Saints and Sinners: A Sacred Journey Through Rome and Beyond

Upon arrival in Rome, you will be privately transferred to the Hotel Genio, a perfectly situated accommodation in the heart of the city. The hotel offers a prime location directly across from the iconic Piazza Navona, the historic Castello Sant’Angelo, and the stunning Ponte Sant’Angelo, also known as the Bridge of Angels.

While the Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel in the Trastevere district is a wonderful alternative, it comes with a notable price increase of approximately 500 Euros per person. If your group prefers a more upscale experience, this option could be considered. However, the Hotel Genio is highly recommended for its unbeatable location, which is right in the center of the city's most vibrant areas, ensuring easy access for your group.

After settling into your hotel, you will embark on an evening walking tour of Rome's most famous landmarks, including Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. This will provide a perfect introduction to the city.

Your first night in Rome will conclude with a welcome dinner at Trattoria del’Anima, a charming Roman trattoria just a two-minute walk from the hotel. This is an ideal setting for guests to enjoy authentic Roman cuisine and unwind after the day's exploration before retiring for the night.

(You can view the hotels by clicking on the highlighted names or in the Featured Properties)

Today, we will delve into the rich history of Christianity in Rome, a city that has long been a cornerstone of Western civilization. As one of the most significant centers of Christian history, Rome offers a profound journey through its ancient past. We will begin by exploring some of the city’s most iconic sites, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. These landmarks not only represent the grandeur of ancient Rome but also hold deep connections to the Christian faith.

Our knowledgeable guides will bring these historic sites to life, intertwining their stories with the Christian tradition and highlighting key points of interest for those with a deep appreciation for Christian history.

We suggest enjoying a leisurely lunch today, with a wide variety of dining options conveniently located near the hotel. For dinner, we recommend allowing guests the freedom to explore Rome's culinary offerings on their own, as the hotel is surrounded by numerous excellent restaurants.

Morning Visit to the Catacombs, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Santa Maria Maggiore - LUNCH IN TRASTEVERE with Roman Food Experience followed by a visit to Santa Maria Trastevere (my favourite church in Rome),  Tiberina Island and the Jewish Ghetto 

This morning, following breakfast at the hotel, my recommendation for this group is to visit the Catacombs and St. Paul outside the walls, which I am confident, as a Christian myself and well familiar with Christian history that they will gain the most appreciation for the legacy of Christianity in Rome.  This is a prolific experience and I can’t say enough about visiting the Catamombs and then following my itinerary this day.

There is a reason why I like to structure these types of itineraries with the first day being focused on Ancient Rome and then visiting these sites.

We can even include Vatican City today, however I think this could be a lot and I do think it will be nice for the group to do Vatican City on their way out of Rome the following day.

Begin your day with a morning visit to Vatican City. After an early breakfast, the group will depart from the hotel for an exclusive, private guided tour of the Vatican Museums, the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, and the majestic Saint Peter’s Basilica, one of the most beautiful and significant cathedrals in the world. This tour offers a fitting conclusion to your time in Rome as we prepare to journey into central Italy.

We aim to depart Vatican City by 12:30 PM, traveling north towards Orvieto. En route, we will stop for lunch at a charming restaurant in Ponzano Romano, renowned for its delectable Roman specialties and fine wine. After lunch, our journey continues to Orvieto, where a guided tour of the Duomo of Orvieto, a masterpiece of central Italian architecture, awaits.

There will also be time to explore Orvieto's charming shops, enjoy wine tasting, sample truffles, and discover local artisanal goods before we continue our journey to Assisi, our final destination for the day. Given the full schedule, I recommend including dinner at the hotel this evening, allowing everyone to unwind and enjoy a relaxing meal after a day rich with exploration.

You can explore the hotel in Assisi here: Hotel Giotto Assisi.

This is going to be a wonderful day for the group to delve deep into the legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the most important Saints in Italy.  Over the course of the day, the guests will have the opportunity to learn about this important order of San Francesco, the legacy of Saint Francis and learn about the incredible life and family of one of the country’s most beloved saints.

We will have a break for lunch (included) then continue onto visit Santa Maria Delgi Angeli, which is one of the largest churches in Italy and most important in the Umbria region.

Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner at leisure in Assisi.

This morning, we will depart Assisi and head towards the picturesque southeastern region of Tuscany. Our destination is the charming hilltop town of Cortona, where you will be captivated by its stunning views overlooking the valley and the serene Lake Trasimeno. The area is dotted with beautiful lakeside towns like Castiglione del Lago, renowned for producing exceptional olive oil, and you can learn more about this remarkable region here:

Castiglione del Lago

After a morning of exploring and touring Cortona, we recommend enjoying lunch in town before taking a guided tour of the town’s historic fortress. Following the tour, we will continue to the Hotel Villa Casagrande, a unique accommodation housed in a former convent.

The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, with the option to dine at the hotel or explore the local culinary scene in town.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will embark on a scenic morning tour along the renowned Chianti wine road. This journey will lead us through some of Tuscany’s most breathtaking landscapes, culminating in a visit to the iconic town of Siena, known for its stunning Duomo, one of Italy's most exquisite cathedrals.

During our guided tour, you’ll discover Siena’s fascinating history, its deep connections to Christianity, and its significant role in Italian heritage, all beautifully narrated by our expert guide.

Following our exploration of Siena, we will visit a charming winery nearby for a delightful lunch paired with a wine tasting experience, allowing you to savor the flavors of the region.

In the evening, we will return to the hotel where you can enjoy dinner at your leisure before settling in for the night.

This morning we will depart for Florence, where you will enjoy a full day guided walking tour of the cradle of the renaissance and one of the most important centres for art and music in Europe.

Today, your focus in Florence will be on the legacy of the Medici family, who helped the Christian faith in Europe expand through their contributions to the church financially and otherwise. 

Today will be a fascinating day for all participants because there is so much incredible artistic beauty in Florence woven into the architecture and art which dominantes this city with profound Christian roots. 

Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Return to Rome with stop en-route in Tivoli or the Castelli Romani (home of the Papal Palace) or simplify to enjoy a beautiful drive around Lake Bracciano and take a wonderful walk on the Lake Shore of this incredible volcanic lake.

For more information about this beautiful area, you can explore it here: Anguillara Sabazia. Having lived on the shores of this lake in the town of Trevignano Romano, I can recommend a visit to a remarkable church with spectacular views of the lake, which I may be able to arrange for a private opening.

Experiencing these charming lakeside towns, often overlooked by American travelers, would be a meaningful way to spend your last day before returning to Rome.

That evening, you can choose to stay at the Crown Plaza hotel or Isola Sacra hotel, both conveniently located near the airport. For those seeking a more luxurious experience, consider the QC TERME resort spa—one of the finest thermal resorts in Rome, just 10 minutes from the airport.

It would be ideal to check in at the resort before 3:00 PM, allowing you to unwind with a relaxing soak in the spa facilities and perhaps indulge in a treatment before your departure the following day.

For more details on the QC TERME resort spa, you can visit their website here: QC TERME Roma.

You will have the option of either transferring directly to your hotel near the airport or extending your journey by heading south to the stunning Amalfi Coast, with a stop at the historic Monte Cassino along the way. Should you choose this extension, I will provide a detailed itinerary for this option separately.