This grand journey is a rich and thoughtfully curated experience for parents and students alike, blending spiritual formation, historical exploration, and shared memory-making across Italy and England. From the ancient streets of Rome to the Renaissance beauty of Florence and the vibrant pulse of London, each day offers opportunities to reflect, connect, and marvel at the legacy of Western faith, art, and culture. Parents accompany students not only as supporters but as fellow pilgrims, engaging in devotionals, dinners, and evening reflections that enrich the entire group.
Harvey Friesen - harvey@truehopetravel.com
Shadlee Friesen - shadlee@truehopetravel.com
Departure from Boise to Rome
Our journey begins with an international flight from Boise to Rome. This travel day allows everyone to settle into the rhythm of group travel, and look forward to the rich relational, spiritual and cultural experiences ahead.
Step into the Eternal City
Upon arrival in Rome, our tour manager will greet the group at the airport and accompany us to our lodging. Depending on arrival time, we will walk to St. Peter’s Basilica to explore its awe-inspiring architecture and spiritual significance. Highlights might include the option to climb the dome for an unforgettable view of the city or enjoy the city views from the Pincio Terrace overlooking the Piazza del Popolo..
We’ll close the evening with a large group dinner near our accommodation, offering a warm welcome to parents joining the journey.
Overnight: Rome
The morning begins with a devotional and breakfast. We'll explore the grandeur of Ancient Rome with a guided tour of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. After lunch, we’ll continue to the Capitoline Museum, where students will read from Marcus Aurelius before entering. The museum includes a hidden tunnel leading to panoramic views of the Forum and further museum wings.
In the evening, dinner will take place nearby, perhaps in Campo di Fiore or Trastevere, followed by time to enjoy Roman nightlife—gelato, music, and the joy of meandering through cobbled streets.
Overnight: Rome
Today’s theme traces the tension and triumph between pagan Rome and early Christianity. After morning devotions and a joint briefing, we’ll ride to the catacombs for a guided tour, followed by a visit to St. Paul Outside the Walls—an often-overlooked but deeply moving basilica. We’ll return to central Rome for lunch at Piazza Navona and then explore the Pantheon. Afterwards you have the possibility, on your own, to see the stunning Caravaggio frescos at Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi. The afternoon offers some free time to absorb the city’s energy before your chosen place to dine. An optional classical concert may provide a rich musical close to the day.
Overnight: Rome
Vatican Museums and the Renaissance
Our final day in Rome is devoted to the heights of Renaissance art and Catholic spirituality. After an early devotional and briefing, we’ll begin with the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. If the group did not attend St. Peter’s earlier in the week, this afternoon may include a return visit. Later, we’ll walk to Villa Borghese, where we’ll visit the Borghese Gallery and enjoy leisure time in the surrounding gardens.
We will enjoy a private Chef's dinner as one of our last Roman memories.
Overnight: Rome
Travel to Florence
Arrive in Florence by train and begin your journey on foot through the heart of the Renaissance. This city is a living museum—compact, walkable, and richly layered with centuries of culture. Everywhere you turn, stone streets echo with the footsteps of Medici patrons and Renaissance masters. Churches hum with quiet reverence, frescoes hide in side chapels, and the scent of leather, truffles, and espresso fills the air. Florence invites you to slow down, look up, and let beauty lead. After a terrace espresso overlooking the Arno, wander past open-air sculptures in Piazza della Signoria to the majestic Duomo, its marble façade and Brunelleschi’s dome rising in splendor. Enjoy a slow gelato by the Ponte Vecchio, then rest before a rooftop dinner with Tuscan wine and views of the city aglow or end with an evening walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views of the city.
The sites, the flavors—your first day in Florence, artful and unforgettable.
Overnight: Florence
Day Trip to Tuscan Hill Towns
Enjoy an adventurous and relaxing journey that carries us into the heart of Tuscany, where medieval hill towns rise from rolling vineyards and time seems to slow. We begin in San Gimignano, famed for its dramatic stone towers and golden-hued streets, once built by rival families as symbols of wealth and influence. Wandering its narrow lanes offers sweeping views of the countryside and an immediate sense of Tuscany’s layered past. From there, we continue into the countryside for a relaxed vineyard visit, where we enjoy a guided wine tasting and an unhurried picnic surrounded by olive groves and vines. In the afternoon, we arrive in Siena, one of Italy’s most beautifully preserved medieval cities, known for its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the striking black-and-white marble Duomo. With free time to explore artisan shops, cafés, and quiet corners of the historic center, the day blends beauty, history, and rest—an immersive Tuscan experience designed to be savored rather than rushed.
Overnight: Florence
Full Day in Florence
This rich day in Florence begins with the option to attend morning Mass at the Duomo, followed by the Uffizi Gallery. Stroll through the lively Piazza della Repubblica toward the Uffizi Gallery, where Botticelli, da Vinci, and Michelangelo await in sunlit halls. Engage in an art-focused treasure hunt to discover masterpieces and stories within the collection, or browse leisurely.
The afternoon invites us into the Accademia Gallery, where we encounter Michelangelo’s David in a setting designed to draw the eye—and the heart—toward quiet awe. Standing before this masterpiece is more than viewing great art; it is a moment of stillness, scale, and reflection on beauty, strength, and human calling. An optional visit to the Cathedral’s dome and museum are available in the afternoon.
Across the Arno, the Oltrarno district reveals Florence’s living craft tradition, where small artisan workshops—leatherworkers, bookbinders, goldsmiths, and woodcarvers—still shape their goods by hand in quiet streets far from the crowds.
Depending on timing and availability, you may also attend a Fiorentina soccer match, a Tuscan cooking class or a classical concert in a small church.
Overnight: Florence
Travel to London and Evening Worship
We’ll take a mid-morning flight from Florence to London, arriving in the early afternoon. After a quick orientation to the London Underground and a light lunch, the group will enjoy a casual walk and may attend an optional football match if available.
The evening includes options to enter the sacred hush for Evensong or worship services at some of London’s most beloved churches, such as St Martin-in-the-Fields or Holy Trinity Brompton.
We’ll finish the day with a large group dinner, reconnecting as we prepare for our time in England.
Overnight: London
Discovering Medieval London
Our day begins with a historical orientation on Medieval London, focusing on the dramatic changes ushered in by figures like William the Conqueror. Step back into the world of Norman kings and Tudor intrigue with visits to the Tower of London and the iconic Tower Bridge. These landmarks bring history vividly to life with tales of monarchs, prisoners, and royal jewels.
Afterward, we’ll gather for lunch at the vibrant Borough Market, where you can enjoy gourmet street food and local delicacies amidst the bustle of one of London’s oldest marketplaces.
Wander over to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on the Thames River.
On this day you’ll have free time to explore or relax. Those who wish can enjoy a charming afternoon tea at Brigit’s Bakery in Covent Garden, a visit to the National Gallery, the British Museum, Tate Britain, or other museums. Delight yourself with the West End show, Les Miserables.
Overnight: London
Charming Bath Spa Day Trip
This elegant day trip carries us west from London into the timeless beauty of Bath, a UNESCO-listed city where Roman engineering and Georgian grace meet. Traveling by train from Paddington Station offers a relaxed and scenic approach, arriving directly into the heart of the city. Bath is inseparable from Jane Austen, who lived here and drew inspiration from its refined social life; her world still lingers in the crescents, assembly rooms, and quiet promenades. We step back even further in time if we choose to see the remarkably preserved Roman Baths, built around Britain’s only natural hot spring and central to Roman life nearly two thousand years ago. With free time to stroll across Pulteney Bridge, browse independent shops, or linger in a café along the River Avon, the day blends literature, history, and gentle discovery—an unhurried English classic, perfectly suited to curious parents.
Overnight: London
Our final full day in London looks at the city’s role in shaping the modern world. We’ll begin at Westminster Abbey, where kings and queens are crowned and buried, and then continue on to view the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, symbols of democratic heritage and national pride. Later you can delve further into the British Empire’s legacy in the 20th century by choosing to see another remarkable sites: the emotionally moving and the depths of the Churchill War Rooms.
After lunch, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You might return to a favorite neighborhood, shop on Oxford Street or Notting Hill. You may opt to explore the free National Gallery or the British Museum—each a treasure trove of culture, history, and beauty.
We’ll come together in the evening for a large group dinner to celebrate and recount our adventures.
Take a bus to London's Heathrow Airport.
As you and your student prepare to return home to Boise, you'll do so with hearts full of wonder.
Reflect on lessons learned and friendships deepened. Ponder on what it means to follow Christ having been shaped by the stories and saints that came before.
A unique opportunity to walk alongside your student during one of the most formative experiences of their young life.
1. Take advantage this Once-in-a-Lifetime Moment in Your Child’s Life
Imagine standing beside your son or daughter at points along the way as they see Rome, Florence, or London for the first time—these are moments they will always remember sharing with you.
2. Deepen Your Relationship with Your Child During a Formative Season
Travel removes distractions and opens space for deeper conversation, meaningful shared experiences, and heart-level bonding.
3. Walk Beside, Not On Top Of: A Balanced Itinerary for Parents
You’ll be close enough to share highlights, yet independent enough to give them freedom.
4. Enjoy Community with Like-Minded Parents
Expect laughter over meals, mutual encouragement, and rich conversation in unforgettable settings.
5. Be Spiritually Refreshed Along the Way
Daily encouragements, moments of worship, and God-centered reflections bring spiritual meaning to the beauty and history around you.
6. Experience Comfortable, Thoughtful Stays in Europe
True Hope Travel handles all the logistics with care, so you can travel with peace of mind and be fully present.
Before life pulls them in new directions, take this rare window to be fully present with your student—just the two of you, in Europe. Whether exploring Ireland, hiking in Switzerland, or lingering at a café in Paris, these shared memories will echo far beyond graduation.
Optional 1–4 day extensions, custom-made for you and your child, can be added at the end of the trip. Since the group trip formally ends on a Thursday of the School's Fall Break, you have the perfect chance to stay until Sunday and still be home in time for school the following week.
