A simple 3-step process for students and a layered, intense, multi-team execution model for EdTerra, Young Authors Program lays the foundation for students to understand teamwork, leadership, communication skills and cultural awareness altogether. It allows them to research, analyze and articulate their findings, thoughts and ideas in the shape of a high-end publication that they author and shoot.

1. Student Travel Review
Co-authored by students as part of
EdTerra’s Young Authors Program

2. Copyright © 2019
EdTerra Edventures Pvt. Ltd.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or any means, electronic or mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
the prior written permission of the copyright owner.
All EdTerra publications are available at
www.edterra.com

5. An educational journey to foreign lands always induces learning and excitement among
young and inquisitive students. When the destination is as diverse as the Mediterranean
region, one can only imagine the myriad ways in which Indian students would absorb and
construct learning out of the many differences and similarities that mark the cultures and
people of India and Europe.
For EdTerra, an educational journey is about enabling students to construct knowledge
through a meaningful encounter with new cultures, without diluting their fun and excitement
or restricting their wandering, curious minds. EdTerra achieves this through its Program
Development Team (PDT), which comprises both Indian and international experts. The PDT
carefully designs culturally neutral projects that enable students to meaningfully observe,
record, and articulate their impressions. These tools are deployed through a process that
encourages teamwork and meaningful discussions besides recording observations through
digital means, all of which is finally synthesised into a media product that showcases the
ideas and learning of the students.
This Student Travel Review, ‘Italy & Greece’ is one such media product that captures the
journey of learning of the students of Delhi Public School, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. This book
serves as a window into the marvels of Italy and Greece, especially valuable for those
students, peers, and parents who could not be a part of the program. It showcases the
intellectual and creative capacities of the students, the credit for which is rightfully due to
their parents and school.
EdTerra Edventures would like to thank Delhi Public School, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, for
their efforts and support which made this journey possible, with a special mention to the
Principal, Mr. J. Mohanty, for guiding us. EdTerra would also like to thank the accompanying
teachers for being so dynamic and enthusiastic. Their energy made our work easy, and
more importantly, made for a more memorable journey for the students. We encourage you
to read and re-live the learning and adventures of these students through the words and
photographs that follow.
Sincerely,
Amita Bajaj
Editor, Students Publication
LETTER FROM EDTERRA

7. Our Journey..........................................05
Rome......................................................13
EdTerra Moments...............................45
About the Authors.............................49
Contents
Vatican City.........................................21
Venice and Milan................................29
Athens and Delphi..............................37

9. OUR JOURNEY

10. OUR JOURNEY
Written and photographed by: Achint, Isha & Lavina
Our journey began with our arrival in Rome.
Then we had lunch at an Indian restaurant and
checked into our hotel. The next day, we went for
an early morning walk. After getting some fresh
air, we ate breakfast and set out for Vatican
City. Our tour began with the beautiful Vatican
Museums. The paintings inside those museums
were spectacular.
In the final chamber of the Sistine Chapel, one
of our friends got separated from the group,
which got us worried. Fortunately, the police
escorted him safely. Next, we went to watch the
Time Elevator Show, which taught us about the
history and architecture of Rome. We also went
to visit the Trevi Fountain.
The following day, we travelled from Rome to
Pisa. We had pizza and pasta for lunch and went
to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Piazza del
Duomo. We clicked some photographs and went
shopping. Thereafter, we travelled to Venice and
checked into our hotel, where our first session of
the Young Authors Program was conducted.
Next morning, we took a ferry to Venice Island
where we saw many gondolas. At the Island, we
met our tour guide, Monica, at St. Mark’s Square.
We saw a huge clock tower and visited St. Mark’s
Basilica. Then we proceeded to a glass factory
where beautiful glass vases and ornaments were
made.
Our next destination was Milan where we visited
the Sforza Castle. We heard a man playing piano
melodiously in that area. Next day, we flew to
Greece. We landed at the Athens Airport and
drove to Delphi. We went for shopping and
stopped by a pizzeria to eat lunch. Later, we
went to visit the Archaeological Site of Delphi.
After a steep climb, we reached the stadium
from where the view was breathtaking. We also
went to see several historical artefacts in the
Delphi Archaeological Museum.
The next day, we visited the Greek Parliament
near Syntagma Square (or Constitution Square)
in Athens and saw the changing of the guard
ceremony in front of the Parliament. We then
headed towards the Athenian Trilogy that
consists of the National Library, the National
University of Athens, and the Academy of Athens
all built in neoclassical style. We also visited
the Acropolis Museum to see some impressive
works of art. After eating lunch, we visited the
Parthenon, one of the most important Athenian
temples, dedicated to the legendary Greek
goddess, Athena.
The next day was dedicated to shopping in a
local market where we picked some souvenirs
for our friends and family members. After eating
lunch, we left for the airport to return to India.
Our trip to Italy and Greece was intriguing, yet
amazing. We learnt a lot about the rich history
of these two countries. It was an unforgettable
experience to travel along with our friends and
we hope to go for another trip in the future.
07

