2023 Kinston Italy Program
| Travel Dates: | April 5, 2023 - April 14, 2023 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,690 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,197 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
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What to Expect
Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.
Itinerary
We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Activity | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 5 | USA - Rome, Italy | Fly from USA to Rome, Italy. | In Flight |
| April 6 | Rome | We’ll arrive in the Eternal City by late morning. After dropping our bags and grabbing a bite, the best plan of attack is to head out right away so we're off to explore the Colosseum, the massive stone amphitheater and an iconic symbol of the Roman Empire! Next, we'll head to the Roman Forum and the other Imperial Fora before grabbing some much needed gelato, the first scoop of many. On our way to our first Italian dinner we’ll walk by the Trevi Fountain. | Hotel Priscilla |
| April 7 | Rome | This morning we will visit another country! We will spend our morning marveling at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican Museums. We’ll break for lunch and then head over to the Spanish steps and continue into the Villa Borghese park to get a view from Rome from the terraces that overlook the city. Then, dinner! | Hotel Priscilla |
| April 8 | Rome | Today we’ll explore Rome’s Jewish Ghetto stopping by the Campo de’ Fiori, translated literally from Italian the “Field of Flowers Square”. We'll also visit the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, crowned by the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini, as well as an Egyptian obelisk and two other fountains. Then, we’ll go underground into the Catacombs of Priscilla. After all this touring, we head to the Testaccio Market for lunch to savor homemade ravioli, gelato, meats and cheese, fried risotto and all kinds of pasta! A well-earned feast after a full day. | Hotel Priscilla |
| April 9 | Rome to Florence | After a ride on one of Italy’s high speed trains we'll arrive in Florence and start our day with a walking tour, visiting the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and many other piazze and monuments. We'll also make time to visit the Uffizi, one of the most important museums in the entire country. | PLUS Florence |
| April 10 | Florence | This morning we’ll have a walk through town that will take us to a cooking school where we’ll learn the secrets of Italian cooking and we’ll make our own lunch! Afterwards, we’ll head to the Santa Croce church as well as Piazza Michelangelo to see Florence from above. In the evening, keeping to the theme of food, we’ll explore the “New Market” for dinner. | PLUS Florence |
| April 11 | Florence to Venice | We'll be boarding another high-speed train, this time destination Venice! Once in Venice, we’ll get settled and then head out on foot to see sights like the Canal Grande, the Ponte Rialto and the Bridge of sighs. We’ll get lost (but find our way back) in the labyrinth of small streets and canals until it’s time for another wonderful dinner. | Hotel Venezia |
| April 12 | Venice | This morning we'll head straight to St. Mark’s Square where we’ll also explore the famous Doge’s Palace. In the afternoon we’ll get a boat to the Island of Murano where we’ll learn about the unique glass blowing techniques that have been used for centuries by the local craftsmen. | Hotel Venezia |
| April 13 | Venice to Rome | We'll speed back down to Rome on the high speed train and have time for one last stroll through the streets of Rome and along the banks of the Tiber river. Among places we’ll pass by is the Largo Argentina, the very spot where Julius Caesar was killed. As a group we’ll take some time to think about everything that we’ve experienced before getting a good night’s rest before the long flight home. | Hotel Priscilla |
| April 14 | Rome - USA | Arrivederci Italia! | You own bed, eventually! |
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Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe. We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.
Hotel Priscilla
Hotel Priscilla is in one of Rome’s most exclusive neighborhoods, close to the gardens of Villa Borghese and Via Veneto. The hotel is just a short bus ride from Termini Station and a pleasant walk to the shopping area surrounding the Spanish Steps. It offers rooms with a flat screen TV and air conditioning, and you can stay connected during your stay as Priscilla Hotel Rome offers guests paid wifi. The hotel counts with a a breakfast area and 24 hour front desk. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender.
PLUS Florence
Located a 10-minute walk from Santa Maria Train Station and 1 km from Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Plus Florence offers rooms and dormitories with free WiFi throughout. Each room and dormitory at Plus Florence features a flat-screen TV, lockers and a private bathroom. Some also boast views of the cathedral. This hostel also counts with a fitness area, and during winter guests can also enjoy a Turkish bath, sauna and an indoor pool. The shared area is equipped with a microwave, fridge and vending machines. This hostel also has it’s own café and restaurant. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender..
Hotel Venezia
Located in Mestre this hotel offers easy access to Venice’s historic centre. The Venezia Hotel is surrounded by shops and cafés. Mestre Train Station is a 15-minute walk from the property, while Venice historic centre is 15 minutes away by bus or tramway. This hotel offers buffet breakfast and air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi. Rooms at Hotel Venezia also have a satellite flat-screen TV, a safe and a private bathroom with a hairdryer and toiletries. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender.
