What better way is there to spend the long Martin Luther King holiday weekend than in Italy? For many years, ACIS has been hosting American teachers in breathtaking locations across Europe to celebrate the teachers’ commitment to educational high school travel. And celebrate they did! This year, their MLK holiday spot was Rome, where they held the 2006 Global Teachers Conference, complete with welcoming cocktails in a lovely Roman villa, and an extravagant gala dinner in a torch-lit 15th-century castle!

Who : 144 American teachers
What : ACIS 2006 Annual Global Teachers Conference
When : January 13-16, 2006
Where : A cordial Roman greeting in an elegant villa above the glittering city lights of Rome began the conference weekend. The main event, held in the hilltop 15th-century Odescalchi Castle overlooking the beautiful Lake Bracciano, was the perfect fairy tale ending.
How : Upon their arrival in Rome, the 144 American teachers and their ACIS escorts found themselves being whisked high above the ancient streets of Rome to the hidden treasure location of Villa Casina di Macchia Madama for welcoming cocktails and the opportunity to meet their hosts for the weekend, the staff members of ACIS and EIS. This enchanting Roman atmosphere was the ideal opening to their eventful weekend. World-famous for the impressive private art collection within its 17th-century marble walls, a guided tour of Galleria Borghese was a must the following day. And finally, the eve of the main event arrived... our guests were escorted to the imposing front gates of the medieval Odescalchi Castle of Bracciano, one hour outside of Rome. Cloaked in darkness, the strong stone walls and towers of the castle were softly illuminated by torches beckoning the guests of honor inside. Greeted by medieval damsels, flag throwers, trumpet players and fire blowers, the guests enjoyed a sumptuous 6-course gala dinner. After this festival of eating, drinking and merriment, the celebrated teachers practically floated out of the castle and surely drifted to sleep that night with images of castle life dancing in their heads.

Getting to know one another at Villa Macchia Madama

Early morning at the Galleria Borghese

Some helpful pre-tour hints from our expert guides

Approching the gates of Odescalchi Castle

You shouldn't play with fire... unless you're this guy!

A proper greeting with flags and music

The 'ladies in waiting'

As night falls, the castle glows...

After a castle dinner, dancing must follow!