11. 08
OUR JOURNEY
Built on ‘marshy land’, the Leaning Tower is not the only building that tilts
— the churches of San Nicola and San Michele degli Scalzi in Pisa also lean
5

12. OUR JOURNEY
09
5 Our trip to Italy would not have been wholesome without relishing the
delectable Italian gelato

13. 10
OUR JOURNEY
Observing the exhibits of the museum, which have been unearthed from the
archaeological site of Delphi
5

14. OUR JOURNEY
11
5
Walking through the ancient ruins of Athens built
using an assortment of stones, bricks, and concrete
about 2,500 years ago
Observing the scenic landscape of Delphi situated
along the slopes of Mount Parnassus
5

15. OUR JOURNEY
12
5
We understood the major characteristics
of Romanesque style of architecture while
visiting the Pisa Cathedral
Exploring the unique geographical features of the
Venetian lagoon during an adventurous boat-ride
5

17. ROME

18. ROME
Written and photographed by: Anush, Ashvin, Himanshu, Lavni,
Paridhi & Saransh
When we landed in Rome, we were amazed to see
the intricate arrangements of various elements
of the city. We spent the first night enjoying the
clean and fresh air of the place, which seemed
like a welcoming change to all of us. We checked
into Hotel Capannelle and spent the night there.
Next day, we headed towards the Vatican City
where the prime attraction was the Sistine
Chapel. We were surprised to know that the
Vatican City was smaller than an average Indian
town. We received a warm welcome from our
tour guide, Monica. We visited the Sistine Chapel
and saw some architectural marvels that left us
spellbound. In the midst of the hustle, we lost
one of our group members after which the police
helped us to find the missing person. All of us
were relieved to be reunited within the group.
After some time passed, we reached a restaurant
to eat an authentic Italian meal that consisted of
freshly-baked bread and Arrabbiata pasta.
The next day started with a morning walk in the
pleasant environment of Rome. We were amazed
to see that its local culture represented the
co-existence of urban and rural characteristics.
After eating a hearty meal, we watched the Time
Elevator Show that took us back in time to make
us realise that ‘in Rome, the present is the key
to the past and the past is always present’. Most
importantly, it informed us about the glorious
past of the city of Rome. Thereafter, we visited
the Trevi Fountain where we made wishes like
many other tourists. We also ate Gelato ice-
cream, which is a very popular Italian delicacy.
We caught glimpses of the majestic Colosseum
as the bus crossed from there.
The next morning, we witnessed a spectacular
sunrise after which we ate breakfast. A thief
stole our Journey Mentor’s bag, which contained
several important documents. This incident
caused some frenzy among all of us. Soon, our
Journey Mentor took charge and immediately
headed towards the nearest police station. We
lodged a complaint and left for Pisa. After some
time, our Journey Mentor got a message that
his passport has been found and everything was
restored to normal.
Next, we visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We
were mesmerised to see how the building was
tilted. We ate pizza for lunch, which were really
tasty. Later, we explored the place for about half
an hour and clicked some awesome pictures. We
returned to our hotel and relaxed for the night.
The trip to Rome was so extraordinary that we
would remember it for many years to come.
15

19. 16
ROME
5 The Trevi Fountain was built using travertine stone — the same material was
used for building the Colosseum

20. ROME
17
5 At multi-tiered Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II made
of marble, we learnt about unification of Italy in the 19th century

21. 18
ROME
5 The Trevi Fountain truly celebrates the engineering skill of the ancient
Romans

