Eat, Pray and Appreciate Italy with Father Jamin David

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You will receive a booklet with trip details in the next week or two.

 

 

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Eat, Pray, and Appreciate Italy with Father Jamin David

Florence, Assisi, Rome and Vatican City

May 29-June 8, 2017; $5295* round trip from New Orleans

Why Italy you ask?  Well, its cities are the stuff of legends and history; its colorful Cliffside villages are themselves works of art. There are ruins, Greek temples, and what seems to be competing Churches at every corner. Wine here is cheaper (and better!) than water. And did I mention the food?  If heaping plates of prosciutto or cheesy globs of tortelli make your mouth water, then this trip is for you!    Join Fr. Jamin to explore the crossroads of ideas, cultures, aesthetics, food, art, and architecture in a once-in-a-lifetime excursion!

Italy is the most asked for destination and the most user friendly country in Europe!   There are more UNESCO world heritage sites in Italy than any other country. Not only is the landscape stunningly beautiful but the churches are museums in themselves; architecture is remarkable and the art inside is spectacular.  The food is delicious and the gelato is worth the price of the tour.  Shopping, cappuccinos, pizza, pasta, and people-watching have become an art form in Italy.  Florence is amazing with its medieval and Renaissance overtones. Assisi is Father Jamin’s favorite city with its many churches, windy hilly streets and the food!  Rome is layer upon layer of history spanning over 2000 year.  Our guided tours will be led by highly recommended licensed tour guides. I will make dinner reservations at some of my favorite restaurants, before we leave, making it more convenient for us all (Dutch treat).  Breakfast buffets are included in the price of the tours and lunches will be on our own. I promise no one will be stranded!

We will land in Rome and travel by private coach to FLORENCE where our hotel is situated off of the Piazza Signoria, the main square of Florence.  Originally David stood at the entrance to the medieval Palazzo Vecchio (town hall).  A replica is there now, looking at the Uffizi Gallery. The city itself is a Renaissance and medieval masterpiece.  It’s like the French Quarter, flat and walkable!  Works by Donatello, Brunelleschi and Ghiberti decorate this amazing city.  As in all of Italy, the churches are museums in themselves, with art work still in the places for which they were designed.  Shopping ranges from the “not-your-typical” flea markets to Gucci and Prada, leather, 18k gold, and everything in between.  Our walking guided tour will include a visit to see the real Michelangelo’s David, a visit the Church of Santa Croce with the tombs of Galileo, Rossini, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Lorenzo Ghiberti (who designed the bronze doors of the Baptistery which Michelangelo called the Gates of Heaven).  Dante was thrown out of Florence and is buried in Ravenna but gets a tribute in the city. Look on the walls and floors for more tombs.  There are also spectacular frescoes by Giotto.  We will also visit the Duomo (the main cathedral of Florence). In between these sites, our guide will tell us all kinds of interesting information. Another day will include guided visits to Santa Maria Novella and the Medici chapels in the Church of San Lorenzo.  These are all sites that may cause visual overload or a thirst for more!

 

There will be free time in the afternoons for more sightseeing or taking a cappuccino at Rivoire on the Pza. Signoria.  Even if you order one cappuccino, that spot is yours until you decide to leave; spend the whole afternoon if you like!  This is true of any restaurant.  But then again there is gelato to be had!  If you are interested in the Uffizi Museum, Pitti Palace etc., we can help you with reservations, so you don’t spend your precious free time standing in long lines.

From Tuscany we will move south to the lovely Umbrian hill top town of ASSISI, the birthplace of St. Francis, the Franciscan Order, and St. Clare and the Order of Poor Clares.  All Franciscan churches are UNESCO world heritage sites.  Assisi also boasts two medieval castles and a Roman amphitheater, but most go for the churches and the ambience.  So many sights in such a small town!

