Upper School students enjoy European trip over Spring Break

Over Spring Break, Upper School Spanish teacher, Cesar Robalino, and Commandant Office Assistant, Beverly Gonczar, took a group of students on a trip to Spain and France. Miss Beverly wrote an account of their trip, which included stops in Barcelona, Madrid, Provence, and Paris.

“From the moment we landed in Barcelona, beauty surrounded us and was an architectural delight. Even the airport is a work of art. The Basilica Sagrada Familia was one of the most impressive cathedrals we had ever been in. We also went to the Park Güell where the famous architect, Gaudi, created one of the first ‘gated communities’ way before it’s time. We also visited Gaudi’s house named Casa Milà which was in downtown Barcelona.

In Madrid, we visited the El Reina Sofía and Prado Museums. The Prado Museum is the main Spanish national art museum located in central Madrid. It features one of the world’s finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century. That evening, the group went to see Real Madrid play soccer – an exciting time for all. We also spent an evening watching Flamenco Dancers…a real treat. The food was amazing…ask anyone who had the thick, rich chocolate and churros, yum!

Our visit through the south of France included a trip to Nîmes where we had a fencing class and a calligraphy class. Then we went on to the Pont-du-Gard aqueduct where it was another beautiful spring day in the French countryside. In Provence, the land of lavender, we experienced the impressive walled City of Carcassonne which was a fortress built in 100 BC.

Then we went onward to Paris – via the TGV Bullet Train! There, we boarded a bus and toured Paris with a local guide for half the day, then walked to the Notre Dame Cathedral. After dinner, we took a boat ride up and down the Seine River, gazing at the beautifully illuminated Eiffel Tower and The Louvre.

Our last day in Paris was spent at the Palace of Versailles, we looked at some of the highlights at The Louvre and finished the day off high atop the Eiffel Tower and enjoyed the breathtaking panorama of the City of Lights!”