Local group visits historic sites across Italy

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A group of Russellville High School students, as well as one student from Belgreen, along with teachers and parents, finally got to take their “senior trip” to Italy this summer. Delayed because of COVID-19 and other issues causing travel restrictions, the trip spurred high excitement among the travelers, some of whom had never been out of the country before.

RHS teacher Susan DeArman organized the adventure. While the trip involved doing and seeing a lot in a short amount of time – a span of 10 days – she said it was 100 percent worth it.  “My favorite town we went to was Assisi. We didn’t really know what to expect, but when we got there and saw all the medieval houses and buildings and churches on a hillside and started climbing up the hill to get there – it was just amazing to see,” she explained. Another favorite for her was visiting Vatican City and seeing the Sistine Chapel, even though it was much more crowded than anticipated. Another favorite experience was visiting a small bakery and interacting with the family running it.

The trip was organized through a company called Education First, and DeArman and others who went on the trip said they learned a lot – way more than they can remember, both from their main tour guide, Gesualdo, and their bus driver, Mossimo, as well as the individual tour guides they had in the various city they visited.
The group toured Murano, known for its glass; Burano, known for its lace; the Leaning Tower of Pisa; Florence; Rome; Assisi; the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel; Capri; and a number of other cities and sites, including some via a boat tour.

For 2022 RHS graduate Nelly Valdez, Venice was the ultimate site. “It was beautiful, just like all the pictures and videos you see,” she said. “The churches there were just beautiful. They don’t make buildings like that anymore. Even with the language barrier, we found a way to communicate.” Valdez said her background in speaking Spanish helped because of similarities with Italian. “I got to ride a gondola, and all the guides knew each other,” she added. “Many of them were family.”

Valdez said walking into the plaza at the Leaning Tower of Pisa was “breathtaking,” and she enjoyed seeing everyone try to make the expected “holding up the tower” pictures. “I had never been out of the country before, and I was nervous but also excited for this trip,” she said. “I’m thinking of joining the Greece trip in 2026.”

RHS English teacher Beth Gilmer said the trip was a wonderful experience for all. “I enjoyed going to Verona because that’s where the Romeo and Juliet story is set, and the city has embraced that as part of its legacy,” she explained. While Gilmer said she loved the beauty of Venice, she was surprised to find her favorite place to be Assisi. “I didn’t know the village itself was so beautiful,” she said. She also “saw enough of Florence to make me want to go back there, and I got to throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, a traditional way to make a wish.”

Another favorite Gilmer noted was taking the boat ride to Capri, which boated beautiful scenery, including old architecture. “We rode a funicular, a type of cable car, and we got to go to some very exclusive shops at the top.” 

Gilmer said while a few of the tour group members tried to learn some Italian ahead of time, nobody knew too much, but friendly guides and native Italians meant their lack of language wasn’t a problem.

“There were 23 of us on this trip,” Gilmer continued, “and that included students from several recent classes because of the trips being delayed more than once.”

For Zakery Colburn, a member of the RHS Class of 2021, it was a trip that did not disappoint. “It was wonderful to get out of town and experience somewhere new,” he explained. “It was really interesting to see how the culture differed from what we are used to in the states, not to mention trying new food. It was mind-blowing to actually get to see so many places I had heard about, with my own eyes, and experience it for myself.”

“People in Italy were very friendly, and they made us feel welcome,” he added. “My favorite food from the trip was the margherita pizza.” He wasn’t alone in citing this as a favorite. “I learned that’s what you want if you’re looking to experience a true Italian pizza.” Colburn also said he particularly enjoyed getting to see the Sistine Chapel. “That was one of my favorites, and it was really incredible to see. Another favorite was seeing the Pope’s summer residence. We saw so many beautiful areas.”

Miranda Haithcock, also a member of the RHS Class of 2021, said she had never even flown on a plane before. “I loved going to the island of Capri and the boat ride we took for a tour,” she said. “It’s just beautiful there. It’s so blue, and the islands are so pretty. I really enjoyed seeing the Leaning Tower, too.”

While the good times were too many to recount them all, one thing the group shared in common was that it was a truly memorable experience – something they will carry with them from now. Some remarked it sparked a love for travel, and they hope to be able to plan trips to other places.

“I try to encourage students every year to go on whichever trip we’re planning at the time,” DeArman said. “For the students who choose to go, getting to see them be just absolutely amazed by what they see – I love that because I know they’ve made a choice that’s going to have an impact on them for the rest of their lives.”

DeArman said that’s always the goal: to foster a love of traveling that will enrich their lives by experiencing new places and cultures and meeting different kinds of people, not just for the enjoyment of it but also to help expand their views and help them appreciate the similarities and differences of people living in other places in the world.