ROME TEMPLE OPEN HOUSE TOURS ANNOUNCED! Two great itineraries available ITINERARY #1 12 DAYS ROME, FLORENCE, TUSCANY, VENICE, VERONA, LAKES, MILAN Mutliple dates available ITINERARY #2 11 DAYS ROME, SORRENTO, POMPEI, AMALFI COAST, FLORENCE, TUSCANY Mutliple dates available 2010, Intellectual Reserve, Inc. It s Official! We re going to Italy February, 2019 See inside for exciting details! ALL details are in place. Demand has been heavy. Call or Email to get on our REGISTRATION list so that you don t miss out on this once in a lifetime event! Webb Tours 2378 Evergreen Ave, SLC, UT 84109 Webbtours.com 801-278-3101 or 800-658-8519
This morning, I am pleased to announce that a new temple will be built in Rome, Italy ~President Thomas S. Monson, October 4, 2008~ Make no mistake THIS IS A BIG DEAL. For more than 600 years, the world revolved around Rome. Their territory included lands in Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia. What was happening in Jerusalem during Christ s life and death was controlled by the emperors in Rome. Peter and Paul of the New Testament preached in Rome and were killed for their beliefs. Constantine, the last Roman Emperor, converted to Christianity in the 4th Century and pagan Rome became the center place for Christianity and the newly formed Catholic Church. Popes would rule from Rome through the centuries of dark ages. The Renaissance would blossom from nearby Florence where residents like Michelangelo would awaken the world through their art and sculpture. The reformation would sweep through Europe eventually leading to the restoration of the gospel in upstate New York. The first latter day temple was built in 1836 in Kirtland, Ohio. And now, 179 years later, a temple is being dedicated in ROME. We will be there to enjoy the Open House, and to show you the other treasures that make Italy one of the world s most intriguing travel destinations. Webb Tours has been preparing for more than a year for this unique event. And we will be ready. We have traveled to Italy specifically to arrange for every detail that will take place on these tours and we have some unique and exciting things in store. Why should you trust your Italy tour to us? Two creative, well-conceived itineraries: We ll show you the Must Sees in Italy along with places and activities that you wouldn t find on your own (or on other itineraries) - like that perfect dinner in the Tuscan hills at sunset or a demonstration at the Carrara Quarry where the marble for The David and The Christus were obtained. Exceptional Directors: Each tour will be escorted by qualified experts who are authors, art history professors or experts on the history of Italy. We will enjoy these lectures before the tour and expert commentary while on the tours. Carefully chosen LOCAL guides: Our local support teams are well known, speak perfect English, and will add important context to your overall experience. Personal interaction with church members: Along the way, we ll be joined by local members to share their perspective. St. Peter s Basilica Webb Tours Expertise: 45 years in business, focused attention to detail, and the little things that make a big difference. ACTUAL DATES FOR THE OPEN HOUSE HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED. If you are interested in joining us, we STRONGLY suggest that you contact us immediately to reserve your space and make your deposit. Final details will be available by early April, 2018. Tours will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Itinerary #1 12 Day Tour: Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Venice, Verona Lakes, Milan Day 1: This morning we gather for our flights to Rome, Italy arriving the morning of the second day (reflecting the 8 hour time change). Day 2: Arrive in Rome, generally in the late morning. Our private coach will transfer us to our Rome hotel for a midday rest. It s important to stay active as we adjust to the new time zone. This afternoon, we ll take an interesting stroll through the Catacombs of San Callisto. Not just a place for burial, but a gathering place for persecuted Christians. It is very interesting and worth seeing. A welcome dinner is included at our hotel tonight. B, D Day 3: The history in Rome is breathtaking and our exceptional local guide will spend the morning with us as we visit the Colosseum, the massive amphitheater built in 70 AD. You will be impressed. We ll then stroll up the adjacent Palatine Hill where, as legend has it, Rome began. It was also home to the palaces of Caesar Augustus, Tiberius and others. The fabulous Roman Forum is right below us and the view is breathtaking. We ll descend the stairs and enjoy some time in the Forum before taking a break for lunch. In the afternoon, we ve scheduled a visit to the fabulous Borghese Gallery, housed in a former villa in a lovely park setting. The art and sculpture are among the best in Italy. This evening, after a rest, we will enjoy an interesting Power Point presentation entitled From the