When someone goes to a Summer University, has some expectations. The 28th July, 30 participants full of expectations arrived to Brescia to know more about the culture, history, people, food and language of this region, located in the north of Italy. Finding out the hidden jewel of Brescia was the opportunity to discover a beautiful place, full of history, in the best company during two amazing weeks.
In this trip, the participants could visit interesting places in Brescia, like its Castle and the ruins of the Capitolium (an ancient Roman temple). In the City Rally, they discovered Brescia by themselves, running through the most famous places, taking photos and accomplishing funny tasks. Besides, the participants could notice the cars and the locals’ love for speed by visiting the museum Mille Miglia (and understood why Italian people drive in a crazy way).
In this Summer University, the participants not only knew the charming city of Brescia, but also other emblematic Italian cities, like Venice and Verona, compulsory places to see in Italy. Everyone falls in love with Verona, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. What we can say about Venice? A different city, where you can arrive home by gondola. Two cities to get lost.
Venice
Less known places, but as much as beautiful, are Sirmione and Montisola. In the Castle of Sirmione, the participants felt like in the Middle Ages and they could visit the Catullo’s cave (an ancient spa), a very beautiful place surrounded by hundreds of olive trees. To travel to Montisola (the biggest island inside of a European lake), the participants made a short trip by ferry. The clear and clean waters of the lake Iseo invited them to take a bath while admiring the wonderful views.
Moreover, when you visit a country, you want to taste the typical food. In the region of Franciacorta, the participants could enjoy the flavour of Italy by tasting Berlucchi wine accompanied by typical Italian products like Granna Padano (Italian cheese) and Italian salami.
There was also time to be in contact with the nature. Two nights in the mountain of Pezzaze, great time for teambuilding and getting deeper knowledge about the gastronomy of other lands in the European night. It was also a time for fun, solving a crime in the ‘murder party’.
Catullo’s Cave
The participants not only saw mountains, but also beach (or we should better say lake). Three nights in the Garda Lake, a charming place where the participants could take a bath in the night and taste a typical Italian “aperitivo”. In that time, there was also time to visit historic places, like the Vittoriale museum, the house of Gabriele D’Annunzio, an important Italian writer, with a really interesting history behind him. Do you want to discover it?
Culture, history, language, food… and adventure! The participants visited the underground of Brescia Castle and they did not mind getting dirty. In the visit to the Pezzaze’s mine, they learnt more about the extraction of the minerals and they could step into the shoes of the miners. Two activities that made us sweat, but became exciting experiences.
In addition, what would a Summer University be without partying? Of course, the event was plenty of parties, as all participants need! The organizers prepared funny thematic parties, like hippy party, elegant party and “paint my white”, a great opportunity to say goodbye, writing emotional messages in our white t-shirts, which means to be an excellent souvenir to keep in our memory forever.
Those words are useless to explain the wonderful views, experiences, places, events and adventures lived… I encourage you to find out the hidden jewel of Brescia, you will never forget or regret it.
Written by Estefanía Castiñeira, AEGEE-A Coruña