Group Flight
| Type | Carrier Name | Carrier Code | Flight Number | Departure Airport & City | Departure Date and Time | Arrival Airport & City | Arrival Date and Time |
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Outbound
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American Airlines
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AA
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1897
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RDU – Durham International Airport, Morrisville, United States
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April 05, 2023 at 02:44 PM
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CLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, United States
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April 05, 2023 at 03:48 PM
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Outbound
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American Airlines
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AA
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720
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CLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, United States
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April 05, 2023 at 06:05 PM
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FCO – Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, Rome, Italy
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April 06, 2023 at 09:10 AM
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Inbound
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American Airlines
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AA
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719
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FCO – Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, Rome, Italy
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April 14, 2023 at 10:10 AM
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PHL – Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, United States
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April 14, 2023 at 01:30 PM
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Inbound
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American Airlines
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AA
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2687
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PHL – Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, United States
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April 14, 2023 at 03:45 PM
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RDU – Durham International Airport, Morrisville, United States
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April 14, 2023 at 05:09 PM
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Once your flight has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.
Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.
Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.
We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.
FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION
Air travel can be unpredictable. Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc. Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route. Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night. Our primary role will be to keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a quick and effective resolution.
Host Community and Project Details
Packing List
What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.
“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with. We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.
Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination.
Most importantly, be sure to remember your PASSPORT!
CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good active socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts (some quick dry)
- Long sleeve shirts
- Sweaters or sweatshirts
- Underwear
- Shorts
- Rain jacket
- Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
- Comfortable, everyday pants
- Nice shirt/top to be worn to more formal dinners (girls might want a skirt or something a little nicer for such occasions)
- Durable athletic/walking shoes
- Sandals (optional)
- Hat
TOILETRIES: BRING THE BASIC TOILETRIES YOU NEED PLUS:
- Sunscreen (you will use a lot)
- Mosquito repellent
- Band Aids and Neosporin
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medication in properly marked original container
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book
- Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
- Power Converter
- Alarm Clock and watch
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle
- 1 quick-dry towel
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Batteries
- Deck of cards or other portable games
- STUDENT ID
Support Team
At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional support staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find a list of the team members involved in the planning, organizing, and leadership of your program.
Michael Manchester
Italy Country Director
Lewis and Clark College – B.A. in Communications
Born in Denver, Colorado Mike earned a B.A. in Communications from Lewis and Clark College. After college Mike moved to Siena, Italy where he had studied abroad. In 2004 he co-founded the study abroad program Siena Italian Studies where he is a program coordinator and Service-Learning coordinator. He also founded an English language program for the Siena public elementary schools and kindergartens and is on the board of directors for the city’s “Le Mura” organization that protects, maintains, and promotes Siena’s medieval walls. He is an experienced translator having worked with the AC Siena professional soccer team and a local culinary school. Mike has traveled extensively throughout Italy and Europe. He is fluent in Italian and can converse in Spanish and French. When not working with students you can probably find Mike in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes or somewhere outside enjoying fresh air.
Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History
During college, Luke spent a semester living and traveling in rural Mexico. His experience sparked a fascination with Latin America and a commitment to community service that continues to this day. Upon graduating from college, he joined WorldTeach and lived with a local family in a small village in Costa Rica while teaching elementary English. After this experience, he moved to San José, the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and wrote for The Tico Times newspaper. Luke has since traveled to over 60 countries on five different continents. Now settled in Denver with his family, he continues to crave massive helpings of rice and beans.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Alexa Hudson
- 2 Angela Taylor
- 3 Ava Jarman
- 4 Brian Piro
- 5 Charlie Taylor
- 6 Eagan Ballard
- 7 Emma Kennedy
- 8 Gareth Thomas Hunt
- 9 Horace Smith
- 10 Josue Lopez
- 11 Julie Corrigan
- 12 Kaitlyn Hill
- 13 Katie Wooten
- 14 Kayla Varnell
- 15 Lesley Wiggins
- 16 MaKayla Kennedy
- 17 Maryann Jones
- 18 Nadine Hobbs
- 19 Olivia Harrell
- 20 Rick Anderson
- 21 Ruth Anderson
- 22 Sabrina Fourre
- 23 Skylar Domer
- 24 Spencer Jones
- 25 Wendy Piro
Blog and Communication
During travel we will work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blogs and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, giving parents a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will receive an email notification when the first blog is posted, after which we recommend you check in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this page.
Beyond this proactive approach to communication during the trip, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants semi-regular access to WiFi so you can also expect to communicate with your traveler directly. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.
GLC Curriculum
Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
Standards of Behavior
In order to run a safe and successful program, it is important that we create an environment of trust, security and respect. All individuals participating in our programs are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of behavioral conduct.
ABSOLUTE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of, or are consuming, or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety.
- This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- Breaking group rules.
These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.
Health and Safety
We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Italy website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult with your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before travel.
Our in-country staff prepare meticulously for all programs. Walking Tree will register our programs and travelers with the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergency. In country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families via in depth interviews and home visits, and keep up on important current events in the region.
Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in a multi-day leadership training retreat. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff and U.S.-based staff.
We receive medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we are able to meet every students’ needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues that you did not list during your initial registration process. Program Leaders will also hold an online information session before your departure, as well as an arrival orientation in-country, in order to give participants important instructions on food safety, hygiene and preventing injury and illness. Leaders and in-country staff always respond immediately to any mental, physical or emotional health issues and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.
Insurance
While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel is never without risk. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with two additional provisions: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) and Bed Rest. Detailed explanations of both provisions can be found on the link below.
To provide families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry. Begin by getting a quote here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage with CFAR included, you must purchase the plan within 21 days of your deposit/first payment. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight.