ALUMNI TRAVEL

Carolinas College Alumni Visit Sicily

In early February, twenty-three alumni and friends of Carolinas College of Health Sciences had their bags packed and their sights set for 12 days in Egypt, including three days in Cairo and a 4-day Nile River cruise. Then came the revolution. With less than a week remaining prior to departure, the trip was called off due to safety concerns. Half the group cancelled, but the other half – those with PTO approved and nowhere to go - quickly switched gears and headed to Sicily. The group landed in Palermo and were quickly enchanted by Sicilian landscape, food, and history. The 12-day tour included ancient Greek temples and theaters (they sat in a theater where Sophocles saw his plays performed for the first time), Roman arenas where gladiators battled wild animals to win their freedom, grand cathedrals and tiny churches (one with a lone Caravaggio on display), and castles that overlooked the azure Mediterranean.

Carolinas travelers even walked through the church where Michael Corleone and Apollonia were wed in The Godfather. CCHS alumnus Cathy Parris recollects: "I love history, so for me, this trip was heavenly. Standing next to an 8th Century BC Greek Temple surrounded by blooming almond trees in the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento? It just doesn’t get any better!" Former CHS benefits administrator Ann Anderson adds, "The food was hands down remarkable! Sicily is the home of gelato and cannoli; the wines and cheeses are world class, and you haven't lived till you've tried freshly roasted Sicilian artichokes!" Concluded CCHS president Dr. Ellen Sheppard, "We had to put the pyramids and the sphinx off for a year or two, but Sicily greatly exceeded our expectations!"

Want to go on next year's trip?
2012 Trip to Istanbul and Turkey!! Click here for more details!