The Vatican, Assisi & Southern Italy

Day 1
(Mon.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrival in Rome, Italy
(Tue.) Transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director, then enjoy this evening's welcome dinner with your traveling companions in a local restaurant. (D)

Day 3 Rome
(Wed.) Attend the weekly general audience of the Pope (subject to availability). This afternoon, visit ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS and the CATACOMBS with a Local Guide. During the persecutions, the catacombs were used as places of refuge for the celebration of the Eucharist. Then, visit ST. JOHN LATERAN BASILICA and the HOLY STAIRS, which were brought from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 AD by St. Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, and consist of 28 white marble steps. As a favorite of pilgrims everywhere, these steps may only be ascended on the knees. Lastly, visit the impressive ST. MARY MAJOR BASILICA. (B)

Day 4 Rome - Assisi
(Thu.) Morning sightseeing with your Local Guide starts with a visit to the VATICAN MUSEUMS and SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo's ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment. Continue to monumental ST. PETER'S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the River Tiber, and visit the COLOSSEUM, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World®, and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. Next, enjoy a pleasant drive through the Apennine Mountains to the hilltop village of Assisi, home of St. Francis and St. Clare. (B,D)

Day 5 Assisi
(Fri.) Celebrate Mass this morning followed by a guided walking tour of Assisi. Visit the BASILICAS OF ST. FRANCIS and ST. CLARE. See the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis, "Go, Francis, and repair my house, which as you see is falling into ruin." In addition, visit ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS BASILICA and the PORTIUNCULA. Balance of the day at leisure (B)

Day 6 Assisi - Pompeii - Sorrento
(Sat.) Arrive in Pompeii, the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. During your walking tour with a Local Guide, see a patrician home, public baths, and shops that give a striking picture of what day-to-day life was like in Roman times. Afterwards, arrive in the charming, bayside resort of Sorrento, where you will stay for the next two nights. (B)

Day 7 Sorrento. Excursion to Capri
(Sun.) Speed across the bay to the beautiful Isle of Capri, an ancient retreat for Roman emperors and renowned for its beauty ever since. Ride the FUNICULAR to Capri village for a guided visit of this pretty town. Enjoy free time to explore the little shops on the Piazzetta. Afterwards, return via Sorrento to your hotel. (B)

Day 8 Sorrento - Rome
(Mon.) Return to Rome and enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 9
(Tue.) Your homebound flight from Rome arrives the same day. (B)