Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) Grade 12 students are buzzing with stories and laughter as they reflect on their recent 10-day trip to Italy and Greece. Led by teacher Angela Mills, the group of 44 students explored ancient ruins, indulged in Mediterranean cuisine, and navigated unexpected travel challenges during their spring break adventure, returning with lifelong memories and newfound resilience.
Savoring history—and gelato
For Jovie Plett, Rome’s Colosseum and culinary delights topped her list.
“It was so cool to see the different architecture. The food was probably my favourite part. I’m a big pasta girl, so having the fresh-made pasta was just so good. You cannot replicate it here,” she says, singling out carbonara as her standout dish.
Madison Dack echoed the awe for Rome’s ancient wonders.
“The Colosseum represented such a big part of history, and it’s incredible that it’s still standing. The effort put into those buildings back then—the statues, the art—it’s unmatched.” She added with a laugh: “Also, gelato is really good if anyone’s wondering.”
Stephanie Rosset raved about Greece’s dramatic Meteora region.
“The monasteries are suspended in the middle of the sky on the rocks. It was so different than anything you’ll ever see here.”
“A mathematical miracle”
The trip wasn’t without hurdles. A snowstorm in Winnipeg forced the group to delay their departure by a day and a half.
“Travel isn’t always the way it’s planned—you’ve got to learn to go with the flow,” Rosset says.
Plett praised the chaperones’ quick thinking, noting, “Our teachers pulled off a mathematical miracle getting 51 people to Europe the next day. It was still amazing because we got there.”
Lessons beyond the classroom
For Mills, the trip reinforced the value of shared experiences.
“The relationships we built—seven chaperones with 44 kids—were phenomenal. We went through so much together, and it’s something I’ll remember for years,” she says. “I’m grateful to the students and their parents for trusting us with this adventure.”
Reflecting on the journey, Plett summed it up best, “It was warm, sunny, and full of pasta—way better than Manitoba’s cold!”
The trip, initially previewed in a February article highlighting students’ excitement for Mediterranean culture and cuisine, more than delivered—proving that even delayed flights and snowstorms couldn’t dim the magic of la dolce vita.
