| During
spring break 2007, 11 Owen County High School students, along
with their advisor and six adult chaperones, joined a group from
Carroll County to travel to France, Monaco and Italy for 10 days.
Representing Owen County were seniors Matt Doolin, Kaitlin Johnson,
Teddy McEntire and Laura Williams; juniors Kyle Hagedorn, Katy
Kelley, Johnathon Smith and Ashley True; and sophomores Alan Greene,
Chris Haines and Blake Traylor. Chaperones were Rebecca Doolin,
Christy Edwards, Larry Johnson, Jane Searcy, Connie Smith and
Susan Traylor and me, who served as the group’s advisor.
Representatives from Carroll County High School were sophomore
Melissa Noble, chaperones Lynn Eaglin and June Mefford, and group
advisor Warren McEuen. This is the fourth trip to Europe that
Warren McEuen and I have co-sponsored.
Our group departed from Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International
Airport on the morning of Friday, April 6, and after a lengthy
layover in New York, arrived in Nice, France, the following morning.
While in Nice, we strolled along the Promenade des Anglais, visited
a chocolate factory and climbed atop the city’s fortress
to take advantage of breathtaking views of the Mediterranean
Sea.
On Sunday, our band of travelers left France for a visit to Monaco,
the second smallest country in the world.
In Monaco, we toured the Aquarium at the Oceanographic Institute,
photographed the cathedral where America’s princess, Grace
Kelly, married Prince Rainier, witnessed the changing of the guard
at the Royal Palace, and saw the starting point for the Grand
Prix at Monte Carlo.
Later that day, we traveled back to France and toured the Fragonard
Perfume Factory in the medieval city of Eze.
On Monday, we spent the day exploring the old city of Cannes or
relaxing on the beach before leaving the French Riviera for Italy.
Our first stop in Italy was the charming town of Pisa, replete
with its Leaning Tower. Next, we headed to Florence where we stepped
back in time to the Renaissance.
We visited the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria de Fiore, or
Il Duomo, and climbed the 414 steps of Giotto’s Tower to
view the city’s skyline.
On Wednesday, we toured the Uffizi Gallery, Il Ponte Vecchio,
and the Piazzale di Michelangelo. We departed Florence on Thursday.
After stopping in Cortona – the setting for the movie Under
the Tuscan Sun – we traveled to Rome.
Our adventure in Rome began with a tour of the ruins of the Forum
and the Colosseum. That afternoon, we left Italy for Vatican City,
the world’s smallest country.
We marveled at Michelangelo’s works in the Sistine Chapel
and toured St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest Christian church
in the world.
A few steps later, we were back in Italy.
On Saturday, we ventured three hours south of Rome to Pompeii.
In the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius, we visited the ruins of the ancient
city, at one time buried beneath 10 feet of volcanic ash from
the mountain’s eruption in 79 A.D.
On Sunday, we departed Rome for Cincinnati.
In addition to our souvenirs, we brought back memories to last
a lifetime.
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