22. 19
5
Excited to learn about the polity, society, economy,
and culture of the ancient Roman civilisation
We were delighted to visit the Trevi Fountain,
which was ceremoniously built in 1762 at the
end-point of ancient Rome’s earliest aqueducts,
Aqua Virgo
5
ROME

23. 20
Learning about the rise and fall of an ancient
civilisation in the city of Rome
5
ROME
5
Impressed by the grand stairways, columns, and
statues of the splendid National Monument of
Victor Emmanuel II

25. VATICAN CITY

26. VATICAN CITY
Written and photographed by: Ridhima, Sarthak & Tanvi
Rome is the capital of Italy. We really enjoyed our
bus-ride towards Rome. On our way, the view
of the natural landscape was spectacular. We
visited several places in Rome.
First, we went to the Vatican City where we
saw a number of museums. Several works of art
that were displayed there belonged to the vast
collection amassed by the Popes over a number
of centuries. These masterpieces included
magnificent Roman sculptures in addition to
Renaissance works of art. Our tour guide shared
valuable information about some important
sculptures and paintings that we saw there.
After visiting the museum, the tour guide took
us to the border of Vatican City where we could
step into Italy and the Vatican at the same time.
It was a fun-filled experience.
Next, we went to the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine
Chapel lies in the Apostolic Palace, the official
residence of the Pope in Vatican City. Originally, it
was known as the Cappella Magna (or the Great
Chapel). Today, it is the site of the Conclave, a
meeting where a new Pope is selected.The Sistine
Chapel is known for its marvellous frescos in its
interior, most particularly the ceiling adorned by
The Last Judgement created by Michelangelo.
We were awestruck by the display of excellent
paintings inside the church. A short delay was
caused in our schedule when the bus that was
supposed to pick us did not reach on time.
Fortunately, we utilised this delay in exploring
the church and its architecture on our own. All of
us were engrossed in some or the other activity,
which was extremely engaging. From the Sistine
Chapel, we went to eat a delicious Italian meal.
Later, we visited the Colosseum and Trevi
Fountain in Rome. The Colosseum, also known as
the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an oval amphitheatre
situated in the centre of Rome. It is a massive
stone amphitheatre situated towards the east of
the Roman Forum. We got really excited when it
was our turn to throw coins into the fountain.
The visit to Trevi Fountain was an awesome
experience as it looked marvellous.
Hence, our trip to Vatican City was really
insightful. We saw a number of impressive
buildings and learnt about the origins and tenets
of Catholicism.
23

27. 24
5 Visiting the cathedrals of the Vatican City taught us about the
history of Roman Catholicism
MODENA

28. MODENA
25
5 We were fascinated to see the large pine-cone statue in the courtyard
of the Vatican Museums, which symbolises human enlightenment

29. 26
MODENA
5 At the Vatican Museums, we were excited to see a bronze sculpture created by
Arnaldo Pomodoro known as the Sfera con Sfera or Sphere within Sphere

30. 27
5
A visit to the Vatican City provided a glimpse of
Renaissance and Baroque artistic traditions
Taking a quick break while discovering the artistic
and architectural marvels of the Vatican City
5
MODENA

31. 28
5
Before entering the Vatican Museums, which
houses one of the largest art collections from
ancient times to the Renaissance era
After seeing The Last Judgement by Michelangelo
in the Sistine Chapel, we headed towards
the Vatican Museums to witness some other
magnificent pieces of art
5
MODENA

