Offaly students enjoy annual transition year trip to Lake Garda
Italy trip is one of the highlights of TY for Banagher College students
BANAGHER College TY's departed for the annual TY trip to Lake Garda, Italy for an action packed five days recently. This trip most definitely is one of the highlights of TY.
Day 1 was a prompt start leaving Banagher at 1pm to make their way to Dublin. The bus was full of excitement. When they arrived at Dublin airport they checked in their luggage, got their boarding passes and went through security before having time to get something to eat and have a look in Duty Free. At the gates they got into their groups with their assigned teacher, which they would stay in for roll call throughout the trip.
After a two hour and thirty-minute flight they landed into Milan Malpensa Airport. After getting their luggage they met their coach and amazing driver Christian. They then made a two-hour bus journey to their hotel. It was early Monday morning by the time everyone got settled into their rooms and went to sleep ahead of a jam-packed trip.
Day two was another early start. After breakfast in the hotel they made their way to Tronchetto to get the Vaporetto (water taxi) into St Mark's Square, Venice. They were given free time to eat before their scheduled guided tour at 1pm. It included a historical and artistic outline of St Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, the exterior of St Mark's Basilica and Doges Palace.
After the tour they visited the Vecchia Murano glass making factory before making their way back to the dock to get the Vaporetto (water taxi) back to the coach. Dinner was ready to be served when they arrived back to the hotel, and they then headed to bed.
Day three was the most looked forward to for most people, a full day in Gardaland featuring six rollercoasters and 32 rides. The bus arrived at Gardaland at approximately 10am giving everyone loads of time to go on all the rollercoasters. Two of the fan favourites were ‘Blue Tornado’ and ‘Oblivion’.
At 5pm everyone gathered to get the coach to a lovely town called Bardolino for Italian Gelato. Here they had a chance to stroll through the streets and look in some of the shops and the gorgeous church. The TY's ended the day with dinner back in the hotel and headed to bed as everyone was exhausted from a long and a hot day.
Day 4, the final day of the trip, had come very quickly but was still full of fun for the TY's! After breakfast in the hotel the TY’s met their coach and transferred to Sirmione. Upon arrival, they were treated to some more Italian Gelato before heading to the dock where they embarked on a scenic boat tour of Lake Garda. The tour had some amazing views along with the sun glistening on the water, it was absolutely stunning. The TY's had some free time in Sirmione where some went for a swim in Lake Garda!
They then went to Verona and had a tour of the Verona Arena, originally built in 30AD. It is world famous for holding large scale opera shows. They also saw Juliet’s balcony from ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
The TY’s had some more free time to try some authentic Italian food and look around a few shops. They then returned to their accommodation where they had some dinner and then began to pack up. A good night’s sleep was well needed ahead of an early flight.
Day 5 was an early 6am start for our TY’s as they began their journey of heading home. They transferred to the airport and said a final goodbye to their driver Christian. After the flight they met their bus and began heading back home to Banagher.
The five-day trip was amazing and thoroughly enjoyed by all TY's and is something that will not be forgotten about in a hurry. We would like to say a huge thanks to all the teachers who organised this wonderful trip for us and who accompanied us, Ms Dewane, Ms Kenny, Ms Cushen, Mr Nolan, Mr Darcy and Mr Lonergan – Thank you!!