Italy from a Christian Perspective
 

March through November

Day 1 - Depart USA
Overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2 • Arrive Rome & Walking Tour
Arrive at Rome airport, meet motorcoach and tour manager. En route to the hotel, stop at the ruins of Ostia Antica, which provides an idea of life in classical times. You will also see the Ostian Gate, today called the Gate of St. Paul, before arriving at the hotel for check in and some relaxation time before dinner. There will be a welcome reception before dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a guided walking tour to discover Rome by night. (Rome 3 nights)

Day 3 • Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter Basilica
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, Luther’s Holy Steps. Dinner will be at another local restaurant. The spiritual and historical insight gained from this tour will be invaluable to you, not only in your understanding and application of truths, but also in your daily walk with the Lord.

Day 4 • Catacombs & Coliseum
In the morning there will be a guided walking tour in the Antic Rome where you will see many marvels of this ancient city including a tour of the Roman Coliseum, the Catacombs where thousands of Christians were buried in a remarkable tiered series of galleries, and the Caracalla Baths dating back to the early AD 220s. Free time will be allowed this afternoon before dinner at the hotel. 

Day 5 • Frescoes, Assisi & Florence
After breakfast you will say “Arrivederci Roma” and board your coach and travel to the ancient walled hillside village of Assisi. After lunch on your own, 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. Then, we travel on to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, for check in at the hotel. (Florence 2 nights)

Day 6 • Beautiful Florence, Michelangelo’s David & Pisa
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 overlook across the river from Florence where we will take a panoramic group photo with the beautiful red-tiled roof cityscape in the background. After lunch on your own, board your coach to Pisa where you will visit the Baptistry, Duomo and the famous leaning tower in the Piazza dei Miracoli. Return to Florence, for a dinner in a local restaurant. 

Day 7 • Free Time & Venice
This morning 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 Christmas gifts. Following lunch we travel northward to romantic Venice where we overnight just outside the city for two nights. 

Day 8 • 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. 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. Before we return to the hotel we will board gondolas for a relaxing tour of criss-cross canals, arched bridges, palaces, charming waterside restaurants and little quiet piazzas. Dinner is at the hotel.

Day 9 • Verona, Milan Last Supper
An early start will allow for a mid-morning stop and stroll through Verona to view the balcony where Romeo called to Juliet. From here we board our coach to travel to Milan with free time for lunch in city center. This afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of the city, which will include the famous Duomo, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world and Leonardo Da Vinci’s most famous fresco – The Last Supper. (Milan 1 night)

Day 10 • Home
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to the USA.