Ohio University Marching Band and Wind Symphony Ireland & Italy Performance Tour Itinerary

SUNDAY, MAY 5                Departure for Ireland 

We will depart on our trans-Atlantic flight to Dublin, Ireland this afternoon or evening. Upon arrival at your departure airport, we will immediately check-in for our flight. You will need your passport at this time and upon check-in, your luggage will be tagged and checked at the counter for loading onto the plane. You will not see your luggage again until you arrive in Ireland, so be certain to have everything in your carry-on bag that you will need for the flight. 

MONDAY, MAY 6                Arrival – Dublin
Our flights will arrive at Dublin Airport this morning. Upon arrival, collect your baggage and instruments and meet with your driver/guides who will escort you to the waiting motor coaches. We’ll visit O’Connell Street where you’ll have some time to browse, shop and purchase lunch, before we check-in to our hotel where we will stay for the next three nights. This evening we’ll enjoy a “Welcome to Ireland” dinner. (D)

TUESDAY, MAY 7               Dublin City Tour

• Irish breakfast at hotel. Dublin City Tour – tour of Ireland’s capital city with visit to Trinity College, which houses one of Ireland’s greatest treasures, the Book of Kells, a famous illuminated manuscript depicting the four gospels. A tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral will be included along with a visit to Christ Church Cathedral. You will again have time on O’Connell Street to purchase lunch and shop. You may wish to visit Kilkenny Shop, a very popular store and restaurant. 

The Ohio University Marching 110 will be featured in a special performance this afternoon. 
This evening we will schedule a special performance by the Ohio University Wind Symphony. Dinner will on your own this evening. 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8    Optional Sightseeing Excursions
Irish breakfast at hotel. Today you will have three options (additional costs apply for options #1 and #2).

• Option #1- You will enjoy a day trip to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean and bordering the Burren Area, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights. Standing 230 meters above the ground at their highest point and 8 km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. Later we’ll arrive in Galway, known as the City of Tribes. You’ll have free time for lunch, shopping and dinner before we return to Dublin ($95 extra per person which includes admission to Cliffs of Moher and full-day bus transportation).

• Option #2- You can elect to visit the Guinness Storehouse Brewery this morning and spend remainder of day with free time in Dublin ($30 extra per person which includes admission to Guinness Storehouse Brewery and bus transfer from hotel to attraction and drop-off in Dublin).

• Option #3 – Free day to spend in Dublin. 

THURSDAY, MAY 9                 Dublin to Rome
Check-out of hotel and transfer to Dublin International Airport for flight to Rome. Upon arrival at Rome International Airport, we’ll meet our English-speaking tour guides and enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Rome. Stop at the Spanish Steps, famous meeting place of Rome. We’ll see the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. See the Trevi Fountain on your way to Piazza Navonna where you’ll have time to purchase lunch. Later visit the Pantheon, ancient Roman temple of Christian Worship. Later we’ll transfer to our hotel and check-in. Dinner will be provided this evening. 

FRIDAY, MAY 10          Optional Sightseeing Excursions
Breakfast at hotel. Today you will have three sightseeing excursion options. These are available to you at no extra charges, with the exception of admissions. You will receive an email in April requesting your choice of excursion.

• Option #1 – Pompeii. The city of Pompeii is a partially buried Roman town-city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania. Along with Herculaneum, Pompeii was partially destroyed and buried under 13 to 20 ft. of ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Pompeii was lost for nearly 1700 years before its rediscovery in 1748. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city during the Pax Romana. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Italy, with approximately 2,500,000 visitors every year. Purchase dinner on own before returning to our hotel in Rome.
• Option #2 – Explore Tuscany. We’ll stop at San Gimignano, a famous Italian hill town in the heart of Tuscany. After some lunch and shopping, we’ll head north to the city of Pisa, where you will see and have the opportunity to ascend the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
• Option #3 – Florence. The capital city of Tuscany is the destination of this excursion. In this medieval city, you can visit the famous Uffizi Museum, see Michelangelo’s sculpture, David, and explore the Duomo - Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. 

SATURDAY, MAY 11                Rome/Vatican
Breakfast at hotel. This morning we’ll have a a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, with its breathtaking frescos by Michelangelo, and the Raphael Rooms, which established Raphael's reputation in Rome.  See St. Peter's Square, the largest part of the Vatican City, the world's smallest city. 

This afternoon the Ohio University Marching 110 will present a special performance in front of the Roman Colosseum.
This evening the Ohio University Wind Symphony will be featured in a special performance in a local church.   

SUNDAY, MAY 12                    Rome
Breakfast at hotel followed by a free day to enjoy all that Rome offers. Lunch and dinner on your own.

MONDAY, MAY 13                   Departure
Check-out of hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight home to the USA.