Land Trip Cost and Payment Schedule (per person)
Double Occupancy (Sharing)
$4400 per person
Trip Deposit due at Registration - $400
10 equal Monthly payments of $400 starting June 5, 2025
Single Occupancy
$5400 per person (Single Supplement is $1000)
Trip Deposit due at Registration - $400
10 equal Monthly payments of $500 starting June 5, 2025
Payment Methods Accepted - Bank ACH, All Major Credit Cards
Terms and Conditions - Click Here for Terms and Conditions of the Trip
Parents Non-Refundable Schedule - The schedule mirrors the Student trip only with slight changes in the amounts.
The plan establishes a non-refundable schedule to go along with the prepayment plan so that parents know when funds become non-refundable. (For example, a family would be able to withdraw with all of their funds in September of 2025 before the first non-refundable date in the schedule.) Here is the non-refundable schedule:
October 1, 2025: $1000 of payments become non-refundable
December 1, 2025: $2000 of payments become non-refundable
March 1, 2026: $3000 of payments become non-refundable
June 1, 2026: All of the payments become non-refundable
Trip Tour Manager - Trip Tour Manager will guide the parents trip and lead the parents on all days including activities, entrances to sites and group dinners.
Accommodation - 11 Nights in Monasteries and Hotels
Flight - Florence to London - From Florence/Pisa to London in Economy Class Flight (NOTE: one personal item is included and all carry-on and check bags are at an additional cost with the airline.)
Rome to Florence Train - One Way Train from Rome to Florence
Florence to Tuscany - Small van or minibus to Tuscany.
London to Bath Train - Round Trip from London to Bath train in Economy Class.
Guides - Guides at Selective Sites on the itinerary.
Meals - All Breakfasts, 4 Group Dinners
Entrances - Colosseum, Forum, Capitoline Museum, Catacombs, Pantheon, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Borghese Gallery, Uffizi, Accademia, Tower of London, Les Miserable Performance, Churchill War Rooms.
Flights to and From Rome/England - We have an excellent flight expert who will help you to navigate all of your flights simply and professionally at no cost to you. If you wish to book flights with friends and extended family members, they will help you to do so. You will hear more about this in our emails and informational meetings guiding you through the process.
Airport Transfers - True Hope Travel will book or help with Airport Transfers but the cost is not included.
Meals - All Lunches and 7 dinners not included
Carry on, Checked Bag and Overweight bag charges.
Trip Travel Insurance - See below for explanation and information.
ETIAS - ETIAS stands for European Travel Information System and is an online application and preauthorization that travelers must complete before arriving in Europe.
Tips for Driver, Guide and Hotel
Anything not expressly stated in the “Inclusions” section should be considered excluded from the trip cost.
Flights to and From Rome/England - We have an excellent flight expert who will help you to navigate all of your flights simply and professionally at a small cost to you. If you wish to book flights to travel with friends and extended family members, the expert will help you to do so. You will hear more about this in our emails and informational meetings guiding you through the process.
Departure City - Travelers are welcome to depart from the airport of their choice.
Groups of Friends, Family from the same Departure City - If you have a group of 10 or more who wish to travel together, True Hope Travel can coordinate a group flight itinerary to help streamline your journey. To connect with our flight specialist and explore your options, please reach out to us at info@truehopetravel.com. We’re here to help you make your travel as smooth and simple as possible.
Frequent Flyer Tickets - Travelers may use their frequent flyer miles and join the trip at the Land-Only Cost.
Airport Transfers (Extra Cost) - True Hope Travel will arrange your airport transfers for you and add that to your trip cost or you can book your airport transfers. If True Hope Travel arranges your transfers, they will get your inbound and outbound flight information and work to group people in their flights to make transfers efficient and affordable.
No one ever wants to use travel insurance—just like no one wants to use car or health insurance. It’s something you hope you’ll never need, but when unexpected situations arise—a missed flight, a family emergency, or a sudden illness—you’ll be thankful it’s in place. Travel insurance is your safety net for a rainy day, offering peace of mind so you can focus on enjoying the experience in front of you. Choosing the right travel insurance is a key part of thoughtful trip planning, and it ensures that you’re covered if things don’t go exactly as expected.
Travel insurance is not included in the cost of the trip but is strongly recommended by True Hope Travel for travelers to consider.
Medical Insurance (Travel Medical Coverage) - Covers medical expenses incurred while traveling abroad, including emergency care, hospital stays, and sometimes medical evacuation.
Trip Cancellation Insurance - Reimburses non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason (e.g. illness, injury, family emergency, or natural disaster).
Trip Interruption Insurance - Covers costs if your trip is unexpectedly cut short due to covered reasons, such as a medical emergency or a family situation back home.
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Insurance - An optional upgrade that allows you to cancel your trip for any reason not covered under standard policies. To qualify, CFAR must usually be purchased within 1–2 weeks of your first trip payment and typically reimburses 50–75% of your trip cost.
Click HERE for a Trip Travel Insurance Quote