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DAY 08: ALL THE PAST YEARS WITH HISTORY Morning departure from Tiberias to Meggido, Armageddon, a very important strategic point on the Via Maris connecting Egypt and Damascus. It is a city which has witnessed many wars and suffered many destructions throughout the wars and different periods of time. Continue to Haifa, visiting Mount Carmel and the Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, where Mass will be celebrated, and the Cave of the Prophet, Elijah. Visit the Bah'ai Temple and proceed along the shores of the Mediterranean to Caesarea Martima on the Plains of Sharon to visit the ruins of the Crusader's City, surrounded by a moat and a city wall enclosing the ruins of the Roman city. Visit the Roman Theater. Proceed to Tel Aviv in time for your flight to Rome, Italy. Upon your arrival in Rome you will be met and transferred to your hotel for overnight.
DAY 09: ANCIENT ROME This morning begin with the Colosseum, where fights between men and beasts, gladiatorial contests, races and simulated naval battles took place. Continue to the Roman Forum, which stands in the center of modern Rome as a romantic statement to her past greatness. Continue to the Pantheon, a perfectly preserved ancient building. Built by Agrippa in 27 BC and re-built by Hadrian, it was once a temple and was converted to a church. Proceed to Piazza Navona, the squiare built on the site of Domitian's stadium. This lively pedestrian precinct has as its centerpiece with Bernini's baroque masterpiece, Fountain of the Four Rivers. Continue to see the famous Trevi Fountain and on to the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna. Return to your hotel.
DAY 10: ASSISI Depart Rome and drive to Assisi. Visit the Tomb of St. Francis. Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St. Francis which still breathes the Middle Ages of the early 1200s when St. Francis began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th century Basilica are many of the saint's possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. Kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis asking him to rebuild His church. It was in St. Mary of the Angels Basilica that St. Francis spent most of his life and where we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the thornless rosebush, and the cave where St. Francis retired for prayer. Continue to the Church of St. Clare to see the saint's incorrupt body. The foundress of the Order of the Poor Clares followed the teachings of St. Francis, living a life of poverty and humility. Return to Rome for overnight.
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DAY 11: ROME Full day at leisure for relaxation or personal exploration. This evening attend Midnight Mass at St. Peters Basilica.
DAY 12: CHRISTIAN ROME This morning begin our tour of Christian Rome. Visit the other three major basilicas: St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, built after she had appeared to Pope Liberius in 358 requesting that a church be built in her honor. The shrine contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus. The Basilica of St. John in Lateran, the former residence of all the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377 where five ecumenical councils have been held and which contains the remains of 4 saints. St. Paul Outside the Walls which has the remains of St. Paul under its main altar and which has many relics on display, including the chains that once bound the apostle while a prisoner in Rome. We will also see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Drusus, the Chapel "O'Domine Quo Vadis?", the remains of imperial tombs, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and the Catacombs of Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
DAY 13: ROME After breakfast drive to Vatican City to attend the Papal Audience and Blessing given by His Holiness, John Paul II. Visit St. Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. The largest religious temple in the world, St. Peter's has housed 264 popes. Unsurpassed in beauty, a monument to the long history of the Catholic Church, where pilgrims come from around the world, St. Peter's is the grandest of the world's churches. View historical treasures such as a piece of the True Cross, the lance that pierced Christ's side, and numerous papal tombs. See Michelangelo's restored mural of the Last Judgement on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the Pieta, and four mighty piers supporting the magnificent dome. In the afternoon, visit the Vatican Library and Museum to see its great holdings in holy relics and works of art. Return to your hotel.
DAY 14: ROME / NORTH AMERICA Transfer to the airport for your return flight. Arrival in the afternoon the same day.
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