What's Included

  • All Inclusive Pricing
  • First Class Hotels
  • Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
  • Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes
  • International Airfare
  • Entrance and Program Fees
  • Live Audio Headsets
  • Guided Tours
  • Overseas Airport Transfers
  • Study Guide
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Gratuities
  • Select Meals on Itinerary

Additional Baggage and Optional fees may apply.


Daily Itinerary

Day 1 September 30 – Depart the USA

Depart on your international overnight flight.

Day 2 October 1 – Arrive in Rome

Arrive in Rome and enjoy a tour of the Borghese Gardens. Visit the Spanish Steps and explore the romance of Rome as you stop at the famous Trevi Fountain. Legend says those who toss a coin into the fountain will one day return to Rome to toss another into the waters of Trevi. Enjoy lunch on your own and have time to shop in the Piazza Navona. Check in at your hotel in Rome this evening. Overnight: Rome / Mass: Casa Anta Maria.

Day 3 October 2 – Rome

Enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican’s Museums and Sistine Chapel. Built by connecting portions of the old papal residence with newer structures, the museum houses a world-renowned collection of art and antiquities. Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel between 1508 and 1512, and later painted The Last Judgment between 1535 and 1541 for Popes Clement VII and Paul III. The primary function of the chapel is the papalconclave, providing the place where the College of Cardinals of the church gathers to elect a new pope. Then, walk through St. Peter’s Basilica and celebrate Mass here. The present structure completed in 1590, was built over the Byzantine and Middle Ages structures, that marked the tomb of Saint Peter. There are more than 100 tombs within the basilica, including most recently Saint John Paul II. Enjoy lunch at Da Romolo alla Mole Adriana and the time to shop and explore in Borgo Pio. Finish the day at the Pantheon, built by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC to 14 AD). Emperor Hadrian rebuilt it around 126 AD. The building was given to Pope Boniface IV who converted it into a church - Saint Mary and the Martyrs (Santa Maria Rotunda). Mass continues to be celebrated here. (B, L) Overnight: Rome / Mass: Santa Maria Minerva

Day 4 October 3 – Rome

After breakfast, enjoy the opportunity to join in prayer with Pope Francis and receive his greeting, blessing and prayers. Begin your afternoon with a visit to the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. St. Helena brought back relics of the Passion of Jesus Christ and had the basilica consecrated to house them. The basilica’s floor was covered in soil from Jerusalem. Next, visit the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. Six popes are entombed here. Next door is the Holy Staircase (Scala Santa), brought from Pilate’s Palace in Jerusalem by Saint Helena in the 4th century. Climbing the stairs on your knees is a devotion that many pilgrims perform, and a plenary indulgence is granted for completing this feat. Next is the Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls (San Lorenzo). Saint Lawrence was one of the first seven deacons of Rome, martyred in 258. The church is built next to catacombs that lead down to his grave. The relics of Saints Justin Martyr and Stephen are also enshrined here. Continue your pilgrim journey to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Maria Maggiore). This is the largest Marian church in Rome. Its construction began after the Council of Ephesus in 431 proclaimed that Mary was the Mother of God. Saint Jerome, translator of the Bible into the Latin Vulgate, is buried here. Spend the evening in Trastevere and dine and explore her on your own. (B) Overnight: Rome / Mass: Holy Cross of St. John Lateran

Day 5 October 4 - Rome

Start your day with a visit to the Basilica di San Clemente and celebrate Mass here. Journey to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The present structure stands over the place where Constantine built the first church over Saint Paul’s grave. The church features a portrait of every pope that has served the church, with the face of Pope Francis I illuminated as the present pontiff. San Sebastian Outside the Walls is another magnificent church, built over the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian. The remains of Peter and Paul were temporarily protected here during the Valerian Persecution of 258. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant across the street from Catacombs of San Sebastian. Step beneath the surface into the Catacombs of Callixtus, built along the Appian Way. Here, 16 popes from the 2nd through 4th centuries were interred, though they have been removed to various churches over the centuries. Visit the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella. (B, L) Overnight: Rome / Mass: Basilica di San Clemente

Day 6 October 5 –Transfer to Assisi

Visit the lower city. The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels stands at the foot of the hill of Assisi over the Porziuncola - Saint Francis’ Church given him by the Benedictine monks. The church and convent of St. Damiano are where in 1205, saint Francis received his calling to “Rebuild My Church”. Saint Claire will later lead her Order of the Poor Ladies from here until her death in 1253. You will have time for private devotion and leisure this evening. (B) Overnight: Assisi / Mass: Basilica of San Rufino

Day 7 October 6 – Assisi

After breakfast, you will walk to the Papal Basilica of St. Francis, the mother church of the Franciscan Order and burial place of St. Francis. This basilica, which was begun in 1228, is built on the side of a hill and comprises an Upper Church and Lower Church. These are decorated with numerous frescoes by late medieval painters including Giotto. Celebrate Mass here. Continue your guided pilgrimage of the town’s highlights featuring the Basilica of St. Clare, where you can kneel before the famous crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis. Enjoy dinner at Ristorante Medioevo Assisi (Suckling Pig) tonight. (B, D) Overnight: Assisi / Mass: Basilica of St. Francis

Day 8 October 7 – Siena – Basilica of San Domenico –Panzano

Today, you’ll depart Assisi and travel through Tuscany to Siena. While here, you will visit the Basilica of San Domenico and see the reliquary of St. Catherine. Enjoy dinner at Antica Macelleria Cecchini. (B, D) Overnight: Panzano / Mass: Basilica of San Domenico (Chapel with St. Catherine’s relics)

Day 9 October 8 – Orvieto – Rome

Pope Nicholas IV laid the cornerstone for the Cathedral of Orvieto in 1290, dedicating it to the Assumption of the Virgin. Orvieto served as a papal residence through the Middle Ages, Pope Clement VII being one of the last to stay in Orvieto in 1527. Here, the Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated by marching from the Duomo. Celebrate Mass at the cathedral here. Continue to Rome for overnight. (B, D) Overnight: Rome

Day 10 October 9 – Return to the USA

Transfer to the airport this morning and fly home.

Enhance Your Journey

ROME EXTENSION Starting from $599

October 9 - 11, 2023 | Starting at $599

October 9 - Frescati on your own

October 10 - Rome & Scavi on your own

October 11 - Return to the USA

Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion.

Departure Dates

  1. Monday, September 30, 2024
    From $4798
Tour: XI24 Code: F