33. VENICE AND MILAN

34. VENICE AND MILAN
Written and photographed by: Ananya, Anadi, Hasmeet, Jigisha,
M. Hardhik, Prutha & Pratika
Venice is a very popular city in Italy. This fish-
shaped city is one of the main tourist attractions
in Europe. The chief places that we visited
in Venice include St. Mark’s Square and the
Basilica. At St. Mark’s Square, we visited St.
Mark’s Basilica (or Basilica di San Marco), which
is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Venice, northern Italy.
Our tour guide also showed us the bell tower of
the cathedral, which is about 99 metres high. It
is one of the most iconic landmarks of Venice.
Opposite the bell tower is situated a huge clock
tower. We also saw the Winged Lion of St. Mark,
a symbol of Venice, depicting a lion with bird-
like wings that represents the patron-saint, St.
Mark.
The best part of our visit to Venice was visiting
a glass factory in Murano. Murano is a Venetian
island famous for producing intricate form of
glassware that is mostly hand-crafted. Glass-
blowing refers to the craft of making glass by
blowing air into semi-molten glass through a
long tube. We also went for a gondola ride, which
was extremely enjoyable.
Our next destination was the city of Milan. Milan
is known to be one of the fashion capitals of the
world. It is a vast city known for its beautiful
landscape and friendly culture. It is one of the best
places where one can take a stroll to explore its
numerous structures. We started our tour of this
city with the Duomo. The hall of the cathedral
looked beautiful with its glass paintings.
Later, we visited the Sforza Castle, which was
an extraordinary experience. The intricate
details of the sculptures amazed us. The legacy
of Leonardo da Vinci is visible in many works
of art at the Duomo. We watched an audio-
visual presentation that beautifully captured the
contribution of Leonardo da Vinci and the famous
architect, Luca Beltrami.
Our trip to Venice and Milan was wonderful. We
captured some memorable moments and gained
immense knowledge about Italian art, culture,
and traditions. We got to interact with people,
make new friends, and learnt to socialise as
well. The memories from our journey to Italy and
Greece would remain unforgettable.
31

35. 32
5 Heading towards St. Mark’s Basilica built using a combination of
Byzantine and Italian Gothic styles
VENICE AND MILAN

36. 5 From the city of fashion, we headed towards Delphi, or the ‘navel of the world’
as the ancient Greeks referred to it
33
VENICE AND MILAN

37. 34
5 While exploring the Venetian lagoon and its islands, we saw a number
of geographical formations such as mudflats, sandbars, and water
channels
VENICE AND MILAN

38. 35
Amidst the striking buildings of Piazza San
Marco, Venice’s chief public square referred to as
‘Europe’s drawing room’ by Napoleon
We were delighted by the scenic view of Venetian
lagoon from the artificial island of Tronchetto
5
5
VENICE AND MILAN

39. 36
5
Enjoying a gondola ride through the massive
system of canals and bridges of the ‘floating
city’
From Italy, we travelled to Greece to learn about
the socio-cultural phenomena of its ancient
civilisation
5
VENICE AND MILAN

41. ATHENS
AND
DELPHI

42. ATHENS AND DELPHI
Written and photographed by: Aditya, Ishika, Ritika, Renesa & Shreya
We landed at the Athens Airport with excitement
as we looked forward to visit the birthplace
of democracy. All of us were overjoyed to feel
the warmth of the sun after the chilling air of
Italy. From the airport, we proceeded to board
the coach that took us to Delphi. We were
accompanied by a tour guide who shared details
about the history and polity of Greece. When
we stopped for lunch, we were utterly pleased
by the homely taste of the delicious Indian food
that was served to us.
After travelling through the stunning hills and
thoroughly enjoying the scenic view, we made
a quick stop for a photo-session near Arachova
Village. The breathtaking view left us in awe of its
beauty. We travelled through the narrow, vintage
streets of Delphi to finally reach our hotel, Pythia
Art Hotel. Then we had dinner at the hotel where
we were served some local Greek dishes. Later,
we went on a shopping spree where we strolled
through the city streets, while some of us
stopped to devour tasty pizza.
The next morning, we woke up to a bright sun
and a pleasant climate. After eating breakfast, we
visited the Archaeological Site of Delphi, which
is also known as the ‘Navel of the World’. This
is the place where the Oracle of Delphi, Pythia,
spoke. It includes the Sanctuary of Apollo, the
Treasury of the Athenians, and the huge altar
in front of the Temple of Apollo. Our tour guide,
Natasha, explained the historical significance of
each site. We learnt that this ancient site was
first excavated by French archeologists.
Then, we were given the choice of visiting the
stadium at the top of the sanctuary, which
required a hike of about 20 minutes. Since we
were curious, we decided to go. The heat made
the journey tiring, but the thought of seeing
the stadium kept us going. Upon reaching the
stadium, we clicked several photos and then
proceeded to the Delphi Archeological Museum.
At the museum, we saw the remains of the
Temple of Apollo. We also saw many statues that
were intricately built.
After eating lunch, we stopped at Arachova
Village on our return journey to Athens. The
entire group played dumb charades on the bus.
We reached our destination early and therefore,
decided to go for a city tour. We ate delicious
Indian food for dinner after which we checked
into our hotel.
The next day, we ate breakfast which was followed
by another trip to the Greek Parliament where
we saw the changing of the guard ceremony.
We then proceeded to the Acropolis Museum
to see its various sanctuaries, out of which The
Temple of Athena Nike was most splendid. We
clicked many photographs while experiencing
the grandeur of the temples. Then we ate dinner
and returned to our hotel. This trip exceeded our
expectations and left us with memories for a
lifetime.
39

