Rome to Venice

Days 1-2

Your group will take an overnight flight into Rome where your Joshua Expeditions guide will be waiting for you at the airport. The group will first head over to the Catacombs of San Sebastiano, then on to the hotel for check-in. You will have time in the evening to visit the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain before returning to the hotel for devotions and group discussion.

Day 3

Today you will have your first chance to extensively tour the Eternal City of Rome! You will visit the ancient Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, Arch of Titus and the Roman Forum, then take a tour of Mamertine Prison, the traditional site of St. Paul’s captivity while in Rome. In the evening your group will visit the site of the Pantheon and then head over to Piazza Navona before closing the day with devotions at the hotel.

Day 4

This morning your group will venture out to Vatican City to tour the Vatican Museum and see the famous Sistine Chapel. Following lunch you will enjoy a short walk to St. Peter’s Basilica where your group will pause for a quick study of Catholicism and its impact on Christianity. You will have dinner in the city before returning back to the hotel for a time of devotions and discussion.

Day 5

Today your group will transfer to Florence, in the beautiful Tuscany region of Italy, and take some time to visit the massive church called the Duomo, where you will see Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise and Giotto's Bell Tower. At the Duomo the group will tour the inside dome and the ornate baptistery before enjoying dinner in an atmosphere only Florence can provide. You will have time afterward to stroll through Ponte Vecchio and other famous shopping areas of Florence before returning to the hotel for devotions and discussion.

Day 6

You will rise early today and head over to the Galleria dell'Accademia to see the extraordinary statue of David, followed by a jaunt over to Pisa to visit the "Field of Miracles". You will have a chance to view the famous Cathedral, Baptistery, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and you might even want to climb to the top! In the evening the group will venture back into Florence for dinner then share a time of devotions at the hotel.

Day 7

Your group will continue further north up into Cinque Terra, one of the most beautiful places in Italy, where your coach will drop you off at the train station in La Spezia so you can enter into Monterosso. You will have some free time to eat lunch, shop and relax, maybe even taking the option to swim in the Mediterranean or catch some sun on the beach! You could also choose an optional 2-hour hike from Monterosso over to Vernazza but be sure to keep your cameras ready! The landscape is unbelievable! Your group will spend the afternoon in Riomaggiore before taking the train north to meet the coach in Sestri Levante. Your group will head to a hotel in Genova for the night, sharing a time of dinner and devotions on arrival.

Day 8

Today you will travel to the magical city of Venice, stopping along the way in Verona to view Juliet's balcony and the famous Arena. You will arrive in the afternoon at the hotel in Venice, then board a boat into the city where you will experience St. Mark's Square, many famous and unique stores, and other important historical and cultural sites. You may even want to take an optional evening gondola ride through the canals. The day will close at the hotel with a time of devotions and discussion. (Fees for optional activities are not included in the price of the trip.)

Day 9

There will be more time today for sightseeing and shopping on the island of Venice. The group will also visit the Basilica of St. Mark, and then have the option of visiting other notable sites such as The Doge's Palace or a famous glass-blowing shop in the area. You will return to Rome in the afternoon and close the day with dinner and devotions.

Day 10

Following breakfast the group will head south to Assisi for one final evening in Italy. After a quick check-in at the hotel, you will venture out into the city to view the Basilica of St. Francis and watch the sun set over the horizon. You will enjoy dinner in the city then head back to the hotel for devotions and discussion.

Day 11

Your unforgettable tour of Italy will conclude this morning as your group heads to the airport for the flight home.