FAQ and REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
ALUMNI TRIP TO ROME
What’s included on our itinerary?
While the following itinerary lets you know
the basic outlines of the trip, we’ll be
adding alumni outings and events, both
planned and spontaneous.
June 30. Arrive in Rome. Say hello to old
friends and new at the welcome dinner.
July 1. Students are in class all day; alums
settle in, rest up, and perhaps explore as a
group or on your own.
July 2. After breakfast, the entire MFA group visits the Forum and Colosseum. Students are
back in classes this afternoon. You, as an alum, are free as a bird.
July 3. Students are in classes all day. Alums are free to play!
July 4. No MFA classes today. An optional morning tour takes you to the Vatican Museums and
the Cathedral of San Pietro. In the afternoon, you might choose to take part in the optional
Baroque and Catholic walking tour.
July 5. Students are in classes all day. Alums are at leisure to explore, journal in a café, or attend
an afternoon plenary lecture by our favorite Fellini scholar, Dr. Federico Pacchioni.
July 6. Students are in classes this morning. This afternoon, we take motorcoaches to the
ancient excavated city of Ostia Antica. It’s like a working-class Pompeii, but a lot closer.
July 7. This morning, the entire MFA group visits the Galleria Borghese, which houses many
world-renowned sculptures by Bernini in its collection.
July 8. Students are in class all day. Alums may explore, write, or attend classroom sessions.
July 9. The morning is unscheduled. This afternoon, you might opt to join a relaxing motorcoach
tour of the scenic Alban Hills lake country, passing by Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer
residence, among other important villas. We’ll stop for a wine tasting before heading home via
the town of Ariccia.
July 10. Our final day of classes includes the always inspiring graduation ceremony, followed by
a festive farewell dinner.
July 11. Ciao, Roma! Today we fly back to the States or head onward for new adventures.
FAQ: Traveling with WorldStrides: The Essentials, page 1
What’s included in the travel package?
WorldStrides has created a “ground” travel package for our residency, including
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business hotel in central Rome with private bathrooms
sightseeing trips as noted in the itinerary on the registration website
entrance tickets to museums as noted in the itinerary
breakfast daily
opening and closing meals
a WorldStrides staff member who accompanies us for the entire trip
air-conditioned motorcoaches
customary gratuities for bus drivers, local guides, and assistants for group activities, as
noted in the itinerary
basic insurance coverage at no extra charge
International flights are not included in the package, but WorldStrides can book those flights for
you. See below for details.
How much does the ground package cost?
The alumni ground package costs $2,400, based on double occupancy. Flights are priced
separately.
What are the physical considerations for the trip?
Participants should consider their stamina, comfort, and physical abilities when deciding
whether to join the trip. Rome is hot in the summer, and we’ll be walking over uneven
pavement and up and down stairs. See the end of this document for further details.
ENROLLMENT, PAYMENT, AND INSURANCE
What’s the deadline to sign up for travel?
Enrollment deadline and full payment are due March 20, but alumni are encouraged to sign up
early.
What’s due upon sign-up?
At sign-up, you’ll pay a $200 deposit, plus the full cost of any optional items you’ve chosen,
such as a single-room upgrade or optional excursion.
What’s due after that?
Final payment is due March 20. You’re welcome to make earlier payments to WorldStrides at
your convenience to help spread the costs out over time.
What’s included in the embedded insurance policy?
1.
Medical Coverage = $7,500 (Primary)
2.
Dental = $250
3.
Emergency Medical Evacuation = $50,000
4.
Repatriation of Remains = $25,000
FAQ: Traveling with WorldStrides: The Essentials, page 2
5.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment = $1,000
This insurance is included in your ground package. The policy does not cover travel outside the
tour dates, nor does it cover air travel. Consider purchasing separate insurance for those items.
What about Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance?
If there’s a chance your plans may change, consider purchasing the CFAR policy for $199. For
details, click the “Cancellation Insurance” tab on the online registration site.
FLIGHTS and TRAVEL
When do we travel?
We leave the U.S. on June 29 on overnight flights and arrive at Rome (FCO) on June 30. We
depart from Rome on July 11, returning to the U.S. the same day.
Should I book my air travel through WorldStrides?
It’s your choice. If you book through WorldStrides, you can request a specific itinerary, and you
can earn frequent flier miles for your flight.
All air travel requests must be made no later than February 20. To make your request, fill out
the flight request form found on the online registration page. Don’t worry if your airport isn’t
listed—just choose a nearby airport and type your preferred airport in the Comments section. A
WorldStrides staff member will contact you to confirm your details before booking your flight.