43. 40
5 We wondered how brilliant musical performances must have taken place at
the huge theatre in Delphi during the Pythian Games
ATHENS AND DELPHI

44. 5 Visiting Athens’s historic Panathenaic Stadium was an exhilarating
experience because we could-re-live the glory of the Olympic Games
41
ATHENS AND DELPHI

45. 42
5 The archaeological site of Delphi provided us an insight into Greek
mythology in addition to its political and religious history
ATHENS AND DELPHI

46. 43
5
Observing the Parthenon, the centerpiece of
Athens’ Acropolis built in mid-5th century BCE
A tour of the Acropolis of Athens acquainted
us with the prominent ideas prevalent in
Classical Greece
5
ATHENS AND DELPHI

47. 44
5
Amidst the lush greenery in the valleys
surrounding Delphi that served as the seat
of prophecy in ancient times
Learning about the greatest ‘myths’ and legends
of the Greek civilisation including the Oracle of
Delphi
5
ATHENS AND DELPHI

49. EDTERRA MOMENTS

53. ABOUT THE AUTHORS

54. OUR JOURNEY
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Achint S. Prasasan
Isha Patel
Lavina J. Singh
Shawant
I am Achint and this is an account of my travel experiences to Italy and Greece. The
excitement set in when I got on the plane heading towards Dubai. It was fascinating
to think that I would finally be stepping in a foreign country. Visiting the Vatican City
and Venice was very thrilling. The gondola ride gave me an insight into the lives of the
locals. We also visited a glass-making factory, which was very insightful. Viewing the
Leaning Tower of Pisa actually made me wonder why it has not fallen yet. In Milan, we
watched a live piano performance at the Sforza Castle. This was an experience of a
lifetime and I will never forget it.
51
My name is Isha Patel and I am 16 years old. My hobbies include travelling, drawing,
and swimming. I cannot think of a more interactive way than this trip to learn history
so quickly and clearly. The two cities that I loved the most were Rome and Delphi.
For an environmentalist and a history enthusiast like me, these places seemed like
heaven. Our Journey Mentor was extremely kind and patient with us. I am extremely
grateful to my parents, EdTerra, and our school teachers, Anjali Ma’am and Saif Sir,
for helping in making this trip such a mesmerising experience. My experience with
EdTerra is unforgettable. All in all, I had the time of my life.
On our first day of the trip, we saw a spectacular view of the sunrise in Rome. Then
we drove to the beautiful Vatican City. The art and sculptures were absolutely mind-
blowing. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was painted and decorated by Michelangelo,
which looks stunning. Next, we watched the Time Elevator Show, which explained
the architectural marvels of Italy. Trevi Fountain was a marvellous sight to see. I also
liked visiting was the Leaning Tower of Pisa. My favourite place in Greece was Delphi.
The Archaeological Site of Delphi was a sight to see. In Athens, I loved visiting the
Parthenon. Overall, this trip was amazing and memorable and I hope to go on another
trip like this.

55. ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Anush Bhavik
52
Hello, I am Anush. I study in DPS, Nerul. My hobbies are playing the piano, reading books,
and binge-watching various series and movies. Travelling for me is like meditation,
when one enjoys only the present moment. This trip gave me some of the most
memorable moments. Every second was thoroughly informative and entertaining.
This trip also taught me to be self-reliant besides being careful and organised in my
thoughts and actions. I would like to thank EdTerra for this amazing and wholesome
experience. This trip was like a perfect movie, filled with twists, turns, and memorable
moments finally ending on a very high note.
Ashwin Goyal
Himanshu Singh
Hi, I am Himanshu Singh and I study in Delhi Public School, Navi Mumbai. My hobbies
include playing the guitar, reading books, travelling, and exploring the world. We
recently went on a trip to Italy and Greece which was organised by EdTerra. I got to
visit new countries for the very first time. Italy was an experience of a lifetime. We
experienced great adventures on our journey. I got to see buildings that were built
centuries ago, and are preserved till date, the best example being the Colosseum. I
learnt to be more independent and gained a lot of knowledge. I hope that I get to visit
Greece again.
My name is Ashwin and I am 15 years old. My hobbies are playing the keyboard,
playing basketball, and coding. I visited Italy and Greece on a school trip. I was amazed
by the people and culture of the European countries. Our trip started on a very happy
and exciting note as we gathered at our school early in the morning. I was absolutely
spellbound by how picturesque Rome was. It seemed like a perfect blend of ancient
ruins as well as metropolitan culture, which made me realise why it is also referred
to as ‘The Eternal City’. I found the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City as one of the
most magnificent buildings. The local food was absolutely amazing. I enjoyed the trip
thoroughly.
Lavni Singhal
Hi, I am Lavni Singhal. I love travelling and exploring new places around the world.
I love to dance and read books. I also love listening to music. I had never expected
this trip to be so memorable and amazing. It was a very nice trip that helped me
make new friends. All of us got along really well and we had each other’s backs at all
times. We cracked jokes and played several games in the bus. The trip was extremely
adventurous, which will remain a pleasant and memorable experience for all of us.
Thus, Veni Vidi Amavi (which means ‘We came, we saw, we loved’).
ROME

56. Paridhi Dureja
Hello, I am Paridhi and I study in DPS, Nerul. My hobbies include dancing, singing,
and travelling. My journey with EdTerra taught me how to be independent and come
out of my comfort-zone. Out of all the places that we visited, my favourites were
Rome and Delphi. The Time Elevator Show helped me discover the history of Rome. It
was amazing to see how people in Venice used boats to travel. My dream of riding a
gondola was finally fulfilled. This trip will forever remain close to my heart and I tried
my best to capture every bit of it in my memory. In short, this trip was the ice-cream
that I wish never finished.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
53
Saransh Sharma
Hello, my name is Saransh and I am 15 years old. I love to try different cuisines.
I also love to travel, which is why I chose to go on this trip. It taught me how to
be independent and find solutions to challenging problems instead of cribbing about
them. Michelangelo’s painting in the Vatican City was one of the most beautiful
pieces of art that we had ever seen. Some of his work seemed way ahead of his
times, especially the technique of optical illusions used. We understood why Rome
is referred to as ‘The Eternal City’, the day we landed. Rome is not as fancy as other
cities but its beauty is outstanding. It was overall an amazing experience.

57. ABOUT THE AUTHORS
VATICAN CITY
Sarthak
Shirdhonkar
Tanvi Upadhyay
My name is Sarthak and I am 16 years old. It was the month of November when our
school announced that an educational trip to Italy and Greece was being organised
by EdTerra Edventures. I had already travelled to 3–4 countries in Europe but I looked
forward to travelling with my batch-mates. After reaching Rome, we realised that
the weather in Rome was extremely cold as the temperature was between 8 and 14
degrees Celsius. We visited many places and created special memories. We bought
souvenirs that include fridge magnets and key-chains. It was a wonderful trip and we
enjoyed a lot.
This trip started off with 24 of us, proceeding towards the Mumbai Chhatrapati
Shivaji International Airport to reach Rome. We visited the Vatican City and Pisa.
We enjoyed the gondola ride in Venice. We also visited the Sforza Palace in Milan. We
were lucky to ride a tram in Greece. It was a wonderful trip, which became even more
memorable, scintillating, and enjoyable because of my amazing friends, teachers, and
Journey Mentor. This trip made me responsible, caring, and fearless. It is rightly said,
“There are no foreign lands, it is the traveller only who is foreign.”
Ridhima Pooli
My name is Ridhima and I study in Class 10. My hobbies are singing and drawing. On
this trip organised by EdTerra, I found out that I love to explore new places. This trip
to Italy and Greece was the first trip that I went to without my parents. In Italy, I got
a chance to fulfill my dream of throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain. The gondola
ride taught me to live on the edge and accept challenging situations, which was
definitely worth the experience. In Greece, I also learnt to adapt to extreme weather
conditions and step out of my comfort-zone. It was the best trip that I have ever
been to.
54

