Thursday, March 11 • Depart USA
Overnight flight to Rome.

Friday, March 12 • Arrive Rome
We are met by our host and transferred to our hotel for the next five nights. The remainder of your day is free with many things to do and see. Time will allow the opportunity to take a walk past the famous Spanish Steps, visit the amazing Pantheon and view the Trevi Fountain. Throw in a coin to ensure your return trip to Rome!

Saturday, March 13 • Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter Basilica, Scala Santa and Church of Priscilla
After breakfast you will begin a full day of site seeing. First visit Vatican City where you will see the Basilica at St. Peter, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums with stunning works of art at every turn. After some free time for lunch, you will visit the 4th century Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the traditional site of Paul’s tomb, and the Scala Santa, where Martin Luther made his stand against the practice of indulgences. This fascinating museum houses the Steps from Pilot's Judgment Hall in Jerusalem brought to Rome by Helena, the mother of Constantine. The practice today is to climb the steps on your knees, stopping to pray on each step. Our last stop today will be the Church of Prisca, where it is said that below the church are buried Priscilla, Aquilla and a number of other martyred saints. It has perfect acoustics for a hymn of the faith, scripture reading of Paul's tribute to his long-time friends of the ministry, and a short worship service. Additional sights include the Arches of Constantine and Titus, Circus Maximus and the beautiful marble monument called the Wedding Cake.

Sunday, March 14 • Forum, Mamertine Prison, Coliseum, Catacombs
We begin our walking tour at the ancient Roman Forum, where our guide will divulge its secrets. We will visit the Arch of Titus which commemorated the sack of Jerusalem by Titus in AD 70. We will step inside the Mamertine Prison, where the Apostles Peter and Paul were imprisoned and spent the last years of their lives. Next, we visit 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 (including many Christians) 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. We conclude our day by continuing past the Appian Way and tour the Catacombs where early Christians hid to escape persecution and many were later buried in a remarkable tiered series of galleries.

Monday, March 15 • Pompeii Tour
Discover history, art and archeology on this fascinating day trip to Naples and Pompeii. Your journey takes you from Rome to the Gulf of Naples where Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. devastating the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. On your full-day tour from Rome you'll travel along the Highway of the Sun, crossing the area known as Castelli Romani dotted with enchanting medieval villages. During the journey you will pass the ruined Abbey of Monte Cassino, destroyed during the Second World War. After a photo stop at Naples' impressive Castel dell'Ovo (Egg Castle), you'll continue across Naples' historic center. You’ll pass Naples' historic sites, including the Royal Palace, Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, San Carlo Opera House, Gallery of Umberto I and the imposing Castel Nuovo. Leaving Naples, you will cross the valley of Mount Vesuvius, passing through the villages of Ercolano (Herculaneum), Torre del Greco and Torre Annunziata before arriving in Pompeii for lunch. After lunch, you will take a two-hour walking tour of the ancient city of Pompeii with a local guide. A thrilling archaeological journey unfolds as you walk through the ancient ruins which were buried in ashes after Mount Vesuvius erupted almost 2000 years ago. You'll discover the everyday life of Rome's Imperial age at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and imagine the panic felt by the people in those last few minutes before the city was so disastrously buried. On the trip back to Rome (approximately three hours), you'll stop at a coral and cameo factory, where you will have the opportunity to purchase examples of this ancient craft that dates back to the Greek period.

Tuesday, March 16 • Free day in Rome
After breakfast we enjoy a full day free for our leisure in Rome to visit some sites on our own, do some shopping or rest at our hotel.

Wednesday, March 17 • Frescoes, Assisi, Montecatini
After breakfast you will say “Arrivederci Roma” and board your coach and travel through scenic Umbria to the ancient walled hillside village of Assisi. After lunch, you will enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful, medieval town, which will include the Basilica San Francesco, decorated with some of the most renowned frescoes in the world. This afternoon, we travel on to the spa village of Montecatini Terme, our place of lodging for the next two nights in the heart of Tuscany.

Thursday, March 18 • Beautiful Florence, Michelangelo’s David & Free Time
After breakfast, you will spend the morning enjoying a guided tour of Florence, one of the world’s greatest artistic capitals, which will include the Piazza della Signoria, Duomo, Baptistry and a visit to the Accademia Galley, home of Michelangelo’s David. A stop will also be made on the hillside overlook across the river from Florence where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful red-tiled roof cityscape. This afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy shopping, visiting more galleries or strolling on the famous Pont Vecchio, the old bridge which spans the Arno River. Remember that Florence leather shops are the best in the world and bargains on excellent quality goods are abundant. It may be the time to purchase those special  gifts for someone back home.

Friday, March 19 • Chianti and San Gimignano Touring (Highlights of Tuscany)
After breakfast we depart our hotel and slowly drive up the hill to the 'piazzale Michelangelo' where you will enjoy the best views over the city skyline. We will have a chance to take photos here before continuing onto a very charming Chianti village where we can enjoy some wonderful Italian coffee and pastries or wander around the piazza looking at the shops. We will drive through winding roads that pass through vineyards and olive groves and here we will begin to understand the beauty of Chianti. Continuing along the back roads of this beautiful part of Tuscany we will reach the village of Radda in Chianti and enjoy a light lunch. After lunch we will take you further into Chianti and onto the medieval village of San Gimignano, famous for its panoramic position with 360° views and the majestic stone towers of which only 18 still stand today. The history books tell us that as many as 150 towers were in this village, and they were a sign of the families' wealth. Unfortunately many have been destroyed over the centuries during various wars that raged through the region. There are many lovely shops which we will have time to browse. After a wonderful day you will head back to Montecatini in time for our dinner and overnight.

Saturday, March 20 • Pisa & Venice
Following breakfast we will leave for a tour of Pisa and the famous leaning tower constructed in 1174. Some may want to climb the 293 dizzying steps to the 8th-story bell chamber and enjoy the payoff of a splendid view of rich countryside, mountains and sea. We will also visit the Baptistry and Duomo in the Piazza dei Miracoli, where we will pause for a time of praise, worship and a challenge from God’s word. There will be free time provided for lunch. This afternoon, we travel northward through colorful Tuscan countryside, past Bologna and on to romantic Venice where we overnight just outside the city for two nights in Venice Mestre.

Sunday, March 21 • Venice
After breakfast, we'll begin sightseeing on a leisurely walking tour of Venice. We'll visit the city's most famous landmarks such as the Basilica of San Marco, St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's Palace. The remainder of the day is on our own to stroll through a labyrinth of criss-cross canals, arched bridges, palaces, charming waterside restaurants and little quiet piazzas. For those who wish, your tour host may arrange a private glassblowing presentation at the famous Murano Venetian glass makers. Shoppers will enjoy the vast array of beautiful pieces of glass available in the city's many fine stores. During your free time, you may also choose to board a gondola for a relaxing canal cruise.

Monday, March 22 • Home
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to the USA.