Information

Air Travel Arrangements: Air transportation is arranged by Jeanne O’Dea in our air department. She will contact you shortly after your registration is received to confirm your flight itinerary. For airline ticketing purposes, please provide your full name (first, middle and last) exactly as it appears on your passport. For further information regarding your air transportation, you can contact Jeanne at 925-451-6224 or email.

Trip Extension Plans: Hart & Associates is available to assist you with your personal extension plans. When you register there is an option to request this assistance. A $100 p/p airline deviation fee will apply to all passengers who deviate from the scheduled trip itinerary. This fee and any additional air costs are the responsibility of the participant. Transfers are provided on program dates only. If you are extending your stay pre or post trip, transportation to or from the airport is on your own.

Extra Nights at the Hotel: There is an option on the registration form to request extra nights at the Westin Excelsior Rome. The rate including taxes and breakfast is €377 (Euros) per night. Extra nights and rates are based on availability at the time of the request and space is limited. We recommended you submit your request as soon as possible. You will be notified when your request is confirmed and your credit card will be required to guarantee the reservation.

Optional Tours: SBG has arranged for exclusive optional tours at your own expense on Friday, Saturday & Sunday. These tours are available on a first come first served basis. We anticipate these tours will sell out so we recommend you get your request in early. Advance reservations for admissions are required for these activities and on-site requests are subject to availability. We highly recommend that you reserve tours in advance of your arrival in Rome.

Passports:  All US citizens must have a US passport which is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your return (April 9th, 2018 or later.) If you are not a US Citizen please contact your respective consulate for important entry requirements. If you need to renew or obtain a passport we suggest you do so as soon as possible. Click here for passport application and renewal information. 

Attire: Casual attire is appropriate for daytime tours and activities. We recommend easy care sportswear and comfortable walking shoes. Churches including St. Peter’s Basilica require ladies to cover knees and bare shoulders and gentlemen are not permitted to wear shorts. Appropriate attire for the arrival party and for the nicer restaurants on your free evenings is casual elegance. For men, this would consist of a collared shirt and slacks and for ladies, a dress, skirt or pants outfit works well. For the SBG final night event, gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket and cocktail attire is appropriate for the ladies.

Weather & Time: The weather in October is generally quite pleasant with daytime temperatures averaging in the low 70’s and evening temperatures in the low 50’s. Rome is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time. When it is 1:00pm in Pittsburgh, it is 7:00pm in Rome.