8 Day Rome & Assisi

DAY 1, Friday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA to Italy. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.

DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Rome, Transfer to Assisi, Time at leisure, Welcome Dinner
Arrive in Rome and transfer to your hotel in Assisi. Take some time to explore on your own before meeting with your tour manager for orientation. After orientation join us for a welcome dinner where you'll get a chance to sample some of the local cuisine.
Overnight: Assisi
Meals: Welcome Dinner

DAY 3, Sunday - Sunday Mass, Assisi Sightseeing
This morning, venture to the memorial that was made for a man who preached and lived a simple life of poverty, abstinence, and renunciation of worldly goods in search of greater spirituality, St Francis's Basilica. Here you will Celebrate Sunday Mass and then tour the basilica. This basilica features three architectural styles; Romanesque, Adobe, and French-Romanesque and is home to many stunning stained glass windows imported from France. Afterwards, join us for a panoramic city tour. Following the tour we'll make our way to to the Churches of Saint Clare and Saint Mary of Angels, where you will find the thornless rose bush and Porziuncola Chapel.
Overnight: Assisi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Monday - Orvieto Sightseeing en route to Rome
Today depart Assisi and head for Orvieto, a small town of Etruscan origins. Here you will stop to admire the magnificent 14th century cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and then join us for lunch before heading to Rome. Upon arrival, check into your hotel, freshen up, and meet us for dinner.
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Tuesday - Vatican Museums Tour, Christian Rome Tour
After breakfast, join us for a tour of the Vatican Museums and Galleries. In the afternoon, join us for an exhilarating tour of Christan Rome. This tour departs from the Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses' Fountain and heads to Piazza della Repubblica, previously known as “dell'Esedra. We'll continue along the Via Nazionale towards the Basilica's of St. Mary Major. Here you can view the manger baby Jesus was laid following his birth. Now proceed to St. John in Lateran. Dedicated to John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, this basilica is ranked first among the four major basilicas of Rome. Continue on to visit the well preserved site of the Holy Stairs, the 28 marble steps climbed by Jesus Christ to stand trial before Pilate's Palace. From this age-old pilgrimage site, the tour continues by coach, crossing the Piazza San Giovanni and Via Latina, to the Ancient Appian Way, where you will find the sacred Chapel of “Domine Quo Vadis.” The tour concludes with a visit to the legendary Catacombs of St. Domitilla. Return in the early evening, passing the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla en route.
Overnight: Breakfast
Meals: Rome

DAY 6, Wednesday - Papal Audience, Time at leisure in Rome
This morning, attend the Papal Audience at the Vatican and receive the Blessing of the Holy Father (subject to Holy Father's schedule). Here, you'll admire the round hall, the Hall of the Greek Cross, and the Tombs of St. Helen and St. Constance. From here, visit the Sistine Chapel and behold the great frescoes by Michelangelo. Your tour continues to the Galleries of the Chandeliers, Tapestries, Geographical Maps. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Thursday - Ancient Rome Tour, Farewell Dinner
Wake up and join us for a tour of Ancient Rome. This tour will feature the classic splendor of the Roman Empire. Depart Piazza San Bernardo to Piazza Venezia where you will admire the Memorial to King Vittorio Emanuele II and the Tomb of the unknown soldier. Continue to the square of the Capitol, and take in the unique sight of the Forum, Colosseum and Palatine Hill. Walk along the pavement of the original Roman grid, which crosses the ruins of the Roman Forum, the Curia, and the Reggia. Enjoy views of the Temple of Vesta, the Arch of Titus and the Triumphal Arch of Constantine. Continue with an inside tour of the Colosseum, a giant amphitheater used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacle. This tour concludes with a visit to the church of St. Peter in Chains, where Michelangelo's famous statue of Moses is housed. Tonight, join us for a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

DAY 8, Friday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to Rome Airport for your flight back to the USA.
Meals: Breakfast