Safety & emergencies
How our 24/7 ops desk works, what your Tour Director carries in their bag, and the playbook for the small-stuff scenarios (lost passport, missed train, late flight) that come up most often.
ITALY · 2027
Rome Group Leader Training Conference.
Thursday, January 14 – Monday, January 18, 2027
Section 01About the half-day training
Section 02Day-by-day in Rome
Section 03What's included, what's free
Section 04How to earn your spot
The morning training session
A half-day with people who’ve already solved your problems.
Mid-trip on Day 3, the conference settles into a half-day roundtable with Passports staff and veteran group leaders. The agenda is shaped by what you actually deal with — not a sales deck. Six themes anchor the morning, and there’s real time to push on each one.
Recruitment that actually fills a tour
What works in the hallway, at parent night, and on social. Real numbers from leaders who run 30-traveler tours every other year — and the small adjustments that turned 12 sign-ups into 28.
The parent conversation
Scripts for the four hardest questions you'll get from parents — money, safety, food, supervision — and the documents Passports already has to back you up.
Tour Director, gate to gate
What your TD handles so you can be a teacher again. Where the line falls between TD decisions and Group Leader decisions. How to use them well — and what they wish more leaders asked them.
Itinerary tradecraft
Pacing, free-time strategy, the days that always feel long, the museums worth the line and the ones that aren't. Tricks veteran leaders bring back from a dozen trips.
When something goes sideways
Crisis comms with parents back home, working through a sick traveler, what to do when two kids have a falling-out two days into a 10-day trip. Real stories, real responses, plenty of time for your questions.
Roundtable, not lecture. Every cohort sets its own emphasis. If your group is fundraising for the first time, that’s where we spend the time. If you’re taking a tour after a hard year on safety, we’ll dig into that. Come with the questions you can’t Google.
About the city
Rome, Italy.
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.
Your free spot
Enroll 15 travelers on your first Passports tour, or use 1,200 Rewards Points.
Agenda
What you’ll do.
- 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
Everything covered.
- 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, and a special Farewell Dinner
Tour summary
Five days, at a glance.
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: Departure
- Departure Transfer
Detailed itinerary
Day by day in Rome.
Sample itinerary — final day-by-day timing and excursion choices are confirmed and sent to attendees before departure.
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 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.
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 Armani, Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Gucci.
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. You may want to visit the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest churches built in Rome (c. AD 340) — 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.
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.
Enjoy afternoon free time in Rome
Spend a relaxed afternoon discovering the timeless charm of Rome at your own pace. You might wander the narrow, cobbled streets of Trastevere, shop for Italian leather goods or handcrafted souvenirs, or stop for a creamy gelato. 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.
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 creamy tiramisu or refreshing gelato.
Excursion to Ostia Antica by public transportation
Today, using public transportation, make your way to the ruins of 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. 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 and Ostia's Theater — built at the end of the 1st century BC to accommodate 2,500 spectators (later expanded to 4,000).
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. Step into the heart of ancient Rome with a visit to the majestic Colosseum. As you stand within its towering walls, you'll be transported back to the era of gladiators, emperors, and epic spectacles.
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.
Depart Rome
With memories of cobblestone evenings, espresso in tiny piazzas, and the timeless beauty of the Eternal City, board your flight home. Italy stays with you long after the wheels lift off.
Sights you’ll see
Rome, in pictures.
The Colosseum
Trevi Fountain
Spanish Steps
Trastevere
The Roman Forum
Ostia AnticaWe look forward to meeting you soon
Talk to your Tour Advisor.
We’ll walk you through where you stand on Rewards Points and confirm whether the Rome program is the right fit for your school’s calendar.