Rome Extension 
4 Day Tour
June 14-17, 2007

Day 20: Rome|
Our time in Egypt ends as we depart from Cairo Airport for our late afternoon flight to Rome. We arrive at our hotel for dinner and three nights stay.

Day 21: Forum, Arch of Titus, Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Catacombs
Rome was founded in 753 BC and is one of the oldest cities still in existence. It was the Capital of the vast Roman Empire. Today it is the largest city in Italy and is its Capital. It is also described as the city on seven hills. Our day begins with a walking tour of the ancient Roman Forum (marketplace). First we visit the Mamertine Prison where tradition says the Apostle Paul was imprisoned. We then walk through the Arch of Titus and see the famous sculptured picture of captured Jews from Jerusalem carrying the Menorah taken from Herod’s Temple that Titus had destroyed. Next the tour continues on to see the renowned Colosseum Amphitheatre that Emperor Vespasian started and his son Titus finished building in 80AD, with another son Domitian later making further improvements. It was over 160 feet high, seating 50,000 spectators, and with 80 entrances it allowed the crowd to get out within 5 minutes. It was used for theatre, gladiatorial and wild animal fights, and they would even flood the bottom with water and have mock naval battles. Exiting from there, our group ascends nearby Palatine Hill with many more ancient buildings to see and a spectacular view looking down on the Forum and the Circus Maximus. The Circus Maximus was a large track and stadium first built in the 6^th Century BC. At one time is sat 320,000 people and was used for almost 1,000 years. The day ends with a stop at the Pantheon Temple built by the Emperor Hadrian around 125AD. For our last stop we drive to the Catacombs to see the place the early Christians made into tombs and burial places for their dead. They did not believe in cremation as practiced by the pagan Romans and at the time it was forbidden to bury the dead within the city limits.

Day 22: Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain
The final day begins at the Roman Catholic Church Headquarters and Sovereign State of Vatican City. Our first visits are to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican museums where stunning art works are displayed in beautiful buildings. We move on to St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most magnificent and elaborate buildings in the world today. The building It is decorated with gold, many kinds of marble, statues and frescoes on the walls, high ceilings, and multiple huge domes. Much of the art work is by Michelangelo. The Basilica is originally Orthodox as Constantine ordered it built over the traditional site of the Apostle Peter’s grave. By the 15^th century it was in very poor condition, so different Popes had built in its place the present building. It is here mass is held weekly by the Pope unless he is out of town or ill. Many past Popes are buried here. Leaving the Basilica, the afternoon is spent at St. Paul Outside the Walls, the traditional site of the Apostle Paul’s tomb and the Scala Santa, where Martin Luther made his stand against the practice of indulgences. The day is ended with picture taking at the Trevi Fountain and other sights of the city.

Day 23: Home
This morning we depart from Rome’s Airport for home with a much deeper understanding of the Scriptures and its history, and with memories for a lifetime.

Price Per Person (based on double occupancy):
$825.00 - rates based on minimum of 10 passengers

Single Supplement: $274.00

Price Includes:  Lodging in 4 star hotels, full time tour escort, breakfast & dinner daily, gratuities ($21.00), all guides entrances and transportation as appear on itinerary, services of long distance deluxe motorcoach as appear on itinerary.

Not Included:  Return flights from Rome (subject to availability at time of booking), air taxes (based on airfare purchased), lunches, optional travel insurance.