The West Virginia Folklife Center at Fairmont State University, in collaboration with the FSU Student Affairs, Pierpont Community & Technical College and GEAR-UP, is proud to make available this exciting excursion to Italy.  Our journey will be hosted by the WV Folklife Center's Director, Dr. Judy Prozzillo Byers, and the Center's Cultural Specialist, Mr. Noel W. Tenney. The travel abroad was designed as part of a year-long intensive study of Italian traditions and Appalachian influences, especially for the participants to experience every aspect of Italian culture, combining education with the enjoyment of discovery along the way.

  
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ITINERARY

During the trip, a photo journal will be uploaded each day. To view the journal either click on the date or visit the photo gallery.

Day 1 - Monday, June 11 - Evening departure to Rome.  We depart via connecting overnight flights from Washington Dulles Airport to Rome, Italy.     

Day 2 - Tuesday, June 12 - Arrival in Rome, Italy.  On arrival at the Rome Airport, we meet our professional tour director who will travel with us throughout our trip. On the way to the hotel, we will be given a brief city orientation as we enjoy panoramic sightseeing.  The remainder of the day will be free to rest or explore.  This evening, our travelers will enjoy an excursion to Tivoli with a welcome dinner. We leave Rome for a guided visit of the famous Villa D'Este Gardens and fountains in Tivoli, followed by a typical Italian country style dinner with wine, spumante, and music. Tonight, we will see Rome beautifully illuminated on our return from Tivoli.  This is a great way to end our first day in the "Eternal City".  Overnight Rome. Hotel Info

Day 3 - Wednesday, June 13 - Rome. This morning, we weill transfer to Vatican City to attend the Papal audience.  Afterwards, we continue sightseeing with our local guide.  We start with a visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo's ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment. We continue to the monumental St. Peter's Square and Basilica.  The Basilica di San Pietro & Musei Vaticani are listed number 1 and 2 of the top 25 must-see sites in Rome.  Tonight, dinner at the hotel.  Overnight Rome. Hotel Info

Day 4 - Thursday, June 14 - Rome - Pompeii - Naples. After breakfast, we will leave Rome and travel south to the region of Campania.  A local guide will take us into Pompeii, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.  See patrician homes, public baths, and commercial districts strikingly recalling day-to-day life when Rome was at the apex of her power.  We continue to nearby Naples and then into the city center for an Orientation Tour of the Triumphal Arch of the New Castle, St. Charles Theatre and the Royal Palace.  Dinner at the hotel. Overnight Naples.  Hotel Info

Day 5 - Friday, June 15 - Naples - Benevento - Cosenza.  This morning we depart for Benevento and surrounding areas, in the "heart" of Campania.  We view the Roman Theater and the Arch of Trajan.  visit the Museo del Sannio.  Continue south, driving through the region of Calabria to Cosenza.  Dinner at the hotel.  Overnight Cosenza. Hotel Info

Day 6 - Saturday, June 16 - Cosenza - Full Day Excursion to San Giovanni in Fiore.  Today's excursion takes us to San Giovanni in Fiore, the ancestral birthplace of many West Virginians.  A special festival has been arranged by the West Virginia Italian Heritage Association in our honor.  After this wonderful day, we return to Cosenza for overnight.  Dinner at the hotel.   Hotel Info
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Day 7 - Sunday, June 17 - Cosenza - Sorrento.  Today travel to the charming, bayside resort of Sorrento.  We will have time on our own to check on the historical city center with its museums, shops and fabulous views of the Bay of Naples.  Visit the cathedral, with its inlaid wooden chorus, the Basilica of Sant' Antonio with its pulpit and the Museo Correale with the Saltovar collection.  They jealously preserve the memory of the old teachers of marquetry, incomparable artists of wood, Sorrento is famous for its hand crafted inlaid boxes, cameos, carved into conch shells and the famous lemon drink, Limoncello.  dinner at the hotel. Overnight Sorrento. Hotel Info

Day 8 - Monday, June 18 - Sorrento - Assisi.  After breakfast, we leave Sorrento.  This afternoon, we are in peaceful Assisi.  We will enjoy a visit to the massive 13th century Basilica of St. Francis to view the frescoes of Giotto.  Also we visit the Chapel of St. Clare and the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.  Dinner at the hotel.  Overnight Assisi. Hotel Info

Day 9 - Tuesday, June 19 - Assisi - Ravenna - Venice.  Through Umbria and along the coastline of the Adriatic Sea to Ravenna.  Ravenna is the burial place of Dante Alighieri, "the divine poet" and his tomb is located just off Piazza Garibaldi.  We will see the mosaics of the 6th century Basilica of St. Apollinaris in Classe. We continue on to Venice which encompasses 118 islands separated by more than 150 canals that are spanned by some 400 bridges.  Adding a profound historic past and incomparable art treasures, its fame as one of the world's great cities is well justified.  Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Venice.  Hotel Info

Day 10 - Wednesday, June 20 - Venice.  Start the day in style by private boat to meet our local guide.  Highlights of our walking tour are St. Mark's Square and the Byzantine Basilica, lavish Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.  Also watch skilled glass blowers fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner.  Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon boat trip to the Island of Burano where we will enjoy free time to explore, shop for the famous lace work or just relax over an espresso.  Then back to Venice for dinner at our hotel.  Overnight Venice. Hotel Info

Day 11 - Thursday, June 21 - Venice - Bologna - Florence. Say good-bye to Venice as we head to Bologna.  We will enjoy free time in the Piazza Maggiore, where the oldest university in Europe is located.  Continue to Florence for a first look at the birthplace of the Renaissance.  We will arrive in time to shop in the many leather and gold shops.  Dinner at the hotel.  Overnight Florence. Hotel Info

Day 12 - Friday, June 22 - Florence.  In Florence today, we will follow our local guide to the magnificent Cathedral, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry's heavy bronze "Gate of Paradise" and the sculpture-studded Signoria Square.  To top the day off, we will admire Michelangelo's celebrated David in the Academy of Fine Arts. We will also visit the famous Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti Palace.  Dinner at the hotel. Overnight Florence. Hotel Info

Day 13 - Saturday, June 23 - Florence - Full Day Excursion to Verrazzano Castle & Siena.  Visit Verrazzano Castle to hear about the fine art of blending four types of grapes to obtain the famous Chianti Classico.   Enjoy wine tasting, accompanied by local specialties.  Next, we go to the hilltop town of Siena to visit its well-known Cathedral, and the beautiful Piazza del Campo, site of the biannual Palio, Sien's spectacular medieval-style horse race.  Return to Florence. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight Florence. Hotel Info

Day 14 - Sunday, June 24 - Florence - Rome. Today, we return to the "Eternal City" of Rome.  On arrival, we will again meet our local guide and continue our Roman experience including a visit to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.  Tonight, we enjoy our farewell dinner together.  Toss your coins into the Trevi Fountain, then on to a dinner part with fellow travelers in one of Rome's popular restaurants.  Our group will enjoy a delicious four-course meal and drinks will be served.  A wonderful way to say "Arrivederci Roma!" Overnight Rome. Hotel Info

Day 15 - Monday, June 25 - Transfer to the airport.  Our homeward bound flight will arrive back in Washington later today.  We say good-bye to Italy, but will have fond memories of fascinating experiences while on the Roads to Appalachia through Italian Heritage 2007 for many years to come.