Bonġu! Dalgħodu grupp studenti u għalliema tagħna rħewlha lejn Ruma bħala parti minn proġett Erasmus+. Il-grupp jikkonsisti fi tliet studenti tad-9 Sena, tliet studenti tal-10 Sena u sitt għalliema. Dan il-proġett ser jieħu lill-grupp ukoll f’Orte: villaġġ ċkejken mimli storja li jinsab fit-Tramuntana ta’ Ruma. Nawguraw lil dan il-grupp għal din l-esperjenza!
Good morning! This morning, a group of our students and teachers set off for Rome as part of an Erasmus+ project. The group consists of three Year 9 students, three Year 10 students, and six teachers. This project will also take the group to Orte: a small village rich in history located in the north of Rome. We wish this group a wonderful and enriching experience!
L-ewwel jum: Il-vjaġġ Erasmus+ tal-grupp tagħna beda b’titjira kmieni lbieraħ filgħodu lejn Ruma (Fiumicino) u wara dirett lejn il-belt fuq għolja ta’ Orte. Wara li kulħadd issettilja fil-lukanda, il-grupp esplora t-toroq dojoq u l-irkejjen kwieti ta’ din ir-raħal pittoresk. Orte, wieħed mill-eqdem villaġġ fir-reġjun ta’ Lazio, jmur lura għall-perjodu Etruskan u żviluppat bħala ċentru strateġiku li jħares fuq ix-Xmara Tiber. Wara, il-grupp kompla jdur fil-ħwienet lokali qabel temm il-ġurnata b’ikla pjaċevoli fil-lukanda. Bla dubju, bidu mill-aqwa għal dan il-vjaġġ!
Day 1: The group’s Erasmus+ journey began with an early flight to Rome Fiumicino, followed by a smooth transfer to the hilltop town of Orte. After settling into the hotel, the group explored the narrow streets and quiet corners of this picturesque village. Orte, one of the oldest settlements in the Lazio region, dates to the Etruscan period and developed as a strategic centre overlooking the Tiber River. The group continued exploring local shops before ending the day with a pleasant dinner at the hotel. Indeed, an excellent start to the journey!
It-tieni jum tal-proġett tal-Erasmus+ f’Orte kien jinkludi żjara fil-belt qrib bl-isem ta’ Orvieto: belt fuq għolja magħrufa għat-toroq medjevali tagħha u l-veduti mill-isbaħ. Il-grupp tela’ bil-funikular sal-qalba storika ta’ din il-belt, igawdi x-xenarju tul it-triq u mbagħad żar il-Bir ta’ San Patrizju, wara madwar 497 tarġa.
Il-ġurnata kompliet b’tour hop-on hop-off madwar il-belt, żjara fid-Duomo u ftit ħin għax-shopping waqt li jaraw prodotti tradizzjonali f’ħwienet lokali. Wara l-ikel, il-grupp irritorna l-lukanda, fejn l-istudenti pprattikaw il-preżentazzjonijiet tagħhom bil-PowerPoint li se jippreżentaw lill-istudenti Taljani. Il-ġurnata ntemmet b’ikla f’ristorant fil-qrib.
Day 2 – Our second day of the Erasmus+ mobility in Orte included a visit to the nearby hilltop town of Orvieto, known for its medieval streets and breathtaking views. The group took the funicular up to the historic centre, enjoying the scenery along the way, and then explored St Patrick’s Well; completing all 497 steps.
The day continued with a hop-on hop-off tour around the town, a visit to the Duomo, and time to browse local shops selling traditional regional products. After lunch, the group returned to the hotel, where students rehearsed their PowerPoint presentations to be delivered to the Italian students. The day ended with dinner at a nearby restaurant.
It-tielet jum – Il-grupp gawda l-ewwel jum tiegħu fl-Iskola Medja f’Orte, fejn l-istudenti pparteċipaw b’mod attiv f’diversi lezzjonijiet flimkien ma’ sħabhom Taljani. Dan ġie segwit minn preżentazzjoni mogħtija mill-grupp, li fiha ppreżentaw l-iskola tagħna u taw ħarsa ġenerali lejn Malta bħala gżira żgħira.
Wara s-sessjonijiet ta’ filgħodu, l-istudenti ħadu xi ħaġa ħafifa qabel irħewlha lejn Orte Sotterranea, fejn esploraw l-passaġġi ta’ taħt l-art affaxxinanti tal-belt. Hemmhekk tgħallmu dwar il-ħamiema simbolika mnaqqxa fil-ġebla u skoprew in-netwerk impressjonanti ta’ ċisterni (ġibjuni) antiki li darba kienu jipprovdu l-ilma lill-belt.
