St Paul's Italy with Florence and Venice with Rev. Ike Nicholson

What will we see each day?

Our itineraries are designed to be not too full - or too empty! Each day we'll have breakfast at our hotel, followed by the day's activities. In the evenings, you'll have the opportunity to join the devotional time. Enjoy browsing the proposed itinerary.

IF = In flight meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1: Friday, Nov. 5, 2010 • Departure
Our pilgrimage begins as we board our flights bound for Rome, Italy, the Eternal City. Meals will be served in flight. IF

Day 2: Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 • Rome
Rome fountain Upon arrival in Rome, we meet our Reformation Tours tour director and motor coach and transfer into the city. En route we stop at the Catacombs along the Appian Way. Before entering the historic city center, we also visit one of the four major basilicas of Rome, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, where the Apostle was martyred and is buried. We now check into our hotel to relax from our journey and enjoy a welcome dinner. Our tour escort will be available to suggest local attractions and provide any assistance we need. D

Day 3: Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010 • Rome
We’ll worship at a local church and enjoy fellowship with Italian Christians. Next is an exploration of ancient Rome, and our walking tour begins with an inside visit to the Colosseum and includes the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, Constantine’s Arch. We see San Pietro in Vincoli Church with Michelangelo’s Moses, and Mamertine Prison. We’ll share scriptures about the life & labor of St. Paul and reflect on his time spent in Rome. This afternoon and evening we have free time to explore on our own. Many of us will want to enjoy a stroll in some of Rome’s quaint historic areas. B

Day 4: Monday, Nov. 8, 2010 • Rome, Pompeii
Pompeii This morning we board a coach for an excursion to Pompeii, one of the world’s great archeological finds. A local guide will take us through this incredible time capsule, showing us a once thriving and advanced city, tragically lost to the massive eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Upon our return we have dinner at the Ancient Baths of Diana. B/D

Day 5: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010 • Vatican, Umbria, Assisi
Vatican Our morning is spent in the Vatican with a tour of one of the world’s greatest collections of art. Our tour includes the Sistine Chapel with its magnificently restored frescoed ceiling by Michelangelo and St. Peter’s Basilica with another masterpiece by Michelangelo, the Pieta. This afternoon we drive to the region of Umbria and the hilltop town of Assisi to walk in the footsteps of St. Francis. Our stay here includes visits to St Francis Basilica, Basilica of St. Clare, and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built to enclose the tiny Church of the Porziuncola, St. Francis’ first retreat and place of prayer. B/D

Day 6: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 • Assisi, Tuscany, Siena, Florence
Assisi This morning we tour Assisi and learn why this St. Francis still an example of a Christ-centered life. Then we head into Tuscany stopping in the city of Siena. A local guide joins us for a walking tour which includes the magnificent Duomo(Cathedral) and the Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio horse race is held each year. We’ll visit the magnificent Basilica of San Francisco. We also visit sites associated with Catherine of Siena, her home and the Church of St. Dominic which houses her relics- interesting for us Protestants. Then we continue on to Florence “the Cradle of the Renaissance,” our home our home for the next two nights. B/D

Day 7: Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010 • Florence
Our entire day is devoted to Florence, “the Cradle of the Renaissance.” A local guide joins us as we begin our exploration of Florence home to the Duomo with its famed Baptistry, Giotto's Tower, the Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, and the Accademia with Michelangelo's incomparable "David." Our local guide will explain the history as we explore this legendary city. We will see the magnificent bronze doors of the Baptistery and explore the treasures inside the Duomo. We also visit the Convent and Museum of St. Mark, a former Dominican monastery which contains important frescoes by Friar Andelico and the cells of Reformer Savonarola. We walk through the Medici garden (Boboli Gardens) and have some time to explore the local leather markets for which Florence is famous. We’ll enjoy the beautiful view of Florence on Piazza Michelangelo, then explore and shop along the Ponte Vechio Bridge, built in 1345, before returning to our hotel in Florence. B/D

Day 8: Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 • Pisa, Venice/Mestre
This morning we visit the famous leaning Tower of Pisa and then on to fabulous Venice- La Serenissima, the “Serene One.” Built upon 117 islands, Venice is a mosaic of canals, plazas, fascinating markets, and charm! Upon arrival we travel by ferry to Murano–a cluster of small islands connected by bridges and the center of the Italian glassmaking industry since 1291. B/D

Day 9: Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 • Venice
Venice We begin our day in Venice with an excursion to St. Mark’s Square, including a cruise along the serpentine Canale Grande. Here we see the Bell Tower and the impressive St. Mark’s Cathedral. There is time in the afternoon to take a gondola ride through the charming canals, explore and shop in the famous market area around the Rialto Bridge or to enjoy a coffee or gelato and some people-watching at St. Mark’s Square. B/D

Day 10: Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010 • Return
We transfer to Venice international airport and board our homebound flight. Arrivederci! B/IF

Reformation Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary. While on tour, if conditions necessitate changes, or if certain features are unavailable or limited, we reserve the right to vary or substitute alternatives. All prices are calculated at the exchange rate in effect at the time of this quotation. Should currency fluctuations necessitate an adjustment in tour price the adjusted price will be reflected in the final invoice.

The Rev. Isaac W. “Ike” Nicholson is the Senior Minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Ashland, Kentucky. In his 15 years of ordained ministry, Rev. Ike has served congregations in West Virginia, Maryland and Kentucky.

He graduated with departmental honors from Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, Virginia, where he received a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Sociology and Religious Studies. He attended Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, Kentucky, graduating with a Master of Divinity. Upon graduation he was awarded the prestigious George V. Moore Award for “excellence in ministry within the local congregation.” Rev. Nicholson is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry Degree at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.

Rev. Ike has been leading international pilgrimages since 2001. He and his wife, Shauna, led a pilgrimage tour to Scotland and Northern Ireland in 2006, tracing the history of both Christendom and the Stone-Campbell Movement from Iona, Scotland to Rich Hill, Northern Ireland.

As a founding member of Friends of Jordan, an ecumenical organization of clergy that encourages tourism to Jordan only as a Holy Land destination, Rev. Ike has led numerous familiarization and general tours to the eastern half of the Biblical Holy Land.

All cancellations must be in writing and the date of postmark will determine the amount of refund due.

We can either assist you with flight bookings, or you are welcome to choose your own flights. If you are using frequent flyer miles, you'll need to contact your airline directly. We can also arrange for extra hotel nights before or after the tour. Please ensure we have a copy of your flight itinerary for our records no later than 30 days before departure.

Arrival: If you aren't on the group flights above, please plan on arriving in Rome on Friday, November 6, 2010 by 7:00 AM. If you are traveling early, we can arrange for accommodation in Rome.

Departure: Flights can be arranged anytime on Sunday, November 14, 2010 from Venice. Additional nights can be arranged.

St. Paul's Italy with Florence and Venice Join us November 5-14, 2010

St. Paul's Italy with Florence and Venice
Join us November 5-14, 2010