Claudio trips

Claudio is our program director, and pretty much completely in charge of everything. 5 weekends of the trip, he takes us out around Italy. This includes: Orientation, Bolzano and Mantova, A trip to Venice and Murano (glass), A trip to visit the towns of Lake Garda, and a large overnight trip to visit Asiago (I’m missing one!). These trips are great, because transport(via bus, not plane) and fantastic food are included!! They are so stress free, and we get to see smaller, less touristy parts of Italy. On our busrides, we get to see so many olive trees and grape vines J
During Orientation, Claudio took us around Verona, giving us tours, showing us the school, and showing us typical Veronese fair. We were all so exhausted and overwhelmed, but it was great to learn so much so quickly. During our Bolzano and Mantova tour, we got to see the unique German-influence Bolzano (I ate a pretzel!! Closest I’m getting to Austria or Germany this time :P ) and the palaces of the famous influential Gonzaga family in Mantova (including the sex palace of Frederick).
On our trip to Venice, we went into a school of lace, where the art of hand made Venetian lace is still preserved. It was so beautiful and intricate. Afterwards, we went to eat at a restaurant, and were served squid ink pasta--the sauce is black, salty, but delicious!! We hopped on a water taxi to Murano in the rain, and went to a little glass blowing factory, and learned about the process. Many glassblowers have done it for ages. All the glassware comes with certificates and stickers of authenticity--and if its cheap, its probably not authentic. There’s nothing to Murano BUT these stores, all selling glass items. I could have bought everything in that town!! I bought CJ and I two beautiful glass horses, that were the specialty of the owner’s grandfather. How cool! As we waited for our water bus back, the dockman, trying to land the boat, fell into the lagoon!! People screamed--it was insane.
Claudio trips are always great fun, and I’m excited for our next one to Asiago!! Cheese, here I come!!