Benilde-St. Margaret’s spring break trip to Italy is right around the corner and many students are ready to see Italy’s rich culture and partake in the unique opportunities offered.

Leaving on March 19th, sophomore, Emma Grniet, is one of 26 students from BSM attending the trip to Italy. Initially, Grniet was concerned about not knowing enough people participating on the trip. However, the luring idea of spending a week in Italy and seeing a part of the world that is so contrasting from her own was enough to influence her to go. Grniet says she is most looking forward to seeing some of Italy’s most historic sites like the Cysteine Chapel. “I’ve always wanted to go to Italy. That’s one of those bucket list activities, and people always say how it’s one of those places you just have to visit in your life because of the history, culture, food, and scenery in total,” Grniet said.

The trip will be led by Robert Epler, BSM’s Latin teacher. He has planned a detailed itinerary full of lessons on how to dance the Tarantella, how to cook authentic Italian meals, and visits to numerous cities. Although his Latin students have been studying the history and traditions of the country, the trip is open to all BSM students interested. “It’s a beautiful place, with really good food, and interesting scenery. I don’t know how anybody wouldn’t enjoy themselves there,” Epler said.

On their journey, the group will pass through Venice, Florence, San Gimignano, Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples, Capri, Rome, and the Vatican City. As they travel, they will see the Colosseum, Ponte Vecchio, Forum Romanum, and the public museums housing sculptures of some of the most famous Renaissance art pieces. At most points, they will have a local guide escorting them and sharing their in-depth knowledge about their home region. However, students will also have the opportunity to freely explore and sightsee in their unstructured time. “I hope you learn an appreciation for the culture you’re experiencing, the history of the place you’re going to, a little bit about things like customs, and food, music, whatever we encounter along the way,” Epler said.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 has made planning this trip difficult. The guidelines require students and chaperones to test the day before the airplane ride both ways. If anyone receives positive results, they will be forced to stay home or will need to adjust their return arrangements. While Epler says he is trying to remain cautiously optimistic, there is a lot still up in the air. “I will not be able to stop worrying about Covid until we get to the airport and everybodies’ parents pick them up,” said Epler.

Even with the uncertainty, Epler says he is thrilled. Despite the fact that he has been to Italy multiple times, he still sees and experiences new things each year. Epler’s goal is to instill a love of travel for the students participating on the trip. “It’s one of the best ways to broaden your horizons. It makes you more empathetic because the more places you go, the more different people you meet, the different ways you see how people live, the less insulated you are and thinking the whole world works like your world works. You get to see other people’s way of living, so getting that sort of expanded mind is a big part too,” Epler said.