Why hero and not heroine? What about women who go on these Adventures?
Exactly how does the Hero(ine)'s Journey in Italy work?
How might the Hero(ine)'s Journey be working on me right now?
We are all on overlapping journeys. You are on this site, exploring a new adventure, contemplating a possible leap into something new and frightening. I.e., you are in your Ordinary World, and this is your Call to Adventure.
How many others will be on the trip with me?
What can I expect to accomplish on this journey?
Who goes on these Journeys?
What is the fee, and what is covered?
Do you offer discounts?
Can I bring a guest who doesn't want to go on all the Tour events?
What do I need to bring?
Will I need insurance?
Do I need to know how to speak Italian?
Will I have my own room or will we be sharing rooms?
Are the trips the same every time?
Where do the photos come from on this site?
Who said all the things quoted on this website?
Can I get a brochure?
- In the mists of history, the 'original' Hero was actually a woman - in fact, she was a priestess of Aphrodite.
- While her story did not end well (it was Greek myth, after all), HERO can refer to both men and women. I choose to keep it instead of using heroine as a personal choice for the name of the Tours, and to refer to my own Journey.
- We will discuss the possible differences, and similarities, in the way heroes and heroines might approach this Journey during our first day in Italy.
Exactly how does the Hero(ine)'s Journey in Italy work?
- Upon your arrival in Rome on day one, you will be met by our amazing driver who will bring you to your B&B about 2 hours away. That evening we will gather and, using Joseph Campbell's hero's journey, we will begin the process of honing in on each adventurer's dreams and goals - the bliss identified by Campbell as the only truly important goal.
- We will also identify fears and obstacles - both physical and otherwise - and map out each person's path forward.
- The next nine days will be filled with visits to places that cannot help to inspire - see general list here - and will include workshops and seminars offered by guides who each have their own amazing stories of following their own bliss and how it has changed their lives.
- Through these physical journeys we take together, the conversations with our guides, and your own searches through the medium of writing, photography, sketching - whatever your desired method - you will find your unique way forward.
How might the Hero(ine)'s Journey be working on me right now?
We are all on overlapping journeys. You are on this site, exploring a new adventure, contemplating a possible leap into something new and frightening. I.e., you are in your Ordinary World, and this is your Call to Adventure.
- Ordinary World (where you are now)
- Call to Adventure (your visit to this site)
- Refusal of the Call (fear, anxiety, saying no to the Adventure/Journey, worries about how to make it happen)
- Meeting with the Mentor (fill in our form/call me)
- Crossing the Threshold (get on that plane!)
- And from here forward, we start with the new Ordinary World in Italy. You're on the threshold of your new Journey
- (See here for Campbell's 12 steps.)
How many others will be on the trip with me?
- No more than 8 people will be on each Adventure, and no fewer than 4.
What can I expect to accomplish on this journey?
- Each person's experience will be different. Our goal is to help you identify your bliss - essentially, that thing without which your life does not feel complete. We also aim to help you figure out what might be preventing you from reaching your goals, leaping onto the path and finding your bliss. And, we will help you figure out how to work toward making it happen. Each workshop and adventure / site visit is designed to delve into not only your deep desires, but also to explore the outside world as a way of soaking in inspiration.
- You will leave Italy with a new appreciation for the path forward; you might have found a new goal; you might even discover a whole new direction for your life.
Who goes on these Journeys?
- Everyone is welcome.
- Typically women sign up more frequently than men, but whether the group is all women, all men, or a mixture, there would be no difference in the way we structured the Journey in Italy itself. As Campbell envisioned the Hero's Journey, it works for everyone - gender and other differences can be easily accommodated.
- If you would like to create your own Hero's Journey made up of only men or only women, please contact me and we'll make it happen! Email me.
What is the fee, and what is covered?
- The fee for our Next Hero's Journey, can be found here.
- Once you land in Rome, all your accommodations, food and drink (two meals each day, including wine), travel within Italy, speaker fees, all activities, and entrance fees to any sites we visit are covered. You pay only for your travel (and return) to Italy, souvenirs you want to take home, and extra food or drink outside the group events.
Do you offer discounts?
- Yes! Parabola Readers get a 10% discount.
- For any four people traveling together, the price for each is 7% less than the regular cost.
- For college students and older adventurers, the price is reduced by 10%.
- And for groups of five or more, contact me!
Can I bring a guest who doesn't want to go on all the Tour events?
- Of course! We offer guest itineraries with various price ranges depending on his or her participation rate. And yes, this would count as part of your discount group.
What do I need to bring?
- Clothes: You need to pack for 11 days, but remember that when you travel you can wear things more than once. I will provide a detailed tips sheet with lists as we get closer to the beginning of the journey.
- Supplies: bring the basics for the media in which you'd like to explore Italy. Suggestions - a camera, pencils, pastels, and sketchpad, a computer, notebook and pens... in other words, whatever your heart desires.
- In both cases, though, remember that Italy will have stores that provide almost anything you need (unless you have a specialized need); so you can travel lightly, and purchase supplies when you arrive, if you'd like.
- And all the regular international travel documents and miscellany: passport, credit cards, medications, etc. Again, a checklist will be provided.
Will I need insurance?
- Yes. You'll be required to have insurance - but it's easy to get. I will provide information for insurance companies who offer special travelers' insurance for great prices - typically no more than $50 or so for a trip of this kind.
Do I need to know how to speak Italian?
- No. All workshops and seminars will be offered in English, and our interpreter will be along for everything that might require fluency in Italian.
Will I have my own room or will we be sharing rooms?
- We try to be sure to offer each Journeyer his or her own room.
- In some cases, for instance if we visit a large city like Rome, Florence or Venice, the rooms are shared rooms. In that case you would be able to request a single room for an extra 20 Euros per night.
Are the trips the same every time?
- Each Hero's Journey in Italy will be slightly different.
Where do the photos come from on this site?
- They are personal photos taken on my various trips through Italy, some with clients on my TLC Writing Tours, and some during my solo Hero's Journeys. Each comes from one of the sites we will be visiting on our Journey.
Who said all the things quoted on this website?
- All the quotes on this site are taken from Joseph Campbell's works. For more information on Campbell, see the official Joseph Campbell Foundation site.
Can I get a brochure?
- Please send me your contact info and I'll be sure you get one!