Explore & Connect – Italy

Join fellow alumni, students and friends on an unforgettable journey through Italy. Led by Dr. Dustin Byrd, professor of humanities, this 12-night adventure explores the heart of Medieval and Renaissance Christianity with visits to Venice, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. Highlights include St. Mark’s Basilica, Michelangelo’s David, the Uffizi Gallery, the Sistine Chapel, and the Catacombs of San Callisto.

With first-class hotels, guided tours, and seamless travel arrangements, you’ll experience Italy’s art, history, and culture while sharing the adventure with your Olivet community.

Itinerary

Monday, April 27: Departure
Meet at the Detroit Metropolitan International Airport to check in for the flights to Venice.

Tuesday, April 28: Arrive Venice
Following customs formalities and baggage claim in Venice, we travel by private taxi boat to the center of the city where we check in at our hotel for a three-night stay.

Wednesday, April 29: Venice
A city walking tour, including visits to the Doge’s Palace and Prison and St. Mark’s Basilica. Following our tour, we have time for those who wish to climb the famous Bell Tower (additional
cost), and Dr. Byrd will take us to visit some of Venice’s other churches, including San Giorgio Maggiore.

Thursday, April 30: Venice > Padua > Venice
Travel by train to nearby Padua (Padova) to visit the famous Scrovegni Chapel, where we see the incredible frescoes painted by Giotto between 1305 and 1310. Visit the Basilica di Sant’ Antonio (Basilica of St. Anthony), an important pilgrimage church dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. Return by train to Venice.

Friday, May 1: Venice > Florence
Take a private taxi boat from the hotel to the train station and board our train to Florence. After lunch, Dr. Byrd will give an informal tour of Florence, including visits to the Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) and the Baptistery. Then visit the Galleria dell’Accademia, the home of Michelangelo’s David.

Saturday, May 2: Florence
A walking tour that highlights Dante and includes two of the main churches—Santa Maria Novella
(Dominican) and Santa Croce (Franciscan). Visit Casa di Dante (the Dante House Museum). This museum, which is located on three floors, documents 13th-century Florence, Dante’s exile from Florence, and reproductions of his works by great artists. Dr. Byrd will also take us to the former
monastery of San Marco to see frescoes painted by the artist Fra Angelico when he was a monk there. During one of our evenings in Florence, we hope to attend a classical music concert.

Sunday, May 3: Florence
We will visit two important museums: the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Museum. The Palazzo Vecchio has been the symbol of civic power for Florence since the 13th century, and the Uffizi Gallery houses important works by great Italian artists, including Botticelli, Giotto, Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Cimabue. The remainder of the day is free to explore Florence.

Monday, May 4: Florence > Assisi
Travel by train to the beautiful town of Assisi, located in the Umbrian Hills. Either today or tomorrow, we climb up to the medieval fortress known as the Rocca Maggiore for a fantastic view.

Tuesday, May 5: Assisi
During a full day to explore Assisi with Dr. Byrd, we visit the Basilica of San Francesco and several other important churches.

Wednesday, May 6: Assisi > Rome
Travel by train to Rome. Dr. Byrd will show us some of Rome’s most famous sites, including the Pantheon, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, and Santa Maria in Vallicella (whatever we don’t get to today, we will see later in the week).

Thursday, May 7: Rome > Vatican City > Rome
A walking tour of Vatican City, starting at the incomparable treasures of the Vatican Museums, including Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. After touring the museum, our guide will show us St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica. Visit Castel Sant Angelo in the afternoon and enjoy free time to explore more of Rome and have dinner. We hope to attend a classical music concert this evening.

Friday, May 8: Rome
Tour ancient Rome, including the Coliseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum (Interior tickets to the Coliseum are very limited and cannot be guaranteed). Visit Santa Maria Maggiore and San Giovanni Laterano.

Saturday, May 9: Rome
A private bus to the Catacombs of San Callisto. Upon our return to central Rome, we visit the Capitoline Museums. The remainder of the afternoon will be free to explore Rome and shop for our last souvenirs. This evening, reconvene for a farewell dinner at one of Rome’s wonderful restaurants.

Sunday, May 10: Return
Private bus to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport to check in for our flight back to Detroit.

Learn More

Click here to listen to our recorded information session. Use passcode: !73mC1xf

Booking

• To book online, click the registration button at the top and use the booking code: 042726OLIV.
• Or complete and return the registration form in the trip brochure. Download above.

Tour Cost

• $6,195 per person from Detroit, based on double occupancy
• $7,945 per person from Detroit, based on single occupancy
• Airfare included from Detroit. Pricing for airfare on your own/departing from another airport, please email Robin Hinman for more information.

Deposit & Payment

1. Deposit of $600 per person & completed registration by October 15, 2025
2. FIRST Payment of $2,500 per person by December 1, 2025
3. Final payment by February 1, 2026
4. Balance due on receipt of final invoice sent approximately 30 days prior to departure.

Cost Includes

• Flights from Detroit to Venice and Rome back to Detroit
• Accommodation for 12 nights in centrally located first-class hotels
• Breakfast daily and five dinners
• Private arrival and departure airport transfers, roundtrip train station-hotel transfers in Assisi, and Catacombs excursion in Rome
• Train tickets for travel between cities
• Local guides for city tours of Venice and Florence, and for three days in Rome
• Sightseeing and admission fees in accordance with the itinerary
• Tipping and taxes for all services, including local guide and driver tips
• Whisper guides (personal headsets)