Summer Splendors of Italy, Venice, Florence and Rome + Rome LDS Temple with Brad Wilcox

Dates June 17-29, 2020
Destination Venice, Italy; Florence, Italy; Pisa, Italy Rome, Italy; Vatican City, Italy;
Duration 13 days 12 nights
Price From N/A
Printable Flyer

Religious Focus:

Sightseeing:

Activity Level:


We're sorry, this tour is now SOLD OUT

Now, more then ever is the time to come explore the timeless splendor of Italy’s 3 most fascinating cities with tour host, BYU Professor, author and popular LDS speaker, Brad Wilcox.  The people, the food, the way of life—this experience of what Italy is all about is waiting for you as we journey together to explore Venice, Florence, and Rome the summer of 2020.

These three iconic cities are at the pulse of Italy's vibrant culture, both past, and present. Venice brings romance to the forefront, with sprawling Baroque palaces and meandering, gondola-dotted canals. The Renaissance is tangible in Florence, where the presence of the world's greatest artists can still be felt. And in Rome, history is ever-present, from the crumbling Colosseum to the Forum. All the highlights you always dreamed about are there for you.

This tour also has many extra sites we will visit between these magical cities.  Ravenna, with its historic church and mosaics, the breathtaking scenery of Siena/Assisi and the Tuscan region, the fun of Pisa and the visit to the Carrara Marble Quarry where masterpieces have been pulled from for centuries.  

Of course the highlight of this tour will be visiting and attending the newly dedicated Temple in Rome and seeing the magnificent stain-glass window depicting Christ life by Tom Holdman. Brad Wilcox helped contribute to the windows creation and is a co-author the best selling book, "Come Unto Me" that describes in details in the window that Brad will share with you in person!

** This is one of our more demanding tours with high amounts of daily walking.  It is not recommended for those with mobility difficulties. 

This tour will sell out quickly, book today! 

To Book This Tour, Contact:

Carol Alegre, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6165
Email Carol:  calegre@morrismurdock.com


 

Day 1/2: Wednesday and Thursday, June 17/18, 2020

US to Venice, Italy

Today we depart the US and fly overnight to Venice, Italy. Our Italian experience begins upon arrival at the airport when we are greeted by our local tour director to Italy. 

We will transfer to our hotel in the mainland for check-in and to freshen up after the long journey. Latter this afternoon we will transfer to the boat terminal where we continue by private boat to central Venice for our Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant. As we transfer back to the hotel we get our first glances or Venice at night.

Meals : Dinner, In-flight
Day 3: Friday, June 19th, 2020

Venice

After breakfast we will return to Venice for a delightful walking tour of this ‘City of Islands’.  On our tour we will see St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, the Bell Tower, and the Bridge of Sighs. Our tour will conclude at the Doges’ Palace, which you can visit at your leisure.  This afternoon is yours to enjoy Venice on own. Later afternoon transfer back to our hotel for dinner and overnight. 

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Saturday, June 20, 2020

Murano & Burano Island Tours

After breakfast we'll board the coach to the boat terminal and then board a private boat for a cruise past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the Public Gardens, the tip of Sant'Elena and the Lido famous beach resort to Murano Island. Known worldwide for its colored glass, you’ll see mouth-blown glass-making in progress and enjoy a factory tour. Next stop is Burano Island. This picturesque island is famous not only for its lace, but also for the fishermen's houses painted in bright colors.  Enjoy the place before cruising back to your hotel in the main island.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Sunday, June 21, 2020

Venice to Florence via Ravenna

This morning we will leave Venice and begin our scenic journey to Florence. We’ll stop in Ravenna to visit this treasure chest of art, history and culture. The richest heritage of mosaics in the world, preserved in the basilicas and baptisteries of the city, is a clear evidence of that extraordinary period. For their universal value and the uniqueness of their mosaics, eight monuments of Ravenna have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Continuing south we’ll arrive in Florence, known as the Cradle of Renaissance.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 6: Monday, June 22, 2020

Siena and San Gimignano

Today we will enjoy a full day in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Our excursion will include a guided tour of Siena and its stunning gothic cathedral. We will have a group lunch in a charming local restaurant to taste the regional food and on the way back, enjoy a stop in San Gimignano, the city of hundred towers and its unmistakable skyline. Evening at leisure and overnight. .

