Written by Italy & Greece Semester Students, Tai & Henry   After we arrived in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana by train we were excited to finally arrive in Paladini. We were met by wonderful volunteers from Ireland, France, Italy, and Hungary. Our partner, Colm, his sons, and multiple fluffy friends made us all feel like a part of the community and family. We spent nights in tents and slept in some very… Read More

Written by Aiden & Naomi, Italy & Greece Semester Students  After sadly ending our stay in Florence, we made our way to Gambassi Terme to begin our Via Francigena Trek!! That afternoon we met Lauren, our guide for the trek, and prepared to begin our journey. Lauren guided us the beginning of the hike as we walked through the nearby town, noting all the via Francigena signs and painted pilgrims… Read More

Written by Laura and Jonah, Italy & Greece Semester Students  This week we finished up our stay at Panta Rei, and went to Florence. In Panta Rei, we helped give back to the community by picking up any trash around the property that we could find. We also made some challah for us and the community, which they loved. During our last day on Panta Rei we had quick Yoga… Read More

Written by Cat and Henry, Italy & Greece Semester Students  We spent this week at Centro Panta Rei. On Monday we embark by train towards Florence. We are all looking forward to being back in a city! We can’t wait to see and walk around the beautiful city of Florence and taste the world’s most recognized and flavorful wine. But we will wish a bittersweet goodbye to our beloved farm… Read More

Written by Tai & Naomi, Student Leaders of the Week  This last week we were staying outside of a beautiful town called Matera. We were staying on a working farm called La Masseria La Fiorita. The farm had everything from horses and cows to rabbits and chickens. When we arrived we met 2 volunteers and another woman who worked on the farm. They were from Austria, Tunisia, and Reunion Island… Read More

Written by Italy & Greece Overseas Educator, Ariana The Italy and Greece program is off to a great start! We landed in Rome and after a day of planes, trains, and automobiles we made it to Sora. Since arriving we’ve explored the countryside, done yoga, made pasta and gnocchi, and started our orientation activities. Our host Antonello has been amazing and the crew of volunteers here has warmly welcomed us… Read More

Written by Megan That’s all, folks! The Terra group has been back home for almost 2 weeks, adjusting back to the normal pace of daily life. Did we really just do all that we did? Whatever motivated each student to step on that plane on September 15th and fly to a foreign country with complete strangers, we applaud them! It takes courage to do what others aren’t doing- to walk… Read More

Written By Bella After our time at Re-green, we spent this final week directing ourselves around the Peloponnese region of Greece. Our first stop was Olympia, where we leaned about the ancient ruins, artifacts, the Olympics, and the Temple of Zeus followed by a race on the ancient track. We also had the opportunity to check out an amazing honey farm where we learned the process of bee boxes and… Read More

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Written By Bella & Avery The group continued their time in Agios Ioannis, Crete, with an archeology lesson lead by Carly, in which we visited her lab and saw the process that artifacts are restored and studied. After an educationally stimulating morning, the group learned how to cook a traditional greek feta and jam dessert by our lovely chef, Kristina. As the night went on, in our American nature, the… Read More

Written by Valerie & Isaac Our week began in Naples, our last destination in Italy. Staying in the residential part of the city, the group enjoyed a night filled with Italy’s authentic seafood and one last gelato stop. We arose the next morning bright and early to catch our flights to Athens and Crete. Following our smooth connecting flights, we were picked up at Crete’s airport and got to enjoy… Read More

Written By by Anne and Mateo The Carpe Terra group has had a lovely and eventful week! After a quick stop in Sorrento for some much needed rest and relaxation, we ventured on to Matera where we began our time at La Fiorita. We got to see how the volunteers and staff at Fiorita ran their farm sustainably, and even participated in various jobs and activities around the farm! We… Read More

Written By Sarah & Gillie We awoke on our first morning at Paladini farm to the smell of pancakes cooking – with a twist. Chestnut pancakes, made from chestnut flour harvested and milled by our host Colm and the volunteers. On our first day, Colm explained to us how important the chestnuts are to the success of the farm – beyond having an endless supply of roasted chestnuts to eat,… Read More

Written By John and Ellie On Saturday, the group packed up early and ventured toward the birthplace of the renaissance, Firenze (Florence). After setting up at our new hostel, we spent our free time further exploring and appreciating the beautiful architecture around us. On Sunday, we were sent on a scavenger hunt, and through our wanderings got to know the heart of Florence. Our final destination of the scavenger hunt… Read More

Written by Ishtar & Ellie Hello friends, family, and staff! We hiked the Via Francigena starting in beautiful Tuscany — specifically, a little town known as Gambassi Terme! We reunited with our lovely guide, Lauren who took us from town to town to learn about historic Italy. Our agenda: San Gimignano Poggibonsi Colle di Val d’Elsa Monterigionni Siena! The trail we’re hiking “Via Francigena” means the road that comes from… Read More

Written By Ishtar & Gavin The Carpe Terra Group has marched through the busy streets of Rome — a big switch from the countryside where we started! Our bellies are full with pasta and pizza — as expected. On our first day, we met our new Italian language teacher, Michaela, from whom we learned to ask, “Come ti chiami?” and “Come sai?”. To this we answer, “Mi chiamo Terra Group!”… Read More

Written By OEs, Adam & Megan The Carpe Terra program began their journey in the stunning region of Umbria, the green heart of Italy. This could not have been a more perfect beginning to the environmental focus of our semester, staying at the impressive family-run farm of Adolfo and Darcy, who have tenderly loved and cultivated this land for over 20 years. Students were welcomed with a traditional Italian meal… Read More

We’re happy to report that the TERRA group has arrived safely in Italy! They are making their way via private shuttle from the Rome airport to Località Il Piano, where they will spend the week learning about each other, the program, and Italy. They’ll also get to explore the countryside, help with harvests and cooking, and start diving into their learning about sustainability and climate change. They will post a… Read More

Hooray, all the members of the Italy & Greece TERRA group have arrived safely to JFK and are gathered together as a group for the first time. They are looking forward to getting to know one another and are ready to start their journey. We wish them safe and easy travels to Rome! We will post another blog when we’ve received word they have arrived safely in Italy.… Read More

Hello parents and students alike from Megan and Adam, Carpe Diem’s Fall 2022 Italy and Greece trip leaders! We write you from Carpe Diem staff training in sunny (for the most part) Portland, Oregon. Here we find ourselves working to put the finishing touches on our upcoming adventure together, getting to know each other better, as well as relaxing, recharging, and having some much needed fun! With just over one… Read More