By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Nov. 6 — This Thursday evening at Valley Cork on East Main Street, the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting an informational orientation from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for those interest in touring Italy next fall with others from Page County.
The nine-day trip — Oct. 12-20, 2024 — will provide opportunities to tour various sites in Rome, The Vatican, Florence, Siena, Pisa, Venice and Milan. The $3,499 price tag — $100 off for Chamber members — will cover roundtrip international airfare, nine-day deluxe tour package, four- and five-star hotel accommodations, breakfast and lunch, deluxe bus transport, fluent English-speaking tour guides and entrance fees to attractions.
President Gina Hilliard said the new travel program being offered by the Chamber serves several purposes. Not only does it provide a great trip at a great price, but the Chamber uses it as a fundraiser while offering members and the community an affordable opportunity to travel with neighbors.
“Other Chambers have been doing it a while,” Hilliard said. “So not only is it a great fundraiser…we’re looking at it as you get the opportunity to go to another country with people from your community and spend time with them and network with them…not only tour, but build meaningful relationships with people in your own community.
“So not only do you get a great trip at a great price,” she continued, “but you also get to know your neighbor along the way.”
The Chamber president said the 2025 trip will be to Greece.
The itinerary for the nine-day trip to Italy from Oct. 12-20, 2024 includes:
- Day 1 – Washington Dulles (IAD)/Rome, Check in at Washington Dulles (IAD) Airport for a connection (or direct) flight for Rome. Overnight on flight.
- Day 2 – Rome, Change the connection flight and arrive at Rome, Italy. You will be met a the airport by your tour guide and transfer to the hotel.
- Day 3– Rome, Take a tour to Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peters’ Basilica, the largest church in the world. Walk along the beautiful Galleries of Tapestries, admiring Raphael’s Rooms. The tour end at St. Peter’s Square. Visit the ancient Colosseum, Piazza Romana, Day L’arco Trionfale di Constantino, Piazza Venezia, Bocca della Verita, Vitoriano Memorial Hall, Piazza del Campidoglio.
- Day 4 – Rome/Assisi/Siena/Florence, Bus journey to Assisi, tiny town built in the Middle Ages. Visit Basillica of St. Francis to see the masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Drive to Siena, a UNESCO Heritage Site, world-known for the Palio, the historical horse race around the shell-shaped town square Piazza del Campo. Drive to Florence.
- Day 5 – Florence, Venturing around beautiful Florence, the cradle of Renaissance, with the help of Michelangelo. Visit Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as the Duomo, Piazza Della Signoria, Palazzo Della Signoria (also known as Palazzo Vecchio), Basilica of Santa Croce, Pizza dei Miracoli with the Duomo, and Pisa the Leaning Tower.
- Day 6 – Florence/Bologna/Padova/Venice, Drive to Bologna, see Porticos at city center. From Piazza Malpighi walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore, then King Renzo Palace Palazzo Podesta and the Basilica of San Petronio. Drive to Padova, with Sant’ Antonio Basilica, one of the most visited churches by pilgrims of the Catholic world. Drive to Venice, the City of Love.
- Day 7 – Venice, Private water-taxi transfer to Pizza San Marco, visit St Mark’s Basilica. Sightseeing also include the Palazzo dei Dogi, the legendary “Bridge of Sights”, roaming along Venice’s canals.
- Day 8 – Venice/Milan, Depart from Piazzale Roma to Milan, visit the Cathedral Metropolitan di Santa Maria Nascente Duomo di Milano.
- Day 9 – Milan/Washington Dulles, Take connection flight to Washington Dulles (IAD) Airport.
Hilliard said the Chamber hopes to fill a bus of 30 for the trip, and will consider a second bus if the numbers merit it. Prices reflect double share occupancy with a five-star service standard with the low group travel rate. A single-room supplement costs an additional $800. Free shuttle bus included on departure and return days. No handling charges on credit card payments.
Securing a passport, souvenirs, tips and dinner each evening will be the only expenses participants will have outside the initial fee. While the trips are tightly structured, there are some opportunities to explore on your own.
Thursday night’s orientation is simply an information session. Those interested would have until June 28, 2024 to officially sign up and put down a deposit of about $500.
“We’re seeing retired people, single people interested in going…great cultural experience and opportunity to network with people in Page County…and have an unforgettable experience at the same time…”
For more information call the Chamber at 540-743-3915, email signed registration forms to gina.hilliard@luraypage.com, or visit the Chamber website at www.visitluraypage.com
For information on the Tour Operator — Citslinc International, Inc. call 1-844-262-1100, Email citslinc@aol.com or visit the Website www.citslinc.org
•••
RELATED ARTICLES
Proposal for Cultural Center and Business Hub to be presented at superviors’ work session Monday
The Chop House Bistro opens upscale eatery on Main Street in Downtown Luray
Chamber to disband its Tourism Council during annual business meeting Oct. 19
Be the first to comment