|
Available Year-round
DAY 1: WED. -
Departure Day
Take off for Europe on an overnight flight at the start of your
educational trip.
DAY 2: THUR. - Arrival, Evening Walking Tour
Arrival in Rome, capital of Italy and one of the most visited cities in
the world. You will be met by your tour HOST and transferred to the hotel,
the lovely Visconti
Palace. The balance of the day is free to become acquainted with this
wonderful and diverse city. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Rome,
where the language and culture is so different from your own. This evening
there will be dinner at the hotel, and for those of you who wish to start
exploring immediately, there will be a chance to take an introductory
walking tour past the famous Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Throw in a
coin to ensure your return trip to Rome!
DAY 3: FRI. - Vatican City
Spend today visiting the Vatican City. Your tour director will take you to
visit the Vatican Museums, ending with the wonderful Sistine Chapel
adorned with Michelangelo's famous frescos. Continue to St Peter's
Basilica, the largest church in the world and residence of the Pope. See
Michelangelo's Pieta, now behind bullet-proof glass, and rub St. Peter's
foot. Ascend to the top of Michelangelo's dome for breathtaking views of
St. Peter's Square and Rome itself. Afterward, uncover the history
underneath St. Peter's beautiful marble floor in the Catacombs. Dinner at
local restaurant. Fellowship following dinner.
DAY 4: SAT. - Rome's Churches
Today you will explore two of Rome's most beautiful churches, St. Peter in
Chains and St. Paul Outside the Walls. Marvel at Michelangelo's famous
Moses, housed in St. Peter in Chains. The shape of this very ancient
church dates back to the 5th century. The Basilica of St. Paul outside the
Walls is 2nd in size only to St. Peter's. It's start is attributed to
Constantine, who chose the area on the site of the tomb of St. Paul, but
the large Basilica you see today was modified by many over the years,
ending with the giant renovation after the fire of 1823.
This afternoon walk across the Bridge of Angels on your way to Castel St.
Angelo. This ancient structure was built by Emperor Hadrian, as his
intended Mausoleum. Over the years it has been used as a safe haven for
Popes, and there is even a secret walkway that connects to the Vatican.
Afterward, you will be taken up to the Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi for
great views of Rome. Dinner at local restaurant. Fellowship following
dinner.
DAY 5: SUN - Pantheon, Forum, Coliseum
This afternoon a local guide will introduce you to many of the wonders of
ancient and modern Rome. Your walking tour of the city starts at the
Pantheon. Proceed on to Cathedral of Rome, the Basilica of St. Jonathan in
Lateran. Constructed by Constantine in the 4th century, it has been the
most frequently reconstructed of all Rome's churches. If the Pope is in
Rome, we can hear his weekly sermon at noon in the Piazza San Pietro. From
here, pause at the Victor Emmanuel II Monument before continuing on to the
Piazza di Campidoglio, another masterpiece of Michelangelo's Design. Pass
over the hill and down on into the ancient Roman Forum, where your guide
will divulge all of its secrets. You also will step inside the Mamertine
Prison. End your sightseeing at the Coliseum, where thousands of people
and animals perished during gladiatorial games. The Coliseum first opened
in AD 80 and within 100 days of its opening, 5000 wild beasts perished
here. The slaughter of both humans and animals continued for three more
centuries. Historians believe the Coliseum could hold between 40,000 and
80,000 people depending on how close the seating was. The floor has
recently had a plank placed over the middle making it accessible for
people to walk over the labyrinth of brick cells, ramps, and elevators
used to transport animals and gladiators into the arena. Hear the stories
of the games that have fascinated people for years. Dinner at local
restaurant. Fellowship following dinner.
DAY 6: MON - Appian Way, Catacombs
Today, your first stop will be the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the last of
Rome's four Major Basilicas that you will visit. The Basilica was erected
in the IV century but underwent many renovations in the course of the
years. The building is characterized by many different architectural
styles. Its construction is due to a dream which Pope Liberio had the 5th
of August 356 AD. During the night, the Virgin invited him to build a
church in the place where the following morning he would have found snow.
