The Putney Excel group stopped over for a whirlwind trip to Paris en route to Tuscany this past week. After packing up and saying “au revoir” to St. Hilda’s and Oxford, the group loaded up their luggage and hopped through the Chunnel to Paris. That evening, students and staff took a leisurely boat ride down the Seine followed by crepes and bed at the Hostel Fourcy to prepare for a busy three days.
Putney's time in Paris included small group trips to many Paris attractions including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Napoleon’s Tomb, the Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musee d’Orsay. Evenings included dinner at traditional French restaurants, a palate-broadening experience for many, concerts in funky French cafes, a carnival, and plenty of “crepes avec nutella e banane.”
After what seemed like no time at all, the whole crew grabbed one last baguette, croissant, or pain au chocolate and settled in for an overnight train ride to Italy. The group awoke in Tuscany just in time to look out the windows and ooh and aah over the lush scenery and vibrant architecture before arriving at the station in Florence.
After unpacking and settling into our rooms, the Villa welcomed us with a sumptuous midday meal. Once the whole crew was thoroughly stuffed with pasta, fresh fruit, salad and crusty bread, classes took off for an orientation tour of Florence. Students learned the basic streets, how to get to the Duomo, and of course where to get the best gelato in town.
Now that everyone had seen their new surroundings for the next two weeks and were properly hot and exhausted, everyone trooped back to the villa for another delicious meal and some relaxation time before bed.
The next and final leg of the Excel Oxford/Tuscany promises to be full of excitement: beach excursions, day trips to surrounding areas, games on the lawn and plenty of education in art, architecture, history, photography, journalism and international relations. Stay tuned for the adventures ahead. Buon giorno tutti!
