Buon giorno!

The Glenview Community Church Chancel Choir will participate in the 25th International Church Music Festival and host a tour to The ICMF’s 25th anniversary in Rome, Italy. We have an exciting tour planned and will be joining with members of several area churches to make this truly an ecumenical journey that should please everyone—lovers of art, religion, history, architecture, gardens, food, wine and song.

For a brief overview, the tour dates are June 13th through the 23rd in 2009. It begins as we arrive in Rome. Take in tours of the Roman Forum and Coliseum. Stand where Julius Caesar stood. See where Peter was imprisoned and martyred. Walk in the steps of Michelangelo. And take in the vast beauty and amazing history of the ancient times.

We will have a tour of Vatican City, which includes tours of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. We will have a morning in St. Peter's Square where we will join hundreds of Christians from around the world to attend the Papal audience and, as an ICMF group, have the honor of singing a song for the Pope. Other places that we will have time to visit are Trevi Fountain, Tivoli Gardens, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon.

After the festival ends in Rome, we travel north into the Renaissance city of Florence and take in all its beauty. Everywhere you turn you will see the magnificent art and sculptures of Michelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci. We will tour the city to see the magnificent domed Cathedral in solid marble and see the statue of David in the Academia Galleria.

After two days in Florence we will have a scenic drive through the Tuscan hillsides—past the cedar-flanked olive groves and ancient aqueducts—to arrive in Milan where we will have our own personal religious experience of standing in the very room where Leonardo da Vinci painted the wall with his awesome and powerful Last Supper. It will not be behind glass in a gallery but, rather, we will see it in the same building where da Vinci stood and stepped back as he painted—taking in the same vantage point. That should be an amazing and awesome sight.

Finally, we will gather as a group of Christian friends and travelers to celebrate our own "Last Supper" on the tour and reminisce about the wonderful time we've had making music and friendships along the way.

Perfetto! A perfect time will be had by all. All are welcome so ask your friends and neighbors to join us in traveling and experiencing this magnificent and beautiful country! It will be an experience unlike any other, so, start saving your pennies, your Lira and your Euros. Italy is not cheap—but the memories will be priceless.

Click on this here for a PDF file of the tour brochure and application. Need additional information or answers to your questions? Contact Tricia Melzer-Swaydrak by email at GCCTourToItaly@aol.com.