ITINERARY

Day 1. Monday, June 2: Transatlantic flight to Rome, Italy

Day 2. Tuesday, June 3:  Arrival into Rome

Welcome to the Eternal City! Upon your arrival, meet your bus driver and then make a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, constructed on the site of the hallowed tomb of the apostle, resplendent with mosaics, art treasures, and gold. Among the Basilica’s most precious relics include a portion of the wood of the True Cross, and part of the lance that pierced Christ’s side. See the beloved statue of St. Peter and render homage to the many buried popes. Finally, climb up to the Dome to enjoy spectacular views of Rome. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (D) 

Day 3. Wednesday, June 4: Rome

Begin the day with a visit to St. Clement’s Basilica, named after St. Peter’s third successor and built on the house where the saint was born. It offers a centuries-long collection of monuments that traverses most of the city’s history. Continue to St. John Lateran, the mother of all churches and the cathedral of the bishop of Rome where one finds exceptional relics, and the Scala Santa, containing the Holy Stairs that Jesus Christ ascended during His Passion in Pontius Pilate’s palace. Finally, visit the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, founded by Constantine in 320 AD to house the relics of Christ’s Passion, brought back from the Holy Land by his mother, St. Helen. Lunch is on your own. The rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Rome. (BB, D)

Day 4. Thursday, June 5: Rome

This morning, have a guided visit of the Catacombs of St. Calixtus, the oldest and most important cemetery along the Via Appia. The area includes the tombs of many martyrs and popes, including Sixtus II, a venerated pontiff who was killed with his deacons, one of them St. Lawrence, patron saint of Rome. Continue to the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, consecrated to the Roman soldier shot by arrows during the persecution of Diocletian. The Chapel of Relics contains one of the arrows that pierced the saint and the column of his martyrdom. St. Sebastian is one of the seven patriarchal basilicas in Rome, famous also because the remains of Sts. Peter and Paul were temporarily interred here. Have lunch together at the Cecelia Metella Restaurant. The rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Rome. (BB, L, D)

Day 5. Friday, June 6: Rome – Free Day

Enjoy a full free day to yourself to visit the city at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rome. (BB, D)

Day 6. Saturday, June 7: Rome – Free Day

An entire free day in the Eternal City. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Rome. (BB, D)

Day 7. Sunday, June 8: Rome

Today, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Ancient Rome. Begin with the Roman Forum which was the political and economic center of Rome during the Republic. Then, tour the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater in the Roman world, built by the Roman emperors between 72 and 80 AD on a site earlier occupied by the artificial lake of Nero’s immense Domus Aurea. Continue to see the ruins of the Circus Maximus. This huge stadium was able to seat 250,000 spectators for chariot races and other spectacles. Finally, visit St. Maria in Aracoeli, the name of the church recalls the emperor Augustus had an altar built here following the appearance of the Virgin and a prophecy announcing to him the birth of the Redeemer. Inside, venerate the miraculous icon of the Madonna of Aracoeli, the Holy Child of Aracoeli carved from wood from an olive tree in Jerusalem, and the relics of St. Helen. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure and return to the hotel on your own for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)

Day 8. Monday, June 9: Rome

Embark on a half-day sightseeing, starting with the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, built on the site indicated by the Virgin Mary to Pope Liberius by a miraculous snowfall; it houses the relic of Our Lord’s manger in Bethlehem. Then, visit the Church of St. Praxedes, in whose house the apostle St. Peter stayed. The church houses the Column of the Flagellation brought from Jerusalem in 1223 and a reliquary containing three thorns from Christ’s crown. Finally, visit St. Pudenziana. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)

Day 9. Tuesday, June 10: Rome – Subiaco – Genazzano

Today, take a day excursion to Subiaco and Genazzano. In Subiaco, pay homage to St. Benedict and his sister St. Scholastica by having a guided visit of their monasteries, including the ancient library. Have lunch together at Foresteria Santa Scolastica in Subiaco. Then, drive to Genazzano, venerate the miraculous image of Our Lady of Good Counsel. This miraculous image traveled from Albania, crossed the Adriatic Sea, and descended onto one of the church’s unfinished walls. The portrait is suspended in the air and has been so for over 500 years. It is one of the most miraculous and venerated images of Our Lady in Italy. Return to Rome for dinner and overnight. (BB, L, D)

Day 10. Wednesday, June 11: Rome

Full day walking sightseeing of Chiesa Nuova, St. Agnes, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, St. Ignatius, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, and Il Gesu. Have lunch on your own and take the remainder of the afternoon after listed visits on your own. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Rome. (BB, D) 

Day 11. Thursday, June 12: Rome

Today, visit Santa Cecilia and Santa Maria in Trastevere. Have lunch on your own. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Rome. (BB, D)  

Day 12. Friday, June 13: Transatlantic flight home

Transfer to Rome’s international airport for your homebound flight. (BB)