From 23 July to 2 August 2024, 90 people from three different churches across the US came together in Italy to praise God and worship through song while soaking in the beauty (and heat) that is Italy. Our church had 20 people go on this trip and this trip was an opportunity for me to sing with the American Festival Choir and for Joe and I to celebrate an early anniversary trip. We explored seven different cities and sang in four concerts across Italy.
We started the trip on 23 July flying out of Dulles late in the afternoon and after a semi bumpy flight with no sleep, we landed in Rome around 0800 on the 24th. We picked up our luggage and joined the tour group to find our bus. The group was split onto two busses and we got on the road around 0930 and headed towards Tuscany. It was a long drive with several jet-lagged people. We stopped for lunch at a travel center and then got back on the road. We arrived at our hotel, Grand Hotel Francia & Quirinale, around 1630 and had some free time, so we went around town with some new friends and did some shopping and quick sight seeing. After a long but delicious dinner we had a rehearsal with everyone. Most of us were punch drunk tired and rehearsal only lasted about 30 minutes. I think I was singing while asleep. We finally got released for the night around 2130 and I think most of the group slept wonderfully that night.
Not only did we get lots of great pictures of us, but we brought along a little stuffed animal for each kid and they got to explore as well.
