Join renowned stained glass artists, Gayle & Tom Holdman, for this rare, life changing opportunity! Travel to 3 extraordinary cities in Europe and experience two iconic temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rome and Paris. This journey provides valuable insight into the art and architecture which inspired those temples along with countless more.
This specially designed adventure will begin at Holdman Studios, the art glass studio Tom and Gayle began together 3 decades ago, with an in-depth tour and your own hands-on glass blowing experience. Then fly to Venice, Italy - known for its blown glass and endless gondola waterways. There is nowhere on earth quite like Venice! You will take in sites that have inspired artists and poets for centuries. While here, you’ll build on your glass making experience on the island of Murano with a demonstration of glass blowing from a local Venetian. Next, be whisked away by high-speed train to the Eternal city of Rome! Here we team with popular author and BYU Professor Brad Wilcox and his group to explore this timeless city. A highlight will be attending the new Rome Temple plaza with Brad and the Holdman's. See, hear and feel, first-hand, how the glass art there was designed and created, including in depth narration of the striking ‘’Come Unto Me’’ glass mural of Christ’s mortal ministry and along with insights from the companion book co-authored by Brad and Gayle. Our tour will then fly to Paris, the “City of Lights". We will spend time at the Paris Temple site and the nearby palace and grounds of Versailles. We will also have time to discover the magnificent art and architecture of Paris itself; see the creativity of centuries which inspired the Holdman’s designs for the art glass in the Paris temple.
This is a very special opportunity to learn from and spend time with the art masters of the past and whose work has uplifted and inspired us.
Don’t miss out on this ideal trip, it will fill up FAST! Remember, 1 bus only on all land tours.
To Book This Tour, Contact:
Carol Alegre, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6165
Email Carol: calegre@morrismurdock.com
Day 2: Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Venice, Italy
Arrive in Venice, Italy! Our Italian experience begins upon arrival at the airport as we are greeted by our local tour manager. We will transfer by private boat to our Hotel Indigo Sant'Elena (a beautiful and historic converted monastery) on the Island for check-in if we can, if not leave luggage and start exploring your surroundings. This afternoon discover the unique charm and allure of Venice on a walking city tour before we enjoy a welcome dinner in a nice local restaurant. Transfer back to the hotel for overnight.
Meals : Dinner
Day 3: Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Murano / Burano
After breakfast we will have our first meeting with Tom and Gayle before leaving for a boat excursion across the Venice lagoon to visit the Islands of Murano and Burano. Murano Island is known worldwide for its colored glass, you will see mouth-blown glass-making in progress and enjoy a factory tour. Part of the glass used for the Rome LDS Temple building is from Murano. Burano Island is famous not only for its lace, but also for the fishermen's houses painted in bright colors. The excursion will end in Venice for some remaining time at leisure.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 1: Monday, June 7, 2021
Depart from US
Today, we depart the US and fly overnight to Venice, Italy.
Meals : In-flight
Day 4: Thursday, June 10, 2020
Venice to Rome, Italy
Today we transfer from our hotel to the train station and take the high-speed train to Rome, enjoying the stunning Italian countryside vistas on the way. Upon arrival, we will board our coach to Tivoli for a guided tour of the Villa D'Este Gardens. This location boasts magnificent feats of art and science in countless gravity run water features and fountains. A miracle of form and function from the 16th century, this Renaissance garden on a terraced hillside will take your breath away! We will then return to Rome and check-in to Hotel Welcome Piram. Tonight, enjoy a combined dinner meeting with Brad Wilcox as he, Tom and Gayle share their experiences working on the breathtaking window at the Rome Temple Visitor Center and temple itself.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Friday, June 11, 2020
Vatican City
After breakfast we will transfer by coach to the Vatican City and start our guided tour of the impressive Vatican Museums, all the way to the glorious and deeply moving Sistine Chapel, and on to St. Peter's Basilica (the size of which could hold about four Salt Lake Temples!). After the tour, meet again with Brad Wilcox by St. Peter's square to share comments about the visit. This afternoon we will explore the ancient heart of Rome with a guided tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. The city center tour wil include a stop at Cepitoline Hill/Piazza del Campidoglio where you can see the pattern used as an inspiration at the temple. This evening is at your leisure to soak up the roman experience as you choose.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 6: Saturday, June 12, 2020
Rome LDS Temple
This morning is one of our highlights of the tour as we transfer to the Rome LDS Temple and enjoy time to serve in the temple and explore the Visitors' Center. In these sacred places, we will see the art glass firsthand along with the majestic Christus and Twelve Apostles. At this time, more insights will be shared. After these special gospel related activities, we will board our transfer back to the hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at your leisure.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 7: Sunday, June 13, 2020
Rome, Italy
After breakfast we transfer to a local church to attend Sacrament Meeting, which is always a precious experience away from home. This afternoon will be at your leisure or you can join a local LDS Church Leader for an optional Christian themed tour of the old city. Evening at leisure and overnight.
