Best of Italy Tour
Led by Pastor John Barber
Dates: October 31- November 08, 2025
Rome 2025
After our tour group had such a wonderful time following in the footsteps of Paul in Greece in May of 2024, I have decided to plan another trip for October 31 to November 8, 2025, so we can share a similar experience in Italy. Here we will have the opportunity to see the city of Rome, where Paul concluded his missionary work. We will also visit the Vatican City and experience sites like St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum. Beyond Rome, we will travel to destinations like the village of Assisi, the cities of Florence and Venice, seeing and experiencing so much of what Italy has to offer.
I hope you will look carefully through all the information on this website and consider being part of this meaningful experience and memorable journey. If you have further questions, please contact me and I will be happy to answer them to the best of my ability. And if you are ready to sign up for this tour of Italy, simply follow the detailed instructions provided below.
Pastor John
706-629-7714 / [email protected]
Flights
(Check Back Soon!)
Hotels
| City | Nights |
|---|---|
| Rome | 3 nights |
| Florence | 2 nights |
| Mestre | 2 nights |
General Itinerary
Day 1 – Oct 31st – Fri – Depart from USA
Depart from the USA to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served during the flight.
Day 2 – Nov 1st – Sat- Arrive in Rome
We arrive at the Rome airport and then we transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 3 – Nov 2nd – Sun- ROMA: Forum, Mamertine, Coliseum, BAROQUE ROME
Breakfast at the hotel.
We begin our walking tour at the ancient Roman Forum, where our guide will divulge its secrets.
We will visit the Arch of Titus which commemorated the sack of Jerusalem by Titus in AD 70.
Next, we visit the Coliseum, where thousands of people and animals perished during gladiatorial games. The Coliseum first opened in AD 80 and within 100 days of its opening, 5000 wild beasts perished here. The slaughter of both humans and animals continued for three more centuries. Historians believe the Coliseum could hold between 40,000 and 80,000 people depending on how close the seating was. The floor has recently had a plank placed over the middle making it accessible for people to walk over the labyrinth of brick cells, ramps, and elevators used to transport animals and gladiators into the arena. Hear the stories of the games that have fascinated people for hundreds of years.
We will continue the visits with the Mamertine Prison, where tradition says the Apostle Paul was imprisoned.
The Roman church would say that Peter was imprisoned here as well, but there is no imperial evidence that Peter was ever in Rome.
Free time for lunch
In the afternoon a walking tour with our guide of the baroque Rome: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Navona Square and Spanish Steps.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Lunch not included
Day 4 – Nov 3th – Mon – ROME: Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s BASILICA, Abbey of Three Fountains,
St. Paul Outside the Wall, CATACOMBS
After breakfast you will begin a full day of sightseeing.
First visit Vatican City where you will see St. Peter Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums with stunning works of art at every turn.
After some free time for lunch, we visit the Catacombs where thousands of Christians were buried in a remarkable tiered series of galleries. We’ll then stop at The Abbey of the Three Fountains, the traditional site of Paul’s martyrdom and the ancient street that he walked on. We conclude our day at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the site of Paul’s tomb.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Lunch not included
Day 5 – Nov 4th – Tue – Rome, Assisi, Florence
After breakfast we will say “Arrivederci Roma” and board our coach and travel through scenic Umbria to the ancient walled hillside village of Assisi.
After lunch, we will enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful, medieval town, which will include the Basilica of Santa Chiara and the Basilica San Francesco, decorated with some of the most renowned frescoes in the world. The stories of the sacrificial life of St. Francis will be an encouragement to us all.
After the visits we continue to the beautiful city of Florence, the heart of charming Tuscany.
Check-in, dinner and overnight in Florence.
Lunch not included
Day 6 – Nov 5th – Wed – Florence CITY TOUR
After breakfast, we enjoy a guided tour of Florence, one of the world’s greatest artistic capitals.
We will see (from the outside) Piazza della Signoria, Duomo, Baptistry.
A stop will also be made on the hillside overlook across the river from Florence where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful red-tiled roof cityscape.
This afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy shopping, visiting more galleries or strolling on the famous Ponte Vecchio, the old bridge which spans the Arno River or it may be the time to purchase those special gifts.
We suggest an optional visit to the Accademia Gallery, home of Michelangelo’s David.
Dinner and overnight in Florence.
Lunch not included
Day 7 – Nov 6th – Thu – Florence – PISA – venice MESTRE/ MARCON
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
The sightseeing of this morning includes a tour of Pisa where you will see (from the outside) the Baptistry, Duomo and the famous leaning tower in the Piazza dei Miracoli.
We continue by bus to Venice. Check-in, dinner and overnight in Venice Mestre/ Marcon.
Lunch not included
Day 8 – Nov 7 th – Fri – VENICE: Charming Venice CITY TOUR
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by bus from Mestre to Tronchetto then by vaporetto (public water bus) we reach St. Marco Square for a Venice city tour.
Highlights of our walking guided (from the outside) tour are: St. Mark’s Square and the Byzantine splendor of St. Mark’s Basilica, lavish Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
Free time to explore Venice at your own or to join an optional gondola ride through the picturesque canal system, visit the many charming shops and take photos.
In the afternoon transfer back to our hotel in Venice Mestre/ Marcon (vaporetto + bus)
Dinner and overnight in Venice Marcon.
Lunch not included
Day 9 – Nov 8th – Sat – Venice , Departure
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight home.
Lunch and dinner not included
Please note: visits, excursions, domestic flights time table, mentioned on the program might have slight changes in the time or in the program scale but without detracting any visit scheduled.
We return home full of rich and unforgettable memories. A common refrain is heard — is the trip really over? Can we start planning for our return visit?
Note: Schedules and/or local conditions may change while touring. Program is subject to change based on the flight schedule.