2024 History Tour Extravaganza
By Year 12 students Maddie Wheeldon and Catherine Coulton
On 22 September, 21 History students left Radford College to begin a 17-day trip through Europe. After over a day of travelling, we arrived in London jet-lagged but excited to experience the city. In London we visited the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London where we saw the Crown Jewels, plus a surprise Jack the Ripper Tour in Whitechapel. The next day, we travelled out of London to see the magnificent Stonehenge followed by a scenic bus ride to the historic city of Bath where we visited the ancient Roman Baths and made friends with lovely fudge makers in the town. After a long drive back, we set off on the Eurostar for Belgium the next day.
Arriving in Brussels we met our coach driver and travelled to Ypres, a Belgium city that was destroyed during the First World War, and one where Australian soldiers were instrumental in reclaiming territory from the Germans. We attended the In Flanders Field Museum and explored the restored city, rebuilt exactly as it had been. The next day, in the wet weather, we toured key battle sites and First World War cemeteries of Belgium and the region of Amiens, such as Fromelles and Hill 60. The experience was harrowing and is something we will never forget.
The following day we travelled to the city of Villers-Bretonneux where we went to the Sir John Monash Centre to learn more about Australian involvement on the Western Front between 1916 – 1918. It was an incredibly interesting museum, and it was a relief to hear an Aussie accent so far from home! The following day we travelled to Paris where we climbed the Eiffel Tower (thanks Mrs Hunter for not letting us do the lift option) and afterwards, had free time to explore the city. Many of us went to the UNESCO headquarters where we got a tour from former Radford parent and Australian ambassador to UNESCO, Ms Greer Alblas. Others explored the Louvre Museum and saw the famous Mona Lisa after waiting in the queue for over half an hour! Paris was an incredible city, but we were slightly let down by the pace of its Métro. We struggled to travel in our big group and a few times people were left behind at the previous station. Mrs Hunter also got stuck in the turnstiles on the way out of the station and had to climb under the gate with many Parisian onlookers!
The next day we visited the Palace of Versailles. Whilst the Palace itself was gorgeous with ornate designs and stunningly painted ceilings, it was the Hall of Mirrors we were all waiting for. The room was spectacular with a lovely view of the extensive gardens and adorned with mirrors made of lead! The 1919 Treaty of Versailles was signed in that room, ending the First World War but effectively paving the way for the Second, and it was jarring to be in a place of such importance. It was an experience we will never forget. That afternoon we travelled back into Paris and visited the tomb of Napoleon housed in the Hôtel des Invalides before having an early night as we have an early morning flight to Italy.
The next day we flew from Paris to Naples, Italy. There we went straight to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. It was so surreal to look at famous mosaics and artworks that we have studied in class. We went to Pompeii and Herculaneum the following day where we saw the famous Alexander mosaic in the House of the Faun and replicas of the skeletons of those who couldn’t escape the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. After leaving Sorrento, we went to Rome where we explored the famous Colosseum. Next to the colosseum was the Roman Forum and realizing it was built by humans without modern technology was mind blowing. The Vatican was also incredible, looking at the artistry of the buildings, especially St Peter’s Basilica. The highlight, however, was seeing the famous painting, The Creation of Adam, by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.
We are so grateful for everyone involved. Seeing so much in such a short time is something none of us would have been able to accomplish without the help and support of Mrs Hunter, Mrs Clayton and Mr Gordon, as well as WorldStrides Australia and our Tour Director Jamie. It was a trip we will never forget, and we are so thankful for the unbelievable experience!
