Rome Training Conference 2027
5 DAYS
Thursday, January 14 - Monday, January 18
ENROLL 15 TRAVELERS ON YOUR FIRST PASSPORTS TOUR OR USE 1,200 REWARDS POINTS FOR YOUR FREE SPOT
Rome, Italy’s timeless capital, is celebrated for its ancient wonders, breathtaking piazzas, and vibrant street life. From the awe-inspiring Colosseum to the elegant Trevi Fountain, the city offers a captivating blend of history, art, and modern energy. As a Passports group leader, you’ll have the perfect setting to enhance your leadership skills while experiencing Rome’s lively atmosphere and warm Italian hospitality.
This teacher training conference is designed to provide valuable networking opportunities, expert-led discussions, and practical insights into leading student tours. Plus, you’ll have the chance to explore Rome, immerse yourself in Italian culture, and gain a deeper understanding of what to expect on your upcoming Passports tour.
Agenda
Learn the ins-and-outs of what to expect on a Passports tour
Meet Passports Tour Directors and Passports staff
Experience Passports tour services for yourself
What’s Included
Roundtrip airfare to Rome, Italy
Meet and greet transfer from Rome airport to your hotel
Hotel accommodations for the duration of your stay
All breakfasts and dinners
A half-day instructional session on the finer points of being a group leader
Welcome Reception, Activities, Special Farewell Dinner
Tour Summary
Days 1-2: Arrival Rome
Arrival Transfer
Tour Director-led Walking Tours
Welcome Reception
Day 3: Rome
Morning Training Conference
Free Time
Dinner
Day 4: Rome
Optional Activities
Excursion to Ostia Antica
Visits to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum
Basilica of San Clemente
Farewell Dinner
Day 5: Rome
Departure Transfer
Detailed Itinerary
DAYS 1-2: Arrival in Rome, Tour Director-led Walking Tours, Welcome Reception
Arrival in Rome
As your flight descends over Italy’s rolling hills, Rome greets you with its timeless skyline of domes, bell towers, and ancient ruins. Upon landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport, you’ll be welcomed by Passports staff and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Take some time to settle in and soak up the city’s unique charm — where cobblestone streets, lively piazzas, and the aroma of fresh espresso create an unforgettable first impression.
Tour Director-led Walking Tours, such as:
Tour director-led evening walking tour to the Trevi Fountain
Enjoy a walking tour to the Trevi Fountain: the terminal of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct is now one of Rome's most celebrated sights. It's at its best at night, when the fountain is illuminated. Throw a coin over your right shoulder and into the spray to ensure your return to this wonderful city!Tour director-led walking tour to the Spanish Steps
Follow your tour director to the wonderful Spanish Steps, a favorite spot for Romans and tourists alike. The monumental stairs lead from Piazza di Spagna, a square graced by a 17th-century fountain, to the Church of Trinità dei Monti on top of the hill. Near the square, landmarks include the Keats-Shelley House, last residence of the poet John Keats in 1821, and Via Condotti, a street lined with the boutiques of fashion retailers such as Armani, Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Gucci.Tour director-led walking tour in Trastevere
Explore the medieval district called Trastevere ("Across the Tiber"), which is linked to the Campo de Fiori area by the Ponte Sisto footbridge. With its medieval-town look and bohemian atmosphere, Trastevere is popular with artists, street performers, and tourists lured by its cafes and typically Italian restaurants. Meander through colorful streets lined with shops (look for the perfect souvenir).
You may want to visit the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest churches to be built in Rome, c. AD 340. The present sanctuary dates back to the 12th century and is known for its 13th-century mosaics, and its coffered ceiling with Domenichino's 17th-century octagonal painting.
Welcome Reception
This evening, join passports staff and fellow organizers for a delightful welcome reception. Engage in lively conversations, share your exciting travel experiences, and create new connections while savoring delectable refreshments and mouthwatering canapés.
Day 3: Training Conference, Free Time, Dinner
Group Leader Training Conference
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, our group leader training conference can provide an invaluable opportunity to network with other group leaders and learn from their experiences. Attendees can expect to receive plenty of practical advice on everything from itinerary planning to dealing with difficult travel situations. If you're serious about becoming a successful group leader, our travel training conference is a must-attend event.
Enjoy Afternoon Free Time in Rome
Spend a relaxed afternoon discovering the timeless charm of Rome at your own pace. You might choose to wander the narrow, cobbled streets of Trastevere, shop for Italian leather goods or handcrafted souvenirs in local boutiques, or stop for a creamy gelato at one of the city’s famous gelaterie. Stroll through the elegant Piazza Navona, climb the Spanish Steps for a view over the rooftops, or visit the Capitoline Museums for a dose of art and history. For a modern twist, explore the lively Testaccio neighborhood, known for its street food markets and vibrant atmosphere. However you spend your time, Rome offers the perfect mix of history, culture, and dolce vita spirit to enjoy at your own pace.
Dinner in Rome
Enjoy a delicious Italian meal at a local restaurant, where you might sample Roman favorites such as cacio e pepe (pasta with pecorino cheese and black pepper), saltimbocca alla Romana (veal with prosciutto and sage), or a classic margherita pizza — all finished with dessert such as creamy tiramisu or refreshing gelato.
Day 4: Optional Excursions, Farewell Dinner
Optional Excursions Choices
Excursion to Ostia Antica by public transportation
Today, using public transportation, make your way to the ruins of Ostia Antica.
Visit to the ruins and museum at Ostia Antica
Explore the city which was Rome's main seaport until its harbor silted up. Eventually, tidal mud and sand covered Ostia, which laid dormant for centuries. In the Baroque era, marble from its site was used to build palaces in Rome, but excavations undertaken in the 20th century have reawakened the ancient city. Now thoroughly unearthed and excellently maintained, Ostia Antica is a fascinating place to visit. It contains notably the remnants of a synagogue dating back to the 1st century AD, which makes it one of the oldest known synagogue sites.Your visit also includes the Ostiense Museum, repository of artifacts found on the site.
Visit to Ostia Antica's Theater
Pause at Ostia's Theater, which was an imposing site when it was built at the end of the 1st century BC to accommodate 2,500 spectators. By the end of the 2nd century AD, it was large enough for 4,000. Today, after extensive restoration at the turn of the 20th century, it's a pleasant venue that host a summer festival showcasing drama, dance, and musical performances.Visits to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum
Walk through the best known monuments of Ancient Rome, the Colosseo and the Foro Romano. Once the heart of a vast empire, the Forum was filled with extravagant buildings and crowded with people from all over the known world.Visit to the Colosseum
Step into the heart of ancient Rome with a visit to the majestic Colosseum. This iconic symbol of Roman engineering and architecture invites you to walk through the pages of history. As you stand within its towering walls, you'll be transported back to the era of gladiators, emperors, and epic spectacles. The Colosseum is not just a monument; it's a timeless narrative of Rome's glorious past. Marvel at its grandeur, imagine the roar of a bygone crowd, and experience a pivotal piece of history. Each stone of this ancient arena tells a story of triumph, tragedy, and enduring legacy.Your combination ticket to the Colosseum and Roman Forum also allows entrance to the Palatine Hill archaeological site and its museum: should time permit, you may want to make your way up the hill to visit the oldest and most prestigious residential area of Ancient Rome.
Basilica of San Clemente
Visit the Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano, where three sanctuaries constructed one above the other take visitors on a journey back in time. At street level, you will see a 12th-century basilica with outstanding mosaics and frescoes.San Clemente excavations
In the 19th century, a basilica built in the 4th century was discovered beneath the medieval basilica, still bearing some of its original frescoes. Deeper excavations have uncovered a lower level with a Roman temple to Mithras from the 1st century.
The excursion selection will be finalized as the conference approaches, ensuring a memorable and logistically smooth experience for the entire group.
Farewell Dinner
As the perfect finale to an unforgettable Group Leader Training Tour, our Farewell Dinner brings everyone together for an evening of celebration, connection, and inspiration. Set in a warm, authentic local venue, this special night is a chance to relax, share stories from the journey, and reflect on everything you've experienced as both a traveler and an educator. Enjoy a delicious regional meal, meaningful conversation with fellow Group Leaders, and a few heartfelt surprises as we toast new friendships and future adventures. It's more than a dinner. It is a memorable send-off that captures the spirit of Passports and the community behind every great tour.
Day 5: Departure
Depart Rome
As your time in Rome comes to an end, take one last stroll past the city’s ancient ruins and lively piazzas. Statistics show that visitors do in fact return to Rome, although it may not have anything to do with coins in a fountain.
A transfer will take you to Rome Fiumicino Airport, where you’ll board your flight home, carrying unforgettable memories and valuable insights to inspire your future educational tours.
The Iconic Trevi Fountain
The Spanish Steps
Picturesque Trastevere
Group Leader Training Conference
Ostia Antica
The Colosseum
In a world of constant photos and posts, discover how teachers can help students unplug, slow down, and truly experience their educational travels.