Aktar tard waranofsinhar, il-grupp żar il-Fiume Nera, fejn ilkoll flimkien imxew f’ambjent naturali mill-isbaħ b’xenarju li jħallik bla kliem. Il-ġurnata ntemmet lura fil-lukanda, fejn il-grupp kiel flimkien u rrifletta fuq ġurnata oħra mimlija esperjenzi sbieħ u ta’ tagħlim.
Day 3 – The group enjoyed their first day at the Middle School in Orte, where students actively participated in a variety of lessons alongside their Italian peers. This was followed by a presentation delivered by the group, showcasing their school and offering an insight into Malta as a small island nation.
After the morning sessions, the group had a quick lunch before heading to Orte Sotterranea, where they explored the town’s fascinating underground passages. They learned about the symbolic dove carved into the stone and discovered the impressive network of ancient cisterns that once supplied the town with water.
Later in the afternoon, the group visited Fiume Nera, enjoying a scenic walk surrounded by breath-taking natural landscapes. The day concluded with a relaxing return to the hotel, where the group shared dinner and reflected on another enriching and memorable experience.
Ir-raba’ jum – Filgħodu l-grupp żar l-Iskola Sekondarja, fejn beda b’tour u wara kompla bi spjegazzjoni tal-programm CAD, għodda diġitali li tippermetti lill-istudenti joħolqu tpinġijiet tekniċi preċiżi u mudelli 3D.
Aktar tard, il-grupp esplora l-laboratorju tal-Kimika, fejn żewġ studenti tar-raba’ Sena ppreżentaw diversi proġetti u esperimenti. L-istudenti tagħna wkoll eżaminaw diversi rix taħt il-mikroskopju u waslu għall-konklużjoni li huma simili ħafna.
Wara ikla ħafifa, il-grupp kompla l-ġurnata bi żjara fil-Lag Bolsena, magħruf għall-pajsaġġ vulkaniku trankwill u l-ilmijiet ċari kristall. Dan ġie segwit minn waqfa fir-raħal tas-sajd tradizzjonali ta’ Marta, fejn wieħed seta’ jara s-sbuħija kwieta u naturali tal-port u l-kultura lokali tas-sajd.
Day 4 – The group visited the Secondary School, beginning with a guided tour before moving on to an explanation of the CAD programme, a digital design tool that enables students to create accurate technical drawings and 3D models.
Later, the group explored the Chemistry lab, where two 4th Year students demonstrated various projects and experiments. Our students also examined different feathers under microscopes, concluding that they are remarkably similar.
After a quick lunch, the group continued the day with a visit to Lake Bolsena, known for its serene volcanic landscape and crystal-clear waters, followed by a stop in the traditional fishing village of Marta, where they observed the quiet charm of its harbour and local fishing culture.
Il-ħames jum – Illum il-grupp kellu l-opportunità jżur Ruma u beda l-vjaġġ billi qabdu l-ferrovija lejn Roma Termini. L-ewwel waqfiet kienu bla dubju l-Fontana di Trevi, fejn kulħadd seta’ jammira d-disinn Barokk grandjuż tagħha u l-Pjazza di Spagna bil-Scalinata tagħha, magħrufa għall-atmosfera ħajja u l-ambjent ferm eleganti.
Aktar tard, il-grupp żar il-Vatikan: il-qalba spiritwali tal-Knisja Kattolika, segwit minn Castel Sant’Angelo, li oriġinarjament inbena bħala mausolew u aktar tard ġie mibdul f’fortizza. Waqt li komplew ir-rotta, il-grupp wasal sal-Kolossew: simbolu ikoniku tal-arkitettura Ru-mana antika u minn quddiem il-Vittoriano, magħruf għall-faċċata impressjonanti tiegħu tal-irħam abjad. Il-grupp żar ukoll is-Salib Mirakoluż li ntuża mill-Papa matul il-pandemija tal-COVID-19: l-istess salib li quddiemu talab waħdu f’pjazza vojta bħala sinjal ta’ tama.
Il-grupp temm din iż-żjara kulturali mill-isbaħ f’ristorant Taljan f’triq dejqa qrib Piazza di Spagna, fejn kulħadd gawda jduq il-varjetà ta’ platti tradizzjonali Taljani.
Day 5 – Today the group had the opportunity to visit Rome, starting the journey by taking the train to Roma Termini. The first stops were the Fontana di Trevi, admired for its magnificent Baroque design and the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna, known for their lively atmosphere and elegant setting.
Later, they visited the Vatican, the spiritual heart of the Catholic Church, followed by Castel Sant’Angelo, originally built as a mausoleum and later transformed into a fortress. Continuing their route, they reached the Colosseum, the iconic symbol of ancient Roman architecture and passed in front of the Vittoriano, famous for its striking white marble façade. They also visited the Miraculous Cross used by the Pope during the COVID 19 pandemic, the same cross before which he prayed alone in an empty piazza as a sign of hope.