ROME, the eternal city, with over 2000 years of continuous history never disappoints.   We will see ancient Roman ruins juxtaposed with Byzantine, Renaissance and, Baroque architecture, and high end designer stores.  There are now bobble headed Pope souvenirs and calendars featuring handsome priests.  Churches in the city feature works of Bernini, Caravaggio and other high ranking artists. Florence is more Renaissance, Assisi more medieval, and Rome more glitzy Baroque from trompe-l’oeil fake domes, to over the top (but never too many!) decorations and hidden gems.  We will see the Pantheon (now a Catholic Church), churches built on top of Roman houses and bakeries, and modern bakeries that are photo worthy!  Rome has it all from the Colosseum, VATICAN CITY (the smallest country in the world) to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain.  And did I mention there is more gelato and fabulous food and people watching than imaginable.

 

The Tour Price includes:

  • $5295 is the discounted price is paid by cash or check. The deposit may be done by credit card;
  • Private transfers from airports to hotels and travel within Italy by private coaches;
  • Round-trip airfare from New Orleans to Rome on Delta, including all airline taxes and surcharges;
  • Hotel accommodations, based on 2 to a room, in centrally located superior tourist or first class hotels;
  • All breakfasts included;
  • Walking guided tour of Florence including reservation and entrance fees to Accademia* to see Michelangelo’s David, and Santa Croce*. Plus another half day walking tour of churches (Santa Maria Novella*, Medici Chapels in San Lorenzo*) with entrances and guide;
  • Assisi guided church tours including the Basilica San Francesco*, Santa Clara*, San Damiano*, San Rufino*;
  • City tour of Rome with coach and guide including San Clemente* and Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls*;
  • Guided Vatican tour with entrance fees including the Sistine Chapel* and St. Peter’s Basilica*;
  • Audience with the Pope in St. Peter’s Square;
  • Tips are included for guides, and drivers;
  • Additional sites include the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, San Ignazio, and additional churches that will be led by Father Jamin;
  • Illustrated Jet-Setter newsletter that will include valuable information to know before you go, printed specifically for us;
  • Illustrated guided tour booklet, also printed specifically for us, including a crash course in art history!

 

  • This tour is designed by Father Jamin David, with the help of Francie Rich and John Hodge who are artists/ educators and who have been planning and guiding European tours for over 37 years. They will act as liaisons between us and the tour company, EATOURS, which they have used for 36 years. This is not a stock tour!  They will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have, I promise! Francie Rich / John Hodge:  985 892-5108 or richodge@bellsouth.net

To sign up https://eatours.com/students/student-sign-up/  Enter tour code 217111

For more information contact: Father Jamin David at padrejamin@yahoo.com or phone: 225 567 3573 ext 102

SPECIAL TOUR CONDITIONS: **The tour price, if payments are made by cash or check, is $5,295.00; otherwise, if paying by credit card, the standard non-discounted price is $5,395.00.  If you wish to use a credit card for your initial deposit, you will be allowed to pay the remaining payments by check and still receive the discounted tour price. Trip price is based on twin occupancy and includes round trip airfare from New Orleans, point-to point transportation between cities while in Europe and all breakfasts.  Additionally, *Entrance fees and/or transportation marked with an asterisk Accademia, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella Cappelle Medicee, Basilica Papale San Francesco d’Assisi, Basilica Santa Chiara, San Damiano, Duomo di San Rufino, Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls, San Clemente, Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica as well as city tours in Florence and Rome are included in the tour price (pending availability).  In the unlikely event that EA Tours cancels the tour and is unable to operate a substitute itinerary, the tour cost including the initial deposit is fully refundable.  Additional items may be offered optionally, are subject to availability and are not included in the tour price.  A guaranteed single room may be available for a supplemental charge of $275.00.  Included are the estimated applicable governmental international airline ticket taxes, fuel surcharges security surcharges, and associated fees. If applicable, unforeseen tax increases will be billed on a supplemental invoice.  A minimum number of paying participants may be required to operate the tour.  A $500.00 non-refundable initial deposit is required to reserve your space on this tour.  All tour participants must submit an online application.  Please go to “Student/Traveler Sign Up” on the home page at www.EAtours.com.  Your tour number is 217111.  A second payment of $1,000.00 will be due no later than 15-30 days after your initial payment. Final payments are due no later than seventy (70) days before departure.  Updated tour details (hotels, day by day itinerary, flights, etc.) are scheduled to be released approximately four weeks prior to departure.  Please note:  This may not be an officially school sponsored program. Additional tour conditions apply and are listed in the Tour Conditions Section on the Online Application.