Day Eleven
Martyrdom of Apostle Paul
We travel along the Appian Way and visit the Catacombs. Here we share in communion in the underground resting place of the early Christian community. Concluding Paul’s life, we visit the church of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, built over the recently excavated site of his tomb. After a free afternoon in Rome, we end our time in the Eternal City with our farewell dinner. Overnight Rome. (B, D)
Day Ten
Rome: Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Colosseum
All roads lead to Rome…for thousands of years tourists, merchants and pilgrims have journeyed to the city of seven hills on the Tiber. Rome has unarguably one of the richest, fullest histories of any city on earth…and all the while incorporating some of the finest architecture still surviving. The tour begins with a visit to the Colosseum followed by a walking tour through the ancient Roman Forum, the very center of the powerful Roman Empire. Overnight Rome. (B)
Day Nine
St. Peter’s and Vatican City, Sistine Chapel
We stroll along the Tiber and enter Vatican City where we visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes and The Last Judgment. We also visit St. Peter’s Square and Basilica where Michelangelo's "Pieta" is but just one of many highlights. Overnight Rome. (B,D)
Day Eight
Umbria Countryside/ Assisi
Walled Assisi is miraculous with its many churches, and we will visit the churches of St. Clare and St. Francis. St Francis was born here and work began on his basilica two years after his death. It's a magnificent tribute to the patron saint of animals, with frescoes by Giotto, Cimabue and Martini. Overnight in nearby Spoleto. (B,D)
Day Seven
Tuscan Cooking
Again, we slow down the pace but not the experience. Take an optional Tuscan cooking class and prepare a full Tuscan menu as you spend time with a local chef. After a day of festive cooking, enjoy the diner that you have prepared. Or, you may choose to visit the many fine churches of San Gimignano or shop for ceramics, local wines, or water colors of the sunflower fields of Tuscany. (B)
Day Six
Florence
Florence is truly one of the amazing cities of Italy. Some of the greatest works by Michelangelo are found here. We visit the Academia and view the majestic David, then to the Duomo, Brunelleschi's sloping, red-tiled dome, predominant on Florence's skyline and the world's fourth-largest cathedral. The Gates of Paradise on the Baptistery are not to be missed. Then to the Basilica of Santa Croce with its walls lined with the tombs of Michelangelo, Macchiavelli, Galileo and Bardi. Return to San Gimignano for overnight (B,L,D)
Day Five
Tuscan Countryside
We slow down the pace but not the experience. We explore the beautiful countryside of Tuscany with its verdant vineyards. Take an optional vineyard tour with a Tuscany farmhouse lunch included as well as a local wine tasting event. Or, take the day to explore the countryside and soak up the local atmosphere, strolling the streets of San Gimignano or climbing one of its towers. The medieval towers of San Gimignano are among Tuscany's most famous views and are a World Heritage Site. (B)
Day Four
Siena
Siena is one of the most appealing towns in Tuscany with its well-conserved medieval streets and the square, the Piazza del Campo. The piazza's focal point is the Palazzo Pubblico which dates back to 1250. We also visit the monumental Duomo, Siena's cathedral. Return to San Gimignano for overnight. (B,D)
Day Three
Pisa
Pisa is famous for its Leaning Tower. It is a strangely appealing building yet it is just a single component of Pisa's breathtaking and dazzling architectural buildings of the Campo dei Miracoli where we visit the Duomo and Baptistry before a climb of the tower. Return to San Gimignano for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
First Pres Colorado Springs
ITALY 12 DAYS
April 21 - May 2, 2014
$4,695 from Denver
Itinerary
Note: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Click on any picture to view larger
April 21 -
May 2, 2014
Contact Us for more information on this exciting tour
Day One and Two
Departure and Arrival
Arrive at Florence Airport and transfer to San Gimignano for the next six nights. (D)
Day Twelve
Departure to USA
Return home with renewed faith and new friends!
Dear Friends,
After spending part of my 2012 sabbatical in Rome and Florence, I'm excited to offer this opportunity to travel together to beautiful Italy in the Spring of 2014. Far more than just another vacation, you will find this a spiritual pilgrimage as we focus on Paul's letter to the Romans and the Italian Renaissance.
As we travel through Tuscany, Umbria and Rome we’ll explore Paul’s magnificent letter to the Romans filled with inspiring passages and insightful spiritual truth. The art of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance will serve as spectacular visuals for the great Biblical themes found in Paul’s theology.
Our journey will be filled with wonderful fellowship as we share Italian cooking and the delights of Tuscan cuisine. We will marvel at the creativity of artists like Michelangelo and Raphael, and architectural monuments in Florence, Pisa, Siena and Rome. We will also focus on the final days of Peter and Paul as we explore the ancient Roman forum and St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican.
All along the way we will enjoy wonderful Christian fellowship as we take time to sing in churches, worship in chapels, and marvel at God’s gift of creativity.
I do hope you'll make plans to join us for this wonderful experience together!
John Goodale
Associate Pastor of Community Life