The group ended this great cultural visit in an Italian restaurant on a narrow street near Piazza di Spagna, where all enjoyed tasting a variety of traditional Italian dishes.
Is-sitt jum – L-aħħar jum fl-iskola Medja u Sekondarja wasal fi tmiemu b’mod sinifikanti għal din l-esperjenza tal-mobilità tagħna. Tul iż-żjara, l-istudenti kellhom l-opportunità jassistu firxa wiesgħa ta’ lezzjonijiet, inklużi l-Matematika, il-Letteratura Taljana, l-Ingliż, il-Franċiż, l-Arti, fost oħrajn.
Il-grupp temm iż-żjara b’ċelebrazzjoni sabiħa fl-iskola, fejn l-istudenti, l-għalliema u saħansitra l-Kap tal-Iskola ġew ippreżentati b’rigali u ċertifikati. Ma jistax jonqos li kulħadd daq mill-għażla bnina ta’ ikel tradizzjonali Malti u ħlewwiet, li taw dik it-togħma iħlew lil dan it-tmiem memorabbli, fejn ilkoll konna grati għall-ħin li qattajna flimkien.
The 6th Day – The final day at the Middle & Secondary school marked a meaningful close to our mobility experience. Throughout the stay, the students had the opportunity to assist in a wide range of lessons, including Maths, Italian literature, English, French, Art and more.
The group concluded the visit with a warm celebration at the school, during which students, teachers and the Head of School were presented with gifts and certificates. Everyone also enjoyed a selection of traditional Maltese savouries and treats, creating a memorable and heartfelt end to our time together.
Is-seba’ jum – Il-grupp beda żjara kulturali fil-belt pittoreska ta’ Città di Bagnoregio, fejn ilkoll flimkien irħewlha tul it-toroq sbieħ tagħha u jgawdu l-atmosfera unika tal-post. Matul il-mixja, kellhom ukoll l-opportunità jżuru l-post fejn inġibdu x-xeni ta’ Geppetto mill-film Pinocchio, li żied mal-maġija ċinematika mal-esperjenza.
Il-jum kompla bi żjara f’Viterbo, fejn flimkien esploraw iċ-ċentru storiku u gawdew il-karattru medjevali tiegħu. Il-grupp żar ukoll il-Viterbo Sotterranea, fejn skoprew in-network affaxxinanti ta’ mini taħt l-art li jikxef saff ieħor mill-istorja antika tal-belt.
Il-jum intemm lura fil-lukanda, fejn kulħadd irrilassa u gawda ikla sabiħa u mistħoqqa flim-kien.
The 7th Day – The group started a cultural visit in the charming Città di Bagnoregio, taking time to stroll through its picturesque streets and soak in its unique atmosphere. During the walk, they also had the chance to visit the location where Geppetto’s scenes from Pinocchio were filmed, adding a touch of cinematic magic to the experience.
The day then continued with a visit to Viterbo, where together they explored the historic centre and enjoyed its medieval character. The group also visited the Viterbo Sotterranea, discovering the fascinating network of underground tunnels that reveal another layer of the city’s past.
The day ended back at the hotel, where everyone relaxed and enjoyed a lively, well‑deserved meal together.
L-aħħar jum – Il-proġett tal-Erasmus+ tagħna wasal fi tmiemu. Bil-bagalji kollha ppakkjati u biċ-check-out lest, il-grupp telaq għall-aħħar avventura flimkien.
Iż-żjara fil-famuż park Bomarzo qrib Orte offriet esperjenza tassew unika: ġnien surreali mimli skulturi kbar tal-ġebel u figuri mitoloġiċi misterjużi, li nistgħu ngħidu qajmu kemm kurżità, kif ukoll stagħġib.
B’qalbhom mimlija u żgur b’ħafna memorji għal ħajjithom kollha, il-grupp kollu mbagħad telaq lejn l-ajruport, lest biex jirritorna lura Malta. Mal-wasla fl-Ajruport Internazzjonali ta’ Malta, l-istudenti reġgħu ngħaqdu mal-familji tagħhom u b’hekk dan il-vjaġġ memorabbli ntemm b’mod sabiħ u mimli ferħ.
Last Day – Our Erasmus+ mobility has come to a close. With all luggage packed and check-out complete, the group set off on one final adventure together.
A visit to the famous Bomarzo Park near Orte offered a truly unique experience: a surreal garden filled with giant stone sculptures and mysterious mythological figures that sparked both curiosity and wonder.
With hearts full and memories to last a lifetime, the group then made its way to the airport, ready to return home to the rock. Upon arrival at Malta International Airport, students were warmly reunited with their families, bringing this memorable journey to a meaningful and joyful close.
