Join famed stained glass artists, Tom & Gayle Holdman of Holdman Studios on this once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to 3 capital cities in Europe and visit 2 newer and very beloved temples for the Church Of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints.
This specially designed tour will begin in Venice, Italy - known for amazing stained glass to visit this historic city, taking in the sites that have inspired artist for centuries. While here you will get a demonstration on making glass the Venetian way. From Venice, we travel by bullet train to Rome! Here we meet up with favorite speaker and BYU Professor Brad Wilcox and his group to explore this important city. The highlight for both tours will be attending the new Rome Temple with Brad and the Holdman's to see and hear all the stories that have been told and retold about the inspiring glass depicting Christs life and miracles that stands in the visitors center there. From Rome, our tour will then fly to the "city of lights", Paris to enjoy a few days in this epic city. While here we will spend a day at the Paris Temple and Versailles grounds and palace to appreciate some of the sites that gave inspiration to the Holdmans while designing the special glass used in that temple.
This is a very special opportunity to learn from the art master whose work has both uplifted and inspired us every time we are blessed to see it.
Don't let this tour go, it will fill up FAST! Remember, we send 1 bus only on all land tours.
Day 1: Monday, June 22, 2020
Depart from US
Today we depart the US and fly overnight to Venice, Italy.
Day 2: Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Venice, Italy
Arrive in Venice, Italy. Our Italian experience begins upon arrival at the airport as we are greeted by our local tour manager and guide. We will transfer by private boat to our Hotel Indigo Sant'Elena on the Island for check-in if we can, if not leave luggage and start exploring your surroundings. This afternoon discover Venice on a walking city tour before we enjoy a welcome dinner in a nine local restaurant. Transfer back to the hotel and overnight.
Meals : Dinner
Day 3: Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Murano / Burano
After breakfast we will have our first meeting with Tom and Gayle before leaving for a boat excursion across the Venice lagoon to visit the Islands of Murano and Burano. Murano Island is known worldwide for its colored glass, you'll see mouth-blown glassmaking in progress and enjoy a factory tour. Part of the glass used for the Rome LDS Temple building is from Murano. Burano Island is famous not only for its lace, but also for the fishermen's houses painted in bright colors. The excursion will end in Venice for some remaining time at leisure.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 4: Thursday, June 25, 2020
Rome, Italy
Today we transfer from our hotel to the train station and take the bullet train to Rome. Upon arrival we will board our coach to Tivoli for a guided tour of the Villa D'Este Gardens. We will then return to Rome and check-in to Hotel Welcome Piram. Tonight, we will have a combined dinner meeting with Brad Wilcox as he, Tom and Gayle share their experiences working on the breathtaking window at the Rome Temple Visitor Center and temple itself.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Friday, June 26, 2020
Vatican City
After breakfast we will transfer by coach to the Vatican City and start our guided tour of the impressive Vatican Museums including the highlight of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Church After the tour meet with Brad Wilcox by St. Peter's square to share comments about the visit. This afternoon we will explore the ancient heart of Rome with a guided tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. This tour will end at Michelangelo Square to see the pattern used as an inspiration at the temple. This evening is at leisure.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 6: Saturday, June 27, 2020
Rome LDS Temple
This morning is one of our highlights of the tour as we transfer to the Rome LDS Temple and enjoy time to serve in the temple and explore the visitors center. After our LDS activities, we will board our transfer back to the city center and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 7: Sunday, June 28, 2020
Rome, Italy
After breakfast we transfer to a local church to attend Sacrament Meeting. This afternoon will be at your leisure or you can join a local LDS Church Leader for an optional Christian themed tour of the old city. Evening at leisure and overnight.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Monday, June 29, 2020
Rome, Italy / Paris, France
Today our group will fly from Rome to Paris and be meet by a local guide for a panorama city tour by bus with landmarks. This evening enjoy a dinner cruise on the Seine.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Paris, France
This morning as a group we will transfer to the Paris LDS temple. Tom and Gayle will have an opportunity to talk about the glass designs of this special temple before allowing those who wish to serve in the temple. This afternoon we continue to Versailles to tour the palace and garden where the fountains will be on to add to the atmosphere.
Day 10: Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Paris, France
Full day at leisure to visit museums, shop and sight-see.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 11: Thursday, July 2, 2020
Flight Home
Today we will have an early breakfast before we are transferred to the Paris airport for our flights home with memories to last a lifetime.
Meals : Breakfast
Highlights of the Tour:
- 1 Bus Tour! Yes, it matters!
- Tour Host on for the whole trip along with local guides for in depth location detail and history
- Hotel stay on Venice Island, not mainland
- Bullet Train to Rome, flights to Paris
- In Rome, spend time with Brad Wilcox Group for seminars and Rome Temple Visit
- Advance timed entry tickets to attractions included = less time waiting in lines
- We include all tipping for hotels and restaurants where meals provided
- Planned session at the newly dedicated LDS Rome Temple
Included:
- Deluxe/Air Conditioned motor coach transportation
- Group transfers
- Train from Venice to Rome and Flight from Rome to Paris
- Local Licensed guides & Historians with your tour host, Tom Holdman
- 10 nights Hotel accommodations
- Sightseeing tours as outlined on the itinerary
- Meals as outlined (Breakfast daily with welcome & farewell dinners)
- Entrance fees to all noted locations and museums
- Audio system headsets throughout tour
- Document package
- Digital tour App
Not Included:
- International Airfare to Venice home from Paris
- Additional transfers when not arriving or departing with group
- Any private sightseeing not included on the itinerary during free time
- Tour gratuities for bus driver, tour managers and special Host/Guides
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
- Meals not included in tour outline
Optional Pricing:
- Double Rate: $3,299 per person
- Single rate: $4,399
- *Ask about our Single/Share Program *
Payment Terms:
- $500.00 pp deposit will be due at time of booking
- $100.00 Discount for cash payments
- Final Payment due March 24, 2020
