Margaretville Community Travel Club Toured Italy

MARGARETVILLE — Members of the Margaretville Community Travel Club recently returned from an 11-day educational trip to Italy.

Making the excursion were Margaretville Central School (MCS) students Brynna Asher, Evie Curlew-Sickaire, Chloe Buerge-Finn, River Williams, Miley Balcom, Alani Mendez, and Taide Trijillo. Olivia Wells, a former MCS student who now attends Delaware Academy in Delhi, was also a participant. They were accompanied by MCS staff members Beth Tanzer and Denise Asher, as well as Roxbury Central School staff member Liz Cowan.

The group began its journey in the city of Venice. From there, they visited Lucca and Florence, which are in the famed Tuscany region.

Up next, the tour took the travelers to the Umbria region where they visited Assisi and Pompeii. The latter was a Roman city destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. As a result of the quick burial under ash and debris, the city was largely preserved. Today, Pompeii serves as a vast archaeological site where visitors can explore the ruins of streets, houses, and public buildings as they once existed.

The group then headed to the Sorrentine Peninsula in the region of Campania in southern Italy. After touring the city of Sorrento, they spent a day visiting the island of Capri. Ms. Tanzer noted that a highlight was taking a boat ride around the island and seeing the iconic Fara (Faraglioni) rock formations (famously portrayed in Dolce and Gabbana commercials).

The group ended its trip in Rome, where points of interest included Vatican City, the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. 

“We were also visiting Rome during the 25-year Jubilee and had the opportunity to walk through the Holy Doors which are only open for the year during a Jubilee.  And all of this in 10 days!” Ms. Tanzer commented. 

The Margaretville Community Travel Club was established under Ms. Tanzer’s guidance in 2011. Since then, members have visited China, Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, London, France, Switzerland, Brussels, Amsterdam, Monaco, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Ms. Tanzer has also chaperoned a trip to Equator and the Galápagos Islands.

Ms. Tanzer commented, “I’ve also traveled throughout many cities in each country with students on several different occasions. Sometimes we travel to singular countries and other years we visit multiple countries. Each opportunity is unique and exciting mainly because of the students’ willingness to embrace new cultures, experiences and perspectives. So much personal growth occurs on our trips for students and leaders alike.”

Trips are open to all students in grades 9-12 and are funded individually by students and their families. The club’s next trek will be a multi-country trip being planned for 2027 and will hopefully include Paris, Germany, and the Alps. The itinerary could change depending on availability. Anyone interested can contact Ms. Tanzer for more information. 

Miley Balcom (from left), Taide Trijillo, and Olivia Well take time for lighting candles and blessings at the Duomo.

Pictured at the Duomo in Florence, from left, are Olivia Wells, Alani Mendez, Taide Trijillo, Miley Balcom, Conner (from a group in Washington state), River Williams, Chloe Buerge-Finn, Evie Curlew-Sickaire, and trip leader Beth Tanzer.