Italy
Italy
Monday
Our mobility started already on Sunday, when we left a snowy morning behind and travelled to the sun-soaked Italian town of Rosolini. Monday, February 9, 2026 was very varied and full of experiences. We started the day at the partner school, where we listened to the Italian national anthem and beautiful songs performed by the school children's choir. Afterwards, teachers from the individual countries introduced their schools and thanked the hosts for their warm welcome. After a short break, during which it started raining and a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky, we travelled by bus to the town of Avola. We were welcomed by a representative of the city council, who introduced us to the allegorical floats with carnival characters that are prepared throughout the whole year. We learned what the preparation and creation of the individual figures involves; they are made of paper. This traditional carnival festival lasts for three days, and we were very lucky because these figures can normally only be seen by the public during the festival itself. On the way back, we stopped at the town hall, where we were received by the mayor of the city. On this occasion, we presented her with a book – a gift from our mayor. During our transfer, police officers supervised us and ensured our safety. At the town hall we also saw an exhibition dedicated to the Italian carnival and learned about its history and traditions. At the end of the day, we returned by bus to the host families, where a delicious lunch and a pleasant time spent with the families were waiting for us.
(Mariana Badárová, Sára Dudášiková, 9.B)
Tuesday
Tuesday was very fun and adventurous. After arriving at the school, our hosts showed us what lessons in an Italian school look like, and we had the opportunity to observe different classes directly in the classrooms. We attended mathematics, history, and geography lessons. Afterwards, we were divided into two groups. One group made carnival masks, while the other worked on computers – we solved quizzes and took part in various interactive activities. After the workshops finished, we returned to regular classes again. We had lunch with our host families, and in the afternoon we moved to the main square in Rosolini, where an Italian teacher explained the rules of the Escape game. Through fun and creative tasks, we learned many interesting facts about the history and traditions of this town. After this activity, we visited a local church where a guide told us about its history – how it was bombed during World War II and later rebuilt, and that there are tombs located underneath the church. We also visited a local community centre where elderly women were preparing homemade pasta to be sold during the three-day carnival festival. The proceeds from the sales will be donated to charity. This day was a very interesting and enriching experience for everyone.
(Denis Tomčík, 9.B)
Wednesday
This morning began with breakfast and preparations for a long-awaited full-day trip. As early as seven o'clock, we all met at the bus stop and set off by bus towards the "mother of Sicily" – the majestic volcano Etna. However, the weather was not very favorable today, so we were not able to reach the very top. The wind was blowing at speeds of up to 60 km/h. Despite this, we did not miss out on this unique experience – our guide provided us with an interesting explanation during the journey directly on the bus. When we got off the bus, we were welcomed by a fascinating view of enormous snow walls reaching heights of up to four meters. It was truly an unforgettable sight. There was also a small souvenir shop where many of us bought a nice keepsake. From Etna, we continued to Catania, where museums were waiting for us. In the Lava Museum, we watched an engaging video about the history and eruptions of Mount Etna, and afterwards we explored the exhibition itself, while our guide added interesting information and facts. Our next stop was a museum dedicated to World War II, where we had the opportunity to explore the exhibition individually and absorb the powerful stories of the past at our own pace. Thus, our rich and experience-filled day slowly came to an end. The bus took us back to our "homes," where our host families were already waiting for us in front of the school. We symbolically finished the day by watching a hockey match together, which we won – giving us yet another reason to smile after all the experiences of the day.
(Kristína Turbeková, Bibiána Olešová, 9.A)
Thursday
This morning we were woken up by a heavy downpour—it was raining cats and dogs. For a moment we even wondered if we might have to go home by boat. Luckily, the whole program was scheduled at the school. While everything was being prepared, they took us to their classroom. I started working on a quiz (and I actually enjoyed it quite a lot), while the girls devoted themselves enthusiastically to making carnival masks. Later it was time for handing out certificates and taking group photos that will remind us of these moments for a long time. At one o'clock we headed back to our host families for a real Italian siesta—and it was definitely worth it. At home I was welcomed with spaghetti with seafood—clams. I must admit, I felt like I was in a real Italian restaurant. After a great lunch and a short rest, we returned to the school again. There a presentation was waiting for us. We felt a bit nervous, but also very determined—and we managed it really well. Afterwards, the parents prepared a demonstration of traditional pasta making. My "grandfather" from the host family I was staying with also played a main role. It was amazing to watch how something so typically Italian is made from simple dough. Of course, there was also a tasting—I even tried raw pasta, which reminded me in taste of our homemade noodles. We finished the program at half past six—tired, but full of new experiences. And since we needed to recharge our energy, in the evening we treated ourselves to burgers in a restaurant with our classmates. Laughter and a great atmosphere were the perfect ending to today's rainy (and for Sicily quite unusual) weather, yet still a very successful day.
(Hugo Maslan, 9.B)
Friday
Today we went on a full-day trip to the city of Syracuse. We left Rosolini at 8:30 in the morning, and after about an hour of a pleasant bus ride we arrived at our destination. First, we visited the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, where we were guided by a tour guide. We learned a lot of interesting information about ancient Syracuse and admired the ancient theatre as well as other valuable archaeological monuments. The atmosphere of this place made a strong impression on us, and for a moment we felt as if we had traveled back into ancient history. Later, we walked around the city, enjoyed authentic Italian ice cream, admired the sea, and visited the Duomo di Siracusa. In the cathedral, we learned how its appearance had changed throughout different historical periods. Thanks to virtual reality, we were able to imagine these transformations even more vividly and authentically. After returning by bus to our host families, we had a short rest and in the evening we met at a restaurant for a farewell party. We celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Erasmus+ program and wished Denis a happy birthday. Together we enjoyed our last evening full of laughter, memories, and a great atmosphere. On Saturday morning we said goodbye to our Italian host families, and after an unforgettable week we returned home with many wonderful experiences and memories that we will remember for a long time.
(Ester Maťugová, 9.B and Ema Čajková, 9.A)