In the fall of 2022, we went on a Baylor Alumni sponsored trip called In the Footsteps of Paul to Greece and Turkey. Several of our friends on that trip encouraged us to travel with Dr. Todd Still, the dean of Baylor’s Truett Seminary, on one of his trips to the Holy Land. We had that trip booked, then the war broke out. Last fall, we were notified of a trip that Todd was organizing to Italy which covered several places we wanted to see, so we immediately signed up. On our Mediterranean Odyssey cruise trip posts from last fall, I referenced several port stops in which we skipped the typical excursions as we’d be doing those activities on this trip. The 10-day itinerary including travel to and from Rome is as follows.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart for Rome

Day 2 – You will arrive in Rome this morning where you will be met by your tour escort who will take you to your waiting motorcoach. You will then continue to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, where you will have dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 3 – This morning you will begin with a walking tour of Assisi. You will visit the San Francesco Basilica, consisting of two churches above a crypt. In the upper basilica are Giotto’s magnificent frescoes of scenes from the life of St. Francis. The lower church contains frescoes by Simone Martini, Cimabue and Pietro Lorenzetti as well as the tomb of St. Francis. You will also see the Santa Maria Degli Angeli Church and Santa Chiara Church. After your walking tour concludes, you will depart Assisi on your way to Florence. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight will be at your hotel in Florence.

Day 4 – This morning you will begin with a walking tour of Florence. During the time that the Medici family was powerful in this area (14th -16th centuries), Florence was at the cultural and intellectual heart of Europe. You’ll stroll along Ponte Vecchio, the beautiful old bridge lined with shops spanning the Arno. You will then proceed to the Duomo, the spiritual, geographical, and historical heart of the city.

This cathedral is the fourth largest in Europe and is still the tallest building in Florence, as well as one of the oldest. You’ll see the Baptistery with its celebrated bronze doors by Pisano and Ghiberti, (Dante was baptized here), the Campanile, designed by Giotto in 1334, the great Dome by Brunelleschi and finished in 1463, as well as many other features and famous works of art at the Cathedral Works Museum near this amazing structure. From there you will visit the Academia Museum. Founded in 1563, it was the first school established in Europe specifically to teach the techniques of drawing, painting, and sculpture. The most famous work on display is Michelangelo’s David, which established Michelangelo at the age of 29 as the foremost sculptor of his time. After your visit there, you will return to the hotel to freshen up before going to dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 5 – This morning you will say farewell to Florence and drive to Vinci, a picturesque town set among Tuscan hills, vineyards, and olive groves. You will visit Casa di Leonardo, a farm – house that was the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, which displays some reproductions of his works. From there you will go to view the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa on your way to Rome, the “Eternal City.” You will check into your hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at your hotel in Rome

Day 6 – Today, after your breakfast at the hotel, you will start the day with the visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Then, you will proceed with the visit of St. Peter’s Basilica. Lunch on your own.

In the afternoon, you will go to the Coliseum, Rome’s greatest amphitheater, commissioned by Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD. It was here that the Romans watched as the early Christians suffered and died as they were thrown in the arena with lions and other wild animals. You will proceed through the Roman Forum where you will see several ruined temples, triumphal arches, and basilicas. The Arch of Titus was erected in 81 AD to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. After your visit to the Forum, you will be on your own for a free afternoon of shopping or additional sightseeing and dinner on your own. Overnight at your hotel in Rome.

Day 7 – Today, enjoy the free day at leisure to explore the city on your own. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight will be at your hotel.

Day 8 – Today you will go to visit the ruins of Pompeii, which was destroyed completely by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius 79 AD. It was covered with hot lava because of its close proximity to the volcano and lay undiscovered until the 17th century. Pompeii was a Roman city, which existed at the time of Christ and was ruled by the same powers that ruled in the land of Jesus at that time. In this visit you will gain insight into daily life in Roman times and thus have new understandings of the prevailing culture at the time of Jesus. After your visit there, you will return to Rome. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 9 – This morning you will begin with a visit to the famous Trevi Fountain, and on to the Piazza di Spagna, where you can climb the Spanish Steps. You will visit the Pantheon. Lunch on your own.

In the afternoon, you will proceed with the visit to the catacombs, burial place and meeting place of the early Christians. They were forced to meet in secret, underground, to escape persecution during the time before Constantine.

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight will be at your hotel.

Day 10 – This morning you will go to Rome airport for your flight back to Houston.

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In preparation for the trip, I read G.K. Chesterton’s Saint Francis of Assisi: The Life and Times of St. Francis, and I also read Gabriel Zuchtriegel’s The Buried City: Unearthing the Real Pompeii.

Hopefully, I’ll complete writing about the full 10 days in a timelier manner than our last trip!

Ciao!