UNI PANTHER MARCHING BAND
ROME 2016 NEW YEAR’S DAY PARADE
Dear Panther Marching Band members and families:
We are very excited to perform in the 2017 Rome New Year’s Day Parade! After the great
success of our London New Year’s Parade trip in 2014/2015, I am thrilled to be able to travel
overseas again with the wonderful students of the Panther Marching Band. This will be an
exciting trip and a great opportunity to travel to Italy with the comfort and ease of a group
setting. This is an initial information packet that includes all of the information we know so far in
our planning stages. This fall additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Please let me know if you have any questions after you read the information below, and I will do
my best to answer them or find the answer.
This is going to be a special season and we are happy to have you as a part of the PMB ROME
TRIP 2016!!
Dr. Galyen
danny.galyen@uni.edu
319-273-2173
About the ROME trip:
Rome – the majestic Eternal City, steeped in history and culture, while at the same time a
vibrant, modern, and exciting metropolis. The iconic cities of Florence and Pisa. And Frascati
– the quintessential idyllic Italian hilltop town famed not only for its wines, but also its
fascinating history and culture. What better places to stage an exciting international New
Year’s celebration of music.
The Panther Marching Band is excited to accept an invitation from the City of Rome to perform
in the 2017 New Year’s Day Parade! The official Rome New Year’s Day Parade presented under
the auspices of the Mayor of Rome and the City’s Special Events Directorate. The Parade has a
fabulous route that begins and ends in the focal point of all Roman celebrations, the Piazza del
Popolo. The route includes via del Corso, Via Condotti, and the famous Spanish Steps. Superb
entertainment from magnificent international marching bands joining together with some
superb Italian bands and majorettes fill Rome’s most delightful Piazza and its surrounding
streets with music and color to celebrate the New Year.
Students will enjoy a night in Florence with a chance to see the Statue of David and the
Leaning Tower of Pisa. The remainder of the trip will take place in Rome, with tours of
Vatican City, the Sistene Chapel, the Roman Forum and Colosseum, the Catacombs, and much,
much more. A day trip to Pompeii will take us to one of the most historical sites in the world.
Please note: We feel strongly that it is best for the student if they are responsible for their trip.
We politely encourage family members with questions to relay those questions to students, and
students to find answers by contacting our staff. By asking students to assume responsibility, we
feel that we are helping them to become independent adults. We want everyone – students and
their families – to feel comfortable, but we thank you for allowing the students to be their own
point of contact!
PART I: TRIP DATES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULES
TRIP DATES: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016 TO WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017
ATTENDEES: This trip is open to all 2016 PMB Members. If hotel space allows, we may be
able to welcome family members and alumni to participate. This will be determined in September.
TRIP COST:
1. FULL PACKAGE (including airfare and transportation to and from airport):
3275.00 (3125.00 trip payment + 150.00 travel fee)
2. LAND ONLY PACKAGE (no airfare or transportation to and from airport):
1925.00 (1775 trip payment + 150.00 travel fee)
Please understand the difference between “trip payment” and “travel fee” above:
• The “Trip Payment” listed above will be paid DIRECTLY to our travel company using a credit
card on your own individual online payment account. Credit card is the only form of payment
accepted. Trip Payment schedules are listed below. To set up your payment account, please
complete the Rome Registration Form below. After completing the form you will be notified
with instructions on how to pay and use your account. This may take several days before you are
notified:
https://pantherband.wufoo.com/forms/rome-payment-registration/
• The “Travel Fee” listed above covers additional trip costs not paid through the online system.
The travel fee goes directly to the Panther Marching Band to cover these costs and is used only
to cover fees needed to pay for the trip. The travel fee will be paid directly to the Panther
Marching Band using cash or check made out to Panther Marching Band.
No discounted packages or free packages will be offered. Please also see “Additional Fees” where
it appears below.
SCHEDULES – FULL PACKAGE:
Participants may choose to make payments according to one of the following two Payment
Options below. Option 1 is intended for current and returning members but may also be used by
new members who are committed to the trip. Option 2 is intended for new members joining the
UNI Panther Marching Band in August 2016, but may also be used by returning members.
Payment Option 1 (Total: 3125.00 + 150.00 travel fee)
Payment
Amount
Due Date
1
2
3
4
Travel Fee
5
$400.00
$600.00
$700.00
$700.00
$150.00
$725.00
May 16, 2016
August 1, 2016*
September 1, 2016
October 1, 2016
October 1, 2016
November 1, 2016
Payment Option 2 (Total: 3125.00 + 150.00 travel fee)
Payment
Amount
Due Date
1
2
Travel Fee
3
$1000.00
$1000.00
$150.00
$1125.00
September 1, 2016
October 1, 2016
October 1, 2016
November 1, 2016
Please note: We strongly suggest that you choose Option 1 if possible. This is because the
smaller payment size is more advantageous than that of Option 2.
*Participants choosing Option 1 should note that Payment 2 is due during the summer. You may
bring your payment to the GBPAC Music Office or mail the payment.
IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO PAY AFTER THE DEADLINE. We are working with a very
large group of people and ask you to respect the deadlines posted above. It cannot be the
responsibility of our tour company or our staff to work with you on late payments. We simply do
not have the time or personnel to do this. If you would like to go on the trip, then we must insist
that you make your payments on time.
PAYMENT SCHEDULES – LAND PACKAGE:
Participants may wish to arrange their own airfare and transportation to the hotel. This is
advantageous if the participant’s home is in a different region of the country and it will not be
logical to travel to campus or our departure airport (either Minneapolis or Chicago). This would
also be ideal for students who wish to travel to other parts of the Italy or Europe before or after
our trip ends. With the Land Package you are responsible for airfare and your own
transportation from the airport to and from the hotel on arrival and departure days. The Land
Package begins when you arrive at the hotel on arrival day and ends when you leave the hotel on
departure day.
Option 1 (Total: 1775 + 150.00 travel fee)
Payment
Amount
Due Date
1
2
3
4
Travel Fee
5
$400.00
$400.00
$300.00
$300.00
$150.00
$375.00
May 16, 2016
August 1, 2016*
September 1, 2016
October 1, 2016
October 1, 2016
November 1, 2016
Option 2 (Total: 1775 + 150.00 travel fee)
Payment
Amount
Due Date
1
2
Travel Fee
3
$500.00
$600.00
$150.00
$675.00
September 1, 2016
October 1, 2016
October 1, 2016
November 1, 2016
*Participants choosing Option 1 should note that Payment 2 is due during the summer. See
similar note in “Payment Schedule” Section above.
Special Note Regarding Land Package: We may fly to Milan and Bus to Florence for our first
hotel stay, and then depart from Rome on the return trip. It is recommended that you wait for
confirmation on this in the fall before purchasing your airline tickets.
MINNESOTA/CHICAGO STUDENTS:
Students who live closer to the Minneapolis or Chicago airport than to the UNI campus may
elect to meet our group at the airport rather than driving to campus. We will ask you to indicate
this closer to the trip dates.
STUDENT TEACHERS:
Students who will be student teaching in the Spring of 2017 should contact Dr. Terri Lasswell at
terri.lasswell@uni.edu to determine if your student teaching schedule can start after we return
from the trip. Two years ago the Department of Teaching was very good about working with
students about their schedule to help them go on the trip.
REFUNDS:
Please understand the refund policy of our trip contract, which states:
“All deposits are non refundable. No refund of any deposits will be made save if there is a
WARNING from the United States Government State Department to the effect that you should
not travel to Italy or Rome on the dates you have booked, or if the Italian Ministry of the
Interior issues a specific warning to visitors from the United States not to visit Rome over the
dates you are contracted to travel.”
For detailed information, please see the document titled “Rome Travel Insurance,” which was
attached to the same email in which you received this document.
ADDITIONAL FEES:
CISI Insurance Fee: Please note that the university requires all UNI Students to enroll in the
mandatory UNI Cultural Insurance Services International for health insurance. For students, the
cost is $1.15 for each day of the trip and begins the day prior to departure and the day after
arrival. The UNI Study Abroad center predicts the total cost to be around $11.00 per students.
Please be advised that you will be required to purchase a passport. Please also read the
“Inclusions” and “Exclusions” portions later the document.
PART II: REGISTRATIONS AND PASSPORT
PMB REGISTRATION FORM: In order to register for the trip and trip payment plan, all
participants must the Rome Registration Form provided below. This is the same link provided
under “Trip Cost” above – please do not complete it twice.
https://pantherband.wufoo.com/forms/rome-payment-registration/
TRAVEL REGISTRY: All students are required to enroll in the UNI Travel Registry. A link
will be provided this fall for you to register.
CISI INSURANCE: All UNI students are required to enroll in the mandatory UNI Cultural
Insurance Services International for health insurance. For students, the cost is $1.15 for each day
of the trip. UNI Staff are not required to enroll but may choose to enroll for a cost of $1.05 for
each day of the trip. Students are automatically enrolled when the complete the Travel Registry
form (link provided this fall), and will be billed through their UNI U-Bill.
PASSPORTS: Passengers must be in possession of a valid and current passport. We
recommend that you place the order for your passport at least two months prior to the trip.
Make sure that you get the passport book. The passport card is not valid for international air
travel. The passport book is approximately $110.00.
For information on obtaining your passport, please visit:
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/FAQs.html
The UNI Study Abroad Center can assist with taking passport photos for those that need one.
The cost is $8.00.
The Black Hawk County Recorder's Office is typically on campus in September during the UNI
Student Abroad Center International Opportunities Fair in Maucker Union. Please continue to
check their website for the exact date.
Nationals of certain countries require visas to enter Italy (a member of the European Union).
Please check with the Italian Embassy in Washington if you are in any doubt. Citizens of
the United States of America do not require visas to enter Italy. All US passports must have a
validity in excess of six months after the date of return to the USA. Non US passport holders
should verify their status with regard to their re-entry into the USA.
POWER ADAPTERS: You will need to purchase a power adapter in order to plug in any
electronic device. These may be purchased at the UNI Study Abroad Center for $10.00 or at any
retail store such as Wal-Mart or Target. Outlets in Italy are NOT the same as outlets in the UK
so please make sure you purchase the correct one. Many times you can purchase an adapter with
ports for AU/UK/EU/USA. Please do your own research to find the right one for Florence and
Rome.
