Can we just be there already

With less than 24 hours before wheels up on the first flight to Italy, you can almost feel the excitement in Tuscaloosa.  People have been posting on Facebook and Twitter all day with questions and suggestions about what and how to pack.  Everyone is ready to just be there already.  The first flight leaves out of Atlanta at 3:40pm, followed by the second flight at 5:55pm, and the final flight at 11:30pm.  Fortunately, when we get to the airport we'll have our own personal ticketing agent to help us get checked in and to the gate as quickly as possible.  That's my least favorite part of traveling...the getting to the plane part.  But hopefully it will be easy and we'll get through security fast!

Depending on when the different flights arrive on Wednesday we'll have same free time in Rome before our arrival dinner and meeting with our tour director that night.  I'm hoping to make it to the ruins because I don't think that will be on any of our official tours.  Our days are pretty packed with lots of things to see and experience, plus some rehearsals and performances thrown in.  Not a lot of time to sleep but we have all summer to do that right?  If you'd like to check out our minute by minute itinerary you can find it here.  

This is truly going to be a trip of a lifetime.  For some up us it's our first time out of the country and for others of us this is a return visit.  I fortunate to be able to go to Italy while I was in high school (almost 11 years ago) but I am very excited to be going back older and with a greater appreciation for the history and culture.  Especially the impact Italy had on music and art.  (Never thought I'd be thankful for those music history classes)  For now I must finish packing and make sure my suitcase isn't too heavy! Check back tomorrow for some pictures and stories from the departure.  Ciao!!