Day 2 Rome
Early morning arrival in the Eternal City. Meet your guide and transfer to your first class hotel. Free afternoon. Dinner and overnight. 

Day 3 Rome (Papal Audience at the Vatican)
After breakfast we go to Vatican City to attend the weekly Papal Audience and Blessing given by His Holiness, John Paul II. Visit St Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St Peter was martyred. Unsurpassed in beauty, a monument to the long history of the Catholic Church, to which pilgrims come from around the world, St Peter's is the grandest of the world's churches. View such historical treasures as a piece of the true cross, the lance that pierced Christ's side, numerous papal tombs, and the splendors of Michelangelo's restored mural of the Last Judgment on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, his Pieta, and the four mighty columns supporting the magnificent dome. Dinner and overnight in Rome. 

Day 4 Rome 
After breakfast, we leave for a tour of Christian Rome. The tour includes the three major Basilicas: St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine containing a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus. The Basilica of St John in Lateran, the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377. St Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St Paul under its main altar and many other relics. We will also see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Arch of Drusus, Chapel "O'Domine Quo Vadis?", the remains of imperial tombs, Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the Catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Dinner and overnight in Rome. 

Day 5 Rome - Assisi - Rome
We leave the Eternal City for a full day tour of Assisi. After celebrating Mass at the tomb of St Francis, we explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St Francis which still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s, the period when St Francis began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are many of his possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. You may kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. It was in St Mary of the Angels Basilica where St Francis spent most of his life. Here we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. After stopping at an outdoor cafe with a view of an ancient Roman temple, we go to the Church of St Clare to see the saint's incorrupt body. The foundress of the Order of Poor Clares followed the teachings of St Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. We will visit these two saints' tombs before dinner and returning to Rome for overnight. 

Day 6 Rome
After breakfast we revisit Vatican City giving you ample time to visit the Vatican Garden, Library and Museum to see awe-inspiring relics and works of art donated throughout centuries as tributes of faith. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
 
Day 7 Rome - Florence
Today enjoy a full day excursion to the city of Florence, a paradise for art lovers. Florence is home to Michelangelo’s David. Dante, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelango and many others were drawn to Florence. Upon arrival, we tour the Academy of Fine Arts containing many treasures, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Duomo, Brunelleschi's great cathedral. You will be awed by Ghiberti's celebrated bronze doors at the Baptistery across the way. Free afternoon. Return for dinner and overnight in Rome. 

Day 8 Rome
A day at your leisure to shop or take an optional tour. This evening we have our farewell dinner in a typical Roman restaurant. Overnight in Rome. 

Day 9 Rome - USA
After breakfast transfer to Rome airport for your return flight home.. 

 Your Trip Includes: 
   Round-trip flight from New York to Rome
   7 nights at the first class Hotel Michelangelo or Hotel Qurinale
   Breakfast and dinner daily, incl. a farewell seven-course Roman banquet
   Wines, mineral water and coffee with all dinners
   Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
   Comprehensive sightseeing and admission fees
   Visits to four major basilicas
   Papal Audience
   Pilgrimage Certificate
   Full day tour to Assisi with lunch
   Full day tour to Florence
   Guided tours and admission fees
   Hotel taxes and service charges
   Mass daily and spiritual leaders
   All baggage handling
   Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

Not Included:  Lunches. Airport tax of $85. Travel insurance at $99. Tips to your guide & driver ($5 daily) .Items of personal nature.