Students are taking a trip overseas

By Isabella F.

Chorus students, along with a few theater students, at Airport High School are excited as their long-awaited trip to Italy is getting closer. From January 26 to February 2, 2026, they will travel overseas to visit and perform in Venice, Florence, Siena, and Rome.

The trip is being organized through Group Travel Network. Prices are $4,435 per person (double occupancy) or $4,820 per person (single occupancy).

Chorus director Amanda Wrona explained that while the cost is high, it covers almost everything. “Our trip is a nine-day trip. Two of those days are travel days…so we are in Italy for seven days total, and the $4,500 includes your airfare, your travel while you’re there, hotel, guided tours, and breakfast,” she said. Students will only need money for lunch, dinner, and souvenirs.

The itinerary is packed with sightseeing, cultural experiences, and performances:

• Sunday, Jan. 25: Students depart from Columbia Metropolitan Aiport, fly through Atlanta and Paris, and arrive in Venice.

• Monday, Jan. 26: A private motorcoach takes them to their hotel near the Venetian Lagoon.

• Tuesday, Jan. 27: Students take a guided walking tour of Venice, visit Doge’s palace, and perform at the Basilica di Santi Giovanni e Paolo.

• Wednesday, Jan. 28: Travel to Florence by high-speed train, including a guided tour and a visit to Galleria dell’Accademia to see Micheangelo’s David.

• Thursday, Jan. 29: Free time to explore Florence, followed by a performance at St. Mark’s English Church.

• Friday, Jan. 30: Travel by motorcoach to Rome with a short stop in Siena for sightseeing. A guided tour of Rome follows.

• Saturday, Jan. 31: Students receive public transportation passes to explore Rome with their chaperone groups.

• Sunday, Feb. 1: A second guided tour of Rome includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.

• Monday, Feb. 2: Departure from Rome back to Columbia.

Junior Keileigh Z., an alto in Honors Chorus, who will be attending shared her feelings about the trip: “Italy will be exciting to explore, but I’m nervous about the flight,” still it “personally makes [her] excited to visit,” showcasing the emotional input a trip like this one has.

Beyond the performances, students will get the chance to experience Italian culture, food, art, and history. Britannica, a reliable and scholarly website, describes Italy as a country with “some of the most varied and scenic landscapes on Earth,” making it a perfect place for both learning and performing.

For the students, being able to travel to Italy is an opportunity for them to make memories they will remember for the rest of their life. 

This is why it is important to be on the lookout for Chorus’ events to raise money for their trip.

To help cover costs, the chorus is holding a multitude of fundraisers from now to December. Current ones include a spaghetti dinner on Friday, September 19, for $15 per ticket, World’s Finest Chocolate sales, and the Snack Shack during lunch.