A European Adventure

Spring break for 33 Xaverian students had international flair!Through Xaverian’s world languages department, these Hawks traveled to Europe and experienced the cultures of France and Spain. It all began in Paris, where the group met Suzanna, their tour guide. She showed them the famed Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Latin Quarter. After seeing Napoleon’s burial spot at Les Invalides, they witnessed the stunning cathedral of Sacre-Coeur and attended mass (spoken in French) in Montmartre, before having a meal of escargot, beef bourguignon, and chocolate mousse at the famous La Mère Catherine Bistro.

Sunday morning began with a lesson from world-class pétanque players before venturing to the picturesque palace of Versailles.They enjoyed a dinner of savory and sweet crêpes before an evening cruise on the River Seine and a journey to the top of the Eiffel Tower to close out the night. It was a “once-in-a-lifetime moment,” says Noah Campbell ’25. “You could see the entirety of Paris lit up, including the buildings we had seen in previous days, such as the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe.” The next morning began with a trip to the Louvre, where the group saw masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa before heading to Spain. 

In Madrid, they visited a bullfighting ring and enjoyed the Prado Museum, which is home to the works of Fransisco Goya. The next day brought a trip to La Plaza de España and its famous “The Bear and the Strawberry Tree” statue, as well as El Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, home to Real Madrid. The group traveled to Toledo, an ancient medieval city known for its bullfighting, swords, and metalwork, as well as its traditional cuisine. To capitalize on that, they attended a cooking lesson and assembled a meal of paella, tortilla, and rice pudding. They then enjoyed churros while exploring La Plaza Mayor, and visited a small bull ranch where they learned about the traditional art of bullfighting and witnessed a mock bull fight with two professional toreadors.Their time in Madrid concluded in La Plaza Mayor, where the group watched Real Madrid win in overtime and experienced the festivities that come along with such a victory.

“I could say my favorite part of the trip was traveling to Europe and seeing any number of the greatest hits in Paris and Madrid. That was amazing,” says Mr. David Palmieri ’93, P ’23, Xaverian teacher and trip chaperone. He continues, “But my favorite part of the trip was traveling with 33 students and three colleagues to a new part of the world. There was so much joy and excitement as we moved from place to place. Everybody came home with memories we will never forget.”

Noah Campbell ’25 had similar sentiments when reflecting on the trip. “It’s been fascinating to see how much older these cities are compared to what we have at home,” he says. “Everything has this ancient and artistic flair to it. We live in a big world and will only be able to see so much of it in our lives. Many people will never be given these same opportunities to travel, which is why it’s so important for me that I take advantage of them.”