Light from the Shadow by Angelo Vasta

Welcome to the Visual Journaling & Meditation Retreat in Italy Elizabeth Lewis Angelo Vasta - UmbriaGroup USA

North Shore Academy of the Arts April 1st, 2009

Before your departure Important Documents What to pack Italy Travel and Safety Tips

Important Documents Valid Passport Before you leave, make sure to make two copies of all the above information. Leave one copy with someone back home, and place the second copy in a location separate from the originals

How should I pack? If you don't want to wash anything, make sure you bring enough clothes for two changes a day. Once in the morning and once before dinner. Another option is to bring only half of what you need and pay to have your clothes washed about half way through the trip.

How should I pack? Bring a good pair of walking sandals or shoes for the day and one pair of nice, but

comfortable sandals for evening. Bring a pair of

flip flops for the room. You may want to pack an extra little purse for evening, too. Maybe a little shoulder purse.

Don't forget to pack meds, and other toiletries, but try to bring only as much as you'll need.

Whatever you pack, make sure it's in a suitcase with wheels. Very important for longer trips. And leave room for souvenirs.

Using electronics in Italy All Europe has 220-240 volt, 50 cycle alternating current, therefore if you plan on using anything electrical, don't forget to bring a European converter. You can buy one online or at your local BestBuy or Radioshack Do not use anything with a heating element over there, such as a hair drier or iron unless you also have a transformer. Without that, you could not only fry your piece of equipment, you could blow out the electricity in the hotel and that would not be good.

Italy Travel & Safety Getting Euros from ATMs machines Look for an Italian Bancomat with the affiliations you need (cirrus, plus, etc.) In Italy, Bancomats are clearly marked and are found outside banks Once you insert your card, you will be prompted to choose your language. English will be one of the choices. Then you'll enter your 4 digit pin number. You'll be then presented with a number of choices for withdrawal. Choose the one that suits you. Get your money out, you're all set.

Italy Travel & Safety Words to the wise While you're unlikely to be a victim of violent crime in Italy, Remember, use the same common sense you would use in a big city anywhere in the world. In crowds, such as on Rome's metro, it's better to carry your pack or purse in front of you where you can easily see it. Always be aware of your surroundings and don't put your purse, day pack, or camera where someone could snatch it. If you have zippers on your purse or pack, be sure they're closed. Taking these precautions could save you time and trouble.

Day 1: Travel to Rome Travel by Air to Italy Leave, June 4th from Chicago Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hare Arrive in Rome (Fuimicino Airport) on June 5th

Return to Chicago Leave June 15th from Fuimicino Airport Arrive at Chicago Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hare June 15th

Day 2: Welcome to Italy! Arrive at Fiumicino Airport in Rome Collect your luggage & go through customs

Travel by private bus to Villa Pieve

Day 2: Villa Pieve Arrive at the Villa Room Assignment & “Pranzo” Relax & Settle-in

Course overview* Stress Management, Meditation & Visual Journaling

“Cena”

Day 2: Villa Pieve

Meet the Family

Day 3: Villa Pieve Meditation Class Tour of Villa Pieve & Castle “Pranzo” Art Class Walk to the Medieval Town of Corciano “Gelato in Piazza” Cooking Class and “Cena”

Walking tour of Corciano

Day 4: Assisi Visit to Santa Maria degli Angeli/Porziuncola and the Rose Garden “Pranzo” in Assisi Visit to the Basilica of St. Francis Meditation Class at the “Eremo delle Carceri” Return to Villa Pieve “Cena”

Santa Maria degli Angeli

La Porziuncola

Basilica of Saint Francis

Eremo delle Carceri

Return to Villa Pieve

Day 5: Deruta & Orvieto Visit to 500 years old Ceramic Factory in Deruta Walking Tour of Orvieto Visit to the Duomo Pozzo di San Patrizio Light “Pranzo” & Wine Tasting Free time for shopping Visual Journaling in the Park “Cena”

Deruta

Orvieto

Day 6: Cortona Meditation Class Cortona: Walking tour – Duomo, Art Museum Piazza and Free time Le Celle – 1211 Franciscan Hermitage – converse with a Franciscan theologian – dialogue and reflection* Cena at Tonino’s Return to Villa Pieve

Cortona - Walking Tour

Day 7: Florence Walking tour of Florence Duomo Ponte Vecchio â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pranzoâ&#x20AC;? Meditation at the Boboli Gardens Return to Villa Pieve Cena

Firenze - Walking Tour

Day 8: Lake Trasimeno Meditation Class

Visit to San Feliciano on the Lake Olive Oil Tasting at “Mancianti”

Ferry to Isola Maggiore & “Pranzo” on the Island Meditation Class

Ferry back and return to Villa Pieve “Cena”

Lake Trasimeno

Day 9: Perugia Walking Tour of Perugia

The Underground City - Rocca Paolina

Meditation at the Medieval Botanical Garden with reflection and dialogue* “Pranzo” in Piazza and free time

Great Fountain, Roman Aqua-duct, Etruscan Arch Bus back to Villa Pieve “Cena”

Perugia - Rocca Paolina

Perugia - Botanical Garden

Perugia - Walking Tour

Day 10: Villa Pieve Meditation Class Guest Speaker “Pranzo” Art Class Start Packing Gala Dinner

Day 11: Fly to Chicago

Leave Villa Pieve at 4:30am Return to United States

Thank You!