Welcome to Italy!

Your Sweet Travel Italy assistant is waiting in the airport to welcome you. Please share a warm ciao! 

The transfer is organized with our private minivan to drive you directly to the hotel

Located in the heart of the Eternal City, it is a roman house by definition. A perfect choice to best discover the hotspots of this cultural tour. Elegant and spacious, most rooms at the Domus Romana maintain the original features of an ancient monastery. Wi-Fi is free throughout. Rione Monti, where the hotel is located, is a great choice for travellers interested in roman ruins, food and sightseeing

Depending on your arrival time your Sweet Travel Italy assistant organizes a walking tour of the Eternal City for you, on this first day. Check the Colosseum where Christians were tortured before Christianity became official religion of the Roman Empire. Visit the church of St. Andrea al Quirinale built by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, same architect of St. Peter's Basilica and Santa Maria Maggiore Church, one of the oldest churches in Rome. Ask your Sweet Travel Italy assistant for tips on restaurants in the area. Dinner is not included in the tour price

Dinner is not included in the tour price. Ask your Sweet Travel Italy assistant for the best tips on where to eat downtown

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Follow the steps of the Apostle Paul in his last years of life. Both Paul and Peter were believed to have been imprisoned here before their execution. Paul was executed at Aquas Salvias, and Peter in Nero’s circus on the Vatican Hill. Paul wrote about his imprisonment several times in his letters, for an example see Philippians 1:13. It is also believe that Paul wrote the entire book of Timothy in this prison

Your English speaking guide will lead the group to discover the oldest prisons in Rome. Mamertine prisons were the place where the enemies of Rome were segregated before the execution. Before the two saints great names of the past were held in this place like Vercingetorix, Catilina and Sejanus

Our private minivan will drive the group to Tre Fontane Abbey where the legend tells that Apostle Paul was beheaded by Emperor Nero’s order. His head struck the earth in three different places in which fountains sprang forth. Walk into the abbey dedicated to this miracle

Typical roman restaurant Felice a Testaccio is one of those places you do not want to miss during your visit of Rome. First established in 1936 this typical restaurant will make you fall in love with Italian cuisine. Make sure to ask your Sweet Travel Italy assistant for the traditional recipe of Cacio e Pepe pasta included in the meal. Lunch is included in the tour price

After lunch visit the Church of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The Basilica was founded by the Roman Emperor Constantine I over the burial place of St. Paul, where it was said that, after the Apostle Paul’s execution, his followers erected a memorial

In the year 313 AD the emperor Constantine proclaimed freedom of worship, putting an end to the persecution of Christians. He had basilicas built over the tombs of Peter and Paul. Pope Sylvester consecrated St. Paul’s around the year 330 AD. The small dimensions of the building were due to the limitations of the space available. The basilica is faced east towards Jerusalem

After the visit of St. Paul Basilica, our minivan will drive the group back to the hotel where your Sweet Travel Italy assistant will recommend some restaurants for the night. Dinner is not included in the tour price

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Begin the day by following the steps of the Apostle Peter. First visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Square together with your Sweet Travel Italy assistant and the English speaking guide. Apostle Peter was crucified upside down in the center of the square according to the book of John (21:18-19), and it is believed that he is buried deep beneath the Basilica in the original cave. St. Peter is considered to be the first Pope

This is the most important church in the world. Visit it together with a private English speaking guide for a detailed tour of the church, the location of St. Peter tomb and the priceless artefacts from the past kept within its walls. The Basilica (it is an architectural solution for religious buildings adopted from the time of the roman emperor Constantine) was first built by roman emperor Constantine where the circus of emperor Nero was located. Then climb to the top of St. Peter’s dome cupola and enjoy a breathtaking view of Rome

As soon as the visit at St. Peter Basilica ends, our minivan will drive the group to Gianicolo for a lunch break. Gianicolo is a great view point of the entire city. It is a relaxing spot where you can enjoy some refreshments before the continuation of the tour. Lunch today is not included in the tour price

After the break your Sweet Travel Italy assistant will gather the group for the exploration of another important site of this tour. At the beginning of Christian Era the disciples of the new religion were not allowed by Romans to pray in public. Christians had to hide in subterranean places around Rome. Your Sweet Travel Italy assistant will show you an example of this place called St. Callixstos catacombs. The saint was killed in 3rd century AD because of his religion

The catacombs of St. Callixtus are among the greatest and most important in Rome. They originated about in the middle of the 3rd century AD and are part of a cemeterial complex which occupies an area of 90 acres, with a network of galleries about 12 miles long, in four levels, more than twenty meters deep. In the course of time tens of martyrs were buried in there, 16 popes and many of the first Christians

