Trip Escorts
Terry Johnson - September 12 departure
Terri Dion - September 16 departure
Terri Dion - September 16 departure
Collette has assigned two of their absolute best Tour Managers to our Italy departures.
Tom Dentino (Sept 12) and Daniel Boghen (Sept 16)
Tom Dentino (Sept 12) and Daniel Boghen (Sept 16)
Post-Trip Memories
Blog
Blog - Part 1, Sicily
Blog - Part 2, Mainland Italy
By Terri Dion
Travelog
by Cosette Swalheim
Photos
Southern Italy and Sicily by John Menard*
John Dancing with Marcella video by Randall Kohltfarber
John Dancing with Marcella video by Ira Schoenwald
Cinzia video by Ira Schoenwald
*Why use OneDrive for your cloud storage? by John Menard
*How to Download Photos from OneDrive by John Menard
Blog
Blog - Part 1, Sicily
Blog - Part 2, Mainland Italy
By Terri Dion
Travelog
by Cosette Swalheim
Photos
Southern Italy and Sicily by John Menard*
John Dancing with Marcella video by Randall Kohltfarber
John Dancing with Marcella video by Ira Schoenwald
Cinzia video by Ira Schoenwald
*Why use OneDrive for your cloud storage? by John Menard
*How to Download Photos from OneDrive by John Menard
Pre-Trip Events
Education
Travelogue – “Beyond Rome: the South of Italy”- Gary Jann, Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7PM, Cimarron Center
Experience Italy at the Musical Instrument Museum, July, 2015.
Experience la dolce vita at MIM as we celebrate Italian music and culture. Get a taste of Italy with an Italian-inspired menu at Café Allegro, gallery talks, and hands-on activities for all ages.
Italian Festival of Arizona - Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. & Sunday, March 22, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
West Valley Symphony: Going Places - 3:00 PM, Sunday January 18
The first two pieces are: Capriccio Italien by Tchaikovsky and The Fountains of Rome by Respighi
For more information click on West Valley Symphony
The Yanks are Coming: The US and WWI * - Roland Garcia - Mondays, March 16 - 30, 1 - 3 PM
Vogue Bistro Spirits: Italian Wines * - Roman Yasinsky - Monday, March 16 (class full) and March 30, 2015, 2 - 4 PM (space available).
Travel - How to Pack and More * - Terri Dion - Wednesday, March 19, 10 - Noon
* Register the usual way though www.grandlearning.org
Ancient Rome - Gale McCall, Mondays, November 10 - December 8, 12 PM - 1:30 PM
Click here for class notes
Mafia - The Changing Face of the Mafia Click on this link to watch this documentary about the history of the Mafia.
Foreign Language Film Festival: (All Maricopa & Havasupai Rooms in the Chaparral Center. Free, seating is first-come, first seated.)
Italian - Language Club
Socials
Christmas Open House: 3:00 - 5:00 PM, December 14, 2014
Travelers Wine and Appetizer Party - Introductions, Q&A’s: 4:00 PM, February 8, 2015
Documents Party - 4:00-6:00 PM, August 30, 2015
Christmas Open House: 3:00 - 5:00 PM, December 6, 2015
Post Trip Party - 4:00 PM, October 25th Angela's Restaurant
Travelogue – “Beyond Rome: the South of Italy”- Gary Jann, Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7PM, Cimarron Center
- We’ll take the roads less traveled into southern Italy. Experience the sights and sounds of Puglia (south eastern), Calabria (south western) and Sicily (the island). Besides the usual castles, churches, narrow meandering streets, Greek and Roman ruins, you will also take a wild ride in a vintage Fiat 500 through the back streets of Modica. Benvenuti in Italia andiamo!
Experience Italy at the Musical Instrument Museum, July, 2015.
Experience la dolce vita at MIM as we celebrate Italian music and culture. Get a taste of Italy with an Italian-inspired menu at Café Allegro, gallery talks, and hands-on activities for all ages.
- Check the MIM website for details closer to the date.
Italian Festival of Arizona - Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. & Sunday, March 22, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Be transported to an Italian “piazza” .
- SouthBridge in Old Town Scottsdale
- For more information click on Italian Festival of Arizona.
West Valley Symphony: Going Places - 3:00 PM, Sunday January 18
The first two pieces are: Capriccio Italien by Tchaikovsky and The Fountains of Rome by Respighi
For more information click on West Valley Symphony
The Yanks are Coming: The US and WWI * - Roland Garcia - Mondays, March 16 - 30, 1 - 3 PM
- The part of Italy we are visiting was quiet in WW1 although all the towns had large losses of soldiers from home based regiments.
Vogue Bistro Spirits: Italian Wines * - Roman Yasinsky - Monday, March 16 (class full) and March 30, 2015, 2 - 4 PM (space available).
Travel - How to Pack and More * - Terri Dion - Wednesday, March 19, 10 - Noon
* Register the usual way though www.grandlearning.org
Ancient Rome - Gale McCall, Mondays, November 10 - December 8, 12 PM - 1:30 PM
Click here for class notes
Mafia - The Changing Face of the Mafia Click on this link to watch this documentary about the history of the Mafia.
Foreign Language Film Festival: (All Maricopa & Havasupai Rooms in the Chaparral Center. Free, seating is first-come, first seated.)
- Perlasca - February 2, 6:30 PM and February 9, 4 PM
- I'm Not Scared - March 2, 6:30 PM and March 9, 4 PM
- Sunflower - March 16, 6:40 PM and March 23, 4 PM
Italian - Language Club
- Beginning 9:30 - 10:30 Wednesdays
- Int/Advance: 10:30 - 11:30 Wednesdays
Socials
Christmas Open House: 3:00 - 5:00 PM, December 14, 2014
Travelers Wine and Appetizer Party - Introductions, Q&A’s: 4:00 PM, February 8, 2015
Documents Party - 4:00-6:00 PM, August 30, 2015
Christmas Open House: 3:00 - 5:00 PM, December 6, 2015
Post Trip Party - 4:00 PM, October 25th Angela's Restaurant
Travel and Destination Information
Map of hotels from Palermo to Rome
Hotel Contact List Links to the long term forecasts for the cities we will be visiting: Palermo Agrigento Giardini Naxos Matera Sorrentina Rome ![]() |
Insurance
If you have purchased Collette's comprehensive travel insurance policy you have some coverage for pre and post-trips too! Terry Johnson has been researching this for us and here's what she's learned:
"...everyone who books their air through Collette will be covered for medical, baggage, etc. for a pre or post-trip for a maximum of 60 days travel (including our trip). They wouldn't be covered for hotel, car rentals or any other expenses that are not booked through Collette."
My tip: I sometimes purchase a separate travel insurance policy for our pre or post-trip expenses if we have significant pre-paid, non-refundable expenses. I shop for options at www.insuremytrip.com
If you have purchased Collette's comprehensive travel insurance policy you have some coverage for pre and post-trips too! Terry Johnson has been researching this for us and here's what she's learned:
"...everyone who books their air through Collette will be covered for medical, baggage, etc. for a pre or post-trip for a maximum of 60 days travel (including our trip). They wouldn't be covered for hotel, car rentals or any other expenses that are not booked through Collette."
My tip: I sometimes purchase a separate travel insurance policy for our pre or post-trip expenses if we have significant pre-paid, non-refundable expenses. I shop for options at www.insuremytrip.com