Members can join this international science tour hosted by Friends Chair, Professor David Southwood CBE, featuring exclusive group tours and visits with leading experts and professional guides. Friends have run similar tours to Darmstadt, Leiden and Madrid over the last few years which were extremely successful. This will follow the same template.

The tour includes visits to:

• The European Space Agency (ESA) Centre for Earth Observation (ESRIN), one of the five ESA specialised centres situated in Europe.
• The National Laboratory of Frascati (LNF), the largest laboratory of the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN). Followed by a vineyard tour tasting Frascati’s famous wines.
• Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) centre at Frascati, internally known for its research and development of nuclear fusion, laser sources, particle accelerators and radiation applications.
• The Astronomical Observatory of Rome, in Monte Porzio Catone, one of twelve Astronomical Observatories in Italy.
• The Vatican Observatory and Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo, part of the Vatican State. The palace was a traditional summer residence for popes for centuries.
• An afternoon in Rome with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica.