Roberto shared what the Southern California radio landscape was like in the ‘80s and ‘90s, including when he started “Reggae Revolution” on KNAC and KROQ and co-hosted “3 O’Clock Reggae” on KWIZ with Junor Francis.
He also talks about…
– Meeting and interviewing Peter Tosh
– Introducing reggae and ska to mainstream radio
– Importance of UB40 and Sublime
– Managing Wailing Souls, Pato Banton and Tippa Irie
– Blue Riddim Band, Ranking Roger and Nancy Reagan
– A funny story about Maxi Priest
– His love for and connection to Italy and baseball
Fullerton Sister City Association (FSCA) established a sister city relationship with Tollo, Italy on September 22, 2021 in honor of longtime resident Tommy Lasorda and his Italian family roots in Abruzzo. FSCA is proud to announce its Third-Year Anniversary Trip to Italy from October 3-12, 2024. Interested travelers are welcome to attend an informational meeting inside the Fullerton Public Library Osborne Auditorium on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 5 pm.
Below is the tentative itinerary (subject to change):
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Departure from LAX Los Angeles International Airport to FCO Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, Rome, Italy on nonstop flight aboard ITA Airways
Friday, October 4, 2024
Arrival at FCO Leonardo Da Vinci Airport in Rome, Italy.
Bus departure to Hotel at 3:00 pm
Arrival to Hotel Quirinale The Hotel Quirinale offers all guests an unforgettable four-star Roman vacation in the very heart of one of the most celebrated cities on earth. Each of the 209 rooms are decorated with period furniture and equipped with every modern luxury. The excellent service and hospitality of the Hotel Quirinale welcomes tourists, families and business travelers with efficiency, ease and style. Guests can enjoy the elegant restaurant, cozy bar, private garden, exclusive fitness.
All the guests will have a welcome drink at the lounge area of the hotel and later get together for a delicious dinner.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 – Breakfast at the Hotel Quirinale
Guided tour of Baroque Rome: Discover Rome’s beautiful Baroque treasures on this walking tour that takes you to famous 17th-century landmarks like the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona. Learn about the architects and artistry that defined the Baroque period from an expert guide, and delve into the city’s ancient history, too, with a visit inside the magnificent Pantheon. The landmarks included in the tour are:
Trevi Fountain
Spanish Steps
The Pantheon
Navona Square
Piazza Colonna
Lunch at typical Roman restaurant
Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica With this guided tour in English, you will be able to admire some of the most famous works of art renown all over the world: a journey into time and space, into history and culture, where no exhausting waits in queue are involved. In a relaxed and informal atmosphere, your official Vatican guide will tell you stories and curiosities that will help you to understand the historical, artistic and cultural context that has molded the masterpieces hosted in the in the heart of Vatican City. The tour of the Vatican Museums will culminate with the visit to the Sistine Chapel where you can admire the paintings that truly represent the highest peak of Italian Renaissance art, from the precious frescoes by Botticelli, Perugino, Pinturicchio, to the extraordinary vault cycle and the Last Judgement by Michelangelo.
St Peter’s Basilica tour St Peter’s Basilica serves as the beating heart of the Catholic faith. Witness Bernini’s towering Baldachino, Michelangelo’s Pieta, and so much more. Discover how Michelangelo constructed the massive, 500- year-old dome, a masterpiece of renaissance architecture more than half a millennium ago. Here you will discover the tombs of the most famous Popes in history. − Back to the hotel. Free time to relax − Free time for dinner.
