DAY    1            DEPARTURE FROM NORTH AMERICA
Enjoy a full meal service on you scheduled wide-bodied flight to Rome.

DAY    2            ARRIVE ROME - FLORENCE AREA (2 NIGHTS)
You will be met at the airport by your Casterbridge Tour Manager/Guide and transfer to your hotel in Florence. Time and hotel location permitting, we will stop just outside the city to explore Piazzale Michelangelo, which offers a splendid panoramic view of Florence's domes and towers.

DAY    3            FLORENCE (CRADLE OF THE RENAISSANCE)
We begin with a visit to the Accademia Gallery, where we will view Michelangelo's statuary masterpiece, David. We continue to the Piazza del Duomo, where the Cathedral, Tower and Baptistery display the traditions of Florentine art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. We will view the massive and detailed façade of the Duomo, before viewing the Baptistery's bronze doors by Ghiberti, which Michelangelo commented were worthy to be the "Gates of Paradise." After a brief visit inside the Duomo, we will have the opportunity to do one of the following: ascend the Bell Tower, climb the narrow steps to the top of the red Dome, or visit the spectacular interior of the Baptistery (One admission included). Our afternoon begins in the Piazza della Signoria, the political stage of Renaissance Florence and virtually an open-air museum of sculpture. Our afternoon concludes with a visit to Church of Santa Croce, where many famous Italians are buried.

DAY    4            FLORENCE AREA - ASSISI - ROME (5 NIGHTS)
Today our journey continues as we travel to Assisi. This delightful walled city is largely associated with one of the world's most beloved saints, Francis. The city has actually changed very little since his time, and the spirit of St. Francis still permeates the area. Our first stop will be the Church of St. Clare, dedicated to the foundress of the Order of the Poor Clares. She worked close with Francis throughout her life and was also called to a radical lifestyle of community, prayer, and service to the poor. Inside the Church we will see the Byzantine style Cross of San Damiano. Legend has it that Christ spoke to Francis from this very cross and called him to "rebuild my church". We will have time to visit the undercroft and pray at the bones of this holy woman. The tour moves on with a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis. This "Double Basilica" combines the wishes of the St. Francis for a simple and unassuming burial place, and the desire of the city to celebrate the life and legacy of one of its own. It is now two superimposed churches resting on a series of arches. The lower church hold's true to the saint's wishes and is simple and somber. The upper Basilica is a Gothic work, with a tall and graceful nave and walls adorn with a cycle of Fresco's by Giotto. We will have time to visit his tomb, the Chapel of the Transitus, and the upper and lower churches. Time permitting we will visit the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels and the small Porziuncola Chapel inside the basilica. In the afternoon we continue on to Rome, the "Eternal City". Upon arrival we will enjoy a brief orientation tour and a visit to the Piazza Navona. Here we will see the famous Four Rivers Fountain by Bernini and view the work of local artists and crafters. This is an ideal place to enjoy a gelato or relax absorbing the people and activity.

DAY    5            ROME (CITY OF THE CAESARS)
Today we will explore Rome's most spectacular remains from the powerful Roman Empire, commencing with a specialist guided tour of the Colosseum, considered the symbol of Rome's eternity. Completed under Titus in 80 A.D., over 55,000 spectators could watch the gladiatorial games. We continue with a walk through the ruins and excavations of the Roman Forum, featuring the remains of magnificent temples, basilicas and triumphal arches, which once formed the heart of the Empire. Our tour concludes with a visit to the Mamertine Prison, once reserved for those that posed a threat to the security of Rome including Saints Peter and Paul, before viewing Trajan's Column and Markets and the grandiose Vittorio Emmanuelle Monument. Our afternoon includes a visit to the Pantheon, one of the grandest and the best-preserved Roman monuments, which today houses the tombs of Raphael, Vittorio Emmanuelle II, and Queen Margherita.

DAY    6            ROME (CITY OF THE POPES)
Our day at the Vatican City will begin with a visit to the Vatican Museums, which house one of the most impressive collections of art in the world, including the magnificent Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo's extraordinary ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. After a break for lunch just outside the Vatican walls, we will continue to St. Peter's Square. The majesty and size of St. Peter's Basilica upon entry is unforgettable. It contains many treasures and masterpieces, including the famous Pieta by Michelangelo, the tomb of St. Peter and Bernini's magnificent Baldacchino. We may be able to arrange a Papal Audience (subject to availability and the Holy Father's schedule).

DAY    7            ROME (OUTSIDE THE WALLS)
Today we travel to the Ancient Appian Way, the first and most important of the great roads, which the Romans built. Here we will visit the little Chiesa di Santa Maria in Palmis, or Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis, where, according to tradition, St. Peter spoke with Jesus when St. Peter was fleeing Rome in order to escape Nero's persecution. Peter asked "Domine, quo vadis?" meaning "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus reproached him, inviting him to retrace his steps, even if it meant he would be crucified. Then we will explore the Catacombs where the Early Christians of ancient Rome were buried underground. Upon our return to Rome, we will visit the Church of St Peter in Chains where the chains that held St. Peter are on display.

DAY    8            ROME
Our touring day beings at the Castel Sant' Angelo, originally built as Hadrian's Mausoleum, has served as a burial place for emperors, a fortress and prison before becoming a museum in 1925. It contains a historical military museum, paintings, rich ceramics, sculptures and tapestries. Next we will visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the ecumenical mother church and official seat of the Pope. Then we will walk past the Holy Steps, which according to tradition, were brought back by St. Helena from the Holy Land and are the steps that Christ ascended as He was condemned by Pilate. We will then visit the Shrine of our Lady of Perpetual Help, where ample time will be provided for personal prayer and meditation. This afternoon we visit Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the four major basilicas in Rome and the largest dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its interior is quite impressive because of mosaics that depict scenes from the Old Testament. We will visit the Piazza di Spagna, one of the great meeting places in Rome and climb the Spanish Steps to the church of Trinita dei Monti for an excellent panorama of the city. You will have the opportunity to throw coins into the Trevi Fountain to ensure you return to the Eternal City.

DAY    9            DEPARTURE FROM ROME
Your enjoyable and rewarding tour will come to an end as your Casterbridge Tour Manager/Guide accompanies you to the airport for the return flight.