58. 51
Ananya P. Anil
This trip cannot be jotted down on a piece of paper but if I have to describe it in five
words, it was the ‘best roller-coaster ride ever’. From our tour guides to bus drivers,
everyone was very helpful. Our Journey Mentor was one of the most determined,
energetic, and tolerant people I have ever met. The main attractions of our trip were
the monuments and sculptures. I felt that eight days were not enough. I will always
remember something our tour guide told us, “Previously, it was the Stone Age, Copper
Age, Medieval Period, and Renaissance, tomorrow, it will be the Plastic Age, and who
knows, we might even have museums displaying ourselves”.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
55
VENICE AND MILAN
Anadi
Chakraborty
My name is Anadi and I am 15 years old. I study in Class 10. My hobbies include playing
video-games, cricket, and football besides programming and cooking. I recently got
a chance to visit Italy and Greece. The place I liked the least was the Vatican City
because I got separated from my group and therefore, I could not appreciate the art
and beauty of that place because I was panicking. The places that I liked the most
were Delphi and Venice. After reaching Venice, we rode in a ferry named Du Kale. The
village of Arachova was absolutely mesmerising. After reaching the other side, we
took a gondola ride which felt amazing.
Hashmeet Kaur
All of us were very excited for our trip to Italy and Greece. When we reached our
hotel in Rome, we were very exhausted because of the long journey. The next day, we
boarded the bus towards the Vatican City where we visited the Sistine Chapel, which
had many beautiful paintings. The following day, we visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa
where we clicked many pictures. We also visited St. Mark’s Square and St. Basilica
Church on our way to Venice. We went to Milan as well as Athens by air. We visited
the Acropolis where we had a lot of fun and then enjoyed by the beachside at night.
It was the best trip ever.
Jigisha Chhallani
I am Jigisha Chhallani and I study in Delhi Public School, Nerul. I am 15 years old.
My hobbies include writing, reading, and rowing. Our first day was bright and clear
and we stood in awe of the ‘The Eternal City’. Our visit to the Vatican City was
fun and interesting. Visiting Athens and Delphi was another extraordinary experience
altogether. The white-washed buildings and the jostling crowd were more vivid and
louder than the slow and silent streets of Rome. We re-lived Greek history through
our own eyes. We ate some authentic Greek dishes. The overall trip was amazing and
well-supervised. Our experience was awesome and we will savour the memories
throughout our lives.

59. ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Hardhik Mummadi
56
Hello, I am M. Hardhik. I like travelling and programming. This opportunity of travelling
to Europe was an awesome experience for me. The places that I liked the most were
Delphi and Venice. Of all the places, these two cities were the most scenic ones.
Many unexpected events took place and those will be remembered forever. I loved
eating different kinds of ice-cream. During this trip, I understood the habits of people
from different countries and learnt to become independent. I would like to thank my
school, my parents, and EdTerra for making this trip successful. ‘It is a little world; it
must be seen before it ends.’
Prutha Vinay
Our trip to Italy and Greece was awesome. Meeting our Journey Mentor and seeing
how entertaining he is made me realise that it was going to be a trip of my life.
We visited the Sistine Chapel and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The best part was
the gondola ride in Venice — riding between the houses through the canals was an
awesome experience. Our next destination was Greece, where we went to Delphi and
Athens. The last day of the trip was not so great, as we knew it was our last day to
enjoy before resuming our normal lives and daily routine. I want to thank EdTerra for
arranging such a well-organised trip for us.
Pratika Gupta
Hello, I am Pratika and I study in Class 9. I recently got an opportunity to visit Italy
and Greece on a trip organised by EdTerra. It was my first trip abroad and I was
very excited. Our Journey Mentor entertained us all. I admired the cleanliness in the
city of Rome. I spent most of my time with my friend, Prutha. We also visited the
Murano Glass Factory. I purchased a beautiful pendant from there. During our tour,
we also took part in the Young Authors Program. Overall, the trip was a fruitful and
interactive experience for us.

