We depart on an international overnight flight to Rome. Dinner and breakfast are served on board.

Upon arrival in Rome, we are greeted by our tour guide, and next board our deluxe motorcoach for transfer to our hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure to rest or explore the city on our own. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (D)

After breakfast we depart for the Vatican City, where we gather with pilgrims from around the world to attend a Papal Audience (if available). In the afternoon, we visit the Vatican Museums, home to one of the world’s greatest art collections, and Michelangelo’s breathtaking Sistine Chapel followed by a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in Christendom, built over his tomb. We have the remainder of the day to sample Rome’s many delights on our own. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (B/D)

After breakfast we enjoy a full day tour entitled “Christian Rome Tour”. We visit the three major basilicas of Rome: the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and built on the site where the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream of pope Liberius; the Basilica of St John in Lateran, the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377; the Holy Stairs, which is believed to be a staircase from Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem that Jesus climbed when he was condemned to death and brought to Rome by St. Helena in the 4th century. Time permitting, we may climb these stairs on our knees in memory of Christ’s Passion. Continue to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Wall built over his tomb. Next is the Appian Way, the oldest road from Roman times; see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Drusus; and the Catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (B/D)

Today we enjoy a day at leisure to discover on our own the beauty and wonders of Rome. Or take an optional tour to Assisi, the town of beloved gentle St. Francis (at additional cost). We arrive in the Valley of Assisi where we visit the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels where St. Francis spent most of his life. Here we visit the Chapel, Porziuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where he retired for prayer. We travel up to the quaint hilltop, birthplace of St Francis that still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s, the period when St Francis began his ministry. We visit St. Francis’s huge 13th-century Basilica built over his crypt containing many of the saint’s possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. Continue to the Church of St Clare to see the saint’s incorrupt body. The foundress of the Order of Poor Clares followed the teachings of St Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. We may kneel before the San Damiano Cross from which Jesus spoke to St Francis asking him to rebuild His church. There will be some leisure time to stroll the narrow streets and take in the awesome view of the valley below. Here we truly can see why St. Francis was the Patron Saint of birds, animals, and the environment. We return to Rome in the early evening. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (B/D)

Today we enjoy a half day panoramic “Ancient Rome” tour. The highlights include the Circus Maximus; the Arch of Constantine; the Colosseum built in 72 AD where the gladiators met in mortal combat; the Roman Forum, the political and economic center of Rome during the Republic; the Capitoline Hill; Piazza Navona; Piazza Spagna with its famous Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountains. The balance of the day is at leisure to explore Rome on our own. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (B/D)

After breakfast, we transfer to Rome airport for our flight back home arriving the same day. (B)