TRAVEL POLICY
TRAVEL POLICY
TRAVEL POLICY
TRAVEL POLICY
TRAVEL POLICY
TRAVEL POLICY
Ready to start on your Artful Journey?
Our trips provide you with the most interesting cultural and artistic experiences. Our policy has been developed over time to provide you with concrete information about the operation of Artful Journeys and its impact on you, the traveler.
Ready to start on your Artful Journey?
Our trips provide you with the most interesting cultural and artistic experiences. Our policy has been developed over time to provide you with concrete information about the operation of Artful Journeys and its impact on you, the traveler.
Ready to start on your Artful Journey?
Our trips provide you with the most interesting cultural and artistic experiences. Our policy has been developed over time to provide you with concrete information about the operation of Artful Journeys and its impact on you, the traveler.
Ready to start on your Artful Journey?
Our trips provide you with the most interesting cultural and artistic experiences. Our policy has been developed over time to provide you with concrete information about the operation of Artful Journeys and its impact on you, the traveler.
Ready to start on your Artful Journey?
Our trips provide you with the most interesting cultural and artistic experiences. Our policy has been developed over time to provide you with concrete information about the operation of Artful Journeys and its impact on you, the traveler.
Included in Price
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Lodging (double occupancy). The single supplement fee varies for each trip.
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All breakfasts, and most other meals.
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Airport transfers and ground transportation (in Europe) to scheduled activities (unless by foot).
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Performances/Activities: as stated.
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Museum entry fees and tours.
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Support of co-hosts and administration fees.
Included in Price
-
Lodging (double occupancy). The single supplement fee varies for each trip.
-
All breakfasts, and most other meals.
-
Airport transfers and ground transportation (in Europe) to scheduled activities (unless by foot).
-
Performances/Activities: as stated.
-
Museum entry fees and tours.
-
Support of co-hosts and administration fees.
Included in Price
-
Lodging (double occupancy). The single supplement fee varies for each trip.
-
All breakfasts, and most other meals.
-
Airport transfers and ground transportation (in Europe) to scheduled activities (unless by foot).
-
Performances/Activities: as stated.
-
Museum entry fees and tours.
-
Support of co-hosts and administration fees.
Excluded in Price
-
Airfare from the departure point to Europe and the return flight.
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Personal purchases and pampering.
Excluded in Price
-
Airfare from the departure point to Europe and the return flight.
-
Personal purchases and pampering.
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
May 26 - June 6, 2026
Trip Status: OPEN
Tour Cost: $8,150
Included in the price are accommodations, most meals, ground transportation in Italy, entry to museums, scheduled events, performances, instructor and administration fees and a $500 tax deductible contribution to the First Congregational Church in Chatham..
Single Supplement: $1075.
Activity Level: excursions require 2 hours of walking at a slow pace
Milan's cathedral - Il Duomo
When you think of Italy, what comes to mind? Good food, sculpture, opera, The Four Seasons, high fashion or fast cars?
Well, in May of 2026, the Artful Journeys will give you the opportunity to experience some (not all!) of these cultural ideas and icons. We will whisk you away first to Milan, where the symbol of opera is personified in La Scala and where one of the world’s most famous religious art pieces, The Last Supper, is located. Then we'll go to Reggio Emilia, perhaps not so well known, but very well situated to experience some of the Italian cultural identifiers, and wonderful organ music.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan
La Scala
In Milan, we will stay in the very centrally located Hotel de la Ville, from which you can visit a handful of very significant art museums (i.e., the Brera, Sforza and Ambrosiana), when time allows. The Duomo itself qualifies as a museum, but we'll attend Sunday morning mass, when Gregorian chants are sung. We will also visit 2 private collections – one of pianos, the other of art.
We’ll be attending the opera Nabucco at La Scala, You will gain a more thorough understanding of what goes into the opera experience after visiting Ansaldo, the production facility for La Scala, where sets and customs are made and assembled.
Perhaps, the crowning musical highpoint will be a visit to Cremona to the Stradivarius museum, hearing a recital there using the centuries’ old fiddles, and visiting the workshop of a luthier, who makes reproductions of these age-old instruments. But, then again, we'll also hear some pretty fantastic organ music on 200-300 year old organs in Reggio. You'll meet Renato Negri, professor of organ at the Reggio conservatory, and founder of the musical festival, Soli del Gloria.
A Strad in the Cremona museum
Cremona city center
From Reggio, where we will stay at Hotel La Posta, owned by the nicest, friendliest guy ever, Umberto Sidoli, we will visit a parmigiano reggiano cheese factory; have a tour of the local theatre; visit Modena; have a look into balsamic vinegar production and a cooking class; dine in a Michelin restaurant outside of town; and yes, even have talks by Joe Marchio about the different aspects of music we'll be encountering.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Please note: This trip is a fundraiser for the First Congregational Church of Chatham.. Reservations for the trip are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Images of the hotels and some of the available rooms are shown. You can see more information on the websites, which are listed. A number of suites are available for upgrades at Hotel La Posta for $150 per person.
Breakfast room
YOUR HOSTS
Joan Hill
Owner, Host, & Director
In 2008, the seed of Artful Journeys was planted in her brain, when Joan brought together all of her life's passions, her love of music, an affinity for the beautiful things in life, and an ability to organize events to give birth to Artful Journeys, a program of art education trips for the soul.
Joan was born and raised in the apple country of the Hudson River Valley in New York; her father was a gentle, very tolerant, educated land surveyor, and her mother was the efficient business administrator and home engineer. The youngest of four children, Joan was encouraged to pursue anything she wanted, but also to do her best. Sometimes that was very difficult, especially succeeding three very accomplished siblings.
Joe Marchio
Instructor
Joe Marchio is a graduate of the College of Wooster, where he earned both a Bachelor’s degree in organ performance and a Bachelor of Arts in religious studies. He earned a Master of Divinity degree at the Yale University Institute of Sacred Music, and a Master of Music degree in choral conducting at the Boston Conservatory. Joe became Music Director of the Chatham Chorale in 2010. He is also the Pastor and Director of Music of the First Congregational Church of Chatham.
JOURNEY COST
Cost: $8,150 per person double occupancy, including a $500 tax deductible donation to the Church
- $1,075 single supplement
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NOTE: A deposit of $1,000 per person is required upon registration.
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Airfare is not included to enable travelers to use their “travel points,” upgrade flight arrangements, or to extend their trip.
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Not included are personal purchases and cocktails.
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Travel insurance, Covid vaccinations and booster are strongly encouraged.
For details or questions, please click here to contact Joan Hill.
To register for this journey, please click below:
A detailed itinerary and policy page will be provided upon registration.