Renaissance to the Restoration, preparing us for coming attractions. B Day 4: This morning we will visit the Rome Temple and Visitor s Center, and have plenty of time to take it all in. As you may know, the Visitor s Center houses a fabulous Christus statue and sculptures of the original 12 apostles made from Italian Carrara marble (where we ll visit later). We ll then return to the hotel to change our clothes and rest. In the late afternoon (when crowds die down), we ll visit the Vatican Museums (with our guide), ending in the fabulous Sistine Chapel (which you will understand much better because of our Power Point presentation last night). As we exit the Sistine Chapel, we ll enter St. Peter s Basilica, the largest in the world featuring contributions from Michelangelo (who designed the dome), Bramante, Bernini and Raphael (to name a few). It is stunning. B, L Day 5: Today we leave Rome, making our way toward Florence. We make two very interesting stops along the way. The first is the charming medieval town of Orvieto. The colorful façade of the Duomo (church) anchors the pedestrian area with narrow streets, sidewalk cafes, and ancient towers. We ll take in the views of the surrounding Umbrian countryside and show you some very interesting history here. About an hour away, we are in the Tuscan hilltop town of San Gimignano. The whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an interesting place to explore. The views of surrounding Tuscany, the medieval history and the charming atmosphere make this a highlight. We arrive in Florence in the early evening (where we spend 3 nights). B, L Day 6: Welcome to the cradle of the Renaissance, and one of the world s most historic cities. To appreciate Florence, you need to be with competent guides that can bring the history to life. Our directors and our local guides will do just that. We ll spend the morning on an interesting walking tour. No cars allowed in the historic district. We ll see the impressive Duomo (perhaps the most famous church in Italy), the famous Baptistry, Piazza della Signoria (with its outdoor sculpture displays), Palazzo Vecchio, the River Arno, the famous Ponte Vecchio ( Old Bridge ) and more. The names may not mean much now, but they will. The afternoon is free. You can rest at the hotel, do some shopping, stroll through the Pitti Palace and Biboli Gardens, or visit the famous Uffizi Museum, one of the greatest art museums in the world. All are within walking distance. In the early evening, we ll drive outside of Florence into the Tuscan Hills. Quaint, hilltop towns dot the countryside providing breathtaking views in every direction. We ll stop at the private farm of our friend Maria (now 88) who owns a large olive grove. We ll enjoy an interesting demonstration about the harvesting of olives and the making of olive oil. The adjacent village is charming Polvereto, where we ll have a fabulous Italian dinner overlooking glorious Tuscany as the sun sets. Then back to Florence. B, D The Duomo in Florence Day 7: Today, we depart for an interesting day trip from Florence to visit Pisa and Carrara. Pisa is about an hour away and we ll see the famous Leaning Tower and the exquisite Baptistry. There is some very important history to share about Pisa (it s about
Venice return to Florence, arriving about 6. B, L more than a tower). After lunch, we drive up to Carrara, home to the famous quarries of white marble. From the Roman times to the Renaissance to the present day, the most famous marble sculptures have been made from this Carrara Marble. We ll take an interesting tour of the quarry and show you how they cut it from the mountain and we ll show you some of the interesting finished pieces, now made by computers and robots (including the Christus statue and 12 Apostles which we saw in the Rome Visitor s Center). This is an interesting place. We then Day 8: We certainly can t leave Florence without seeing its most popular masterpiece. We ll be at The Academy when the doors open at 8 and we ll have a chance to see stirring works of art including Michelangelo s most famous work: The David. You just have to see it in person to fully appreciate it. We ll enjoy the views from Palazzo Michelangelo as we make our way out of town. Our afternoon drive today takes us into Venice where we ll stay for two nights in Mestre. Dinner is included tonight. B, D Day 9: We get an early start today as we are in one of the most interesting places on earth. Our private coach takes us to the Palazzo Roma where we board our ferry boat which takes us through the Grand Canal into Venice. Our route is carefully chosen. We ll make a brief stop at the island of Murano, home to the famous glass-making operations. We ll see a brief demonstration. We continue by ferry to the colorful town of Burano with its bright colored houses, narrow canals and fabulous hand-made LACE products. You ll have time for lunch and browsing here. We then return to the heart of Venice and walk you through the maze of narrow streets, over