40 Year 11 and Year 13 Latin and Classical Civilisation students enjoyed a fabulous week in Sicily! They rode a Jeep up a thunderstormy Mount Etna, the most active volcano in Europe; they visited the Valley of the Temples and Ear of Dionysius, famous from the most recent Indiana Jones film; they explored the captivating seaside town of Ortygia and viewed the stunningly detailed mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale. An amazing trip was had by all, touring Syracuse, Taormina, Morgantina, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina and more, and staying in two hotels, complete with pizza, gelato and the obligatory clown horns. venimus, vidimus, VICIMUS!
Read the itinerary below, composed by the inimitable Mr Adams:
Day One – chicken chippoque cano
We set off to Gatwick from Emanuel in high spirits. It was Emma’s birthday and she shared Colin the Caterpillar cupcakes and received a card from the group. Upon arrival, there was a short wait for the flight to Sicily. Mr Morrison enjoyed his very first Wagamama meal and cranberry juice. This turned out to be the lunch venue of choice for many Emanuel students.
We took a mid-afternoon flight to Sicily’s second biggest city, Catania. We were met by Gloria, a tour guide who regaled us with tales of her homeland. We were dropped off at a deserted layby and made the katabasis to the sumptuous Palazzo Durante hotel. There we were treated to a delightful repast of meat cutlet e chippo. We then settled in for the delights that were to come.
Day Two – Indiana Jones and the Dinner of Destiny
Our first Sicilian breakfast, and Mr Adams managed to break the coffee machine not once but twice. There was a magnificent spread on display, and we all tucked in. Prior to departure for the day, we walked the short distance to the beach and basked in the morning sun.
Our first tour stop was the ancient city of Syracuse. We announced ourselves at the splendid Archaeological Museum where we gazed upon relics from times gone by. Memories of the staff room were evoked. This triumphant encounter was followed by a trip to one of the ‘big hitters’ – Syracuse Archaeological Park. Here we saw the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre, the quarries (where Mr Morrison buries his marking) and the world-class Ear of Dionysius. The latter featured in the most recent ‘Indiana Jones’ film, which Mr Morrison and Mr Adams both awarded 5 stars. Mr Morrison whistled an aria from ‘La Bohème’ in the echoey caverns of the cave, and was met with rapturous applause as per.
That was not all, no sir. We then spent a delightful, sun-bathed afternoon in the stunning Ortygia. We passed luxury yachts owned by the rich and famous, and lunched in this ancient old port. We meandered around its winding streets and window shopped. The ‘window’ element of the shopping ceased when Mr Adams to his delight found that one could indeed purchase clown horns in Sicily. Students also invested their Euros wisely on said item at ‘Flying Tiger’, Ortygia branch. From here, a return to the hotel to pack for departure the following day. As I wrote this, I have just received news back from the lab that Day Two’s dinner has now officially been confirmed as pork e chippo.
Day Three – Travel by Land and Sea
The coffee machine survived Mr Adams’ destructive hand this morning and we all enjoyed a delicious breakfast of juices, fruit, eggs, cheeses, pastries and yoghurts. Stop 1 – a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ drive to Morgantina – an enormous site with temples, theatres and assorted bricks. It was 30 degrees and so there was a lot of hydration required and pit stops were aplenty. Emma and Jess plundered some pomegranates à la Persephone before departing.
Plans then changed following the driver dropping us off at his mate’s joint, Ristorante Rip-Offo. We stormed off after their outrageous demands of 19 Euros for a dollop of pasta and half a sausage. Ms Hoult came to the rescue with the suggestion of lunch in the local town. This turned out to be an unscheduled gem in the itinerary – the old town of Piazza Armerina was stunning, replete with old Sicilian charm. It was so quiet, care-free and peaceful that I felt I was in one of Mr Morrison’s Classics Clinics. Lots of students joined the staff for lunch, and we followed the meal with an amble through the old Sicilian streets.
