We left Park Center on the bus without any problems and made it through traffic without any real delays. After getting checked in, we had about an hour to waste in the airport before we boarded the plane. Once we were aboard, the kids settled in for the 8 hour flight and we were soon on our way. A few of the kids slept for an hour here or there, but the overall excitement for the trip and the general commotion of the airplane kept most people awake. Before we left from MSP we knew that the transition between planes in Paris was going to be quick, but our plane was a few minutes early into DeGaulle, so we were able to get through security and passport control in just enough time to get in line for the next plane. More kids (and a few of the chaperones) slept on this plane.
Our luggage all arrived at the right place, and we met our tour guide, Loradona, at the airport. Our first stop was Frescatti, on the outskirts of Rome. The kids had about 45 minutes to wander around the village and find something to eat--some had their first Italian pizza while others enjoyed a local favorite--a pork sandwich porqueta. The sweet tooth indulgence began in earnest with numerous servings of gelato savored by many of the kids.
With this brief stop completed and our hunger momentarily satisfied, the group loaded the bus for the 4 hour trip to Sorrento. Everyone pretty much fell asleep as soon as we were on the highway, so the trip went by quickly. As we started to wake up, the bus arrived in the outskirts of Naples. Mount Vesuvius loomed to the left and the Bay of Naples lay beneath us to the right. Unfortunately, we hit Naples during rush hour so the single, narrow road into Sorrento took a bit of time and a lot of skill to navigate in the big bus.
Students checked in to the hotel rooms and then the entire group walked down to the square 3 blocks away. With a variety of souvenir shops, clothing stores and restaurants nearby, students were allowed to explore a little bit of Sorrento on their own before returning to the hotel for dinner. Our hotel served us a three course meal complete with ravioli (delicious), turkey, potatoes and peppers, and a traditional Sorrento lemon cake. Can't wait for tomorrow's lasagna!
