Italy with Rev. Dr. Eric Childers | June 10, 2024

10 days

Italy

Starting from $4546* Taxes & Fees Apply

Join Rev. Dr. Eric Childers on a Tour of Italy starting at $4,546* from Charleston on June 10, 2024. You will see Milan, Lake Garda, Venice, Ravenna, Montecatini Terme, Pisa, Florence, Assisi, and much more!

What’s Included

All Inclusive Pricing
Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
Domestic Airfare
Entrance and Program Fees
First Class Hotels
Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes
Gratuities
Guided Tours
Lecture Series
Overseas Airport Transfers
International Airfare
Administrative fees
Driver tips
Breakfast Daily
Dinner as listed in the itinerary

* Additional Baggage & Optional fees may apply.

** If air purchased through EO.

Download Brochure

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 June 10 - Depart the USA

Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on your international overnight flight.

Day 2 June 11 - Arrive in Italy

You will arrive in Milan, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 June 12 - Milan, Lake Garda, Venice

Explore the city of Milan today. Visit the Duomo, the world’s third-largest church. The spire is topped with a golden Madonna statue. Pass the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Museums hold untold masterpieces, and the Biblioteca Ambrosiana holds drawings and notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci. Stop for a view of Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. Continue on to Venice Mestre for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 June 13 - Day Trip to Venice

You will travel to the magical city of Venice. Rising between sea and sky, this fascinating city boasts waterways and boats instead of roads and cars, and comprises 118 islands separated by more than 150 canals. You will stand in the Piazza San Marco, bordered on three sides by palatial arcades in two tiers and faced on the other by the Basilica of St. Mark, one of the world’s most magnificent churches. You’ll visit the Basilica with its treasure of marble and gold-background mosaics. From the square, you can see the famous Bell Tower and the Clock Tower, as well as the charming pink and white Doges’ Palace. You’ll view the sadly romantic Bridge of Sighs. There is much more to see in Venice, and you’ll enjoy free time to explore on your own. You can shop, stroll along the bridges and canals, or perhaps, indulge in a gondola ride along the Grand Canal. Return to your hotel overnight (Dinner is not included).

Day 5 June 14 - Ravenna and Montecatini Terme

From Venice, we will travel south along the Adriatic to Ravenna. Here, Theodoric built his future tomb in 520 AD. The Byzantines removed his remains and made this into an oratory (prayer room) that is today a UNESCO Historic Site. This is one of 8 early Christian monuments on the World Heritage List here. Dante is buried in St. Francis Basilica. Continue to Montecatini Terme and check into your hotel (Dinner is not included).

Day 6 June 15 - Pisa and Florence

Travel to Pisa, where you can snap your photo in front of the famous Leaning Tower. This 180-foot tall round tower is over 10 degrees out of perpendicular. In the past, some thought the tower was designed to lean. In fact, it was designed to stand straight and tall. The tower began to lean during its construction in 1173 and corrective efforts failed. Even if it did not lean, it would still be one of the most remarkable bell towers in Europe. Then, on to Florence, where you will have time to enjoy the Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance grandeur. Among the wealth of masterpieces to be found in Florence, you’ll see the Piazza della Signoria Notes Link with its Neptune Fountain and Vecchio Palace, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, which houses Michelangelo’s unfinished Pietá, the Baptistry, which features Ghiberti’s famous Gates of Paradise and the Academy, where you can view some of Michelangelo’s finished and unfinished work, including the awe-inspiring David. Return to your hotel for overnight (Dinner is not included).

Day 7 June 16 - Assisi

Your journey continues as you travel to Assisi, the charming medieval town once home to Saint Francis. Just two years after his death, the large basilica was started in his memory. At one time, the land on which the church now stands was an execution ground for condemned criminals. In his humility, Saint Francis asked to be buried there, and it became known as the Hill of Paradise. The church contains his tomb and many great works of art. Finish you day by checking into your hotel in Rome (Dinner is not included).

Day 8 June 17 - Ancient Rome

History is woven through the streets and neighborhoods of Rome like no other city. Explore the many wonders of ancient Rome as you visit the magnificent Colosseum and the Pantheon. From the most sacred hill of ancient Rome, Campidoglio, view the Forum. See the Circus Maximus, Arch of Titus, famous Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Constantine and the Victor Emanuel Monument. View the Monti Region, Rome’s most ancient neighborhood, which spreads over three of her seven hills. In the afternoon, explore the romance of Rome as you climb the graceful Spanish Steps and stop at the famous Trevi Fountain. Legend says those who toss a coin into the fountain will one day return to Rome to toss another into the waters of Trevi.

Day 9 June 18 - Christian Rome

Experience the glory of Christian Rome today as you visit the Vatican, home to one of the greatest museums in the world. And, of course, tour St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s frescoes, now restored to their full, colorful glory. Tour the Catacombs of St. Sebastino and see some of the only surviving examples of early Christian art. In the 1840s, Pope Gregory XVI took steps to preserve the catacombs and their treasures. Visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, which was the first church built by Constantine and built over St. Paul’s grave before returning to your hotel to begin packing for your return journey home.

Day 10 June 19 - Return to the USA

Return home with a new understanding of the Apostle Paul’s life and ministry.

Enhance Your Journey

Pompeii & Capri extension $1398

Starting at $1,398* | June 19-23, 2024

June 19 - Castel Gandolfo
Travel to Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence. The Romans also preferred this area in the summer to get out of the heat. Enjoy the incredible beauty of this region as your bus travels to Sorrento. You will be in awe of the dramatic clifftop drive that leads to your hotel. During your three-night stay, you’ll have time to discover the colorful ambiance of this delightful town and enjoy the view of Mt. Vesuvius. Check into your hotel for your three-night stay this evening.

June 20 - Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is considered to be one of Italy’s finest! You will be enchanted by the rich hues of the blue green sea, the tiny mystical islands and the pastel colored cottages gathered round tiny harbors! Have your camera ready to capture one breathtaking view after another! Snap a photo of the famous village of Positano, which has graced a thousand postcards and charmed at least three generations of travelers. Visit the town of Amalfi, a must for every visitor! A glorious maritime republic from the 9th to 12th centuries, the town is also famous as the place where the compass was invented and boasts a splendid Duomo in Arab-Norman style. Time permitting, you’ll stop at the village of Vietri Sul Mar, home of Amalfi Coast ceramic factories, which produce the colorful tiles that decorate every church tower in the area. Return to your hotel.

June 21 - Capri
Enjoy a boat ride to the lovely Isle of Capri, which has enticed visitors for thousands of years. Today, you will have the opportunity to savor its beauty and be captivated with the fabulous views and elegant shops. Return to your hotel.

June 22 - Pompeii
You will visit the spectacular ruins in Pompeii, which were covered by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The city remained buried and undiscovered for almost 1,500 years until 1748. Excavations continue today and provide insight into life during the Roman Empire. Continue to the Rome area for dinner and overnight. June 23 - Return to the USA with wonderful memories to share!

Departure Dates

June 10, 2024

From $4546* Register Now!

*A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions