9 Day Italy, Rome, Bologna and Venice

DAY 01:  NORTH AMERICA / EUROPE.  Evening departure from North America.  Dinner and breakfast are served on-board our trans-Atlantic flight. 

DAY 02:  ROME.  On arrival at the Rome Airport we are met by our tour escort and motorcoach.  This afternoon visit at St. Paul’s Basilica. Continue with Piazza Venezi, the Capitol, Imperium Forum, Aventine Hill and Circus Maximus.

DAY 03: ROME. This morning visit St. Calixt Catacombs, in front of the catacombs and a visit to Church of Quo Vadis, St Johns Lateran Basilica, Basilica minor of Santa Croce.  This afternoon is at leisure to see the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps or activities of your own.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 04: ROME.  After breakfast we visit the Basilicas including St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran.  We then visit The Vatican City including the Vatican Museum and Gallery, Raphael's Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. Stop at Cupola de la Basilica for an optional tour of your own. This afternoon, after shopping, we go to Trastevere for a local dinner.  The heart of the district is Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere with its lovely church, a 17th century palazzo and a fountain in the middle which is probably Rome's oldest.  Return to our hotel for overnight.

DAY 05: ROME.  Today is at leisure for activities of your own. Dinner on your own tonight.  

DAY 06: ROME / ORVIETO/ FLORENCE. Depart hotel for Segni Town. Visit ‘Seminario Internazionale San Vitaliano Papa’ di Segni. Travel to Florence via Orvieto to visit the Basilica.  Late this afternoon we arrive in Florence and visit Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge).  Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 07:  FLORENCE. Today we visit Florence, the city considered to be the cultural heart of Italy and former stronghold of the Medici family. Visit the Piazza della Signoria Church of St. Marcos, where the Neptune Fountain stands.  Then we visit the Basilica Santa Maria del Fiore, Convent of St Marcos, Michelangelo’s Museum and Palazzo Pitti. Continue to Bologna and our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 08: BOLOGNA / VENICE.  Drive across serene countryside to Venice. This afternoon we tour Venice, including St. Mark's Cathedral and Square, the Byzantine Basilica and The Doges Palace. Time for an optional gondola ride and visit the Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy a Farewell traditionaldinner at a local restaurant.  Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 09:  VENICE / NORTH AMERICA.  Today we transfer to the airport for our homeward flight taking with us many memories to be treasured indefinitely.