“following the footsteps of paul in italy”

TORONTO

Day 1 ~ Monday
Depart Toronto on Air Canada to Rome departing at 7:45pm from Terminal #1.

 

ROME / CATANIA

Day 2 ~ Tuesday 
Arrive in Rome at 10:20am and connect to ITA Airlines to Catania. Arrive in Catania and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Hotel ANTARES in Letojanni.
 

SIRACUSA / ORTIGIA

Day 3 ~ Wednesday 
Travel to Syracuse, one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. Wander through the narrow, winding streets of the Ortigia Peninsula, the historical centre of Syracuse. Guided tour of the archaeological excavation site with its beautiful Greek amphitheatre and the ‘Ear of Dionysius’. On the return journey you will become acquainted with the lively and colourful city of Catania. Monuments from antiquity and fanciful Baroque buildings characterise the cityscape. You will see the Norman-Baroque cathedral with the Elephant Fountain, stroll through the fish market and along picturesque market streets to the Hohenstaufen Castello Ursino, see the Greek theatre with the Roman Odeon and at last reach the unfinished Baroque facade of S.Nicolo. The Archaeological Park of Neapolis is a major ancient Greek and Roman archaeological site in Syracuse, featuring a large Greek theater, Roman amphitheater, and other ruins. Its famous acoustic attraction is the Ear of Dionysius, a tall limestone cave known for its remarkable echo and sound amplification. According to legend, the tyrant Dionysius I of Syracuse used it to overhear prisoners, though this story is likely mythical. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight at Hotel ANTARES in Letojanni.

MT. ETNA / TAORMINA

Day 4 ~ Thursday
Today we will have an excursion onto Mt. Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano. You will walk to the Silvestri craters and the lava streams of 1983 and 2001 at a height of ca. 1,900 m. (The continued journey to an altitude of ca. 3,000 m with all-terrain vehicles depends on the weather and costs extra.) In the afternoon you will visit Taormina, which is surrounded by an overwhelming setting of rocks, gardens and sea. Taormina’s most famous structure is the Greek-Roman theatre, from which one has a spectacular view of the sea and Mt. Etna. he Ancient Theatre of Taormina is a spectacular ancient Greco-Roman theater built into a hillside, famous for its panoramic views of the sea and Mount Etna. Originally constructed by the Greeks in the 3rd century BCE and later enlarged by the Romans, it hosted theatrical performances, concerts, and public events. Today, it remains one of Sicily's most iconic archaeological sites and is still used for cultural performances. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight at Hotel ANTARES in Letojanni.

REGGIO CALABRIA / CASTELLAMARE

Day 5 ~ Friday 
Reggio Calabria, the largest city in the region, is located on the Gulf of Messina. From the shore, one can see Sicily, as only three kilometers of water separate the mainland from the island. The strategic area on the straits meant that the centuries old city has undergone various transformations and name changes reflecting the long series of its occupiers. The old town includes vestiges of the populations that passed through it. Visitors can stop at the archeological sites, ancient buildings and Aragonese Castle that survived the early twentieth earthquake. Following the disaster much of the city was rebuilt in the Italian Liberty style. In the center there is a historic cathedral, numerous cafés and restaurants along the bustling shopping streets like Corso Garibaldi, renowned for its bergamot shops. The flowery seaside promenade, the “Lungomare”, is considered to be one of the most beautiful kilometers in the country. If the conditions are right, visitors can see the mystifying Fatamorgana. The mirage that appears as stacked bands on the horizon is an optical phenomenon named after the Arthurian sorceress Morgan le Fay, who was believed to create fairy castles in the air to lure sailors to their deaths. For a visual of the area from above, a walk through the Aspromonte National Park affords panoramic views of Mount Etna, the Aeolian Islands and the shimmering coastline below, scattered with colorful beach umbrellas. Dinner and overnight at Hotel LA PANORAMICA in Castellamare Di Stabia or similar.

