streets, and mastering cappuccinos with classmates. Spring sees the roles reversed, as you introduce your Italian friends to the charm of West Virginia's rolling hills and county fairs. This exchange isn't just ticking landmarks; it's building bridges of laughter, sharing secrets of family and culture, and discovering that home is a feeling woven from cobblestones, gelato scoops, and whispered Italian words.
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Awaken your inner Medici in Florence! Witness Michelangelo's David, climb the iconic Duomo, and lose yourself in Renaissance masterpieces. Savor a sun-soaked lunch by the Ponte Vecchio, wander charming Oltrarno lanes, and chase sunset views from Piazzale Michelangelo. As twilight sets in, linger over creamy gelato under starry skies. Unfold Florence's magic, one cobblestone step at a time.
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Rise where gladiators once roared, and conquer the Colosseum's ancient whispers. Cast wishes into the Trevi's glittering embrace before ascending Spanish Steps to bask in panoramic vistas. Dive into Caravaggio's shadows at Borghese, then chase sunset from Janiculum's golden heights. Immerse yourself in Vatican majesty: Michelangelo's Sistine whispers secrets upon heaven's ceiling, while St. Peter's Basilica's dome pierces the sky. In Trastevere's cobbled labyrinth, laughter spills with sizzling pizza, and gelato whispers "arrivederci" under starry skies. Unfold Rome's Eternal magic, one cobblestone step at a time.
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Unveil Trapani and Marsala's salty secrets where ancient winds coax forth the "white gold" of Sicily from sun-kissed seas. Wander amid timeless shallows cradled by rhythmic windmills, their clacking serenading the sun. Feel the Phoenician whisper of history beneath your feet as you witness the briny sea's transformation into crystalline treasure. Savor the crunch of salt on your toes and lose yourself in labyrinthine salt pans painted by the sun and sea. As dusk paints fiery hues, raise a glass of Marsala wine to this land of whispered secrets, savoring fresh seafood under the moonlit sky. Unfold Trapani and Marsala's magic, one briny step at a time.
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In Piazza Armerina, where sun-drenched citrus groves give way to ancient whispers, dive into the vibrant world of Roman mosaics. Step through the timeworn threshold of Villa Romana del Casale, and prepare to be dazzled by a tapestry woven from millions of tiny tesserae. Here, the floors become canvases, teeming with scenes of imperial grandeur, playful hunting expeditions, and even bikini-clad beauties frolicking in thermal baths. Witness the intricate detail of a bustling marketplace, the fierce grace of a lion hunt, and the delicate charm of a mosaic kitten batting at a ball of yarn. Feel the laughter echo from the walls, the whispered gossip of toga-clad senators, and the roar of the Colosseum crowd, all preserved in the timeless language of mosaic art. As the sun spills through the windows, bathing these ancient scenes in golden light, imagine yourself transported back to the opulent world of a Roman aristocrat, where every step was a tread upon a masterpiece. In Piazza Armerina, the past whispers from beneath your feet, inviting you to step into a world of vibrant color and captivating stories, one dazzling tessera at a time.
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Wander where Greek shadows dance in sun-drenched Syracuse, a city sculpted by ancient empires and whispering of forgotten glory. Trace the footsteps of Archimedes on Ortygia island, where weathered stones echo mathematicians' musings. Dive into the vibrant chaos of the Capo market, a tapestry woven from sun-kissed lemons, pungent cheeses, and the singsong calls of vendors. Climb the Duomo's steps and let the panorama wash over you, ancient Greek temples, Roman amphitheaters, and medieval fortresses merging into a timeless symphony of stone. As twilight paints the sky, lose yourself in the labyrinthine alleys of Ortigia, where baroque balconies whisper romantic secrets and hidden trattorias tempt with the aroma of fresh pasta and local fish. In Syracuse, history bleeds into every cobblestone, ancient whispers mingling with the laughter of modern life. Unfold its magic, one sun-kissed step at a time.
