DAY 1, Friday
Depart the USA to Italy. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey
DAY 2, Saturday
Arrive in Rome and transfer your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, depart Piazza San Bernardo for an illuminated tour of the Eternal City. Traveling for the famous Piazza della Repubblica, enjoy flood-lit views of the Via Veneto, Palazzo Margherita, Porta Pinciana, Villa Borghese, Piazzale Flaminio, Via Flaminia, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Augusto Imperatore, and Via del Corso. Arriving at the Piazza della Repubblica, visit Trevi Fountain, the largest and most exquisite Baroque fountain in Rome. Continue to Piazza Venezia and enjoy charming views of the Capitol, Imperial Forum, Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Aventine Hill, and Circus Maximus. Afterwards, compliment this fascinating tour of Rome by night with traditional Roman cuisine in a typical restaurant, accompanied by folk music (D): ROME
DAY 3, Sunday
After breakfast, join fellow pilgrims from all over the world in celebrating Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Square. The remainder of the day is free at leisure (B): ROME
DAY 4, Monday
Morning at leisure to explore Rome on your own. In the afternoon, tour the very core of Ancient Rome. Departing via the Piazza della Repubblica, pass Piazza Venezia and the square of the Capitol, and admire the unique sight of the Forum, Colosseum, and Palatine Hill: one of Rome's most ancient parts. Stop for a walk along the ancient pavement of the original Roman grid, which crosses the ruins of the Roman Forum, the Curia, and the Reggia. From here, admire splendid views of the Temple of Vesta, the Arch of Titus, and the triumphal Arch of Constantine. Continue the tour towards the Circus Maximus, Aventine Hill, and the Pyramid of Caius Cestius, ending with a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (B): ROME
DAY 5, Tuesday
This morning, enjoy a tour of the Vatican Museums and Galleries. 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. The tour continues to the Galleries of the Chandeliers, Tapestries, Geographical Maps, and the Vatican Library Hall. In the afternoon, enjoy an exciting tour of Christian Rome. Depart the Piazza San Bernardo, crossing the Piazza della Repubblica, and continuing along the Via Nazionale to the Basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John in Lateran. Upon arrival, 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. Callixtus. Return in the early evening, passing the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla en route (B): ROME
DAY 6, Wednesday
This morning, attend the Papal Audience (subject to Holy Father's schedule) at the Vatican and receive the Blessing of the Holy Father. Balance of the day at leisure (B): ROME
DAY 7, Thursday
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home (B).


