Best of Rome & Malta
8 Day Inspirational Tour

Dates	Land Only No Transfers	Early Reservation Discount (6 Mo. Adv.)
2025
September 27-October 4 (Waitlist) October 25-November 1	$2,749	$2,649
2026
May 16-23 July 18-25 September 5-12 October 3-10	$2,699	$2,599
Single Supplement: Year-round 2025: $750 Year-round 2026: $750

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Price Includes: Moderate first class accommodations, breakfast daily, 4 dinners, luggage handling in most hotels (1 piece per person), expert guide throughout, entrances and transportation as appear on itinerary, modern transportation.

Please Note: Italy gratuities will be paid in advance ($45 per person will be added to your final invoice for gratuities to be paid to driver, guide, and hotel staff while in Italy).

Not Included: Airfare, transfers (not included unless airfare is purchased from Pilgrim Tours), meals not listed, optional travel insurance.

Deposit Required: A $300 per person US Dollar deposit (which includes a $100 non-refundable service fee) is required to secure a reservation.

Day 1: Depart USA

Overnight flight to Malta.

Day 2: Arrive in Malta

Today we arrive in the beautiful Mediterranean Island of Malta and embark on our Jjourney to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history. We will be walking where the Apostle Paul walked! We transfer to a lovely hotel for dinner and our lodging for the next three evenings. (D)

Day 3: Valletta, Harbor Cruise, St. Thomas Bay

A full day of guided sightseeing includes 7,000 years of history beginning in the walled capital city of Valletta, a World Heritage site. Dotted with quaint cafés and shops, the city is today one of Malta’s main tourist attractions, hosting among others, the majestic St John’s Co-Cathedral, with its imposing bastions and a treasure of priceless paintings. Enjoy the history told of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, a Crusader order who defended against the westward Islamic campaign into Europe. Relax on your harbor cruise providing a stunning snapshot of Malta’s Grand Harbor, often described as the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Drive to the ramparts where you begin a tour viewing some of the palatial inns and residences en route to St. Thomas Bay, a possible shipwreck site of the Apostle Paul.

Day 4: Mdina, Mosta Church, Dingli Cliffs, Rabat, St. Paul Bay, Catacombs

After breakfast, we have a full day excursion on Malta. The first stop will be a visit to St. Paul’s and the location of the shipwreck. Our tour will take you from the point of the shipwreck, along the route said to be taken by Paul where he preached, where he baptized the first Maltese at San Pawl Milqi Chapel (meaning "St. Paul welcomed"), to the place where he rested. Paul stayed for several months in the town of Rabat. Here we will visit St. Paul's Church and Grotto, a church founded in 1575 over the ancient caves where Paul is known to have stayed. After a lunch break, we will walk through the streets of Mdina, Malta’s first capital. Mdina is located in the highest elevations of Malta where magnificent views of the entire island are possible. Concluding our sightseeing on the western shore, we view the spectacular Dingli Cliffs before turning toward our return route which includes a visit to the “Mosta Rotunda” a magnificent domed church in Mosta. The last stop of the day will be the Catacombs of St. Paul, a fascinating labyrinth of 3rd-century AD subterranean tombs and the earliest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta. (B, D)

Day 5: Arrive Rome, Ostia Antica

After arriving in Rome on a morning flight, the tour begins with a visit to the ancient ruins of Ostia Antica. Often referred to as the Mouth of Rome or Rome’s Ancient Port, Ostia Antica offers an exceptional glimpse into daily life during the Roman Empire. Highlights of the visit include remarkably preserved paths, forum, theater, and the Ostian Gate, also known as the Gate of St. Paul, an impressive remnant of the city’s fortifications. (D)

Day 6: Forum, Mamertine, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, St. Paul Outside the Wall, Scala Sancta

We begin our tour at the ancient Roman Forum, where our guide will reveal the stories and secrets behind the heart of ancient Rome. Among the highlights is the Arch of Titus, commemorating the Roman sack of Jerusalem in AD 70. We will also view the exterior of the Mamertine Prison, traditionally believed to be where the Apostle Paul was held. While the Roman Church also attributes Peter’s imprisonment to this site, there is no historical or empirical evidence confirming Peter was ever in Rome. Next, we explore the Colosseum, an enduring symbol of imperial power. The Colosseum first opened in AD 80 and could hold between 40,000 and 80,000 spectators. Within the first 100 days of its opening 5,000 wild beasts were killed and the brutal contests continued for over three centuries. 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 dramatic stories of the games that have captivated the world for centuries. Additional sites include the Arch of Constantine, the Circus Maximus, and the striking marble Victor Emmanuel II monument also known as “The Wedding Cake”.

After enjoying some free time for lunch, an afternoon walking tour includes a visit to the stunningly beautiful Trevi Fountain and to the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome. The day concludes with a visit to the 4th century Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the site of Paul’s tomb, followed by the Scala Sancta, otherwise known as the “Holy Stairs”. According to tradition, these were the very steps from Pontius Pilate’s judgment hall in Jerusalem brought to Rome by Helena, mother of emperor Constantine. Martin Luther visited these stairs in 1510. While climbing the stairs on his knees, he experienced doubt and questioning, particularly regarding the practice of indulgences. Luther’s experience at the Scala Sancta is often seen as a turning point in his journey toward the Reformation. (B)

Day 7: Vatican Museums, St. Peter's, Abbey of Three Fountains, Catacombs

After breakfast you will set out for a full day of sightseeing, beginning with a visit to Vatican City. There you will explore the majestic St. Peter’ Basilica, gaze up at Michelangelo’s masterpiece on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and wander through the Vatican Museums, home to one of the world’s most remarkable art collections. Following some free time for lunch, the tour continues to the Abbey of the Three Fountains, traditionally recognized as the site of Apostle Paul’s martyrdom and the ancient road believed to have been his final path. In the afternoon you will descend into the Catacombs, a network of underground burial chambers where thousands of early Christians were laid to rest in tiered galleries, offering a powerful glimpse into the early Church’s history. (B)

Day 8: Home

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight home.

*The tour itinerary is subject to change or be slightly modified in order to best meet the interests of the group.