60. 51
Aditya Patnaik
Ishika A. Kumar
Parasramka
Hello, my name is Aditya and I was born in 2004. My Mom is a doctor and my Dad
is a retired tax consultant. I am close to my elder sister, Surbhi. I have always loved
travelling. I also love photography, food, and meeting people. I am passionate about
Formula One racing. One of the greatest racetracks in the world, Autodromo Nazionale
Monza, is situated north of Milan. I loved visiting Italy and I would love to go there
again. I know that I would experience many other adventures in life.
My name is Ishika. I like to read, write, and listen to music in my free-time. This trip
was special as it has been one of my dreams to become a travel blogger. I thoroughly
enjoyed walking on the streets of Rome in cold weather, eating delicious Italian food
in Pisa, and bargaining with shopkeepers at several places. There were many special
moments spent at some unique places. After a long, exhausting day in Delphi, we
went for a walk under the stars at night. It was surely one of the highlights of the trip
for me. In the end, I was left with memories that I would remember forever.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
57
ATHENS AND DELPHI
Ritika Raval
Hello, my name is Ritika and I am 15 years old. This trip was fun from the very start.
Our Journey Mentor was funny and extremely patient. We witnessed the beautiful
scenery of Rome and Pisa. The elegance of Venice left me in awe. I did not want to
leave Italy but the thought of seeing Athens, a city I have always wanted to visit,
amused me. Each fragment of the ruined structures told its own story. The museums
helped to understand those stories more. The cuisine was different, but finger-licking
good. I really wanted to stay a bit longer but I started feeling homesick too. Hopefully,
we would go on another trip like this next year.
Renesa Israni
Hi, I am Renesa Israni. I am 14 years old and I love travelling. I am really glad that I
got an opportunity to travel with EdTerra along with my school friends and teachers.
Our Journey Mentor was a cheerful person who handled us with patience. Personally,
I found Rome to be a very beautiful place and enjoyed a lot. Clicking pictures was the
best part. More than the Indian cuisine that most of us are accustomed to, I enjoyed
the local food that was served to us. I found Greece to be historically rich as well as
aesthetically beautiful. The educational trip was indeed very enjoyable.

61. ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Shreya Anand
My name is Shreya Anand and I am 16 years old. My interest lies in listening to music
and travelling. I consider myself lucky to be a part of this awesome journey. It gave
me a new sense of confidence and I also learnt to become responsible. During this
trip, I was left speechless by the beauty and grandeur of each place that we visited.
My personal favourite place was Rome because of its beauty and simplicity. I am
eternally grateful for gaining immense knowledge on this trip. I shall always cherish
the memories and experiences that I have created within a span of eight days.
58

62. 51
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
59
TEACHERS
Anjali Garyali
Our trip was an educational journey to see the historical, cultural, and architectural
marvels of the ancient Graeco-Roman civilisations. It was a dream come true to see
the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo at the museums in Vatican
City. Viewing the gigantic National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II, watching the
informative Time Elevator Show, and visiting the mesmerising Trevi Fountain were
fantastic experiences. In Greece, the visit to Delphi was an amazing experience.
We saw some of the most modern fashionable accessories and articles at Delphi
Village. People were very friendly and complimentary gifts were given to us by some
shopkeepers. Our last destination was Athens. The orientation tour of the place was
very knowledgeable. We visited the Acropolis Museum, which was very informative. I
thank EdTerra forgiving us an experience of a lifetime and making ourstay comfortable.
I also want to thank our Journey Mentor for making this trip a success.
Saif
I am Saif from Delhi Public School, Navi Mumbai. I was the lead teacher on this
school trip to Italy and Greece. We started our journey from Rome. Our first meal in
Rome was not as good as I had expected and some students were unhappy. As the
day progressed, our experience improved. Next day, we visited the Vatican City, the
smallest country in the world. The paintings of Michelangelo were some of the most
beautiful pieces of art I had ever seen. I was mesmerised by the scenic beauty of
the hills of Delphi besides the sculptures and monuments built in the ancient times.
The remains of the Temple of Apollo looked impressive. In Athens, we went to the
Acropolis, where there was a temple dedicated to Athena, the mythical goddess of
wisdom and strategic warfare. I personally learnt a lot from this trip and sincerely
hope that all students have learnt a lot from this journey.