Aug 22, 2013 4 min read

The public is invited to participate in a planned 10-day tour of Italy and Greece scheduled for June 2014 and sponsored by New Freedom Grange.

The cost is $3,488 for students and $3,748 for adults. This price includes a $150 discount for anyone registering by Sept. 30. The price includes round-trip air fare, ground and sea on-tour transportation, hotel accommodations, meals on tour, a 24/7 tour director to accompany the group, local guides, admission to attractions, access to a tour link to stay in touch and consumer protection insurance.

Greene County travelers will be joined by students from Garrett College of Maryland, pending approval by the college’s board of trustees, according to Dr. Lonnie Brewster, president of New Freedom Grange. “As I began planning course activities, theater productions, and enrichment activities for the coming school year, I began to think about the history of theater and contributions made by ancient Roman and Greek civilizations,” said Brewster. “That led me to begin making arrangements for college students and grange youth to go abroad, and then I checked with the travel agency about opening the trip to the public. The tour is being arranged by Education First College Study Tours of Switzerland. The company has been in business for 50 years and is known as a world leader in international education.”

“Planning such a trip takes a lot of time and a great deal of advance organization,” Brewster noted. “For example, everyone must have time to obtain a passport; to make arrangements to pay for the trip; and to plan a limited, travel-wise wardrobe.”

After registering for the trip, travelers may make monthly payments. For travelers under the age of 30, the monthly payment will be $388, and for travelers age 30 or older, $417. In addition, an all-inclusive insurance policy and a trip-cancellation policy are available. Both Brewster and EF recommend the purchase of such policies, which are available through EF.

“We never know when we might get sick, break a bone, or need emergency surgery,” Brewster noted. “Many medical providers in other countries do not accept American insurance. Then, too, a traveler could have a family or personal emergency right at the time of departure. Once the trip is paid for, there are no refunds; so it just makes sense to have additional health insurance and trip cancellation insurance to cover unpredictable events,” he added. “In the event someone should become ill while on tour and be unable to continue the tour, I will stay behind with that individual, and the group will continue the tour with another responsible adult,” he explained.

Day 1 of the tour will involve ground travel to Washington, D.C., and a flight to Rome. The group will have free time on Day 2 to explore Rome, to shop, to become acquainted with other members of the group, and to adjust to the time change. Day 3 will include a tour of Vatican City, a sightseeing tour of Rome, and a self-guided walking tour. Day 4 will include an excursion to Florence, the birthplace of the Italian language, opera, and the Renaissance. Day 5 will be spent in the Sorrento Region, known for its lemon groves and the Bay of Naples. Day 6 will be spent in Pompeii, home to the wealthiest ancient Romans. On Day 7, the group will travel to Delphi, site of the famed Oracle, one of the most important landmarks of antiquity. On Day 8, travelers will tour Delphi, visiting the archaeological site and museum which contains artifacts dating back to 550 B.C. Day 9 will involve a sightseeing tour of Athens. On Day 10, the group will fly back to Washington.

Anyone who wishes to receive additional information on this trip or to register as a participant should call Dr. Lonnie Brewster at 724-428-3004 or send an email to one of the following addresses: chambersfarm15337@yahoo.com or lonnie.brewster@garrettcollege.edu.

After receiving additional information, participants may register on line, by mail, or by phone. A $95 registration fee is required at the time of registration in order to lock in the trip price. Prices are subject to change after Sept. 30 because of fluctuations in air fare, hotel prices, and exchange rates of the dollar/euro.