Study Religion in Italy

Today you’ll land in Rome, one of the most exciting cities in the world to visit. Your guide will deliver you to your hotel and allow you to settle in before guiding you to the very first stops on your whirlwind tour of Catholic sites in Italy. This afternoon, you will visit three of the primary Catholic basilicas in Rome including the Basilica of St. John, the Basilica of St. Paul and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

You’ll spend your first full day in Rome exploring the city on foot, starting with your guide leading you to Piazza Navona to start your day. This public square is surrounded by cafes, shops, restaurants and historic structures in every direction. You’ll have the afternoon to see more Catholic sites, or perhaps take in a local Mass at one of the city’s 900 churches. 

The group will travel to Vatican City today. Vatican City is an independent city-state entirely within the boundaries of Rome. It also holds the distinction of being the smallest country in the entire world and is the epicenter of the Catholic world. The group will start with a tour of Saint Peter’s Basilica, which first began construction at the start of the 16th century. After the tour, you’ll have some free time to explore St. Peter’s Square, where the pope often appears to given blessings to visitors. You’ll spend the remainder of the afternoon touring the Vatican museums before a final tour of the Sistine Chapel and a glimpse of that famous Michelangelo-painted ceiling. 

The group will board a train today for a three-hour ride south to Assisi. Once you arrive, your guide will take you on a walking tour of the town. The afternoon will include visits to the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Basilica of Saint Clare, the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels, the parish church of Saint Mary Major and the tomb of Carlo Acutis. You will also visit the site where St. Francis of Assisi first experienced the stigmata – La Verna. After a full day in Assisi, the group will take an overnight train to Venice.

Today you will explore the cosmopolitan city of Venice. This popular international destination offers many Catholic sites to tour. The group will start at Saint Mark’s Basilica and visit Saint Mark’s tomb. You’ll also visit Basilica Santa Maria dell Salute and Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. The rest of the afternoon and evening will be yours to explore the area surrounding Saint Mark’s, including the city’s main piazza – Piazza San Marco.

Today you’ll have a full day to take in all of Venice. Arrange for a gondola ride on the city’s canals for the perfect vantage point from which to admire the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge. You can also arrange to see Doge’s Palace, which is an extensive palace structure in the heart of the city. Side trips to other parts of the city are also an option, and your guide can direct you to the perfect spot depending on your travel preferences.

Your pilgrimage to Italy has come to an end. You’ve seen amazing sites that were the setting for many significant developments throughout the history of Catholicism in Italy. You will depart from Italy via the international airport in Venice. Enjoy the view of the city from above where you can appreciate the network of canals that connect the city’s tiny islands.