Henry V. Bender, Ph.D., Hill's Elizabeth B. Blossom Chair of the Humanities, led a group of 18 Hill students as well as several Hill parents, faculty, and staff members on a 13-day educational excursion through Italy during spring break 2008. Dr. Bender said this year's trip was his most comprehensive tour of Italy to date -- a significant note, considering the fact that this was the 116th Italia tour facilitated by Dr. Bender for Hill and other academic groups. Please scroll down the page to enjoy the slide show depicting the group observing Dr. Bender's fascinating lectures along the way.
Participants soon realized that in addition to enjoying the sights, sounds, and tastes of Italy, they would be full participants in the educational lectures and commentary provided by Dr. Bender literally from morning to late at night. Throughout each day, Dr. Bender provided fact-packed handouts pertaining to each site and, most evenings, an after-dinner walk through the current city or town included continuous educational and anecdotal commentary. Students routinely were quizzed on and enlightened by knowledge of mythology, architecture, archeology, art, history, and current events relating to Italy.
The tour began with exploration in Rome, including St. Peter's Basilica and Square; the Piazza Navonna; the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel; the Pantheon; the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva; the Church of St. Ignatius; the Fountain of Trevi; the Piazza di Spagna; the Basilica of Saint Clement; the Colosseum; and the Roman Forum, among other stops. From Rome, the group journeyed to Sperlonga, site of a villa of the Emperor Tiberius, where impressive sculptures have been excavated and are being reconstructed.
Several days were spent in the beautiful, orange and lemon tree-dotted seaside town of Sorrento, with side trips that included a visit to the island of Capri, including chair lift rides to the top of the mountain for a spectacular view of the island and Italian mainland.
The group toured Herculaneum -- which was covered by lava upon Mount Vesuvius' eruption in 79 A.D. -- as well as the fascinating ruins of Pompeii. Also visited (amidst virtually the only rain that occurred throughout the trip) was the ancient town of Herculaneum.
The Medieval towns of Orvieto, Assisi, and San Gimignano also were explored, with visits to their incredible, unique cathedrals, where the group learned still more about architecture, frescos, iconography, and history.
In Florence, the numerous sites on the itinerary included the Museo dell Opera del Duomo and the Duomo; Ghiberti's Golden doors; the David by Michelangelo and innumerable other statues, paintings, and carvings; the markets of San Lorenzo; the Bargello Museum; the Pitti Palace; the Piazza della Republica; and the Uffizzi Gallery, to name a few of the options provided either directly under Dr. Bender's tutelage or during unscheduled time.
The final stop was Venice, with sights including the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark's Basilica, the Tower of the Clock and, of course, gondoliers.
In summary, the entire tour was packed with "teaching moments" that created an unforgettable learning experience for Hill students and friends.