POMPEI / CAMPI FLEGREI

Day 6 ~ Saturday 
It is a striking experience, setting foot in the ancient city of Pompeii. The enormity of the volcanic havoc on the area is baffling. The guide will lead you through the ruins and explain its layers of history and detail
how it differed from the destruction of Herculaneum. As a metropolis Pompeii’s cityscape was chaotic in comparison to the grid-like, neighboring resort city, rendering the experience very real. The location of each city also impacted how Mount Vesuvius consumed them; the population in Pompeii was hit first, thereby leaving less time for escape than those in Herculaneum. The ash and water amalgam that buried Pompeii’s homes and people formed a cement-like coating, freezing the forms in time. Some of the hardened bodies are displayed in the city, which makes for a moving visit of the infamous site. The Campi Flegrei ("Phlegraean Fields") is a vast volcanic caldera west of Naples, formed by massive eruptions over thousands of years. Rather than a single volcano, it is a landscape of craters, hot springs, fumaroles, and ancient ruins. The area was highly important in Greek and Roman times and includes sites such as Solfatara and Temple of Serapis. It is also one of Europe's most closely monitored volcanic regions due to ongoing ground uplift and seismic activity. Dinner and overnight at Hotel LA PANORAMICA in Castellamare Di Stabia or similar.

AMALFI

Day 7 ~ Sunday 
The Amalfi Coast will take your breath away when you arrive and break your heart when you have to go. Its sunny scenery and welcoming locals make one feel like they have arrived in their dream home town. Its cliffs plunge poetically into the cobalt sea, punctuated only by bursts of verdant vegetation and by the lively little towns that dot its narrow main road as it winds along the southern half of the Sorrentine Peninsula. Its villages rise vertically in colorful bursts, mirrored in the water that kisses its shores. Ancient trails lead further upwards to paths with names like the “Walk of Gods” that offer heavenly views of the marvels of Gulf of Salerno below. Star-studded resort towns like Positano, Amalfi and Ravello have long been sought for their artistic air. Bad weather days on the coast are rare; but when life gives the natives off-days they know just what to do: They take their lemons and make limoncello! Dinner and overnight at Hotel LA PANORAMICA in Castellamare Di Stabia or similar.

PUZZUOLI / ROME

Day 8 ~ Monday 
On the way to reach Rome, you will stop in Pozzuoli. Pozzuoli is a historic coastal town located west of Naples, Italy, in the volcanic area known as the Phlegraean Fields. Founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC, it later became one of the most important ports of the Roman Empire, serving as a major center for trade and commerce. Pozzuoli is also known for its volcanic landscape, thermal springs, and the phenomenon of bradyseism, which causes the ground to slowly rise and fall over time. Combining ancient history, stunning sea views, and unique geological features, Pozzuoli offers a fascinating glimpse into both the Roman world and the powerful natural forces that have shaped the region. Step back into the world of ancient Rome at the Flavian Amphitheatre, one of the largest and best-preserved Roman arenas in Italy. Once the stage for thrilling gladiator contests and spectacular public events, this impressive monument allows visitors to explore its remarkable underground passages, where animals and stage equipment were prepared before entering the arena. A visit offers a fascinating glimpse into the entertainment and engineering of the Roman Empire. Then you’ll arrive to the Eternal city: Discover one of Rome's most magnificent churches, the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Built over the tomb of Saint Paul the Apostle, this extraordinary basilica welcomes visitors with its grand architecture, soaring columns, stunning mosaics, and rich spiritual heritage. Whether you are interested in history, art, or religion, this iconic landmark is an unmissable stop on any visit to Rome. Continue then to the nestled in a peaceful green setting, where the Tre Fontane Abbey offers a unique blend of history, spirituality, and tranquility. According to tradition, this is the site of Saint Paul's martyrdom and the origin of the famous "Three Fountains." Visitors can explore the abbey's historic churches, walk through its serene gardens, and experience the calm atmosphere of this remarkable monastic complex. The abbey is also renowned for its Trappist beer, adding a distinctive touch to this memorable destination. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Hotel SAN GIOVANNI ROMA in Rome.
 

