I am working with David and Becky Durham of World to the Wise to bring a unique opportunity to travel to Italy and France in October of 2018.  We will experience significant spiritual and creative sites to speak into our own journeys.  We will spend an important amount of time with pieces of art that move us and places that have captured the human imagination throughout time.  We will begin in Rome and end up in Paris.

From David about Italy: Who hasn't dreamed of roaming the Tuscan countryside, marveling at Michelangelo's David, the famous Duomo (cathedral) and the other treasures of Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance?  Or relaxing on a Roman terrazzo, imagining the days of the gladiators while standing in the Coliseum, or viewing the beautiful Giotto frescoes held within the great walls of the St. Francis cathedral in the old part of Assisi?  Or sampling a different gelato flavor every day?  Or making such fast friends with the Italians that you won't want to leave? 

From David about Paris: Often called the Pearl of Europe and the City of Lights, this gem has probably inspired more songs and literature than any other city.  Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and Musee d'Orsay, Montmartre with its sidewalk artists, the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees... not to mention the obligatory sidewalk cafes, croissants, pastries, baguettes, cheese... (Oops, got a little side-tracked there...)  We'll include a day trip to Monet's house and gardens in Giverny.  And we think you'll be surprised by the openness and friendliness of the French!

See below the Itinerary and budget.

October 2 - Depart Nashville
October 3-14 - Rome, Assisi, Tuscany, Cinque Terre and Venice
October 15-19 - Paris
October 19 - Depart Paris for home
Budget - $3,500.00
PLUS airfare: Fares from Nashville range from $1400-$1500 per person, round trip.  The tour price does not include airfare, as there may be some who choose to use frequent flyer miles or schedule additional travel.  (Prices may bery depending on when we book).

We will be working with Golden Rule Travel to book air tickets.  We recommend that participants book their flights directly with Golden Rule.  We will provide a contact name, e-mail address and phone number as soon as the discount fares for this period have been released.

Ground budget includes:
hotel
all breakfasts and 2-3 evening meals
ground transportation
transportation between locations
most sightseeing, museums and attractions

Does NOT include the following:
souvenirs
all other food (plan about $40/day)
travel insurance
passport costso
additional discretionary sightseeing

Budget Timeline:

Immediately: A refundable $100 holds your spot, payable here

June 26: Deposit of $600 due, non-refundable

August 1: Airfare due (or own flight arrangements made)

August 20: First half of balance due ($1,400)

September 8: Second half of balance due ($1,400)

If you are considering this pilgrimage, please know that this journey is for you, wherever you are creatively or spiritually.  This will be a journey of discovery for all of us.  It will be a pilgrimage that we move into to excavate our own stories, longings, desires, relationships, person-hoods, and collective histories.  It will be a space in which we allow God to speak into our inner selves that we may know well, or that we may be estranged from.  This trip will celebrate and enrich your experience of being human with the Divine living within you and how those truths collaborate and relate with one another creatively and otherwise.  Please join me for an adventure of a lifetime.  If you are considering this journey, please fill out the short form below to receive more information and to be included in timelines, important information, deadlines and registration processes.