Saturday, March 7th, 2026
Chicago – Rome flight
UA #970 3:45 p.m. – 7:45 a.m. Chicago O’Hare – Rome
Leave Grace College at 10:30 a.m. from the MOCC parking lot
Sunday – March 8th, 2026: ROME
Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City. Customs formalities and transfer by private coach to the hotel. In the afternoon, we will set off on an orientation guided walk through the Centro Storico – the historical center – and see the famous monuments and piazzas that make Rome the most magnificent of Italian cities. The ancient Romans referred to Rome as Caput Mundi – the head of the world. As the center of the Roman Republic and then the Empire, Rome witnessed 1,000 years of one of the greatest civilizations in the world before becoming the seat of what is now the Catholic Church. Evidence of the glory of ancient Rome and the Italian Renaissance can be seen throughout the historical center. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Monday – March 9th, 2026: ROME
Breakfast in hotel. In the morning visit to one of the most important museums in the world. Legally its own country, Vatican City is the head and administrative center of the Catholic Church. One of the most extensive museum collections in the world, the museum is also home to the Sistine Chapel, where the legendary Michelangelo created one of his most famous masterpieces on the ceiling. After the museums visit of St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest Catholic Basilica ever built. It’s soaring dome was engineered by Michelangelo and the artist’s famous Pietà sculpture and countless other artistic wonders make St. Peter’s church one of the most awe–inspiring buildings in the world. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon visit to the Basilica of San Clemente, a church whose multiple subterranean levels attest to 2,000 years of the neighborhood’s history. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Tuesday – March 10th, 2026: ROME
Breakfast in hotel. In the morning visit to the Pantheon, a building dedicated to the worship of the state gods and for the imperial cult. Then, we will explore the famous Colosseum – the largest ancient amphitheater in the world and the site of countless gladiator games. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will tour the Roman forum, the administrative capital of the Empire and the site of some of the most famous speeches in history by the likes of Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony and Cicero. As the end visit to the Mamertine prison, where according to tradition St. Peter was incarcerated before his execution in 64 A.D, and to the to the Catacombs of St. Priscilla, the most unique catacomb complexes in the city which features the earliest known depiction of the Virgin Mary is located. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Wednesday – March 11th, 2026: ROME – OSTIA – NAPLES
Breakfast in hotel. Check out and departure to Ostia, the port city for Rome. Here we will examine the homes, baths, theatre, warehouses, and shop-lined city streets of this excellently preserved and well-excavated ancient city. Additionally, in Ostia we will visit the ancient synagogue. Here, archaeologists discovered the earliest synagogue ever found in Europe. At the end departure to Naples, arrival and check-in. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Thursday – March 12th, 2026: NAPLES – HERCULANEUM – VILLA POPPEA – NAPLES
Breakfast in hotel. In the morning visit of the Archaeological Museum of Naples, where the most important remains of the nearby buried cities are on display. Then visit to Pompeii’s sister city of Herculaneum, which shared Pompeii’s fate during the catastrophic volcanic eruption. Completely buried by rock and ash during the 79 A.D. eruption. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon visit to the perfectly preserved Villa Poppaea, the seaside vacation home of the Emperor Nero’s wife that was also buried in the eruption. The visit provides us with a unique insight into the private life of one of Rome’s most notorious imperial families. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Friday – March 13th, 2026: NAPOLI – POMPEII – PESTUM
Breakfast in hotel. In the morning visit of Pompeii, the site of one of history’s most dramatic disasters and one of archaeology’s most enlightening and evocative excavations. In 79 A.D., a powerful eruption of Mt. Vesuvius completely buried the ancient Roman port cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Centuries later, what was an unmitigated disaster for the ancient inhabitants of these cities created an almost perfect snapshot of life in ancient Rome at the end of the 1st century. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, departure towards Paestum, with a short stopover in Vietri Su Mare to admire the coast. Arrival in Paestum and check-in. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Saturday – March 14th, 2026: PAESTUM – ROME
Breakfast in hotel. In the morning visit of Paestum, the site of three of the world’s most beautifully preserved Greek temples, as well as some extremely unique and rare tombs from the same period. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, departure to Rome, arrival, and check-in. Goodbye dinner and overnight in hotel.
Sunday – March 15th, 2026: ROME
Breakfast in hotel. Arrivederci Italia! In good time transfer to Fiumicino Airport. Handling of boarding procedures and departure to Chicago. End of services.
Rome – Chicago O’Hare UA #971 9:45 a.m. – 2:10 p.m.
