Italy

Depart on an overnight flight to Rome, Italy.

Arrival in Rome and transfer to our hotel via panoramic guided tour of Rome’s highlights, including stops at Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, and Trevi Fountain. Late afternoon hotel check-in. Welcome Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Rome.

Guided tour of Rome, including Vatican City, the home of the Pope and the center of Roman Catholicism, as well as the Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. Also visit the Roman Forum and Colosseum, the Pantheon, Baths of Caracalla, and Palatine Hill. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Attend a morning Sunday Papal Blessing in St. Peter’s Square. Remainder of the day at leisure for individual sightseeing, exploration, and reflection. In the evening, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Transfer, by bus, enjoying a brief panoramic tour of Naples. It is in Naples where we will enjoy lunch before going on to Pompeii to witness the ruins of one of the most devastating volcanic eruptions in the history of the region. The eruption of Vesuvius in the year 79 A.D. covered the city of Pompeii with ashes. What is left of this ancient city, including some beautiful frescoes and mosaic floors, will give us a glimpse into that era and an idea of what was going on in the lives of Pompeii’s inhabitants just moments before that catastrophic eruption.  Dinner, on own. Return to Rome for overnight.

Morning visit to the catacombs. Late morning transfer to Montecatini via Siena. In Siena, visit the famous Piazza del Campo, the Town Hall, and the Duomo. Continue to Montecatini in the evening for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Half-day orientation tour of Florence includes the Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and the Academia, to see Michelangelo’s ‘David’. Afternoon at leisure for individual sightseeing, exploration, and reflection. Dinner in Florence in local restaurant. Return to Montecatini for overnight.

Full day at leisure for self-arranged activities, sightseeing, exploration, and reflection. Optional excursion to San Gimignano with a winery visit and lunch (cost additional). Dinner and overnight in Montecatini.

Return to Rome via Assisi. In Assisi, visit and explore the St. Francis Basilica, the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Basilica of Santa Chiara, and the tombs of St. Francis and St. Clare. Celebrate Mass at the St. Francis Basilica. Continue to Rome for a Farewell Dinner and overnight at our hotel.