Come with me to Italy!

Want to come with me to Italy? Want to see the premiere of our new Italian puppet opera?

Want to marvel at the Colosseum? Stare at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? Throw a coin in Trevi fountain?

How about a hike to an ancient monastery? Or a traditional Italian feast at a working sheep farm?

If so, I’d love for you to come with me to Italy! I’m taking a group of from December 3-12 to see the premiere of our new Italian puppet opera: "San Nicola: lo straordinario viaggio della sua vita" (Saint Nicholas: the extraordinary journey of his life!)

The show premieres on Saturday, December 9 at 6:30 pm in the historic Teatro Maria Caniglia.

If you can’t join us in person, we hope to livestream it and record it for later viewing from anywhere in the world! But I’ve love for you to come in person… here’s what we’ll be doing!

DAY 1 – Fly to Rome

Sunday, December 3 – Before you say, “I can’t afford it!” get this: round-trip tickets from Chicago to Rome for this particular week are only $570 right now! (in summertime, flights alone are $2,500!) If there’s ever a time to see Italy, this is it!

DAY 2 – Arrive in Rome

Monday, December 4 – We’ll arrive in Rome and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city, stroll by Trevi Fountain, and share a meal at a sidewalk cafe. Relax, you’re in Rome!

DAY 3 – The Sistine Chapel

Tuesday, December 5 – In the morning, we’ll tour the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and its famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo.

& the Colosseum!

That same afternoon, we’ll tour the Roman Colossuem, including a walk through the newly-opened underground passages.

DAY 4 – To Sulmona

Wednesday, December 6 – We’ll spend the rest of our trip in the city of Sulmona, about 2-1/2 hours southeast of Rome, nestled in Italy’s snow-capped mountains. We’ll visit the puppet workshop where the show is being created.

DAY 5 – Hike to Celestine’s Cave

Thursday, December 7 – We’ll take a short ride and then a beautiful hike up a nature trail to the Cave of Celestine V, who stayed in this hermitage in the 1200’s after stepping down suddenly from his role as pope. We’ll also have a picnic lunch in nature and see the remains of the Temple of Hercules, who also hails from this region.

DAY 6 – Enjoy Sulmona!

December 8 – We’ll be preparing for the show while you sleep in, enjoy some coffee and a croissant, or go window shopping. Later in the afternoon, we’ll take a walking tour of the city and a tour of the costume museum above the puppet workshop. Save room for a gelato! (Italian ice cream)

DAY 7 – The Premiere!

Saturday, December 9, 6:30 pm – Tonight’s the night! We’ll be premiering our new Italian puppet opera in the beautiful Teatro Maria Caniglia, a 4-tiered, regal opera house built in the 1930’s. The show is called San Nicola: lo straordinario viaggio della sua vita (Saint Nicholas: the extraordinary journey of his life!)

DAY 8 – Worship & Celebrations!

Sunday, December 10 – We’ll worship locally in the morning and enjoy a time of celebration with the cast & crew & friends later in the day.

DAY 9 – Anversa & Castrovalva

Monday, December 11 – We’ll take a short drive to Anversa where we’ll have lunch at a working sheep farm–with a traditional multi-course Italian meal–truly from farm to table! Then we’ll take an easy hike from Anversa to Castrovalva, two cities made famous, in part, by drawings by M. C. Escher.

DAY 10 – Return!

Tuesday, December 12 – We’ll take an early bus back to the airport in Rome for our departure. If you’re flying back to the States, you’ll likely be home that same night… with memories to last a lifetime.

The Details

This trip is á la carte… meaning you will choose and book your own flights, meals, hotels, and activities according to your wishes. I am happy to help you in your planning, but your choices are up to you.

The price is estimated to be $2,500-$2,900 per person from Chicago. Your price could vary depending on your city of departure and your choices above, but this is a good starting point. I’ll send you my itinerary and details of my plans so you can make your plans accordingly.

The estimate includes a suggested donation of $500-1,000 to our puppet opera to help offset the costs of the show and for organizing this special trip!

Flights are at their lowest prices RIGHT NOW, so please let me know as soon as possible (and definitely before September 1) if you’d like to come along! The suggested donation will secure your spot.

Reply to this note if you’re interested… even remotely! I’d love to have you come along!

(Click here to see the web page for this trip)