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Florence City

Today is all about exploring the treasures of Florence with a guided walking tour through the old town including many city highlights as Piazza del Duomo with the Cathedral and Baptistery, Piazza della Signoria with the Palazzo Vecchio, the scenic Ponte Vecchio bridge and much more.  We will end the tour at the Academia to see Michelangelo’s David with the balance of the day at leisure to explore this historic city on your own. 

Meals : Breakfast
Day 8: Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Pisa and Carrara 

Today we’ll have an early breakfast and head out to see the wondrous leaning tower they have in Pisa.   We’ll have time for a few great pictures before we continue to the town of Carrara. Here we enjoy a jeep ride up the hill to the quarry opening where Michelangelo, and other famous sculptors of his day and today have picked their marble that we marvel at today.  This is the marble used for the Rome LDS Temple building We get to try our hand at the chisel and see many works of art.  We will visit the famous a local Marble workshop studio before return to Florence for our last evening to explore.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 9: Thursday, June 25, 2020

Orvieto and Rome

After breakfast we check out and depart to Orvieto, one of the most striking and panoramic hill towns in central Italy.We will stop and  and explore with our Tour Manager this beautiful Etruscan city on its suggestive setting on a massive tufa rock. We will see the beautiful Gothic Cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and other buildings of medieval and Renaissance times. Break for lunch to taste delicious local food of the Umbria region. Later in the afternoon we continue our journey to our final destination, Rome. After check-in we will join another Morris Murdock group lead by Tom Holdman, the amazing art-glass artist who created the stained glass mural displayed in the Visitor's Center of the Rome Temple. Both groups will have dinner together at nearby Hotel Mediterrnaeo.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Friday, June 26, 2020

Vatican & Old Town walking tour

After breakfast, tour the Vatican, the world's smallest independent state. Your guide will start with an overview of the history of the Vatican Museums.  The highlight of the tour will be the Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling is covered with Michelangelo's most famous paintings.  Then we explore St. Peter's Square, with Bernini's 284 columns, before entering St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in Christendom. After the visit, we will meet with Tom Holdman's group again, to share comments about the morning visit.

After a lunch break,we will explore the old historical city highlights with a walking tour to see famous Piazzas and monumental Fountains such as Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Evening at leisure.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 11: Saturday, June 27, 2020

LDS Temple Tour  & Ancient Rome

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.  After our LDS activities board your transfer back to the hotel for a lunch break. In the afternoon, we will explore the ancient heart of Rome with a guided tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 12: Sunday, June 28, 2020

Rome

After breakfast we transfer to a local church to attend Sacrament Meeting. Afternoon at leisure to explore the city on your own or take the Optional Walking Tour**.

Tonight we will say “Arrivederci” to Italy and share memories of the trip during a Farewell dinner in a nice local restaurant with music entertainment. Transfer back to hotel to pack and prepare for our journey home.

**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 13: Monday, June 29, 2020

Return to the USA

Board your private coach to the airport for your homebound flight. Arrive in the USA on the same day.

 

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights of the Tour:

  • 1 Bus Tour! Yes, it matters!
  • Tour Host on for the whole trip along with local guides for in depth location detail and history
  • 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
  • Local Licensed guides & Historians with your tour host, Brad Wilcox
  • 11 nights Hotel accommodations in Venice(3), Florence (4) and  Rome (4) in a deluxe 4 star hotels
  • Sightseeing tours as outlined on the itinerary
  • Meals as outlined (Breakfast daily with welcome & farewell dinners)
  • Entrance fees to all noted locations and museums including Carrara Marble Quarry
  • Audio system headsets throughout tour
  • Document package
  • Digital tour App

Not Included:

  • International Airfare to Venice home from Rome
  • Any private sightseeing not included on the itinerary during free time
  • Tour gratuities for bus driver and special LDS Host/Guides 
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Travel insurance 
  • Meals not included in tour outline

Optional Pricing:

  • Single rate: $3,499 pp
  • ** Ask about our Single/Share Program **

Payment Terms:

  • $500.00 pp deposit will be due at time of booking 
  • $75 Discount for cash payments
  • Final Payment due March 17, 2020

TOUR NUMBER 9220F17