“Rome is the city of echoes, the city of illusions, and the city of yearning.”
-Giotto di Bondone, Renaissance painter
What is it about Rome that has captured the imagination of writers for centuries? Twenty-one students are searching for answers to that question during this Maymester 2022 class. The students, led by instructors Carolyn Click and Andy Burns, aim to use their five senses to explore the spiritual heart of this city and the landmarks that have drawn pilgrims to it for ages.
Along the way, we plan to record our impressions of the classical landmarks of ancient, medieval, and modern Rome, learn to navigate the Metro, try new foods and discover the heartbeat of this eternal city.
We will also travel by train to Assisi, the hillside town that is the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, who founded the Franciscan Order in the Middle Ages. And we plan to “dig into” the ancient city of Ostia with a trip to the archaeological site that was once a harbor town. Along the way, the students plan to write about their experiences and photograph their journey. We hope you will travel along with us as you read their work.
Italy, famous for its wine, did not earn this claim through mass wine consumption, while they do consume A LOT. Rather, they earned this title because of the sheer amount of wine made in the country.
Flower market by day, bar scene by night, Campo di Fiori offers a range of activities for its visitors. During the middle ages, this property
A tasting experience like none other. The Tili Vini winery is filled with rich history, nice people. and delicious wines.
It’s normal to anticipate certain expectations when traveling abroad. But could those expectations have a negative impact on your trip?
Rome, a city filled with historic beauty, is facing a problem. The city’s beauty is being overtaken by the trash problem that is filling the streets. How does this problem affect the city and what do the Romans think about it?
An examination into the differences between American and Italian drinking cultures.
In 2015 a retired American couple decided that Florida was not the place they wanted to live the rest of their lives. “We gave the kids what they wanted. Sold everything. Everything. Got on a plane with four suitcases having never been to Italy.”
People from all over the world know the Amalfi Coast to be a hot tourist destination, but many are unaware of its unique history.
In one of the oldest cities in Europe it is fair to expect a certain level of deterioration. Buildings with cracked exteriors. Haphazardly paved cobblestone