TRAVEL GUIDE BOOK: Although you will be provided with a guidebook by our tour
company on the first day of our trip, we also strongly recommend that you purchase a tour book
that includes Florence and Rome and read it prior to the trip so you are prepared. Books by Rick
Stees, Fodor’s, Frommer’s etc. are always very good.
PART III. INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
YOUR TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
• Participation in The City of Rome New Year’s Day Parade on January 1, 2017. The official
Rome New Year’s Day Parade presented under the auspices of the Mayor of Rome and the City’s
Special Events Directorate. The Parade has a fabulous route that begins and ends in the focal
point of all Roman celebrations, the Piazza del Popolo. The route includes via del Corso, Via
Condotti, and the famous Spanish Steps. All transportation from the hotel to and from the
performance venue is included.
• The opportunity to perform in the delightful hilltop town of Frascati. All necessary
transportation to additional performances is included.
• Transportation from the UNI campus to and from the Minneapolis or Chicago airport via
charter coach buses.
• Round trip economy class air travel on a scheduled airline from USA to Italy. One main meal
and one snack meal will be served during the flight along with complimentary soft drinks.
Movies and audio entertainment on all long-haul transatlantic sectors. Flights may be multisectored.
• Transportation from the airport in Italy to and from our hotel on arrival and departure days
by luxury coach, including specialist “meet and greet” service on arrival and check-in
assistance on departure.
• Shipping for heavier and large size musical instruments and other equipment to and from
Rome
• Storage room for instruments and equipment at the hotel
• 6 (six) nights accommodation in first class hotels in Rome and 1 (one) night accommodation
in first class hotel in Florence. Based on students and adults being accommodated in twin or
double-bedded rooms. Some triples may be available on request. Single supplement applies and
may not be available. All rooms have en-suite facilities including bath and/or shower and W.C.
Hotel can only be confirmed once booking has been made.
• Full continental buffet breakfast with a wide range of hot and cold items served each day - 7
breakfasts.
• Round trip transfers from Milan/Rome airport to your hotel by luxury coach, including
specialist 'meet and greet' service on arrival, and check-in assistance service on departure.
• Full-day educational coach and walking tour of Rome with professional English speaking
guide.
• Half-day educational tour to The Colosseum and the Roman Forum on private chartered
coach, with personal MP3 guided audio tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
• Half-day educational tour to Vatican City on private chartered coach, including entrances to
The Vatican Museum, The Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica, with English speaking guide.
• Half-day educational tour to one of the Catacombs on the outskirts of Rome. Tour by private
chartered coach, including entrances to Catacomb burial chambers, with English speaking
guide.
• Full day educational tour to Pompeii on private chartered coach. Local professional English
speaking guide. Entrances as appropriate in Pompeii included.
• Full Day excursion to Florence on a private charted motor coach. Local professional English
speaking guide. Entrances included in Florence to the Accademia and the Duomo in Pompeii
included.
• A personal (to keep) MP4 player for each member of the group loaded with our unique Rome
audio guided walking tours, including:o ‘When in Rome’ taking you to all the must see sights in Rome including the Trevi
Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon.
o ‘Rome Revealed’ taking you to The Mouth of Truth, the oldest church in Rome,
Tiber Island and into bohemian Trastevere.
o Fun, fact filled five minute bonus tracks about Castel Sant Angel – Hadrian’s
Mausoleum, The Circus Maximus – where chariot races were held, The Palatine Hill
– where Romulus and Remus were found and the Victor Emanuele Monument –
otherwise known as the Wedding Cake!.
• Services of a full time English speaking resident Tour Manager throughout your stay. This in
addition to local English speaking guides.
• A welcome information pack containing a printed land itinerary and useful maps and other
information
• A 10"x8" print of the group photograph that is taken before the event in Rome. This
photograph is presented to each member of the performing group in a special souvenir mount.
• A specially struck Rome New Year’s Day Parade and Festival Medal for all members of the
performing group.
• The YMOTW/Performance Travel Limited specially written comprehensive Travel Insurance
Policy.
• All Tips and Taxes to service providers save for the resource person for whom it might be
considered appropriate to provide a gratuity at the end of the Performance Tour.
YOUR TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:
Cost of passports, visas, items of personal nature such as laundry, telegraph and telephone
expenses, room service, alcoholic drinks, meals not specified in itinerary (lunches and dinners),
optional sightseeing and excursions not mentioned above.
PART IV. TRAVEL INSURANCE PACKAGE
The travel insurance package is provided in a separate document and is included in the cost of
your travel program.
PART V. SAMPLE ITINERARY (Tentative Only – this will change)
A sample itinerary is included as a separate document. Please note that this itinerary is not edited
and does not include Florence or Pisa. We will send the updated itinerary reflecting the addition
of those two cities as soon as it is available. We have included this itinerary just so you can have
an idea of the type of trip to expect.
I HOPE YOU ARE EXCITED!
THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT TRIP!