Hey World!

Today’s we started a very thrilling adventure during our year abroad in Poland.
The sooooooo awaited Euro Tour!!!!
For the last 7 months. We’ve been living in Poland as exchange students as a part of Rotary Youth Exchange Program in District 2231.
During our Exchange we’ve been through some crazy experiences we’ve never would’ve gotten the chance in our native countries such as Polish traditions and some other activities like Skiing (which was very cool btw).
But I think I can speak for all the exchange students from 2023-2024 RYE if I say the most awaited part of our exchange was Euro Tour which is our biggest trip of the year going through The Netherlands, France, Spain and Italy.

Amsterdam

We started this amazing trip with a beautiful place which is Amsterdam, Netherlands (A.K.A „Venice of the Northern Europe) a city with a huge number of canals and an even more amazing amount of bikes which almost reaches an average of 2 bikes per inhabitant.
During this first day we went through Amstel River and a building known as „The Scale” where the first human anatomy record was taken as well with the biggest bike parking place I’ve ever seen with around 8,000 bikes.
And that would sum up our first day in this adventure we’ve just begun called Euro Tour.
We’ll keep you updated!
Gibrán

Paryż, Wersal i Chambord….

 Our French journey began at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, where we enjoyed the unique skyline of Paris from the highest point in the city. From there we finished our day at the Arch of Triumph, having the opportunity to witness the French military proceedings to the Unknown Solider.

The next day started with an elevator ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower, where clear skies revealed a 360 panorama of Paris. Following a lunch in the bustling Latin District, we met our tour guide. Our tour showed us iconic sights such as the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the National Archives, and even the Biblioteka Polska w Paryżu. We then visited the Louvre, seeing many famed artworks.

Finally, we ended our time in the French capital at Trocadero Square, for a breathtaking photo of the lit Eiffel Tower. The following day we headed to the Versailles Palace and the Chambord Chateau. Both royal homes were extremely impressive, especially Chambord which was the inspiration behind Beauty and the Beast.

 

Dean Licitra

Barcelona….

Founded by the Romans over two thousand years ago, Barcino was the initial name of the famous city of Barcelona in Spain, where we had the honor of visiting for three wonderful days, with an amazing tour guide who taught us many interesting things about the city.

For me and my friends the highlight was the Sagrada Família, a church designed by Antonio Gaudi, a man who lived for art and religion between the 19th and 20th centuries.

Another highlight was the Flamenco show, topical dance from Barcelona, it was perfect and the dresses from the girls were so pretty!

 

It was a fabulous experience, the beach is splendid and the parks are very wooded with a warm energy of lived people and birds chirping… thank you very much for this magical trip!

Doroti Luiza Schumacher Adams

Cannes

Monaco

On 12/04/2024, rye 23-24 were in Monaco, nestled on the French Riviera, is a tiny yet captivating principality renowned for its glitz, glamour, and breathtaking scenery. Despite its small size, Monaco packs a punch with its luxurious lifestyle, historic landmarks, and vibrant cultural scene, which in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

There we could see several supercars, casinos and wonderful views. The main event in the year of the principality is the Formula 1 Grand Prix, which goes through most of the iconic Monte Carlo, the heart of the city, this is one of the most prestigious circuits in the competition. Monaco is definitely unique and we will carry this incredible experience with us forever! There we could learn about its history, such as the Grimaldi family, which rules the city for centuries and  built the Prince’s Palace, perched atop the Rock of Monaco, offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and serves as the official residence of the ruling Grimaldi family.

Victor Cunha, 13/04/2024

A Day in Monaco 

Today we were lucky enough to visit the beautiful Monaco. The second smallest country in the world, aside from The Vatican, the Principality of Monaco has gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as cliffs made of volcanic rock. Monaco is most well known for its casinos, as well as a deep history with racing.  In 1911, the first Monaco Grand Prix was held, a notoriously difficult race, due to narrow roads and steep terrain. We got the opportunity to visit the palace, where we learned about François Grimaldi, the founder of Monaco as a sovereign state, who snuck in as an monk of the Franciscan order, hiding his weapon under his robes.

 

There’s also a heavy presence of wealth in the air, with luxury boutiques, and expensive cars lining the streets. Personally, I was very excited to see the Monaco Grand Prix track, which was amazing to walk by. It’s a really beautiful place, and I had an amazing time with my friends there, and hope that one day I can go again. 

-Joey Broholm (U.S.A)

Pisa

Hello friends! On our first day in Italy, we visited the city of Pisa! The leaning tower of Pisa is a very famous tourist attraction, but the city of Pisa is much more than that. It is a place of rich history and culture. The Romanesque architecture and the many famous architects of the tower, including Bonanno Pisano, Gherardo di Gherardo, Giovanni Pisano, and Giovanni di Simone, make this city a very special place in history. It is a great place to learn about the history of Italy, but also take some hilarious photographs with the leaning tower! You can also have some delicious Italian Gelato and sit on the grass outside the cathedral with your friends. I had a great time here, and I hope I can go back someday because the time we spent there has barely scratched the surface!

 Ashley

Florence

Florence, an Italian city, whose present is widely linked to the history that surrounds it. This history is influenced by the presence of the Roman Empire, which since time immemorial, established the foundations for the emergence of not only the area, but also the country.

 

Secondly, Florence is considered the cradle of great Renaissance artists, and today considered cult artists, such as Dante, Michelangelo and Donatello, among others.

 

The magnitude and weight of these artists is reflected in sculptures (being the statue of David the most famous) paintings and buildings, like the cathedral or different churches, in which in their entirety demonstrate how the art of the time sought to portray members of the clergy and biblical moments.

 

Thirdly, it is important to remark it’s citizens, due to the fact that, despite of being a catholic society and being ruled to be loyal by the bible, it’s men would spend a big part of their  life with multiple women and sometimes, they wouldn’t even be italians  since they were said to be “hard people”. 

 

To conclude, it can be said that Florence is a city that contains great historical and artistic weight, which will amaze more than one person, including me. The guide knew  very well how to make us imagine what  happened in the past, as he gave the group detailed descriptions, italian phrases and stories  that he told with a great  sense of humour. A truly unforgettable and great experience.