Blog Catch-up!  Due to a slow internet connection, the blog is a bit behind, so today I am posting a recap of the last days in Roma and our first days in Firenze! 

 Our last days in Roma consisted of a trip to the Roman Colosseum. The Colosseum, originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre is located in the center of the city and is one of Rome’s most famous sites. It is estimated that the giant amphitheatre had the capacity to hold 50,000 spectators. From there it was a quick walk to the Roman Forum also located in the center of Rome between the Palatine and Capitoline hills. The site itself contains the ruins of many important government buildings of ancient Rome. Next was a visit to the Capitonline Museum.

 We started our last day in Rome with a trip to Vatican City to visit the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Cathedral. We entered the Vatican Museum and made our way to what many consider to be Vatican City's main attraction, the Sistine Chapel. It took Micheangelo four years to create his masterpiece and completed it in 1512. On our way through the museum we passed numerous important and historical artifacts including the famous School of Athens painting painted by Italian Renaissance artist Raphael.  After the Vatican, students had the afternoon to explore Rome one last time. Then a wonderful group dinner at one of Romes best pizzerias 

Farewell Greece.. Hello Roma!!

After a wonderful time in Athens, it was time to say goodbye to Greek Salads and Hello to Pizza!!  We got into Roma on Wednesday, got settled in, and  started our Roman adventure with a cultural walk (our first of many) and a visit to the Pantheon, a temple built for the gods of ancient Rome.

The next day we boarded a bus and began our full day excursion to Pompeii. As we headed south, we made a short stop in Naples to visit the Naples National Archaeological Museum, the most important Italian archaeological museum and one of the oldest museums in Europe. The museum contains many collections of Greek and Roman antiquities including Roman artifacts from Pompeii. For lunch we stopped at a pizzeria where everyone got their own individual pizza. After lunch it was time to explore the ruins of Pompeii. The city was completely destroyed in the year AD 79 when the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius completely buried the city in ash and pumice. The ancient city was lost until its rediscovery in 1749 and is still being excavated today.

Goodbye Greece..

Hello Nutella!!

The Pantheon!

Making a wish at the Trevi Fountain!

 The Beautiful City of Roma.

The National Archaeological Museum in Napoli

Day Trip!

Yesterday we took a charter bus on a full day excursion to Mycenae and Nafplion. On our way we stopped at the Canal of Corinth that separates the main land from the Peloponnese.  Mycenae, is an ancient stone citadel so large that the Greeks though it must have been built by giants calling the walls “cyclopean”.  After a trip up and around the ancient palace complex and a view of the surrounding valley we visited the treasury of Atreus, a beehive shape underground tomb around 3 millennia years old.  Our next stop was Nafplion, a coastal town in the Peloponnese surrounded on three sides by water.  We took a dip in the crystal blue Argolic Gulf and relaxed by the sea side. Then made our way to explore the quaint town of Nafplion where we ate dinner and desert!

 Group picture in front of the Lions gate at Mycenae!

the treasury of Atreus

 Sporting the new Abbey Road Beach Towels!

Greek Cultural Extravaganza!

Who wants to get Greeky? WE DO!!  The day started off with a tour of the Acropolis which mean "High City" in Greek.  As you can see, the view was Amazing! Today's optional activities included, a tour of the Byzantine museum with Chris, or a Greek coffee tasting with Emily and Hannah.  As a night time activity we had dinner and made our way to the hotels roof top terrace to watch the sun set and learn some traditional Cretan dances!  

 Gettin Greeky with it!

Dipping our feet in Ancient Greece.. a trip to the Agora, and the New Acropolis Museum

Today was our first full day in Athens.  We started the morning with a group discussion on Ancient Greece then headed over to the Agora.  The Agora, which means open space was the meeting place for the citizens of Athenian democracy. There is a relatively new onsite museum, the Stoa of Attalos that displays artifacts found at the Agora. After lunch and Orientation we made our way over to the new Acropolis Museum.  Our instructor Chris Guided us through the museum and filled our minds with fun facts and interesting insights, and just in case that wasn't enough info, the museum offers a 10 minute documentary about the history of the Parthenon!  After the Museum visit we had an hour and half of down time before another wonderful group dinner, then.. our first friendly competition; a photo scavenger hunt!  

 Ava and Amelia waiting to enter the Agora

 Jacob and Jordan exchanging glances with the bust of a Roman Emperor!

 Group Photo in front of the temple of Hephaestus 

Outside the New Acropolis Museum (photos were not permitted inside)

Welcome to Athens!!

We made it!!!  Everyone arrived safe and sound at the airport in Athens Greece. The city is beautiful and the sun is shining bright! We all went back to the hotel where the students were given some time to get settled in, take showers and relax;  then.. Off to dinner at an amazing Greek restaurant with a roof top terrace and the best view in town!  After Dinner we capped the night off with a gelato and a stroll of the Plaka (the area around our hotel).

 Abbey Road Western Civ 2012!!

 View from the Terrace 

 Bode, Addie, Amelia, and Cammi 

 Emma and Hayle enjoying their fro-yo!