Sunday, October 6, 2024 – Breakfast at the Hotel Quirinale
Guided tour to Ancient Rome Enjoy the privilege of discovering the Roman Forum and Colosseum conducted by an expert specialized in art and history. Your ancient Rome tour includes an unforgettable visit to the Colosseum, the amazing landmark built over 8 years, on request of Emperor Vespasian. Inaugurated in 80 A.C by Titus, with a feast that lasted 100 days, it used to accommodate over 70,000 spectators and host truly exciting events. Experience a firsthand view of the architecture, learn how it was built and what the performances were like. The itinerary then leads you on a lovely walk to the Roman Forum, once the center of Rome’s social, religious, and business, today an uncanny showcase of spectacular ruins. Roam through the columns and alongside temples, the basilicas and public spaces that seem to murmur voices of a time long gone by. The tour will also lead you along the Imperial Forums of the legendary Roman Emperors to the Capitol Hill, that still serves as the City Hall, to the symbolic building that represents the unity of the Country, the Altar of the Fatherland. Landmarks included in the tour:
The Colosseum
Arch of Constantine
Roman Forum
Imperial Forums
Capitol Hill
Altar of the Fatherland
Free time for Lunch
Back to the hotel. Free time for shopping and dinner
Monday, October 7, 2024 – Breakfast at Hotel Quirinale
Bus pick up and departure to Florence
First stop at The Mall Luxury Shopping Outlet An exraordinary shopping experince in the heart of Tuscany. Discover incredible opportunities at the iconic brands’ flagship stores such as:
Check in at The Palazzo Castri 1874 Boutique Hotel
Group Dinner in Florence
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 – Breakfast at The Palazzo Castri 1874 Boutique Hotel
Bus pick up for the city center walking tour of Florence Explore the historical center of Florence, an UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety, on a walking tour with a professional guide. Hear about the rich history of the capital of Renaissance, as well as its art, architecture, and culture. The grandeur of the Medici’s city’s architecture, art, and culture is reflected in the wealth it has accumulated over centuries. You will see the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore and walk over Ponte Vecchio (Ancient Bridge) on the Arno river. Discover works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Filippo Brunelleschi and Giorgio Vasari. During this amazing tour, walk with a private tour guide, who will illuminate you with the secrets and history of this amazing city. Discover how both art and creativity are present in every street and corner of the city as you discover churches, museums, and monuments, such as:
Ponte Vecchio
Piazza degli Uffizi
Palazzo Vecchio
Piazza della Signoria
Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Brunelleschi Dome
St. John Baptistery
Republic Square
Santa Croce Square and Church
Free time for lunch You can take advantage of the stalls of the Mercato Centrale, with food from all regions of Italy
Shopping at Mercato di San Lorenzo Enjoy a walk among the stands of the San Lorenzo Market, with its artisan leather products
Bus pick up to the US Consulate: Lasorda Recognition (Tentative)
Bus departure to the Cooking Class
Dinner at the Cooking Class
Back to The Palazzo Castri 1874 Boutique Hotel (Afternoon Tea & Desserts at 4 pm)
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 – Breakfast at The Palazzo Castri 1874 Boutique Hotel
Bus pick up and departure to Assisi
Tour of the St. Francis Basilica The Basilica of Saint Francis is a bilevel 13th century building which preserves the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved saints in the world. This grandiose gorgeously embellished church also preserves frescoes by Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti and other well-known medieval painters of Italy and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Indeed, it is one of the most focal points of both art and spirituality. This church is a powerful place for believers and art lovers alike. Your guide will be a Franciscan friar expert in history and art and will take you through the life of the patron saint of Italy
Bus pick up and departure to Marina Gardens Boutique & Suites in Francavilla
Free time at the hotel
Free time for dinner
Thursday, October 10, 2024 – Breakfast at the hotel Marina Gardens Boutique & Suites
Visit and tasting at Olive Oil Museum in Bucchianico
Free time for lunch in Tollo Tollo is the small town of 3900 inhabitants in the Chieti Province from which Tommy Lasorda’s family left to seek their fortune in the United States. Today, like then, the economy is based on the agricultural sector, in particular on the production of DOCG wines. It is remarkable the creation in 2008 of the DOC Tullum, among the smallest in Italy and the first territorial denomination of Abruzzo, transformed into DOCG in 2019. It occupies an extremely limited territory – 300 hectares only and exclusively in the municipality of Tollo – and is characterized by the rigidity of the production parameters. Tollo became Fullerton’s sister city on September 22, 2021 in honor of Tommy Lasorda, on the initiative of his daughter Laura Lasorda, Mayor Angelo Radica, the President of the Italian Baseball Softball Federation Andrea Marcon and thanks to the work of Roberto Angotti and the Tollo Baseball Softball Club. On May 7, 2022, Laura Lasorda officially inaugurated the new Tommy Lasorda Field after the important renovation works carried out by the Municipality.
Meet & greet with the Mayor in Tollo
Visit Lasorda Field
Visit the Tollo Wine Museum
Wine tasting and group dinner at Feudo Antico
Back to the hotel
Friday, October 11, 2024 – Breakfast at the Marina Gardens Boutique & Suites
Bus pick up and departure to Rome
Arrival to the hotel Il Quirinale
Free time for lunch
Bus pick up at the hotel to go to the Olympic Stadium (time TBA – according to soccer schedule). A highly engaging walk consisting of innovative and cutting-edge technologies. The Stadio Olimpico is the temple of Italian soccer (and more) and the tour allows you to relive the great events of this facility and their protagonists, with a unique and unforgettable experience. A journey that starts from a glorious past, represented by its inauguration in 1953, the 1960 Olympics, the IAAF European and World Championships, the 1990 FIFA World Cup, to the contemporary great variety of events, including major concerts. A tour that allows guests to visit its most secret places up close (from the locker rooms to the pitch), the objects related to the great protagonists as well as reliving the great moments, in a highly experiential environment.
Back to the hotel
Farewell group dinner at hotel
Friday, October 12, 2024 – Breakfast at Hotel Quirinale
Bus early pick up to go to FCO Leonardo Da Vinci Airport Rome for return flight to LAX
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