Day 1: Arrival Rome
Welcome to Rome; upon arrival at Fiumicino Airport, your Tour Director will be there to greet you and show you to your bus. You will enjoy a brief orientation of the city (time permitting) before reaching your Hotel. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel.
Day 2: Colosseum & Palatine Hill-Bible Teaching
You commence your day at Palatino. The Palatine Hill is the centremost of the Seven Hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city. It stands 40 meters above the Roman Forum, looking down upon it on one side and upon the Circus Maximus on the other. Gather for our initial Teaching overlooking the Colosseum. Your tour continues with a guided visit of the Colosseum ( outside view ) and a panoramic tour of Rome. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel.
Day 3: Roman Forum, Mamertine Prison & Trevi Fountain
Paul went to Rome as a prisoner in chains; Acts 2-28 tells us the story, Arrested in Jerusalem, imprisoned at Caesarea for two years, Paul appealed to Caesar and suffered a shipwreck on his way to Rome as a prisoner. After two years, Paul was released from his imprisonment, after which he traveled and wrote two more epistles before his final Roman imprisonment in Mamertine Prison. You visit Mamertine prison today, and you gather at a nice room right on top of the jail for your Teaching. You continue with a walking tour through Roman Forum and towards the Arch of Titus; the Arch's inside relief portrays Roman soldiers carrying off treasures from Jerusalem Temple, destroyed by Titus in 70 AD. Jesus predicted this destruction (MATH 24:1-2) We continue to Pantheon, Piazza Navona & Trevi Fountain. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel.
Day 4: Tre Fontane, St Paul Outside the Walls & Roman Catacombs
This morning you start your day at the most inspiring place, Tre Fontane (Abbey of Three Fountains). Tradition tells us Paul was martyred outside the walls of Rome at a place most people have never heard of—one of the Christian sites not on the tourist maps. Don't confuse Tres Fontane with the famous Trevi Fountain. It's called Tres Fontane ("Three Fountains") because, according to legend, after Paul's head was cut off, it bounced three times, and three fountains sprung up! You gather at the gardens here for your Teaching. Next, you see the Church of St Paul outside the walls; many believe Paul is buried here. You continue to the Catacombs. Most famous for the early Christians buried here, the catacombs offer an essential contribution to early Christian art. Early frescoes and sculptures still exist in the catacombs. Most touching are the smaller burial spots carved out for children who had died. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel
Day 5: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St Peter Basilica & Spanish Steps
This morning you visit The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica. Almost all Christians martyred in the Circus of Gaius/Nero—the site where St. Peter's Square now stands. The Egyptian obelisk in the center of the square is original to the circus, though it stood in a different spot. Here Peter was crucified, according to tradition, upside down ( John 21:18-19). He is most likely buried deep beneath the Basilica in the original burial cave. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a walk through the Spanish Steps. Dinner and overnight
Day 6: Pompeii & Pozzuoli
Full-Day tour to Pompei, the end of the pagan world! Discover some of the world's most fascinating ruins, including the famous death casts, and enjoy a view of Vesuvius, the famous Italian Volcano. Continue for a view of Naples. There you will stumble upon the port of Pozzuoli, where Paul docked on his journey from Malta to Rome. Return to Rome for dinner and overnight
Day 7: Basilica of St. John Lateran & Church of St. Peter in Chains
San Giovanni in Laterano, otherwise known as the Basilica of St. John Lateran, is the historical and official Church of the Pope. Upon entering, you will see the statues of the 12 Apostles, 6 in each wall (South & North) sketched by Pope's Clement favorite painter, Carlo Maratta. Then head next door to the Lateran Palace where the supposed steps of Pontius Pilate, known from the Biblical account of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, exist. Today pilgrims ascend the 28 steps on their knees. San Pietro in Vincoli is a Roman Catholic titular church and minor Basilica in Rome, Italy, best known for being the home of Michelangelo's statue of Moses. Afternoon to walk in Rome downtown. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel.
Day 8: Departure
