Rome and Florence, Italy Student Winter Break Trip 2016

Twenty-one CIP students came together at the beginning of 2016 to embark on an eleven day journey to Italy. CIP's annual Winter Break Trip provides for an opportunity for students from all CIP locations to travel, socialize, and learn about the world together. Students develop lasting friendships with one another and have a lot of fun! This year the group also opted to track their walking mileage on the trip. In total, the students walked over 35 miles!

The trip started out with a day tour of New York City prior to the students' departure to Rome. They visited Wall Street, the 9-11 Memorial, Central Park, and Grand Central Station.

New York, New York

Then they were off!

After arriving in Rome, the students jumped right into their adventure. Their first day included a tour of Rome; sight-seeing included the Piazza Navona, the Italian Senate building, the French Quarter, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. The evening concluded at a local restaurant called the Origano. The students had a chance to have real Italian food. Italian meats, cheeses and grilled vegetables were offered before the main course of three different kinds of pizza. The students also had homemade gelato before getting onto the tour bus and heading to the hotel the Roma Aurelia Antica.

Over the next few days, the students visited the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Ancient Rome, the War Memorial, Tivoli, and traveled on to Florence.

Florence and Pisa offered many great things to see. In Florence, the students visited the Uffizi Gallery, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Gates of Paradise, the Accademia, and viewed the statues at the Piazza della Signoria, where the original David once stood. In Pisa, sights included the Battistero di San Giovanni, the Duomo di Pisa, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, all located in the Piazza dei Miracoli.

The last day was spent in Florence at the Central Market.

Italy is famed for its incredible food. After arriving in Rome, the students jumped right into their adventure. The students had the opportunity to eat at many great places and were even able to experience a local restaurant erupt into song when a local guitarist began playing.

The students also got to experience New Year's Eve in Italy.

We wish to thank all the parents for making this great trip possible. This has been a once in a lifetime experience for the students which they will not forget. We had a knowledgeable and energetic tour guide, Giordano, who was able to show the students many places off the beaten path. The CIP staff enjoyed their time with a great group of CIP students.

Gina, Anthony, Savannah, and Giordano (from left to right)

We are looking forward to another great trip next year!

Anthony Milla

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