ROME THE CITY OF MARTYRS AND SAINTS

4 nights / 5 days – arrival city ROME departure city ROME

DAY 01: ROME

Upon arrival in Rome, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
En route you will have a panoramic city tour along Piazza Della Repubblica with Najads Fountain, Via Nazionale, Piazza Venezia Drive on the Via Dei Fori Imperiali Roman Forum and capitol Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, Aventin Hill, and Porta S. Paolo.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.

DAY 02: ROME

This morning we begin our exploration of Rome “The City of Martyrs and Saints”. We first visit the Vatican Museums, a group of impressive buildings with hundreds of rooms, hall, galleries, libraries and chapels overflowing with art treasures. The most beautiful of the chapels is “The Sistine Chapel” world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and “The Last Judgment.” We then visit St. Peter’s Basilica the largest church in the world, built over the tomb of St. Peter. This is where Peter preached and died and where he is buried along with 148 of his papal successors. Upon entering the Basilica, we find Michelangelo’s Pieta and many works of art from Giotto and Bernini. This afternoon there will be free time for lunch and to explore the Vatican area on your own, and to shop. You can climb the 419 steps to the top of Michelangelo’s dome, the view from the top of the dome, makes the trip worthwhile. You can visit the jewels of the Vatican, or the tombs of the Popes. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 03: ROME

Breakfast in the hotel.This morning we will start with a visit to St. Mary Major Basilica, continue to Basilica of St. John in Lateran, the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377. St. John Lateran is Rome’s cathedral; it is here that the pope officiates in his capacity as bishop of Rome.Free time for lunch.In the Afternoon, we will visit St. Paul Outside the Walls The burial place of St. Paul the Apostle. The chapel of relics has numerous relics, the most notable of which are a set chains said to be the prison chains of St. Paul, used in the last days before his execution.We proceed then via the Appian Way on our way to visit the Catacombs where early Christians held their forbidden service to escape persecution.Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 04: PAPAL AUDIENCE (MUST BE ON WEDNESDAY)

After breakfast, transfer to St. Peter’s Square for the Holy Father’s General Audience and Blessing.Free time for Lunch.

In the afternoon we visit the Trevi Fountain, where we toss a coin or three in the world’s most spectacular wishing well to ensure our return to Rome. We visit the Pantheon, in Piazza Della Rotunda, the most impressive and best preserved ancient monument. We also visit “Piazza Navona” one of the most beautiful Piazzas in Rome with many beautiful statues and Bernini’s Fountain of Four Rivers. Time for shopping in these Piazzas.

DAY 05: ROME

After breakfast, transfer to Fiumicino Airport in time for return flight.