the famous Rialto Bridge and into St. Marcos Square. We ll share the interesting history as we take in the sites. If time permits, you can visit the Doge s Palace (not included) with one of Italy s greatest art collections. B Day 10: Today we head west. Within an hour, we arrive in Verona, a prosperous modern town and an interesting historical town. We ll walk by the Colosseum (a mini version of the one in Rome), through the pedestrian area to the medieval center. You can even take a look at Juliet s Balcony (from Romeo and Juliet). We ll give you time for lunch and browsing in this quaint place. We then continue on toward Milan where we ll show you a few interesting things in the city. B Day 11: Today is a day to enjoy nature. About 90 minutes away, is the town of Stressa, on beautiful Lake Maggiore. We ll take a boat ride visiting the Borromean Islands with their interesting villas, gardens, markets and just plain charm. The mountain backdrop (as we are close to Switzerland), steep hills and beautiful water make this a magnificent place. A farewell dinner is included in Milan this evening. B, D Day 12: Transfer to the airport for flights home. B Tour Includes: 18 meals Private motor coach transportation Experienced directors throughout the tour plus English speaking local guides All lodging at Superior Tourist Class or First Class Hotels Expert Power Point lectures on certain evenings of the tours Admission fees for all included activities Plenty of time to enjoy the Rome Temple Open House and Visitor s Center An experience you ll NEVER forget Colorful Burano, Italy Exact price will be available in early April, 2018. Our best guess is $2,495-2,695 plus international airfare. All international airfare has been reserved on Delta Airlines with excellent fares and schedules.
Itinerary #2 11 Day Tour: Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Amfalfi Coast, Florence and Tuscany Day 1: This morning we gather for our flights to Rome, Italy arriving the morning of the second day (reflecting the 8 hour time change). Day 2: Arrive in Rome, generally in the late morning. Our private coach will transfer us to our Rome hotel for a midday rest. It s important to stay active as we adjust to the new time zone. This afternoon, we ll take an interesting stroll through the Catacombs of San Callisto. Not just a place for burial, but a gathering place for persecuted Christians. It is very interesting. A welcome dinner is included at our hotel tonight. B, D Day 3: The history in Rome is breathtaking and our exceptional local guide will spend the morning with us as we visit the Colosseum, the massive amphitheater built in 70 AD. You will be impressed. We ll then stroll up the adjacent Palatine Hill where, as legend has it, Rome began. It was also home to the palaces of Caesar Augustus, Tiberius and others. The fabulous Roman Forum is right below us and the view is breathtaking. We ll descend the stairs and enjoy Pompeii some time in the Forum before taking a break for lunch. In the afternoon, we ve scheduled a visit to the fabulous Borghese Gallery, housed in a former villa in a lovely park setting. This evening, after a rest, we will enjoy an interesting Power Point presentation entitled From the Renaissance to the Restoration, preparing us for coming attractions. B Day 4: This morning we will visit the Rome Temple and Visitor s Center, and have plenty of time to take it all in. As you may know, the Visitor s Center houses a fabulous Christus statue and sculptures of the original 12 apostles made from Italian Carrara marble (where we ll visit later). We ll then return to the hotel to change our clothes and rest. In the late afternoon (when crowds die down), we ll visit the Vatican Museums (with our guide), ending in the fabulous Sistine Chapel (which you will understand much better because of our Power Point presentation last night). As we exit the Sistine Chapel, we ll enter St. Peter s Basilica, the largest in the world featuring contributions from Michelangelo (who designed the dome), Bramante, Bernini and Raphael (to name a few). It is stunning. B, L Day 5: Today we bid farewell to the Eternal City and head south. In two hours, we ll be in Pompeii, one of the most unique places on earth. In 79 AD, Mt. Vesuvius erupted Capri burying this Roman city in ash and lava for over 1500 years, preserving it from the effects of air and moisture. In the 18th century, it was excavated, and what we see now is a 2000 year old Roman city preserved in its original form. Lunch and a visit to the ruins are included. We then enjoy a one hour scenic drive around the outskirts of Naples and into Sorrento, on the famous Amalfi Coast where we spend two nights. Free time to roam this quaint town and get dinner tonight. B, L Day 6: A short stroll takes us down to the pier where a 25 minute boat ride delivers us to incomparable Capri, one of the gems of the Mediterranean. The views from town are incomparable. You can do a little shopping, walk with your guide to