The Latin/Classics department took 45 students on an amazing tour of Rome over the half term. Our itinerary is attached below:

 

Day One

We met at Emanuel on Day One. All was well and students were suitably excited. The flight to Rome ran smoothly until we were told that the baggage handlers had not deigned to put some passengers’ luggage on the plane. Thankfully, all bags were returned.

After this we had the MM tour of the Circus Maximus, the stadium for Roman chariot racing, as well as the temples of Portunus and Hercules the Victor. We discussed the history of the Forum Boarium, the geography of ancient Rome and the three types of temple column to look out for. We also enjoyed a wander through the rose garden next door, with 1,100 varieties of rose! Sadly, there was no time for the Bocco della Verita but we saw a (free!) copy later at the Fiumicino airport.

That evening, we arrived at the 4* hotel. Dinner was a delightful smorgasbord which students hastily tucked into. We gave our compliments to the chef before retiring for the evening.

 

Day Two

 

Breakfast was speedily consumed that morning. Another guest at the hotel, a Mr Tiresias, said it looked really good.

We then eagerly dashed to catch our 08.15 coach into Rome city centre.

Following an ensuing mystery tour and circuit of various Roman streets, our taciturn and laissez-faire coach driver eventually deposited us at the Baths of Caracalla – a vast complex of changing rooms, swimming pools, plunge pools and saunas from back in the day, a mere 2000 years ago. These baths are the best and biggest preserved Roman baths of all in the world and were visually stunning in their size and grandeur.

Hence, to the biggest and most famous amphitheatre in the world – the Colosseum. Sadly, Mr Guegan and I (me – mr Adams, hello!) were not allowed to enter with the group, probably because of our decrepitude and we were forced to bypass four additional checkpoints to gain access. Mr Adams (me again, hello) had to flash his passport to finally win entry. Once inside, what a delight! Students and staff witnessed the grandeur of this magnificent arena and could only imagine the atmosphere and the noise and the unmitigated suffering that unravelled on its sand-soaked surface. It remains the symbol of Rome and Italy.

Thence to the Roman forum – the ancient city centre of Rome. We saw ‘arcus Titi’ (the arch of Titus), the spring of Juturna, the Senate House, the temple of the Vestal Virgins, the arch of Septimius Severus and the temple of Castor and Pollux. Perspiring in the unforgiving Italian sun, we then took in Trajan’s column, celebrating the eponymous Roman emperor’s subjugation of modern-day Rom-ania and Mussolini’s Vittorio Emanuele monument in the Piazza Venezia. Mr Morrison gushed passionately about his love of the column and its rich historical background.

Forthwith to the Spanish Steps – famously the location of Italy’s first McDonalds – and also to the Keats/Shelley house. This was time for lunch and students and staff dined at a wide variety of pizza and pasta ristoranti.

We then visited Italy’s oldest gelateria – Gelateria Giolitti – for free ice cream! A panoply of flavours. This went down a treat with the students!

Replete, we embarked on a short stroll in the Italian sunshine to the Trevi Fountain. The biggest and most beautiful fountain in the world. Staff and students threw coins in for luck. Mr Adams was tempted to throw Mr Morrison in for an extra dollop of fortune but was restrained by the remaining staff.

And on to the Pantheon – the best-preserved Roman temple in the world and proof beyond all measure of the excellence of the Roman temple (see PSA’s Y10CC lessons for more). We enjoyed having a closer look at its ‘rotunda’ and its ‘oculus’ which functioned as an ancient sundial.

Allons-y to the Piazza Navona – one of Rome’s most unbelievable squares with prices to match. Mr Morrison required some of fully-trained Mr Guegan’s CPR when he eyeballed the cost of a cranberry juice in this ‘trappest’ of all tourist traps. That said, students lapped up the beauty and serenity of this wonderful space.

Following a full day, as the sun went down (but not on me), we retired to our incomparable lodgings. A surprise was sprung and Mr Morrison and Mr Adams treated all the students to an ad hoc feast of locally-produced pizza and unlocally produced Coca-Cola. Conversation flowed as we tucked into various margherita, rucola and funghi pizzas. Behaviour was immaculate. The exhausted staff retired early for the evening given the demands of this jam-packed day.

 

Day Three

 

It was now our third and final day. Following our morning bushtucker trial at breakfast, staff were then treated to a flurry of lost keys and belongings.

Prior to departure, we met our beaming coach driver, Laetio, who cheerfully drove us with a joke and a whistle to the splendid countryside retreat of the emperor Hadrian – famous in the UK for his (wonder)wall. He was truly an emperor with ‘chutzpah’.

As we ingressed this imperial fun palace, we learned not to push an automatic gate that did not work automatically and then ascended a vertiginous hill to explore the grounds of his breathtaking villa. The atmospheric pools and magnificent edifices left us in awe. Mr Adams particularly enjoyed signing a waiver clause relating to the students’ behaviour prior to entry that contained the threat of legal action were any of them to ‘burp, fart or giggle.’ Mr Morrison and Mr Adams navigated the group’s way to the unmissable temple of Venus, where we looked out for Hadrian’s famous doves from above.

Next, prandium. This time in the pleasant environs of Tivoli. Students adventured around this charming little town with its exceptional views of the valley. Pizza, pasta and ice cream reared their beautiful heads again, and a fantastic time was had by all. Sadly, Mr Morrison’s insistence on getting an ice cream meant the coach was delayed on departure to our final venue. A stern word was had.

Our final activity on our grand tour was Gladiator School. Students learned how to train and fight as gladiators and several duels were had, spearheaded by a gently encouraging ‘lanista’. It was up to ‘imperator’ Bradshaw to decide who would live to see another day. Sadly, some of our students did not make it. The tension was palpable, and several staff keeled over at the thought of the inevitable bloodshed.

Then to the airport – the best in Europe 2023. One student had his bag searched 7 times, and Mr Adams was stopped by the Police. And bought tickets for their next concert.

Our flight was sadly delayed but this meant more time in the airport. We eventually got on the plane and enjoyed a quiet flight home through the night.

Well done to all students for their superb behaviour and enthusiasm on what has been a fantastic venture into the world of ancient Rome. Thank you to Mr Morrison, Miss Rollino, Mr Guegan and Mr Bradshaw for their invaluable help on the trip.

One comment on the Emanuel Twitter page about our trip said ‘this is how real world education should be’. I heartily agree!

Valete omnes!

Mr Adams, Head of Classics