Catholic Treasures in Italy

488 Days until departure

June 1, 2027 - June 10, 2027

Trip ID: Andrews-6978

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Day 1 Overnight Flight to Italy (Rome)

Day 2 Ciao Rome

Meet your tour director and check into hotel

Spanish Steps, , Pantheon,

Details: Rome city walk

Take a walk past Rome's most beautiful and unusual Baroque fountains. At the foot of the Spanish Steps, elegant cafes surround the central fountain. The water pressure here was so low that the artist had to sink the fountain into the ground to get any water going through it, so he went ahead and designed the fountain to look like a sinking ship. There's no shortage of water pressure at the nearby Trevi Fountain, a Baroque extravagance designed by master sculptor Bernini.

Details: Trevi Fountain

View the Trevi Fountain, where it is traditional to toss a coin into the fountain to ensure a safe return to the Eternal City.

Details: Piazza Navona

We will spend some time in the Piazza Navona area. Built on the foundations of Domitian's Circus, this magnificent square was designed by Borromini in 17th century. It is full of life and is highlighted by one of Rome's most spectacular fountains, the Four Rivers designed by Bernini. The square is often filled with local artists. The surrounding neighborhood is also one of the best places in Rome to get a tasty tartufo or gelato ice cream

Details: Daily reflection and group discussion

"We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience" - John Dewey On every evening of the program, we will set time aside to update our Reflection Journal and share thoughts and impressions that have come to the fore in the course of the day.

Day 3 Rome

Private mass (any church)

, Arch of Constantine,

Details: Rome guided sightseeing tour

Gods and gladiators, glory and gore. Ancient Rome lives on in its spectacular monuments, flavoring the frenetic present with tastes of the past. Don a space-age Whisper headset to get the inside scoop on the most spectacular, the Colosseum, a grisly battle arena that seated more than 45,000. An enormous retractable roof awning system kept spectators cool on sunny days. The nearby Forum provides a glimpse into everyday ancient life, with markets, meeting places, and temples all combined into one vast space.

Details: Colosseum visit with Whisper headset

The Colosseum, considered to be the greatest symbol of Ancient Rome's power and glory, was completed under Titus in 80 A.D. The Colosseum could hold 55,000 spectators, on a par with many of today's modern sports stadiums. Among the sights included is the Arch of Constantine, a triumphal arch finished in 315 A.D., commemorating the victory of Constantine I over Maxentius in the year 312 A.D.

Details: Forum Romanum visit

Tour the ruins and excavations of the Roman Forum, which features the remains of magnificent temples, basilicas, and triumphal arches that once formed the heart of the Empire.

Details: Trajan Market visit

Enjoy a view of Trajan’s Column and Market. Completed in 113 A.D. as a monument to the Emperor Trajan, the column is most famous for its spiral bas-relief. It stands in front of the market, the ancient equivalent of a shopping center, which housed no less than 150 shops and offices. From there, stroll past the Victor Emmanuel Monument, a giant building created to honor the first king of a unified Italy.

Details: Pantheon visit

Visit the Pantheon, Rome's best-preserved monument. The Pantheon is a masterpiece of architecture with its huge hemispherical dome. It also contains the tombs of the kings of Italy and that of the artist, Raphael

Details: Dinner in Piazza Navona

This evening we will dine in the Piazza Navona area. Built on the foundations of Domitian's Circus, this magnificent square was designed by Borromini in 17th century. It is full of life and highlighted by the Four Rivers fountains designed by Bernini. The surrounding neighborhood is also one of the best places in Rome to get a tasty tartufo or gelato ice cream.

Day 4 Rome--Siena

Mass at St. Peter's Basilica (pending availability)

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, Raphael Rooms, St. Peter’s Basilica visit

Siena city walk

Details: Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets

Experience a specialist-guided tour of the Vatican City, including the Museums, home to one of the world's most impressive collections of art. Our tour includes the map tapestry rooms, the magnificent Raphael Rooms, and the spectacular Sistine Chapel, highlighted by Michelangelo's ceiling and his Last Judgment. We will continue into St. Peter's Square to visit St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the western world and the centre of Catholicism. Highlights of our visit include Michelangelo's Pieta and Bernini's magnificent Baldacchino over the high altar.

Details: Travel to Siena

Once a capital to rival Florence, Siena is arguably Italy’s prettiest medieval town, and still possesses the grandeur of the age when it was at its peak.

Day 5 Siena

Attend Private Mass

, ,

Details: Siena guided sightseeing tour

During your guided sightseeing tour you will see multiple sites in Siena. Visit the Duomo, highlighted by distinctive striped marble columns. Our visit will include the beautiful Piccolomini Library, designed to house the cathedral’s collection of illuminated manuscripts. The magnificent room features an unrivaled ceiling and large frescoes depicting important events in the life of Pope Pius II. Visit the Sanctuary of St. Catherine, which was home to one of the greatest female mystics who ever lived. Having had her first mystical experience at the age of 6, St. Catherine was graced with many spiritual gifts, including the stigmata. She also helped convince Pope Gregory XI to return to the papacy to Rome.

Details: Siena Duomo visit

Enjoy the Piazza del Duomo, where the cathedral, tower, and baptistery exhibit the traditions of Florentine art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. We will observe the massive and detailed facade of the Duomo before viewing the baptistery’s bronze doors, designed by Ghiberti and which Michelangelo commented were worthy to be the “Gates of Paradise.” After a brief visit inside the Duomo, ascend the Bell Tower and climb the narrow steps to the top of the Red Dome and visit the spectacular interior of the Baptistery.