interesting Hole in the Rock or, if you re a little more adventuresome, walk up to Villa Jovis, the villa of Emperor Tiberius who had his resort palace here on Capri (and was on the throne when Christ was crucified). The charm of the surroundings and the views out over the Bay of Naples truly are stunning. The afternoon is free in Sorrento to wander and enjoy the charm. Or take an optional trip along the Amalfi Coast to the famous town of Positano, just an hour away. Dinner is included tonight. B, D. Amalfi Coast Day 7: This morning we drive along the stunning Amalfi Coast as we make our way back to the north. In the early afternoon, we arrive at one of Italy s most interesting (and scenic) towns: Orvieto. We ll spend a couple of hours here and there is much to see. We ascend the famous Moorish Tower with spectacular views of the town and the surrounding Umbrian countryside with its green, rolling hills. We ll also visit the colorful church (known for its lively facade) and we ll give you some time for some fun browsing in this quaint, traffic-free town. It is medieval Italy at its finest! Then it s on to Florence where we ll spend three nights. B
Day 8: Welcome to the cradle of the Renaissance, and one of the world s most historic cities. To appreciate Florence, you need to be with competent guides that can bring the history to life. Our directors and our local guides will do just that. We ll spend the morning on an interesting walking tour. No cars allowed in the historic district. We ll see the impressive Duomo (perhaps the most famous church in Italy), the famous Baptistry, Piazza della Signoria (with its outdoor sculpture displays), Palazzo Vecchio, the River Arno, the famous Ponte Vecchio ( Old Bridge ) and more. The names may not mean much now, but they will. The afternoon is free. You can rest at the hotel, do some shopping, stroll through the Pitti Palace and Biboli Gardens, or visit the famous Uffizi Museum, one of the greatest art museums in the world. All are within walking distance. In the late afternoon, we ll drive outside of Florence into the Tuscan Hills. Quaint, hilltop towns dot the countryside providing breathtaking views in every direction. We ll stop at the private farm of our friend Maria (now 88) who owns a large olive grove. We ll enjoy an interesting demonstration about the harvesting of olives and the making of Orvieto, in Tuscany olive oil. The adjacent village is charming Polvereto, where we ll have a fabulous Italian dinner overlooking glorious Tuscany as the sun sets. Then back to Florence. B, D Day 9: Today, we depart for an interesting day trip from Florence to visit Pisa and Carrara. Pisa is about an hour away and we ll see the famous Leaning Tower and the exquisite Baptistry. There is some very important history to share about Pisa (it s about more than a tower). After lunch, we drive up to Carrara, home to the famous quarries of white marble. From the Romans to the Renaissance to the present day, the most famous marble sculptures are made from this Carrara Marble. We ll take an interesting tour of the quarry and show you how they cut it from the mountain and we ll show you some of the interesting finished pieces, now made by computers and robots (including the Christus statue and 12 Apostles which we saw in the Rome Visitor s Center). This is an interesting place. We then return to Florence, arriving about 6. The evening is free. B, L Leaning Tower of Pisa Day 10: We certainly can t leave Florence without seeing its most popular masterpiece. We ll be at The Academy when the doors open at 8 and we ll have a chance to see stirring works of art including Michelangelo s most famous work: The David. You just have to see it in person to fully appreciate it. We then depart from Florence, making our way back toward Rome. Our midday stop today is another of my favorite towns: San Gimignano. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is nearly 1000 years old and the walls, towers and fortified houses make for a unique skyline. Add that to the views of surrounding Tuscany and it is an unforgettable place. We ll enjoy a short walking tour, followed by time for some free time and lunch in the charming, narrow streets of this hilltop town. We then continue into Rome, arriving in the late afternoon. After a rest, we ll enjoy a farewell dinner together. B, D Day 11: Transfer to the airport for flights home. B Tour Includes: 17 meals and private motor coach transportation Experienced directors throughout the tour plus English speaking local guides All lodging at Superior Tourist Class or First Class Hotels Expert Power Point lectures on certain evenings of the tours Admission fees for all included activities Plenty of time to enjoy the Rome Temple Open House and Visitor s Center An experience you ll NEVER forget Exact price will be available in early April, 2018. Our best guess is $2,395-2,595 plus international airfare. All international airfare has been reserved on Delta Airlines with excellent fares and schedules.