Day 3, Venice & Croatia
The third day of our Mediterranean journey through culture and history saw us traveling again by bus further down the Istrian peninsula to the town of Bale. Here we stopped at the Grubic olive orchard for a lesson in modern-day olive oil production at a small family-owned orchard. We gathered around the 400-year-old “Queen-of-the-Orchard” olive tree and learned of the nature of olive cultivation during the four generations the orchard had been run by the family dating back to 1927. Then we went inside the small, brick olive oil plant and saw the machinery that is used to mash the olives into a paste from which the oil is extracted—perhaps a consideration for our Maker Space? We then moved into a room housing a long narrow table laden with bowls of bread cubes, toothpicks and small bowls for the olive oil—it was tasting time! Our students eagerly sampled the three varieties of Grubic extra virgin olive oils: the basic variety, the “dessert” olive oil, and the spicy version. All were excellent and enjoyed immensely. Among the two groups, we are sure to be bringing home approximately a 50-gallon drum’s worth of last year’s vintage of Grubic olive oil. The vineyard buildings were made of beautiful local stone, the hospitality and provision of information were excellent, and the olive oil delicious—it was a wonderful experience for our students, with Camille Cherney exclaiming, “This is the best part of the trip so far!”
We departed Bale to continue our descent down the Istrian peninsula to its southernmost point in the town of Pula. Here we met our local guide, Rosanna, who took us on tour of the town’s 2000-year old Roman building remains. We visited the beautiful Pula amphitheater, the 6th largest remaining structure of this type in the world; it is, essentially, a well-preserved mini-colosseum. It was a beautiful, warm sunny day and we had the opportunity to explore the structure both above and below ground, where the gladiators would prepare themselves for their battles in the arena. We toured the town further encountering the old Roman city walls and the triumphal arch used by the victorious returning Roman legionnaires who called Pula their home.
We ate lunch in a local restaurant, did some grocery shopping, in the adjacent, small supermarket, and boarded our buses for the summer resort town of Opatija on the northeastern shore of the Istrian peninsula. Opatija was half open, half closed but provided students the opportunity to stretch their legs and take in the views of the seaside walk of the Lungomare, eat some chocolate, some gelato, some pizza, or all of these as they strolled and explored the Main Street and Jardine Angiolina. The free time in town was followed by a buffet dinner at the hotel, hanging out, talking, a game of Uno, and chatting with the French girls who were on a student trip of their own and were sharing our hotel. Brimmer and May Globalism at its best!
We departed Bale to continue our descent down the Istrian peninsula to its southernmost point in the town of Pula. Here we met our local guide, Rosanna, who took us on tour of the town’s 2000-year old Roman building remains. We visited the beautiful Pula amphitheater, the 6th largest remaining structure of this type in the world; it is, essentially, a well-preserved mini-colosseum. It was a beautiful, warm sunny day and we had the opportunity to explore the structure both above and below ground, where the gladiators would prepare themselves for their battles in the arena. We toured the town further encountering the old Roman city walls and the triumphal arch used by the victorious returning Roman legionnaires who called Pula their home.
We ate lunch in a local restaurant, did some grocery shopping, in the adjacent, small supermarket, and boarded our buses for the summer resort town of Opatija on the northeastern shore of the Istrian peninsula. Opatija was half open, half closed but provided students the opportunity to stretch their legs and take in the views of the seaside walk of the Lungomare, eat some chocolate, some gelato, some pizza, or all of these as they strolled and explored the Main Street and Jardine Angiolina. The free time in town was followed by a buffet dinner at the hotel, hanging out, talking, a game of Uno, and chatting with the French girls who were on a student trip of their own and were sharing our hotel. Brimmer and May Globalism at its best!
Brimmer and May School
69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.