You may also book your own travel, arriving in Rome (FCO) on June 30 and departing Rome
(FCO) on July 11, 2016. Transfers between the airport and the hotel will be provided at no
charge between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on both days. If you book your own air, we encourage you to
purchase separate insurance for your flight.
What if I want to travel early or stay in Europe after the residency?
Alums don’t need to tie their travel strictly to the MFA residency dates. If you travel early or
stay late, WorldStrides can help you arrange extra nights at our hotel before and after the
residency dates. Otherwise, your private arrangements are your own to make. You may want to
consider purchasing additional insurance for the extra days of your trip.
What about transportation between the airport and hotel?
WorldStrides arranges ground transportation at no charge between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. for
travelers who arrive at Rome Airport (FCO) on June 30 and depart from FCO on July 11.
WorldStrides can arrange your ground transportation for a fee if you arrive or depart on a
different day.
FAQ: Traveling with WorldStrides: The Essentials, page 3
HOUSING
Where are we staying?
We’ll be staying at the Best Western Hotel Universo, near
the Termini train station in central Rome. (Best Western
hotels are typically more upscale in Europe than in the
U.S.) Breakfast and free Internet are included. The hotel
has a small fitness center, two restaurants, and a café.
Most of our classes take place there. You can see more at
http://www.hoteluniverso.com/en/home-page.aspx
How is the housing priced?
The program price is based on a twin room with double
occupancy. You can upgrade to a single room for $699.
Can I book my own lodging elsewhere?
No, everyone on the trip stays in the arranged housing.
GUESTS
Can I bring a guest?
Yes, alums can bring guests as full participants. The cost for a guest is $2,400, based on double
occupancy.
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Guests must enroll through WorldStrides. If you have questions, please contact Lauren
Manson at WorldStrides, 1-800-422-2368 or at laurenb@worldstrides.org.
The minimum age for guests is 12. Guests aged 12 to 18 must be accompanied fulltime by
an adult who is not an MFA student or faculty member.
My family members are joining me at the end of the trip. Can they participate in activities?
Yes, as long as you arrange with WorldStrides in advance.
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If you would like to add a friend or family member to your hotel room or to other events,
such as the closing meal, notify Lauren Manson at at WorldStrides, 1-800-422-2368 or at
laurenb@worldstrides.org. WorldStrides must know about your plans in advance in order to
ensure that your room has the right bed(s) in it. (Remember that in Europe, a “single” room
might be equipped with just one twin bed.) Any extra charges for the additional guest,
meals, etc., will be added to your WorldStrides account.
Last-minute additions. It may or may not be possible to add guests to the closing meal, to a
hotel room, or to other events at the last minute.
Guests in the classroom and at graduation. Family and friends are welcome to attend the
graduation ceremony as well as most other classroom sessions, except workshop.
FAQ: Traveling with WorldStrides: The Essentials, page 4
Considerations for those with limited mobility or special needs: Standards of accessibility
customary in the U.S. are often not found abroad. Wheelchair accessibility is not the
standard. Walking paths and streets may be unpaved or rough and irregular, and some
required curriculum events involve extensive walking. Stairs are an inevitability.
If you have special needs (e.g., limited mobility, heart condition, diabetes, asthma), the
University requires you to describe them fully on the travel questionnaire you will
complete after enrolling for the trip and to let us know what accommodations you think
you might need. We will investigate to the best of our ability what accommodations can
be made, but it is not possible for us to foresee every eventuality or guarantee that
special accommodations will be available. Special arrangements such as taxis are made by
the traveler at the traveler’s expense.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
To enroll for travel, go to www.worldstridescapstone.org/register. Note that the site is not
accessible from a mobile or tablet device.
Enter the Trip ID 120115. Then enter the requested security characters and click on the
‘Register Now’ box. On the next page, review the summary page and itinerary tabs. Then, click
‘Register’ in the top right corner to enter your information. Alums and guests both choose the
Alumni Ground Package. You are required to accept the terms and conditions and click “checkout” before your registration is complete.
A few things to keep in mind:
1. Registration requires your passport information. If you do not have that information, you
can still complete the process and return to the site later to enter your passport details.
2. All rooms are based on shared twin occupancy (2 persons per room). You can go back in and
select your roommate later – keep your login info handy. Or, if you’d like us to pair you with
a roommate, leave the roommate selection blank. Single room upgrades are available.
3. The registration deadline and final payment is due March 20, but you are encouraged to
enroll for travel earlier so you can spread out your payments. And the earlier we know
you’re coming, the easier it is for us to make great plans for you!
Feel free to drop me a line at kyocom@spalding.edu if you have questions. Or call WorldStrides at
1-800-422-2368 or email Lauren Manson at laurenb@worldstrides.org.
See you in Rome!
FAQ: Traveling with WorldStrides: The Essentials, page 5