The miracle came true, and the Basilica stands were snow fell. Afterward,
you will step inside the Church of St. Ignatius. It is entirely Baroque in
style, and can be said to represent the Jesuits' triumphant phase, and
that of the Counter Reformation. This was originally part of the Roman
College, one of the Society's earliest and finest educational
institutions.
This afternoon you will have a walking tour of the Appian Way, on your way
to the San Callisto Catacombs. Known since antiquity as Regina Viarum, or
the queen of roads, the Appian Way was the most famous of the Roman
consular roads. It's no longer the main route south out of the city, but it
remains an important part of early Christian Rome, its verges lined with
the underground burial cemeteries, or catacombs, of the first Christians.
In the San Callisto Catacombs, all third-century popes (of whom San
Callisto was one) are buried here in the papal crypt, and the site
features some well-preserved seventh- and eighth-century frescoes. Dinner
at local restaurant. Fellowship following dinner.
DAY 7: TUE. - Pompeii, Naples
Head south today to the famous Roman remains at Pompeii. It was here that
Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD79. You will spend your time today with a
local guide, discovering and learning about this opulent town that was
buried in ash. Pompeii was founded initially by the Oscans, but soon after
was influenced by Cumae, a nearby Greek colony. In the year 80 BC the town
fell under Roman domination and became a favorite holiday retreat of rich
Romans. Then disaster struck with the eruption of the volcano, and in the
space of two days all its inhabitants were buried under a layer of lava.
When visiting this site today it is possible to see the extensive and
varied ruins and imagine life as it was 2,000 years ago. The major sights
include the Antiquarium, Forum, Stabian Baths, Villa of the Mysteries and
much more. This afternoon is free to explore and have early dinner (on
your own) in Naples. We will also have a brief stop at the Cappella
Sansevero to see some of the most incredible marble sculptures in all of
Italy. If time allows, those interested in antiquity can explore the
Museum of Archeology, one of the most extensive in Italy and home to the
excavated wonders of Pompeii. Afterward, return to Rome.
DAY 8: WED. - Rome's Art, Tivoli
Today is a treat for art-lovers, as you will immerse yourselves in the
glories of the Borghese Museum, to see paintings and sculptures collected
by the Borghese family. Noted treasures in this museum are many Bernini
Sculptures, included the mythical Apollo and Daphne, and other treasures
by of Renaissance Art by Titian, Caravaggio, Rubens and many more. The
afternoon will be free for resting, shopping, or site seeing on your own.
This evening you will be impressed by the sights of Tivoli, which is a
short drive from Rome. You will see Hadrian's Villa that testifies to
Tivoli's importance as a holiday retreat from the Roman period through to
the Renaissance. Begin with a visit to Hadrian's Villa, probably the most
complex and elaborate building project he designed. After Hadrian's death
it was visited by succeeding emperors until it fell into ruin, and it was
only in 1870 that the Italian government decided to pursue excavations,
thus revealing this magnificent design. Marvel at the beauty of Rome's
splendor sparkling in the valley below. Dinner on your own at a Tivoli
restaurant. Return to the hotel for fellowship and packing for the next
day's departure.
DAY 9: THUR - Free Day, Farewell Dinner
Today is unscheduled so that you may continue to explore the culture,
history, language, art and architecture of this great city. Rome is one of
the most attractive cities in the world and has many diverse activities.
Why not search out the many fountains of Rome, which are masterpieces of
design and sculpture. The most popular is the Fontana di Trevi. For those
who are more predisposed towards history, perhaps you would like to visit
the Museo della Civilta Romana which documents life in the city from its
beginnings through the Empire. For a marvelous view of the city take a
local bus up to Campoglio, the sacred hill of ancient Rome, or visit
Palatine Hill, the first of Rome's seven hills to be inhabited. To simply
observe the way of life go to the Piazza Campo dei Fiori where there is a
picturesque food and flower market. Buy some lunch and practice your
Italian. The choice is yours! Special Farewell dinner this evening.
DAY 10: FRI - Homeward
Return to the United States with many new perspectives and memories.
Price
Per Person:
Call for prices (lowest prices available November - March)
Price
Includes: Air, modern transportation, all sightseeing
as per itinerary, admissions, breakfast daily, 5 dinners, first class
lodging, baggage handling, taxes.
Not
Included: air taxes (currently $100), gratuities to guides, driver and
tour manager.
|