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Embrace the fiery spirit of Catania, where Mount Etna's smoky plume paints the sky and whispers tales of ancient eruptions. Stroll through sun-drenched squares adorned with baroque fountains and elephant statues, remnants of the city's rich history. Explore the vibrant fish market, its stalls overflowing with the bounty of the sea, while the aroma of freshly baked cannoli tempts from hidden trattorias. Ascend the black lava slopes to Parco dell'Etna, a botanical haven where resilient flora defiantly thrives amidst volcanic ash. Hike amidst ancient craters, their rugged beauty a testament to the earth's raw power. Savor the panoramic views of Catania sprawling below, its terracotta roofs shimmering under the watchful gaze of the smoldering giant. As dusk paints the sky in fiery hues, settle into a bustling piazza and raise a glass of local wine to the city's indomitable spirit. In Catania, the whispers of Etna dance in the air, a constant reminder of the city's fiery heart, forever beating beneath its sun-kissed surface.
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Ascend to a paradise perched on the edge of the world, where Taormina whispers with the salty song of the Ionian Sea and the ancient murmurs of history. Stroll through winding alleys, sun-drenched piazzas framed by vibrant blooms, and terracotta rooftops tumbling towards the glittering expanse below. Explore the ancient Greek theatre, its stone steps echoing with gladiator shouts and whispered tragedies. Hike to the Santuario Madonna della Rocca, and let the breathtaking panorama wash over you: sapphire seas lapping at volcanic cliffs, Mount Etna's plume kissing the sky, and ancient Taormina basking in the golden sunshine. Savor a leisurely lunch on a cobblestone terrace, the gentle hum of conversation blending with the clinking of glasses and the aroma of fresh seafood. As twilight paints the sky with fiery hues, lose yourself in the labyrinthine alleys, where charming bars spill onto bustling streets, laughter floats on the warm breeze, and gelato whispers sweet promises of tomorrow. In Taormina, time melts away, leaving only the intoxicating beauty of a sun-kissed haven, waiting to be discovered, one cobblestone step at a time.
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Should your Sicilian odyssey crave the embrace of the sea, let a sleek hydrofoil whisk you away to Lipari, the crown jewel of the Aeolian Islands. Feel the ocean spray in your hair as you navigate sapphire waters, volcanic silhouettes emerging from the glistening horizon. Disembark in Marina Corta, a picturesque harbor carved into volcanic rock, and wander through sun-bleached alleys adorned with bougainvillea cascades. Explore the ancient cathedral, its weathered stones whispering tales of Greek gods and Roman emperors. Ascend the mighty Rocca del Castello, a formidable fortress gazing out at turquoise vistas, where the whispers of pirates and conquerors mingle with the salty breeze. Bathe in the crystal-clear waters of Canneto beach, its black sand warmed by the sun, and savor a seafood feast in a waterfront taverna, fresh lobster plucked from the sea that cradles you. As the sun dips below Vulcano's smoldering crater, painting the sky in fiery hues, raise a glass of Malvasia wine and toast to the magic of Lipari, a volcanic lullaby whispered on the Aegean wind. Let this island gem add a final, sun-kissed chapter to your Sicilian dreams before you bid farewell to this enchanting land.
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Or, opt for a coastal serenade in Cefalů, where the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea serenades sun-kissed beaches and a Norman cathedral whispers tales of ancient rulers. Explore charming alleyways adorned with fragrant lemon trees, their vibrant piazzas echoing with laughter. Ascend La Rocca for panoramic vistas of the glistening coastline, where rugged cliffs cradle hidden coves and the mighty Duomo dominates the skyline. Dive into the refreshing embrace of Cefalů beach, its golden sand warm beneath your toes, and savor a seafood lunch on a waterfront terrace, the salty breeze carrying the aroma of fresh pasta and local olives. As twilight paints the sky in fiery hues, wander through the bustling harbor, where fishing boats bob gently and the catch of the day sizzles on open grills. Raise a glass of local wine under the starlit sky, and toast to the magic of Cefalů, a coastal symphony of sun, sea, and ancient whispers, inviting you to linger one cobblestone step at a time.
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For more pictures go to Exchange 2017 |