Congratulations to Tegan P. from Alberta for winning first place in our April Dream Your Next Adventure Student Storytelling Contest! Read on to see what Tegan dreams of doing on a one-of-a-kind trip to Florence, Italy. Gelato, anyone?
When asked where I would like to visit most, I was a bit overwhelmed. There is a great big world out there with the most beautiful sights and sounds. Our earth is full of historic culture, unique food, the most phenomenal views, and the most interesting people! I chose a place that is chock-full of all these things… Florence, Italy of course!
Yes, my dream is to explore the fabulous city of Florence. I think my whole trip would feel like a dream because everything would be so surreal. I can see myself strolling the streets with gelato in hand. I can see myself riding a Vespa through the narrow roads. I can even see all of my classmates’ jaws drop as we stare at some of the most famous artwork in the Uffizi Gallery. And that’s just on the first day! Throughout the rest of our trip, we would learn and explore all about the Renaissance period, which is something we learned a lot about in school. I have a feeling that reading about it in a textbook, and exploring different churches and landmarks are two very different things.
The Renaissance period was all about art and creativity, which is something Florence is not lacking. Anywhere you look, there is street art, Italian music, or unquestionably unique architecture that I wouldn’t be able to take my eyes off of. My class and I would run wild in the rolling hills just outside Florence and we would all help the farmers pluck grapes and olives for wine season. In the warm evenings, we would all window shop in the small streets and enjoy the energetic, yet calm atmosphere of the city.
By this point, we are all starving! Thank goodness that we are in the most delicious city on earth. As an appetizer, we would enjoy a plate of bruschetta with an assortment of sauces. Next, we would have the most famous Florence meal, bistecca alla fiorentina. It is essentially a large T-bone steak made with different spices and sauces. For a sweet dessert, we would have none other than a cone of homemade gelato from a small, local vendor. With food in my belly, and memories in my mind, I would feel so at peace and blissful in one of the most fascinating places on earth. Oh, how excited I am for the world to open back up…
Don’t forget: there are two more opportunities to win a $250 Amazon.ca Gift Card or Apple AirPods (with charging case), see the winning entry posted right here on our blog, and earn a $5,000 bursary for your school! Click here to learn more and submit your work by June 30, 2021.