10-Day Journey to Rome, Florence, & Venice

Day 1

BEGINNING OF TOUR

Leave the USA to follow Paul’s final journey to Rome and experience the best of Italy. Prepare for an inspiring, life-changing adventure.

Day 2

ARRIVAL

Arrive in Rome. Meet with the tour guide and take private transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 3

Begin the day at the Church of Santa Prisca on the Aventino Hill where the apostle Paul once lived. This church is dedicated to Priscilla, Paul’s dear friend from Corinth (Romans 16:3-4) whom he reunited with upon arriving in Rome. Visit the church built over the ruins of Paul’s home where he lived nearby. Continue to the heart of the Roman Empire. Behold Trajan’s Column and the Forum of Tajan, the largest and most splendid of all marketplaces. Walk on the Via dei Fori Imperiali and see the various Imperial Fora that played an important role in the religious and political life of Rome. Be captivated by the remnants of temples, basilicas and triumphal arches constructed over a millennium as you stroll through the Roman Forum. Reach Capitoline Hill, the former political and religious center of the town. Gaze at the Piazza del Campidoglio, Michelangelo’s masterpiece of design. Admire the panoramic view of Palatine Hill, the origin of Rome. Stand in awe of the towering Coliseum, the enduring symbol Rome’s greatness. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 4

CHURCHES OF ROME/CATACOMBS

After breakfast, proceed to the Basilica of San Celemente, the location of one of the first house churches in which Paul taught and preached. Study the magnificent frescoes and the mosaic of the cross as the Tree of Life. Continue to the Basilia of San John di Lateran on the property donated by Constantine’s family. Visit the Lateran Baptistery, the oldest continuously used monumental baptistery built by Constantine. Next, explore the Abbey of the Three Fountains, the traditional place of Paul's martyrdom. Continue to St. Paul Outside the Walls, a basilica and abbey built to commemorate and mark the burial place of the Apostle Paul. End the day with a tour through the Catacombs of Santa Domitilla located on the ancient Appian Way. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 5

VATICAN CITY

The day begins with a visit to Vatican City and a tour of the Vatican museums. Meander through the galleries, observing the exquisite tapestries that line the hallways. Enter the Apostolic Palace and stand in awe of the renowned Sistine Chapel. Continue to the Basilica of St. Peter, one of four papal basilicas in Rome, which boasts famous works from artists such as Bernini and Michelangelo. Admire the basilica’s ornate architecture and majestic dome from St. Peter’s Square. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may choose to take an unguided walk through the eternal city, visiting the captivating Trevi Fountain, the picturesque Spanish Steps, and the historic Pantheon. Bask in the spellbinding beauty of Baroque Roman architecture and the fountains that adorn the Piazza Navona. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 6

ASSISI

Journey to Assisi, relishing the views of the countryside. Roam the narrow streets of the ancient town on the slopes of Monte Subasio. Visit the Basilica of Saint Clare, built to honor and house the remains of Saint Clare of Assisi. Continue to the childhood home of Saint Francis. Spend time at the Piazza del Commune admiring the medieval, Roman architecture. Appreciate the arresting beauty of the Basilica of Saint Francis and see the tomb of the venerated saint. Visit the Rose Chapel built over the home where Saint Francis spent his later years. Proceed to the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels to marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship and visit the Portiuncula chapel, a small place of worship given to Saint Francis. See the nearby Cappella del Transito, marking the site where St. Francis lived and died in 1226. Journey through the Umbrian hills covered in olive groves and vineyards on the way to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Dinner and overnight in Florence.

Day 7

FLORENCE

Spend the day exploring Florence, the city of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli. Visit the Baptistery of St. John with its distinctive octagonal design and gilded bronze doors dubbed “the Gates of Paradise” by Michelangelo. Stop by the Piazza della Signoria, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Basilica of Santa Croce with masterpieces from Italian artists like Michelangelo and Machiavelli. See the eloquent Giotto’s Bell Tower and the stunning Duomo, a magnificent display of Gothic architecture. Spend time at the Academia Gallery where Michelangelo’s “David” is showcased among other Florentine masterpieces. Explore the outdoor Market of San Lorenzo and the historic Ponte Vecchio, known for the jewelry shops that have covered the bridge for centuries. Dinner and overnight in Florence.

Day 8

PISA

Begin the day with a drive through the heart of Italy to Pisa. Visit the famed Leaning Tower. Experience the city through a walking tour featuring the Pisa Cathedral and Baptistery of St. John, a brilliant blend of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. In the afternoon, continue to Venice for dinner and overnight.

Day 9

VENICE

After breakfast, take a private motorboat ride to the heart of Venice to spend the day discovering The Floating City. Begin at the core of the city in St. Mark’s Square. Tour the opulent St. Mark’s Basilica with its superb, detailed architecture and striking mosaics. Continue to historical Doge’s Palace where even the ceilings captivate. Explore the interrogation rooms and take in the spectacular scenes of Venice Lagoon from the Bridge of Sighs. Savor the city during a free afternoon. Take the opportunity to see the city from one of the charming gondolas. Catch a ferry boat back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 10

DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home with your luggage packed with keepsakes and your heart full of memories from your tour of Italy.