Meals "On Your Own"

Just wanted to post a special note about this terminology. When we planned the trip, SPI wanted to make sure we all lived our days comfortably on this trip. Very few trips assure two meals a day on the itinerary, and I am SO appreciative that SPI has worked this into our itinerary! However, every day, you get one meal, either lunch or dinner, "On Your Own," which gives you the opportunity to check out the cuisine of the many regions we visit!

"On your own" doesn't mean that you have to hunt out food without advice, though! As we journey together, I will give you advice on locations and local specialties before we split for our "on your own" meals (and, of course, you can always follow me to wherever I choose to eat!). We are so fortunate to visit so many different regions of Italy, which all have their own personalities within their cuisine, and I want you to enjoy and appreciate this great variety in such a short time!

The great benefit to once-a-day option is to give you time on your own - you can choose a grab-and-go specialty and check out another nearby site (especially for days like Florence and Assisi), or you can choose to splurge on a lengthy sit-down meal.

Either way, I look forward to never leaving you feeling like you're "on your own" during this trip!

a piu tardi,

Laura

Assisi - our last day!

Just when you thought our trip couldn't get better . . . our last day is the BEST! We'll have sojourned through Lazio (Rome), Campania (Pompeii), and Tuscany (Siena, Flornence), but why not get a taste of another region of Italy, Umbria? Well, technically, we'll stop for a few hours in Umbria when we make our stop in Orvieto, but Assisi has a truly Umbrian feel to it.

Assisi - what an amazing town. Whenever I stroll through it, my heart soars and my feet grow heavy by the spiritual gravity of the place. We'll have the day to spend in this place, visiting not only the famed Basilica of San Francesco, but we'll also bring our pilgrim hearts to learn about Santa Clara and the many other Francescan followers.

Friday March 16, 2012

SIENA

7-9 AM Buffet Breakfast at Hotel

9:30 AM - Private Bus Transfer: Siena - Assisi, 2 - 2.5 hours

ASSISI

Guide for City Tour on Foot. 2 hours.

Visit to Basilica di San Francesco

LUNCH: On Your Own

Afternoon - time to stroll through town. Visit Church of Santa Clara, The Duomo, Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Santa Maria degli Angeli . . . or another location of your own choosing! May I recommend this great website on sacred locations in Italy? http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/assisi

16:00 PM - Private Bus Transfer: Assisi - Rome, 2.5 - 3 hours

On this final bus trip home, maybe you'll be encouraged to complete some personal writing/recording about your experience on the trip? After a day in Assisi, I hope you'll return to Rome, spiritually renewed.

ROME

Check in at Hotel Diana

20:00 - Dinner at hotel - 3 course menu

After dinner: Final stroll through Rome with Laura - anywhere you MUST return before we depart tomorrow?

Final Night: Pack and Farewells. I know this sounds like crazy talk, but one way to best fight jetlag when returning to the U.S. is by getting little sleep the night before - helps you sleep soundly during the long flight home, and manage the LONG day's return (we add 7 hours onto our bodies when returning home)!

Saturday March 17, 2012

ROME

6:30 - 8:00 - Breakfast at hotel - Did I mention we get to eat breakfast every day on the roof garden of the hotel? Only a few of those exist in Rome . . .

8:00 - Transportation to Airport and Assistant - Just like on our date of departure, I will be as much help to you as possible for our date of return. If you find that you have a later flight, and would choose to stay in Rome until later, I can help you with the very easy independent return to the airport. Our hotel is located right near Termini (the main train station of Rome), where you can catch a direct express train which will drop you off AT the airport.

As I mentioned before, once you've booked your flights, please send me and SPI your itinerary. I want to make sure everyone has the best experience from the moment they depart DFW to the minute you return home!

Look for more commentary on our trip and other exciting events in upcoming posts! Also, you might just find a new baby post next week here . . .

un' abbracio a voi,

Laura