Located in traditional building above cobble stone streets and near the Colosseum and Termini station, Ostello Bello Roma is a great place for travelers to rest after packed day of exploring Rome. Spread over five floors with a variety of rooms types and communal areas, the hotel includes a beautiful patio, terrace and quiet corners to support guest. The breakfast is top notch and the friendly staff are always available to support travelers.
2025 Belmont Italy Cultural Journey
Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2025 Belmont Italy Cultural Journey! We have created two webpages dedicated to this exciting program so that travelers are as informed as possible throughout the process. The first page, Pre-Enrollment, is meant to share exciting details, highlights and pertinent info that participants will want to know before enrolling. Once enrolled, the Post-Enrollment page, is meant to prepare travelers for participation on the adventure ahead.
Please be sure to review the information on the appropriate page thoroughly and we can't wait to start our enriching adventure!
| Travel Dates: | April 19, 2025 - April 27, 2025 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,990 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,110 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
Review all materials
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 abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teachers that we must flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 19 | USA - Italy | Fly from USA to Rome, Italy. | Airplane |
| April 20 | Rome | We arrive in the Eternal City in the morning. After dropping our bags at the hotel, we will have a guided walking tour of the city, hitting many of the great attractions that are in Rome, but keeping in mind that it's our first day! On our way to dinner, we’ll walk by the Trevi Fountain and to make a wish as we toss a coin in the fountain. Once we are back at our hotel, we will have our orientation meeting to prepare for the days ahead! | Hotel Rome |
| April 21 | Rome | Today we have a late start, so we can catch up on sleep and recharge for the rest of our stay. We will leave the hotel midmorning and head towards the "Musei Capitolini". After lunch, we will have a guided bike tour of the Via Appia, which is an ancient Roman road over 100 miles long. We will of course only visit a portion of it, but with the help of our bikes we will be able to see much more than on foot. We will head back to the city center and have an amazing dinner at a local restaurant. | Hotel Rome |
| April 22 | Rome-pompeii | Today we escape the big city and head to Pompeii. We will have an amazing lunch and have the original pizza, the world-famous Neapolitan pizza. After lunch, the group will tour the archeological site with a local guide. After a full day of exploring, we will stay in an "agriturismo" in the area of Mt Vesuvius, eat some local produce and appreciate a smaller town atmosphere. During our visit we will get a chance to taste many pastries for which the area is famous for. | Hotel Vesuvius |
| April 23 | Vesuvius- Rome | Have you ever seen a volcano? Well, now you have, and we are going to hike our way to the top! We will have an amazing view of the Gulf of Naples and see some of its unique landscape and nature. We will visit Ercolano, another archeological site at the footsteps of the Vesuvius. We will have some free time to explore the town we are in and be ready for trip back to Rome. | Hotel Vesuvius |
| April 24 | Rome | Today we will visit one of the most famous monuments of the world, the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built. We will have a private guided tour of the Colosseum and the Forum. After our tour we will taste some delicious street food for lunch as we make our way towards "Campo dei Fiori". We will then head to the Pantheon and finish off our day with some free time and gelato! | Hotel Rome |
| April 25 | Rome | This morning we will visit another country! We will spend our morning marveling at the Vatican Museums masterpieces and of course admire the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Square. We will have a beautiful sit down lunch, then head to visit Saint Peter's Basilica from inside or visit "Castle St Angelo," also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, the fortress-castle of the Pope. After a very long day, we will have dinner at a local restaurant and have a Gelato before going to bed. | Hotel Rome |
| April 26 | Rome | On our last day we will walk toward "Villa Borghese," where we will admire some of Romes most famous statues. The museum of "Villa Borghese" is in one of Romes biggest parks and has some breathtaking views. We will then head to "piazza del Popolo" and admire some more Caravaggio in a small, unassuming church. We will then walk all of "Via del Corso" where we will be able to do some last minute shopping. Later, we will head towards the "Vittoriano", take a glass elevator and see one of the most breathtaking views in Rome. We will then head to our last dinner in Rome which we will surely be a feast of pasta and Pizza! We will also have our last Gelato before saying ciao to Rome. | Hotel Rome |
| April 27 | Rome - USA | Arrivederci Italia! | You own bed, eventually! |
Fundraising
Need to Raise Money? We Have You Covered.
Walking Tree Travel is proud to team up with Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative that distributes organic coffee, tea, sugar, bananas, avocados, cocoa, chocolate bars, and more. There is no limit to the amount you can earn, so the sooner you can start, the better!
Learn more here.
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your program, subject to availability.
Ostello Bello Roma Colosseo
Vesuvio Inn
Located a short drive from Pompeii, Vesuvio Inn is located between vineyards and olive groves and offers a quiet location to rest up after a long day. The hotel has been recently renovated and has wifi throughout the property and air conditioning.
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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ITA Airways
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AZ
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615
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BOS – Logan International Airport, Boston, United States
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April 19, 2025 at 05:05 PM
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FCO – Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, Rome, Italy
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April 20, 2025 at 07:05 AM
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Inbound
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ITA Airways
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AZ
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614
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FCO – Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, Rome, Italy
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April 27, 2025 at 10:20 AM
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BOS – Logan International Airport, Boston, United States
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April 27, 2025 at 01:40 PM
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Once your flight schedule 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 staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.
Devin Toletti
Italy Country Director; Germany Country Director
Bologna University – B.A. Political Science and International Relations
Born to an Italian father and a Canadian-Austrian mother, Devin grew up in Varese which is in Northern Italy between Milan and Switzerland. He grew up with a love for winter sports, dividing his winters between hockey and skiing. In summer he would enjoy mountain biking around the Alps and try to water ski as much as possible. After finishing school, in the English section of the European School, he went to Bologna University and achieved a B.A in Political Science and International Relations. In Bologna he also discovered his passion for food and teaching. Devin is now living in the exciting capital of Germany, Berlin, where he is a bike tour guide, part time cook, and English teacher.
Gabriel Duncan
Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO
Colby College – B.A. International Relations and Government
While at Colby, Gabriel spent a semester in Spain at the University of Salamanca studying contemporary Spanish politics and Spanish language. He also lettered for four-years on Colby’s lacrosse team and earned All-American honors. After graduating, Gabriel hit the road. He fished commercially in Alaska, taught in Chile and China, led programs for students in Spain and Costa Rica, and traveled to over 50 countries and all 50 states in the USA. Regardless of where Gabriel is located, he is constantly haunted by his naive faith and unconditional love for Denver sports teams.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Adam Rashi Gross
- 2 Aidan Chen
- 3 Aiden Yang
- 4 Amy Brown
- 5 Andrew Aloisio
- 6 Anna Huang
- 7 Benjamin Leger
- 8 Brenton Lussier
- 9 Brian Brown
- 10 Brianna Yueh
- 11 Dante Cavalier
- 12 Greta Sievers Perkins
- 13 Hazel Donner
- 14 Jonah Litman
- 15 Jonathan Tarja
- 16 Jordan Macarty
- 17 Leah Madden
- 18 Leo Hansen
- 19 Lisa Hurtubise
- 20 Luka Rozgic
- 21 MaryBeth Manca
- 22 Matthew Lubarsky
- 23 Mihika Kumar
- 24 Owen McKinley
- 25 Perry Cai
- 26 Samantha Ryann Wilson
- 27 Seamus Murphy
- 28 Shama Gongal
- 29 Sophia Sun
- 30 Thien Lohavichan
- 31 William Lin
- 32 William Lockwood
- 33 William Vidaver
33 Travelers
Blog and Communication
During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families bak home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.
Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. 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 vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational. As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of 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 travelers and 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.