Countries: Italy, Switzerland and Germany

Places visited: Rome, Orvieto, Florence, Veneto, Milan, Cuneo, Lugano, Dornach, Struttgart

Themes: European culture; sustainable agriculture; farming traditions and principles; biodynamic agriculture; organic architecture; gastronomy; Waldorf; Expo Milano 2015

The journey opened in Rome and across central Italy, where participants were able to ground their experience in long-established European educational traditions and a rich cultural setting. The opening days wove together visits, discussion and artistic immersion, most notably in Florence, where Renaissance art and architecture offered a living context for reflection. Moving at a deliberately unhurried pace allowed ideas around human development, creativity and learning through experience to take shape in a way that felt both meaningful and memorable.

The middle stretch of the trip led north through Milan and into Switzerland, bringing a clear shift in landscape and emphasis. Participants spent a day at Expo Milano 2015, themed “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. Time spent in and around Lugano and Dornach highlighted the close relationship between education, agriculture and ecological responsibility. Encounters with rural communities and sustainable food systems showed how learning could be embedded in daily life, encouraging a broader view of education as something that shapes not only individuals, but also societies and environments.

The final leg unfolded in Germany, concluding in Stuttgart before departure. These closing days brought a strong sense of origin and continuity, inviting reflection on how educational ideals had evolved over time while remaining deeply relevant. Participants left with practical insights, renewed inspiration and a shared feeling that this carefully paced, culturally rooted journey offered a powerful model for anyone wishing to experience education, culture and community in a more connected and thoughtful way.