12 Days
Specific Tour
50 people
English
Day 1 – Depart for Rome
Make your way to your local airport where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.
Day 2 – Arrive Rome
Welcome to Rome! Also known as, “The Eternal City.” Upon arrival at Rome Airport, you will collect your luggage in the baggage claim area and continue to the Arrival’s Hall where you will be greeted by a tour guide and/or driver. Make your way to the Bus where your group will transfer to your hotel. Following check-in, dinner and overnight. (D)
Day 3 – Rome: Papal Audience – Trevi Fountain / Piazza Navona
Today the Pope takes the weekly Papal Audience, in case you are interested in joining the pilgrims in San Peter Square. In the afternoon we can visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine chapel and San Peter’s Basilica. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight (BD)
Day 4 – Rome: – Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls – Catacombs
In the morning, we will visit Catacombs of St Priscilla. Then continue visiting Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls and the Church of Cosmas and Damian. Break for lunch – In the afternoon continue visiting Basilica of St Mary Major which is the largest in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Mother. We will also visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran which is the oldest of the major basilicas and ranks first as the actual “parish church” of the Pope (Bishop of Rome). There we will learn about the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs). Tradition has it that these steps, said to be the staircase leading once to the praetorium of Pilate at Jerusalem, are sanctified by the footsteps of Jesus Christ during his Passion. Visit also Basilica of Holy Cross in Jerusalem. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (BD)
Day 5 – Rome –Roman Forum – Colosseum
In the morning we visit the church of San Giorgio al Velabro, which according to the tradition, houses the head of St George. Continue with the church of St Maria in Cosmedin, with its famous “ bocca della verità” and finally we reach the church of San Teodoro al Palatino is a 6th-century church in Rome. It was dedicated to Theodore of Amasea and given to the Orthodox community of Rome by Pope John Paul II in 2004. It and is located on an ancient road between the Roman Forum and Forum Boarium, along the north-western foot of the Palatine Hill – Continue our walking tour passing by the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. After break for lunch we enjoy time at leisure in the city centre. We will see the most beautiful fountains and squares of Rome: Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Navona Square. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight (BD)
DAY 6 – Rome – GROTTAFERRATA – ASSISI
This morning, we will drive to Grottaferrata, a village near Frascati in the area known as Castelli Romani. Here we will visit the Abbey of Santa Maria di Grottaferrata also known as the Abbey of St Nilo in honor of the saint of Calabria who founded it with a group of followers. This is a monastery exarchs maintained by Byzantine monks. The religious complex is located in the heart of Grottaferrata and the decor of the façade reminiscent the style of oriental world. Beside the church we can admire the great bell on the door, while inside we find a splendid mosaic that depicts Mary Mother of God.
The church’s interior is in Baroque style and retain the original structure with three naves. Along the south aisle we’ll find the Farnese Chapel, decorated with frescoes depicting the stories of St Nilo. In the Abbey is preserved the work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini depicting “Mary and Child”. After a break for lunch tasting local product as porchetta, we will drive to Assisi. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight. (BD)
Day 7 – ASSISI
This morning we will visit the Church of St. Clare, which houses her incorrupt body. One of the chapels contains the crucifix that bowed its head and ordered St. Francis to “repair God’s Church”. Afterwards, we will tour the Basilica of St. Francis built in 1228 to house the Relics of the saint. The “upper “basilica houses beautiful frescoes of Giotto which describe the life of St Francis and his community. Some time at leisure for shopping. In the afternoon we will drive to Rome. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight. (BD)
DAY 8 – ASSISI / FLORENCE
After breakfast at the villa we travel to Florence (2 hr and half drive) where we meet our local guide for a 2 hours walking tour to discover why Florence is the undisputed cradle of the Renaissance era. Here one almost breathless art and culture in its charming medieval streets, in craftsmen’s workshops, Renaissance palaces, and the world-renowned museums. The legacy of the Medici family is found in the works of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli. Explore Piazza della Signoria, the Baptistry of St. John, and Michelangelo’s Gates of Paradise. We walk to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with the imposing cupola by Brunelleschi and Giotto’s Bell Tower. We’ll then visit the busy San Lorenzo Market in the heart of the city! Enjoy the site of artisan breads in all shapes and sizes, tables overflowing with fruits and vegetables fresh from the farms, and the immense variety of cheeses and cured meats. Choose your lunch at the market- In the afternoon we continue our walking tour to Ponte Vecchio, and then we visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, where famous Italians artists such as Michelangelo and Machiavelli are buried. Check in at our hotel. Dinner and overnight (BD)
DAY 9 – FLORENCE / RAVENNA / VENICE
After breakfast, we will drive to Ravenna, filled with breathtaking early Christian mosaics from the Byzantine period. The mosaics span the years of Roman and Byzantine rule. The town converted to Christianity in the 2nd century AD. Ravenna is a medley of old streets, fine shops, and peaceful piazzas. After lunch, we continue our drive to Venice. Check in at our hotel, dinner and overnight. (BD)
DAY 10 -VENICE
After breakfast, we depart our hotel by bus to reach the dock – From here, by private motorboat, we reach Venice in 30 minutes by sea. In the morning, there will be a guided tour to see the Doge’s Palace (outside), the Basilica of St. Mark (inside) and Cathedral of St George. Break for lunch. In the afternoon we will enjoy a short boat ride to San Giorgio dei Greci. This church was the center of the Scuola dei Greci, the Confraternity of the Greeks in Venice. For centuries, despite the close ties of Venice to the Byzantine world, the Greek Orthodox rite was not permitted in Venice Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (BD)
DAY 11- VENICE / MILAN
After breakfast we drive to Milan, for a walking tour which includes: the Duomo, the Cathedral of Milan, started being built in 1386. It is the third largest church in the world, after St Peter’s in Rome and the Cathedral of Seville in Spain. It is overall made in marble, with immense statues, arches, pillars and pinnacles. The statues are about 3500, including the 96 gargoyles. The highest pinnacle is at the height of 108, 5 meter and has at his top the statue of Our Lady covered in gold. The afternoon is at our leisure for shopping in the fashion district of Milan. Check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight (BD)
DAY 12 – DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport for departure. (B)
