10 Day Rome, Assisi & Florence

DAY 1: U.S.A. / EUROPE. Tour members will depart to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served aboard the flight.

DAY 2: ARRIVE ROME / FLORENCE. Upon our arrival at the airport we will be met and drive across serene Tuscan countryside to our hotel in Florence. Time at leisure before dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 3: FLORENCE.   Today we begin our beautiful pilgrimage of Florence, the city considered to be the cultural heart of Italy and former stronghold of the Medici family. Visit (with local guide) the Piazza della Signoria, where the Neptune Fountain stands. Then we visit the baptistery (entrance included) with its "Gates of Paradise" doors, and the Academia (entrance included) that houses the Michelangelo's original statue of David. We will also see the Santa Croce Church (entrance included), the famous church where Dante, Michelangelo, Leonard da Vinci and many others are buried. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. 

DAY 4: FLORENCE / SIENA / ASSISI.  Morning excursion to Siena. You drive southwest, through the heart of Italian wine country, over rolling hills of Chianti, in a beautiful landscape of a Renaissance painting. In Siena, you will be lead to the Piazza del Campo, through narrow streets, past medieval towers and walls. You'll feel immersed in a unique atmosphere. Celebrate Mass.  Then on to the mystic province of Umbria and its capital city of Assisi, town of St. Francis. Our afternoon walking tour includes Santa Maria degli Angeli with the "thornless rose bush".   Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Assisi.

DAY 05: ASSISI / ROME.  Today we visit the Basilica of St. Francis and the Church of St. Clare, which to this day houses her Incorrupt body.  Then leave Assisi and drive past the hill town Todi, through Umbria -"the Green Heart of Italy," and on to Rome - the Eternal City. This afternoon we will arrive in Rome to see the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, St. Peter in chains and the Appian Way. Dinner awaits you at your hotel. 

DAY 6: ROME. After breakfast, we may attend an audience with the Pope, if available (Wednesdays only). During the afternoon our tour of ancient Rome highlights include Appian Way, Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, Arch of Constantine, the Catacombs, the Mammertime Prison and Circus Maximus. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 07: ROME. Today we visit three of the four major basilicas in Rome (the other being St. Peter's Basilica). These basilicas include St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. This afternoon we visit City Hall, Palatine Hill, Palazzo Venezia, Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus and the Mammertime Prison. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

DAY 08: ROME. After breakfast we visit The Vatican City including the Vatican Museum and Gallery, Raphael's Rooms, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. This afternoon is at leisure to see the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps or activities of your own.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 09: ROME.  Today is a day of leisure in Rome for activities of our own.  Dinner on our own to enjoy the local flavors.

DAY 10: ROME/ U.S.A. Early departure from Rome to the United States - the end of a most enjoyable pilgrimage.