Rome and Tuscany

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. You will immediately transfer to Florence in the beautiful Tuscany region of Italy, then proceed to visit the massive church called the Duomo where you can view Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise and Giotto's Bell Tower. Afterward, there will be free time to explore and shop, and maybe even participate in the optional climb to the top of the Duomo — all 400+ stairs! You will enjoy dinner that evening in an atmosphere only Florence can provide, then return to the hotel to close the day with devotions and group discussion. (Fees for optional activities are not included in the price of the trip.)

Day 3

This morning your group will tour the Galleria dell'Accademia, where you will see the towering statue of David. Later you will enjoy a walk over to the Church of San Lorenzo, then break for lunch and free time to shop in the open market. The group will set out to view Piazza della Signoria then stroll by the Uffizi and across the Ponte Vecchio. In the afternoon you will also take a walk over to the Piazzale Michelangelo to get a breathtaking view of the city from above. The evening will conclude with dinner and devotions at your hotel.

Day 4

Traveling through the Chianti countryside, you will soak in the views of Tuscany as your group makes its way south to the city of San Gimignano. After a short walking tour, a bit of free time and lunch, the group will travel to Siena where you will enjoy a delightful dinner. In Siena you will see the famous Piazza del Campo and the Duomo, and you you might even want to participate in the optional activity of climbing the Tower of Mangia. The night will close in Siena with devotions and discussion.

Day 5

Beginning in the morning, you will once again enjoy the hills and countryside of Italy as the group returns to Rome by bus. You will have a chance in the evening to visit the Spanish Steps and take some free time for shopping before heading over to the enormous Trevi Fountain. Your group will enjoy dinner in the city before returning to the hotel for devotions and discussion.

Day 6

You will travel to Vatican City for the day and visit St. Peter's Basilica, which will provide opportunity for your group to discuss Catholicism and its impact on Christianity. A highlight of the day will be going through the Vatican Museum and seeing Michelangelo's masterful works in the Sistine Chapel. In the afternoon, your group will head over to Piazza Navona for a view of the Pantheon then stop for dinner in the city before returning to the hotel for devotions.

Day 7

Your final day in Rome with allow you to explore this Eternal City! Your group will spend time visiting the 2000-year-old Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus, and the ancient Roman Forum. You will also tour Mamertine Prison, known as the traditional site of St. Paul's imprisonment while in Rome. Following lunch in the area, the group will catch a bus for the short ride over to the Catacombs. After a tour of this interesting place, you will then head back into the city for dinner before returning to the hotel for your final evening of devotions and discussion.

Day 8

This morning you will head to the airport for your flight home after an amazing week in Italy.