The final site for the day was Villa Romana del Casale, a rather outstanding site with the biggest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. All in all, it was a tremendous night on the tiles. We then transferred to the exquisite Hotel Tre Torri, Agrigento. An architectural masterpiece of a hotel. We were joined by some lovely students from another UK school. A warm enchanté was exchanged in the foyer. Dinner was a feast, and our demand for chips on a daily basis had pleasingly been noted. A peaceful night’s sleep was had by all.
Day Four – ‘In ruins, like my teaching career’
Breakfast at the Hotel Tre Torri was followed by a visit to another of the ‘big hitter’ sites – the vast Valley of the Temples. We saw the temples of Hera, Concordia, Hercules (strong!) and best of all, the unmissable Temple of Zeus. We then made the arduous trek up the hill in sweltering heat to the Archaeological Museum, and were delighted to find that the gates had been locked. Mr Adams bravely volunteered to scale the fence to seek help, but his valour was unrequired. Exit was acquired. The Archaeological Museum was excellent and included an enormous statue of Atlas, and various interesting sarcophagi. Mr Adams bade a modest farewell in the visitors’ book.
Hence to lunch in Agrigento old town. Again, students liked the teachers’ choice and joined us. Lovely pizza was consumed. We were happy. The school party then strolled through the ancient streets, stopping to admire ecclesiastical structures and ice cream parlours. Back to the hotel via the world-famous Paghipoco supermarket where students and staff stocked up on necessities and refreshments for friends and family for the final day that lay await. A nice evening meal was had by all, and the day ended ‘tranquillo’.
Day Five – ‘Life is the name of the game’
Up early to bid a fond farewell to the unparalleled Hotel Tre Torri. Then off to Mount Etna (Etty-poos) – Europe’s most active volcano. Mr Adams tried to calm Mr Morrison’s concerns about erupting, and he finally agreed to come along. A steep climb around windy roads to the cable car point. Sadly, as the weather for once was not ‘scorchio’, the cable car was closed. Jeeps were laid on instead and took us further than the cable car would have. The journey was bumpy and hair-raising. Some immature member of the party kept tooting their clown horn during this death-defying drive up the volcano. The volcano was not a disappointment. Mr Morrison and his party feared for their lives as they ran from the elements. The thunder and bad weather made us fear Etna had signalled our time was up. Ollie filmed videos of students sprinting down the mountain reminiscent of ‘Pompeii – The Last Day’. A bolt of lightning narrowly missed Mr Adams. Students were disappointed. Following the obligatory purchase of tat at the souvenir shop, we paid our respects to Old Smokey and then departed with said coach-driver for our final trip.
Taormina – what a way to end the tour. Spectacular, beautiful, enticing. The view from its theatre is world-class, and Manasseh tested the sonority of its acoustics by honking a clown horn, much to Mr Morrison’s delight. The town was quite something with lots of lovely places to obtain refreshments. An insect-bitten Mr Adams kindly and generously purchased gelati for Emanuel students. Then back to the bus, and it was ‘andiamo’ to Catania airport. The airport itself was a revelation – spacious and replete with tip-top eateries. A short wait for the flight and home it was. And back in good time to Emanuel.
What a trip. What a success. One of the best ever. So many amazing sites. The students were also amazing. I overheard tourists commenting on their good behaviour at various sites. It made me feel very proud.
My thanks to all the students: Karan, Max A, Lara, Gilbert, Oscar, Max C, Elisa, Erin, Miles, Libby, Thea, Chester, Fergus, Jess, Ned, Mia K, Sophia, Manasseh, Jamie M, Emma M, Jamie McG, Flo, Eva, Thomas, Sam, Alexia, Charlotte, Charlie, George, Gabbi, Vittorio, Ollie, Sebastian, Alec, Gracie, Beckett, Emma W, Max W and Mia Y.
And, of course, the staff: Mr Morrison, Ms Hoult, Miss Ferstman and Ms Philp. Not to mention Mr Turner and Mrs Hegarty for all their help with organisation.
Arrivederci!
Mr Adams, Head of Classics
Sicily





