Tour Package

Operafestival di Roma has always welcomed family and friends of participants to come to Rome to witness our public presentations, to enjoy Italy and Rome, and to share first-hand the unique experience that our participants enjoy.

Our hotel is a comfortable and friendly place, where all the members of the company, faculty and students, live, dine, rehearse, take classes, and recreate. Each room has private bath, is air-conditioned, and the hotel package includes a full breakfast, and a sumptious buffet lunch each day. As well, it is ideally located for touring Rome and its environs. Each year we reserve a block of rooms in the hotel for family and friends.

Tour Package

In addition, we have developed a special tour package for family and friends which includes the following:

Reserve online

Our goal is to make family and friends feel as comfortable and welcome in Rome as are our participants, and reactions from those that stayed with us last year are best summed up by the following email we received shortly after the program ended:

One of our grandparent visitors sent us a copy of the journal she kept on her visit to Rome.  She entitled it Nonna va a Roma (Grandma Goes to Rome).

“July 11, 2004-I embarked for Boston where I met my daughter, Mona.  We were to fly Lufthansa direct to Rome.  Mona commented as we approached the ticket counter, that she wished we were travelling in Business Class.  While looking over our documents the agents noted that my 94th birthday was the next day and Mona's 65th two days later.  A senior agent was called and informed us that we were being moved into Business Class for the trip.  What a nice birthday present!  Our delightful flight attendant even presented us with a bottle of Champagne and a bottle of white wine before we left the plane.  We arrived at the Hotel Domus Pacis just in time for lunch, and the entire company greeted me with an operatic “Happy Birthday.”  That night my granddaughter, Zoie, sang in a recital in the outdoor courtyard of St. Ivo where all the Operafestival performances are held.  Of course, she sang beautifully and was applauded warmly.  The conductor even kissed her hand!

“I should say a little about Operafestival di Roma. Its founders and guiding lights are Louisa Panou, Artistic Director (it was she was dubbed me the official nonna for the company) and William Welty, Managing Director.  They are two dedicated and very ethical and hard-working leaders who head a staff of dedicated teachers, musicians, and technical experts.

 “Our hotel provided a fine home for the entire company.  Each day we had a buffet breakfast and lunch.  Living and eating together made the experience even more delightful and enhanced the feeling of knowing each other better.  For the young participants, this experience will be a memorable one, as it was for the parents and family members, such as ourselves who were able to travel to Rome.  Mona and I were present at rehearsals, masterclasses, and performances.  During the day, when some were shopping or being tourists, I sat in the pleasant outside courtyard with flowers and trees and no lack of company stopping by as everyone went about his or her duties.  I knew before our trip that I would not be able to walk very far or stand in line too long, so I was prepared to settle for an overview.  However, Roland, the company's “Man Friday,” an energetic, ever-willing young man from Australia, took us in the company van on two afternoon tours of the highlights of Rome.  We were in St. Peter's piazza, saw the buildings of the Vatican, the Forum, the colossal Coliseum, the baths, many beautiful churches, the Tiber (Tevere) river and bridges, and a wonderful panoramic view of the old city from one of Rome’s seven hills, as well as lovely mansions, apartments galore and terrific traffic.

“I must tell you about the Church and Courtyard.  It was built under the reign of three Popes-Urban VII (1623), Innocent X (1644), and Alexander VII (1667). Francisco Borromini was the architect through it all. It was first a Papal Endowed University for Law and Medicine.  It was so interesting so see how the courtyard and façade of the Church and adjoining buildings became the opera house.  A portable stage was constructed; the orchestra was set up in front of it.  Improvised changing rooms were constructed and lighting emanated from the pillars and balcony.  500 seats were put into the courtyard, and the space was transformed and filled each night.

“Too soon our time in Italy was over.  We had had a exciting, wonderful and thrilling three-week odyssey, filled with meeting so many talented and interesting people, viewing fabulous Rome and its environs, and being able to hear so often such glorious music played and sung.

“Thank you, Louisa and Bill and all your talented and dedicated staff and well-trained students as well as Francesco Carotenuto and his fine orchestra for enhancing not only the life of this nonagenarian, but all those who were fortunate enough to be present to experience this wonderful program.”