Optional Tour: For those who would like, our local LDS Tour Director, Ugo Perego will be offering an optional walking tour to several religious sites in Old Rome that relate to the time of the apostles Peter and Paul (Cost 20 Euros approximately for entrance fees).
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Monday, June 14, 2020
Rome, Italy / Paris, France
Today our group will fly from Rome to Paris and be meet by a local guide for a panoramic city tour by bus pointing out this great location's landmarks, several of which inspired the designs of the Paris Temple art glass. This evening enjoy a dinner cruise on the Seine featuring delectable French cuisine as you float past Notre Damme and the Eiffel Tower.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Tuesday, June 15, 2020
Paris, France
Another special highlight this morning; we will travel as a group to the Paris LDS temple. Tom and Gayle will have an opportunity to talk about the glass designs of this exquisite and holy house of God before allowing those who wish to serve in the temple to do so. This afternoon we continue to Versailles to tour the palace and the gardens, both of which are world renowned for their beauty and their magnitude.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 10: Wednesday, June 16, 2020
Paris, France
Full day at leisure to experience incredible museums, world class shopping, phenomenal foods and sights of this fascinating and cultural city, the City of Light!
Meals : Breakfast
Day 11: Thursday, June 17, 2020
Flight Home
Today we will have an early breakfast before we are transferred to the Paris airport for our flights home with memories to last a lifetime.
To Book This Tour, Contact:
Carol Alegre, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6165
Email Carol: calegre@morrismurdock.com
Meals : Breakfast
Highlights of the Tour:
- 1 Bus Tour
- Tour Host on for the whole trip along with local guides for in depth location detail and history
- Hotel stay on Venice Island, not mainland
- Train to Rome, flights to Paris
- Advance timed entry tickets to attractions included = less time waiting in lines
- We include all tipping for hotels and restaurants where meals provided
- Planned session at the newly dedicated LDS Rome Temple
Included:
- Deluxe/Air Conditioned motor coach transportation
- Group transfers
- Train from Venice to Rome and Flight from Rome to Paris
- Local Licensed guides & Historians with your tour host, Tom Holdman
- 10 nights Hotel accommodations
- Sightseeing tours as outlined on the itinerary
- Meals as outlined (Breakfast daily with welcome & farewell dinners)
- Entrance fees to all noted locations and museums
- Audio system headsets throughout tour
- Document package
- Digital tour App
Not Included:
- International Airfare to Venice home from Paris
- Additional transfers when not arriving or departing with group
- Any private sightseeing not included on the itinerary during free time
- Tour gratuities for bus drivers, tour managers and special Host/Guides
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
- Meals not included in tour outline
Optional Pricing:
- Double Rate: $3,299 per person
- Single rate: $4,399
- *Ask about our Single/Share Program *
Payment Terms:
- $500.00 pp deposit will be due at time of booking
- $100.00 Discount for cash payments
- Final Payment due March 5, 2021
To Book This Tour, Contact:
Carol Alegre, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6165
Email Carol: calegre@morrismurdock.com