ROME/ VATICAN

Day 9 ~ Tuesday
When the ancient empire fell, a new Christian one took root in its stead. Power was transferred from the Roman command to the religious realm; the emergent Catholic world was ruled from the Vatican. As seat of the Holy See is located in the extraterritorial city state embedded in Rome, visitors can easily enter the bite-sized country with a global grip on ecclesiastical jurisdiction. A visit to “Christian Rome” includes a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel. The country within a country was built to enclose a single complex: the Vatican. The areas open to the public include the Museums, which houses over 300 galleries with a wealth of art that represents all of the greatest expressions of genius from the Etruscan, Egyptian, Greek and Roman to Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. The contents of the collection are unparalleled, but the real draw are the rooms themselves. With interiors by greats like Raphael and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, no better examples of Italian art exist elsewhere in the world. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Hotel SAN GIOVANNI ROMA in Rome.
 

ANCIENT ROME

Day 10 ~ Wednesday 
A journey through antiquity understandably tops a lot of bucket lists. A walk through the ruins of one of the greatest empires of all time is a humbling experience. The ancients built wonders and influenced the world at a time when surviving much beyond the age of 25 was a feat. Architects of the past aimed to lay the foundation for the following generations; they accepted that man played a part in the process of establishing a greatness that he would never see. The contributions of lives in Rome created an area that at that time must have been phantasmagorical – as even its mere remnants are grand. A walking tour of ancient Rome takes you to: the Colosseum, the world’s most famous arena of entertainment; the Arch of Constantine, the largest and only still existing triumphal arch in Rome; Palatine Hill, the location of the imperial palace complex; the Imperial Forum, famous as the area Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus had built; and Trajan’s Column, which reads like a scroll descending from the sky and depicting the victories of the emperor who commissioned it. The walking tour shows the facades of each sight. With a circumference of 545 m and a height of 57 m, the Colosseum is the world’s largest amphitheatre. It was built from 72-80 AD and is recognized as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. As it held up to 50,000 people, 80 gates were needed to facilitate access for the flock of citizens who came for the shows. The “games” were part of a political campaign known as “Panem et Circenses” (“Bread and Circuses”) that were meant to serve as a palliative for the Roman people. The rulers organized exhibitions and fights of exotic animals, gladiator battles, executions of prisoners and the recreations of marine battles, even flooding the arena for the show. The gladiator battles ended under Emperor Constantine in 324 AD, but the system of cages, galleries, storage and changing rooms under the arena, can still be seen. No trip to Rome is complete without a stop at this important symbol of antiquity. The oldest known prison in Rome was originally referred to as “Tullianum.” Its location at Capitol Hill, in front of the Imperial Forum, was a clear symbol of the readiness with which the authorities were prepared to enact justice on those accused of crimes against the Republic. The Romans were practical and did not waste resources on the incarcerated. Imprisonment was not considered punishment, but used as a transitory stage for those awaiting sentencing, which would usually take the form of enslavement or public strangulation or beheading. The holding cells of Tullianium were accessed through a circular trapdoor, with the guard station located just above the whole in the floor. In the Middle Ages the jail took on the name, “Mamertine”, which it retains today, though it is unclear when the cells ceased to be used. Two churches superimpose the structure. The lower church is the Church of Saint Peter’s Prison (la Chiesa di San Pietro in Carcere), which features an upside down crucifix meant to portray exactly how the saint – who was held at Tullianum – died. The church above it is located at the current street level. Visitors enter that church, the Church of Saint Joseph of the Carpenters (la Chiesa di San Giuseppe dei Falegnami), which functions as the portal to the layers of history underneath. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Hotel SAN GIOVANNI ROMA in Rome.

Day 11 ~ Thursday
After breakfast, continue to the airport and depart Rome on Air Canada flying non-stop to Toronto departing at 12:25pm and arriving in Toronto at 4:00pm at Terminal #1.