Day 1

Depart for Europe on your overnight flight!

Day 2

Your group will arrive at the airport in Rome where your Joshua Expeditions guide will meet you. You will transfer by bus to Florence in the beautiful Tuscany region of Italy, and then take time to visit the massive church called the Duomo, where you will view Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise and Giotto's Bell Tower. Afterward, there will be free time to explore and shop, and maybe even participate in the optional climb to the top of the Duomo — all 400+ stairs! You will have dinner that evening enjoying an atmosphere only Florence can provide, and then return back to the hotel for devotions and discussion. (Fees for optional activities are not included in the price of the trip.)

Day 3

This morning your group will make its way to the Galleria dell'Accademia, where you will see the towering statue of David. Later you will enjoy a walk over to the Church of San Lorenzo and break for lunch and free time to shop in the open market. You will view Piazza della Signoria then stroll by the Uffizi and across the Ponte Vecchio. In the afternoon you will also take a walk over to the Piazzale Michelangelo to get a breathtaking view of the city from above. The evening will conclude with dinner and devotions at your hotel.

Day 4

Today your group will travel through the Chianti countryside, making the way south to the city of San Gimignano while soaking in the country views of Tuscany. After a short walking tour, a bit of free time and lunch, you will travel to Siena where your group will enjoy dinner. Here you will see the famous Piazza del Campo and the Duomo, and you you might even want to participate in the optional activity of climbing the Tower of Mangia. The night will close in Siena with devotions and discussion.

Day 5

Beginning in the morning, you will once again enjoy the hills and countryside of Italy as the group returns to Rome by bus. You will have a chance in the evening to visit the Spanish Steps and take some free time for shopping before heading over to the enormous Trevi Fountain. The group will enjoy dinner in the city before returning to the hotel for devotions and discussion.

Day 6

Today your group will head to Vatican City, where you will be able to explore the Vatican Museum and see the famous Sistine Chapel. After lunch, you will take a short walk over to St. Peter’s Basilica to study Catholicism and its impact on Christianity, and then over to Piazza Navona for a view of the Pantheon. You will enjoy dinner in the city before returning to the hotel for devotions.

Day 7

This final day in Rome is your best chance to tour the Eternal City! Following breakfast, your group will take a trip over to the 2000-year-old Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus and the ancient Roman Forum. You will also tour Mamertine Prison, the traditional site of St Paul’s imprisonment while in Rome. Following lunch in the area, the group will catch a bus for the short ride over to the Catacombs. After a tour of this interesting place, you will then head back into the city for dinner before returning to the hotel for your final evening of devotions and discussion.

Day 8

After these amazing days in Italy, it will be time to head back home!