By Maria Suomi This trip was led by EF Tours which is not associated with Kingsley Area Schools.
The high school Travel Club has returned from yet another adventure! In June, the travelers flew out of Traverse City and headed to Switzerland and Italy.
In Zurich and Lucerne they experienced fondue and alpenhorns, cruised the beautiful Lake Luzerne, and ventured high into the Alps - first by incline railway, then on foot through the “Dragon’s Caves” and among Alpine wildflowers to the summit. Even more exciting was the amazing return view from the cable car gondolas.
In Lucerne they crossed lovely carved covered bridges decorated with flowers and visited the “Lion of Lucerne,” a monument which commemorates the Swiss guardsmen who died in 1792 during the French Revolution. Shopping expeditions included Swiss chocolate, Swiss Army knives and cuckoo clocks, among other things.
The group, led by Robin Lewis and Maria Suomi, headed across the Alps to Venice, Italy on the Adriatic Sea. In Venice students enjoyed a gondola ride through the many canals, a visit to the island of Murano for a glass blowing exhibition and one to the island of Burano, famous for its lace-making.
From Venice travelers stopped briefly in Lake Como, famous for its beautiful waters and celebrities’ homes before heading on to Tuscany and the beautiful city of Florence. Here everyone viewed art and architecture by some of the world’s most famous artists. The botanical gardens, a spectacular perfumery, the Ponte Vecchio (displaying gold and silver jewelry), the church of Santa Croce, the fountain of Neptune and, of course, the golden baptistry doors of the Duomo, or Florence Cathedral, were all on display.
After Florence came the peaceful medieval hills of Umbria and Assisi. Here, in the birthplace of St Francis, were medieval churches and arched roadways and even a quick visit to see the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis.
After Assisi came the ever energetic city of Rome: the Colosseum, the Forum, the enormous Vatican Museum and, of course, St Peter’s Square. And gelato! Lemon, lime, chocolate, hazelnut, cherry, chestnut, passionfruit and more…the list was long.
Departing Rome, the travelers headed south to Sorrento, famous for its coastal views and citrus. Lemons were beginning to pop up everywhere. After a brief photo stop above the Bay of Naples, the travelers moved on to catch the boat for the isle of Capri.
Capri included a boat tour of its multihued blue waters, stone arches and grotto. On its return there was time to shop, drink a refreshing lemonade drink called lemon granita from giant lemons, and soak up some sun and sea on the beach before heading back to Rome.
That evening everyone threw a coin over their left shoulders at the Trevi Fountain in hopes of a return to Rome. Then there was a visit to the Spanish Steps and the Piazza Navona…along the way seeing a violinist and a clarinetist performing on the street.
The following day meant catching a flight back to the USA and a treasure of memories and souvenirs.
This trip was led by EF Tours which is not associated with Kingsley Area Schools.
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Want to learn more about the KHS Travel Club? Email rlewis@kingsleyschools.org
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