Faith in Life Tour: Orvieto, The Sacred Destination of Assisi and Rome
The “Faith in Life” tour begins with a scenic drive featuring Italy's Umbria and Lazio regions, with overnights in Orvieto, Assisi and Rome.
The tour continues with Ancient Rome, The Vatican and Sistine Chapel by day, with a romantic panoramic journey through Rome's illuminated sites by night. This includes an extended tour of the Vatican for Pope Francis' extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Catholic or not, you'll enjoy the culture and history of this spiritual getaway symbolizing forgiveness, renewal and mercy.
Finally, you'll also have time at leisure for shopping and a Roman Food Tour at EATALY.
Meals include aperitivo (the Italian version of happy hour), five-course meals, wine and sweets. Starting at $2,500, this seven night, eight day all-inclusive tour is a delight for the first-time visitor, the Italian enthusiast or group of pilgrims.
DAY 1: WELCOME TO ROME/ORVIETO
Arrive in Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (Fiumicino FCO). At 10:30 am, your chauffeur will whisk you away to the Italian countryside towards Orvieto.
Located in Italy's Umbria Region, just north of Rome, Orvieto's ancient Etruscan and Pre-Roman history still lives today, and waits for your discovery. Consider a light afternoon tour, with main points of interest including the papal residence, Duomo di Orvieto, and secrets of ancient tunnels. For lunch, enjoy a pre-arranged light lunch. Try not to eat too much, as you'll want to indulge in our welcome dinner, a sampling of Umbria's rich region.
Overnight stay in Orvieto, Umbria
DAY 2: ORVIETO/THE SACRED DESTINATION OF ASSISI
Rise and shine! After breakfast at your lovely hotel, continue your stay with an English-speaking tour guide escorting you through the must-see sites in Orvieto followed by lunch in the historic center.
After lunch, your chauffeur will whisk you away again, through the scenic region of Umbria towards the sacred destination of Assisi — best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi — patron saint of Italy, founder of the Franciscan order, and one the most popular Catholic saints in history. Consider a light afternoon tour, with main points of interest including the Papal Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Maria degli Angeli Church (Porziuncola), Convento di San Damiano, Basilica di Santa Chiara, and Eremo della Carceri.
Dinner will served at a classic Umbrian restaurant in the historic center of Assisi.
Overnight stay in Assisi
DAY 3: ASSISI
After your breakfast this morning, the entire day will be dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi with an English-speaking tour guide.
We will visit main points of interest and learn why this sacred destination is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its religious, historical, and artistic significance.
Lunch and dinner will be served at a classic Umbrian restaurant in the historic center of Assisi.
Overnight stay in Assisi
DAY 4: ASSISI/ROME
After breakfast this morning, your chauffeur will whisk you away to your Rome city center hotel at 11am. Stunning views of Roman Ruins, Baroque Cathedrals, The Colosseum and Circo Massimo romantically await from your new window and rooftop. If hungry, enjoy a pre-arranged light lunch. Try not to eat too much, as you'll want to indulge in the legendary Roman feast for dinner, which not only takes a few hours, but also includes several courses.
After lunch, enjoy a couple of hours at leisure to get settled before your chauffeur whisks you away again for "Rome at Night." An illuminated panoramic tour, featuring the Eternal City's historic monuments, cathedrals and piazzas. "Rome at Night" is a highlight for most first-time travelers as it's not only an introduction to Rome, but to Italy's past and present.
Afterwards, continue to your welcome dinner at a local trattoria. Trattorias are popular in Italy as they are family-owned, and therefore smaller and more intimate. Your five course Roman feast, begins with aperitivo, continuing with primi, secondi, dolci e cafe. We won't forget the limoncello, which is a sweet, lemon-flavored after-dinner digestif. You'll also drink a glass of wine with every course. Expect similar feasts for the remainder of the tour; in Italy every meal with good company is reason enough to celebrate.
Overnight in Rome
DAY 5: ROME RELIGIOUS CENTER WITH THE JUBILEE OF MERCY TOUR
Rise and shine! The following three days begin with American-style buffet breakfast at the hotel. Continue your Roman holiday with an English-speaking tour guide escorting you through the most famous ancient Roman sites, with an extended tour at The Vatican for Pope Francis’ Special Jubilee Year.
On Friday, March 13, 2015, Pope Francis announced that a special jubilee year starting in December would focus on the theme of Mercy. The special jubilee year runs from December 8, 2015 until November 20, 2016.
Major highlights include Vatican City, where St. Peter’s Basilica lies. Finish with Michelangelo's Dome and Pieta, as well as Bernini’s baroque Baldacchino di San Pietro. St. Peter's Basilica was originally built above the bones of St. Peter.
Trek up to the top of the dome (or take the elevator to the top) and head to the Vatican Museums, finishing with the Sistine Chapel, where Pope Francis was elected. Once a pope has passed, cardinals from around the world gather here for Conclave to elect the next pope in the Sistine Chapel; black smoke rises from a rooftop chimney declaring the pope's death, while white smoke signals "Habemus Papam!" a new pope has been chosen.
Overnight in Rome
DAY 6: ANCIENT ROME/THE LIFE OF APOSTLE PAUL
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a tour of Ancient Rome with your local English-speaking tour guide. Sites include the Basilica di San Clemente, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Capitol Hill, the Mamertine Prison where Apostle Paul was imprisoned, Piazza di Spagna, Fontana di Trevi, and The Pantheon.
Later this afternoon, you'll have time at leisure for shopping or to buy historic and/or religious souvenirs. Perhaps stroll through the exclusive shopping districts surrounding Via dei Condotti and Via del Corso, or pop in and out of shops by Piazza Risorgimento and Via Veneto.
Lunch and dinner will continue to be served at a classic Italian restaurant in Rome's historic center.
Overnight in Rome
DAY 7: ROMAN FOOD TOUR AT EATALY/THE LIFE OF APOSTLE PAUL CONTINUED
Buon giorno! After your American-style buffet breakfast, enjoy a food tour, as well as food, wine and olive oil tastings at the famous EATALY. A food emporium endorsed by the Slow Food movement, EATALY is home to fresh food, wine and coffee produced by small companies, farmers and vintners from Italy's 20 regions. While touring through EATALY, guests can stop along the way for pizza Margherita, prosciutto crudo, mozzarella and more.
You'll be escorted on a tour through different food stations with a show and tell that'll teach you about the history and old-world recipes of pizza and mozzarella. During the tour, you’ll stroll past some of the best bread bakers of the country, who use organic flour and yeast base for their key ingredients. Then you'll have a chance to sample some of old-world recipes in modern-day Italy. You’ll also visit the brewery to learn how Italians make their, birra, before tasting it. Finally, you’ll finish your tour and tasting with a sampling of Italian cured meats.
Later this afternoon, we'll take a much needed walk and visit The Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, commonly known as St Paul's Outside the Walls, and learn more of Apostle Paul's final days in Rome.
Overnight in Rome
DAY 8: ‘ARRIVEDERCI’ ITALY
Tour comes to an end. On the final day, we will organize transportation to Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (Fiumicino FCO) at 7AM. That is, unless you’ve decided to move to Italy at this point, for La Dolce Vita.
