ICONIC CITIES OF ITALY (2 DAYS IN ROME)

Early departure from Lviv. Border crossing.

Overnight transfer to Verona.

Early arrival in Verona.

Today we will have the opportunity to visit the charming city of Italy – Verona. City tour. Liturgy. Verona is two thousand years of history frozen on the city streets: a Roman amphitheater, ancient churches, and cultural monuments. It’s a place steeped in romance and the past, and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Arena – the main attraction of Verona and one of the largest amphitheaters ever built by the Romans. It was built for gladiatorial fights in the 1st century. The amphitheater could accommodate about 30,000 people. Most of the outer ring of the amphitheater was damaged during the earthquake of 1117, but the inner part is well preserved. Also, the outer ring was partially dismantled in the 5th-6th centuries for the construction of the second city wall. In the Renaissance, the Arena was dismantled for the construction of new buildings. In the Middle Ages, numerous small shops were located here. Now it hosts summer opera seasons.

Juliet’s House – a symbol of Verona. Presumably, this is the site of the famous scene from Shakespeare’s well-known tragedy. In fact, the house has nothing to do with Juliet. Although the building is old (13th century). The balcony was added in 1936 and named “Juliet’s House” to attract tourists. Usually, the small courtyard is filled with loving couples taking photos on the balcony and leaving notes on the wall.

In Verona, everyone is offered to spend February 14 in the famous house of Juliet for free.

Duomo – the cathedral of the Holy Mary, built in the 12th century on the site of an old 8th-century church destroyed during an earthquake. The Duomo has a richly decorated marble Romanesque facade, with a bell tower built next to it. The interior contains many works of art.

Church of St. Stephen – is one of the oldest early Christian churches in Verona, built in the 5th century. The church houses precious 14th-century paintings and works by Renaissance artists Caroto, Farinati, and Brusasorzi. Transfer to the hotel in Rome.

Check-in. Overnight stay.

We’ll start our morning in Rome.

Vatican – the smallest independent state in the world, an enclave in the middle of Rome in Italy. It houses the residence of the Pope, the territory of the Holy See (the See of St. Peter), the central body of the Catholic Church. St. Peter’s Basilica is named after the first Pope, Saint Peter the Apostle, whose remains are buried in the basilica. Its construction began in 1506 and was completed in 1626. Such brilliant architects as Michelangelo, Bramante, and Carlo Maderno participated in its construction.

Tour of ancient Rome: Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza Navona. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. 

Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Continue to discover Rome.

Today we will visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, as well as the Holy Stairs, which Jesus ascended for judgment before Pilate. Return to the hotel.

Overnight stay.

Transfer to Assisi – the city of St. Francis and St. Clare.

Liturgy. Basilica of St. Francis, where the saint’s relics rest, Basilica of St. Clare, Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, Church of St. Damian. Overnight stay in a hotel near Florence.

We start the day in Florence.

Florence’s attractions are world-famous: the legendary and amazing Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Maria Novella, and many other historical and architectural monuments. And the special atmosphere of the Old Town, where Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Giotto walked and created, gives the pearl of Tuscany a special charm.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the main attraction and the most recognizable symbol of Florence. It’s a beautiful and significant cathedral with pink, white, and green marble finishing, executed in Gothic style. It was built on the site where once stood the ancient cathedral of Florence, Santa Reparata, the remains of which can be seen in the crypt. The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is usually not among the most popular places in Florence, and this is unfair. Architecturally, it’s one of the most important Gothic-style churches in Tuscany. Famous architects Talenti and Alberti worked on the facade.

The interior contains unusual masterpieces, including: “Trinity” by Masaccio, frescoes and “Crucifixion” by Giotto. The famous engineer and architect Brunelleschi contributed to the creation of the dome. The church is built on a Romanesque foundation, traces of which can be seen in the lower part of the marble facade.

The Basilica of Santa Croce was built for the Franciscan order in 1294 according to the project of Arnolfo di Cambio. It is the resting place of the legendary sons of the city – Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo Galilei. There’s also Dante’s tomb, but it’s empty. The church’s facade is made of multi-colored marble. Inside, you can admire the frescoes by Gaddi, Giotto, and other masters. The church also has the tomb of Italian playwright Giovanni Battista Niccolini, which inspired the authors of the Statue of Liberty.

Transfer to overnight stay in a transit hotel. Overnight stay.

Today we will be in the city of Padua. Optionally, you can go on an excursion to Venice.

Walking tour of Padua. We will visit the large temple complex of St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral – the place most often visited by pilgrims from all over the world.

Padua is also famous for the Basilica of Saint Justina.

This temple houses the relics of St. Luke the Evangelist. He saw the resurrected Christ, was a companion of the Apostle Paul, a doctor, the first iconographer. He died a martyr’s death in the city of Thebes in Greece. His relics were transferred to Constantinople, and later – given to a monastery in Serbia, from where they were bought by Italians from the Turks in the Middle Ages.

Transfer to Venice by public transport (optional).

Tour of Venice. Return to Padua. Venice is absolutely unique. Firstly, it stands on water, which is unusual in itself, secondly, it has neither pagan nor modern layers: it’s a City that has preserved medieval Christianity to our time, saturated with shrines. It happens that in one small temple, several shrines are collected that impress with their significance.

During the tour, you will learn about the history of Venice. We will reach the main attraction of Venice – St. Mark’s Cathedral. The real treasure of this temple is the relics of this apostle.

In your free time, you can walk through the narrow streets of Venice, optionally climb the bell tower of St. Mark’s Cathedral, take a photo on the Rialto Bridge, and enjoy the view of the Grand Canal.

Night departure home.

Evening arrival in Ukraine. See you!