After the visit to the catacombs explore the small church where the legend says St. Peter spoke to Jesus and finally accepted his destiny as martyr in Rome. The small church is located within a walking distance from the catacombs

St. Sebastian was one Christian martyr who gave his life for his belief during the persecutions of roman emperors against the Christians. This beautiful church belongs to the "7 churches pilgrimage" in Rome. Inside the place admire "Jesus", the last sculpture created by a the master Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Optional excursion is to the nearby Museum of Sarcophagus

Dinner is not included in the tour price. Please ask your Sweet Travel Italy assistant for tips on where to eat tonight

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Our minivan will drive you through the city to reach Vatican City

Did you know that the Vatican is a state within Italy's borders with its own laws, constitution and Head of State? Vatican Museum was first established in the 16th century with Pope Julius II and since then, for more then 5 hundred years the collection of artefacts, sculptures and paintings has only enlarged. Today the Vatican Museum holds one of the greatest collection in the world and the queue to enter the place is never-ending. Together with the English speaking guide and your Sweet Travel Italy assistant explore on a fast-track all the collections with a detailed tour to better understand the life before and after the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto are two places not to be missed in this Upon This Rock...Tour. Your Sweet Travel Italy assistant will walk with you in this typical area of Rome to discover the narrow roads, the sculptures and the story behind the Hebrew community of Rome

This is a first class Jewish restaurant that you reach around this time together with your Sweet Travel Italy assistant. The Hebrew food tradition in Rome is very strong and you will taste some amazing dishes. Try the Carbonara con zucchine (delicious pasta cooked with eggs and zucchini) and the artichokes alla giudia. Today's lunch is included in the tour price

The Jewish Ghetto in Rome is considered to be the oldest in the western world. Pope Paul IV ordered its construction in 1555 to separate the Jews from the majority of Christians. It is a hidden jewel between the Tiber river and Piazza Venezia. Often snubbed by tourists it will be the core of this afternoon visit together with your Sweet Travel Italy assistant. You will be visiting the Synagogue which was built in 19th century AD. After walking the ghetto you will discover Trastevere, a special place in the heart of Rome. For you to understand why!

Around this time your Sweet Travel Italy assistant will gather the group for the transfer back to the hotel. Dinner is not included in the tour price

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Together with your Sweet Travel Italy assistant walk from the hotel to The Holy Stairs. Visit the stairs where Jesus walked. After the visit to the Holy Stairs, your Sweet Travel Italy assistant will lead the group to visit the famous San Giovanni in Laterano Basilica and the nearby Palazzo Lateranense. For lunch you will enjoy a rich Italian aperitivo with prosecco and local finger food to celebrate the last day of this tour. The afternoon is free. Dinner is not included in the tour price

According to the catholic tradition, these are the stairs belonging to the palace of Pontius Pilatus in Jerusalem that Jesus walked during his Passion. Brought to Rome in 4th century AD by St. Helene, mother of emperor Constantine, are today the destination of millions of pious people from every corner of the world to be climbed on knees

Home of the Pope before moving the residency into Vatican city, Palazzo Lateranense is today a wonderful place to follow the history of the Church and to discover the features of the papacy. In this place, next to Palazzo Lateranense, Constantine built his first church: San Giovanni in Laterano. After the visit of the Palazzo Lateranense together with your Sweet Travel Italy assistant you will walk the inner steps that connect the Palazzo with San Giovanni in Laterano Basilica

San Giovanni in Laterano Basilica is actually the official head church of Rome (not St. Peter’s!) and is the seat of the bishop of Rome – the Pope.  The Basilica is the oldest in the world, it was built in the 4th century AD. Great treasures inside are waiting for you to be discovered together with your Sweet Travel Italy assistant

It is time to take an Italian aperitivo. Being the last day of the tour your Sweet Travel Italy assistant will gather the group after the visit of San Giovanni in Laterano Basilica to a nearby café for a toast with an Italian style aperitivo to celebrate the success of the trip. Do you know what Aperitivo is? It is time to try this joyful Italian tradition. Aperitivo is included in the tour price

You may want to take a walk to find the perfect gift for your family and friends. Please ask your Sweet Travel Italy assistant for more information on where to go shopping. Spend the afternoon walking around the city or enjoy some coffee in local bars. Dinner is not included in the tour price

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Check out from the hotel. Your Sweet Travel Italy assistant will gather the group at the hotel reception and help the check out process

The transfer to the airport will be organized according to your flight schedule. Your Sweet Travel Italy assistant will help you at the airport for the check in and the luggage drop