Day 1: Rome
Arrive in Rome. Transfer to your hotel. Balance of your day at leisure.
Day 2: Vatican
Start your trip off right – with a visit to the Vatican, the world's smallest independent state. You will visit the Vatican museums & the Sistine Chapel. Continue to St. Peter's Square & Basilica. Evening at leisure.
Day 3: Rome
This morning, attend a general audience with the Pope (if available), or visit the Colosseum, Old City of Rome & the Forum. Evening at leisure.
Day 4: Rome
Visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran (the Cathedral of Rome) & the catacombs, to learn about the life & martyrdom of Christians living in the first centuries AD. Evening at leisure.
Day 5: Rome & Florence
Drive North to Florence. Your sightseeing tour begins at the Piazza del Duomo to see the delicately patterned green, white & pink cathedral. You will also see Giotto's Bell Tower, dating from 1359, & the Signoria Square. Visit the Accademia Gallery, which was founded in 1563 to teach fine arts. Here, you will see Michelangelo's superb David & many of the master's unfinished works.
Day 6: Florence, Siena, & Assisi Florence Siena Assisi
Drive to Siena. This fine medieval city sits on gentle hills between three river valleys. Visit the Sanctuary of St. Catherine & Basilica St. Dominic to see the black and white marble walls and columns & the decorative inlaid marble floors. Continue to Assisi for an evening at leisure.
Day 7: Assisi & Rome
Picturesquely situated atop a large hill, the quaint town of Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis. Visit the Basilica, built between 1228 & 1230 to hold the body of St. Francis. On our walking tour, we will also visit the Basilica of St. Clare. Late afternoon return to Rome.
Day 8: Rome
Departure from Rome.