Details: Visit Piccolomini library

Our visit will include the beautiful Piccolomini Library, designed to house the cathedral’s collection of illuminated manuscripts. The magnificent room features an unrivaled ceiling and large frescoes depicting important events in the life of Pope Pius II.

Details: Church of St Catherine visit

Visit the Sanctuary of St. Catherine, which was home to one of the greatest female mystics who ever lived. Having had her first mystical experience at the age of 6, St. Catherine was graced with many spiritual gifts, including the stigmata. She also helped convince Pope Gregory XI to return to the papacy to Rome.

Day 6 Siena

Duomo, ,

Attend Private Mass

Details: Florence guided excursion

Florence is so deeply connected to the Renaissance movement in art and literature that it is often called the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” A walk through the peaceful piazzas reveals the architecture and sculpture that have made this beautiful city one of the world’s greatest artistic capitals.

Details: Piazza della Signoria

Spend time in the Piazza della Signoria, the political stage of Renaissance Florence and an open-air museum of sculpture.

Details: Accademia Gallery visit

Founded in 1563, the Accademia was the first school in Europe established to teach drawing, painting, and sculpting. Michelangelo's David (the biblical hero who slayed Goliath) is the most famous work on display.

Day 7 Siena--Assisi

Private Mass

St. Carlo acuti tomb visit

Church of Santa Maria Maggiore visit

Details: Travel to Assisi

A small town of narrow streets and medieval walls, Assisi might never have been famous had it not been the birthplace of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan order. Today it is a major destination for religious pilgrims and art lovers alike. You’ll explore the Basilica of St. Francis, built in the 13th century to hold the saint’s body. Ironically, the body was hidden so well in the basilica that it took 600 years of digging to find it.

Details: Assisi guided sightseeing tour

The medieval town of Assisi is heir to the legacy of its most prominent citizen, St. Francis. Although the town was damaged in the earthquake of 1997, it has been restored to its former glory with geranium-hung streets, lovely views, and fountain-splashed piazzas.

Details: St. Francis' Basilica guided visit

Details: Basilica of St. Clare visit

Explore the Church of Santa Chiara, resting place for St. Clare’s bones, and home of St. Francis’s miraculous crucifix. Our visit will include the Neo-Gothic Crypt and the Oratorio del Crocifisso, which preserves the venerated 12th century crucifix that spoke to St. Francis at San Damiano and set him on his holy path.

Day 8 Assisi--Rome

Travel to Rome

Private mass (any church)

Details: Catacombs visit

Visit the enormous church of St. Paul Outside the Walls, built over the original tomb of the saint, and then descend into the early Christian catacombs, dating from the first to fourth centuries. Thousands of Christians, including Saints Peter and Paul and several popes, were entombed here at one time. There are still signs of early Christianity, including frescoes of fish and doves and inscriptions on the tombs themselves. Overhead runs the Appian Way, the world’s first real highway, which stretched southeast over 350 miles from Rome.

Details: Church of Saint Alphonsus Liguori visit

Enjoy a visit to the Victorian-Gothic Church of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, including the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This shrine houses the famous Marian icon that was originally venerated on the island of Crete. Legend has it that a merchant allegedly took the picture to hide it from the ensuing Turkish forces. Years later, it was first venerated in Rome in 1499 AD.

Details: Gelato making demonstration and tasting

Watch a Gelato-making Demonstration at an authentic and working gelato laboratory to learnthe art of Italian ice cream. After we see the process of the gelato being made, we will havethe opportunity to taste some of our favorite flavors.

Day 9 Rome

Private mass (any church)

Attend the Weekly Papal Audience (pending availability)

Details: Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano visit

Visit the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, the cathedral church of the diocese of Rome.The interior is credited to Borromini, and remains believed to have been painted by Giotto have also been discovered.

Details: Santa Maria Maggiore visit

Visit Santa Maria Maggiore. One of Rome’s four patriarchal basilicas, the church dates back to the 5th century. Along with its Baroque interior and Romanesque bell tower, the basilica is noted for a cycle of mosaics from the 5th century that decorate the arch and nave, depicting biblical scenes.

Details: Cooking class with dinner

Learn to cook with some of Italy's most famous foods. Join a professional chef in the kitchen to learn how to make delicious traditional dishes, and then reward your hard work with a taste of the finished product!

Day 10 Flight home from Rome

Details: Recognize perspectives and communicate ideas

Throughout the program, we will set time aside time for discussion, guided reflection, and time to write reflections on self-discovery and what we have learned. "We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience" - John Dewey

Tour Includes

Round-trip airfare and other transportation described in the itinerary
Basic Medical, Dental, Emergency Evacuation Insurance during trip
Up to three college credits upon course completion (grades 9-12) or high school credit (grades 6-12)
Centrally located three- and four-star hotels
Plentiful daily breakfast to start the day energized and ready to go
Appetizing, culturally representative, three-course dinner daily
Full time, multilingual, WorldStrides tour director who is LEAP-trained in experiential education
Local guide at sites and on city tours as described in the itinerary
LEAP! Learning through Exploration and Active Participation; trademarked immersive approach of learning by doing
Entrances and transportation to sites and activities described in your itinerary
Local guide and local bus driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
24/7 On Tour Emergency Support
Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, any required passport or visa fees, optional excursions, or recommended Tips for the Tour Director or multi-day Bus Drivers. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid tips, or other individual/group customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.

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Catholic Treasures in Italy

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