The Last Days of Paul: To Rome, Then Home

Sep 9 Wed Depart SFO - Fly Malta (MLA)

Sep 10 Thu Arrive MALTA at around 1:00pm
Our representative will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with “STEVE KELLAR – TUTKU” sign. Transfer by private bus to hotel. Leave luggage and move to La Valletta*, the capital of MALTA and the island’s richest repository of art, architecture, history and culture.  We’ll start fromthe the Grand Master’s Palace, followed by the St Paul’s Shipwrek Church (subject to a special permit). We’ll visit St John’s Co-Cathedral. (e-tickets), and we’’ll enjoy the view from the Upper Barakka Garden (photo stop). Dinner & Overnight in Malta (D).

Sep 11 Fri MALTA - MDINA - RABAT
Today we will be devoted to MDINA, the “silent city”. Visit the St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Bastion Square, followed by the the Domus Romana,taking us back to Roman times, outside the walls of Mdina. Lunch** at leisure. In the afternoon, visit the St. Paul’s Grotto in Rabat. Proceed(20 min) for the archeologicalexcavations at San Pawl Milqi. Before return to the hotel, stop in St.Paul’s Bay for seeing the St Paul’s Shipwrek Church**. **Only external visit is possible. The church is not open to public for visiting. End of the tour at hotel. Dinner and overnight in Malta (B,D)

Sep 12 Sat MALTA - FERRY TO POZZALLO - SYRACUSE – TAORMINA
03:00 Boxed breakfast at hotel and checkout.  03:15 Transfer to ferry terminal including English-speaking representative. 05:00* Departure by ferry VR-800 to Pozzallo (Sicily). 06:45 Upon our arrival, we will be met by our driver in Pozzallo and drive to Syracuse (66km,1 h).   08:30 Meet your guide and visitthe archeological park of Syracuse, including the Ear of Dionysus. Proceed for Ortigia island. Visit the Cathedral. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Taormina. Guided visit, including the Roman Theatre and the view on the Mt. Etna. Drive towards Messina. Dinner and overnight in Messina area. (B,D)  *Time table may change in 2026.

Sep 13 Sun Fly CATANIA – NAPLES - HERCULANEUM - POMPEII
Early breakfast at hotel and checkout. Drive to Catania airport. Take a flight to Naples. At arrival, drive to Herculanem. Guided visit of the Herculaneum. Organized lunch based on the famous Napoletan pizza. In the afternoon, guided visit (2,5 hrs) of Pompeii Archeological site. Dinner and overnight in Pompeii. (B,L,D)

Sep 14 Mon POMPEII - NAPLES – MONTECASSINO - ROME
07:00 Breakfast at your hotel. 08:00 Drive to NAPLES. 09:00 Guided visit of the Naples Archeological Museum. 10:45 Proceed driving (above 1 ½ hour) to Montecassino. 12:30 Free time in Montecassino for light lunch. 13:15 Guided visit of the Abbey. 14:45 Proceed driving (2 hours) to Rome. 17:00 The last stop will be at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, one of four biggest basilicas in Rome. 

Sep 15 Tue The Vatican and Early Christian Rome
Breakfast at your hotel. Guided visit of the Vatican City. We will begin with a tour of the famous Vatican Museum. We will SEE the most famous rooms, statues, and of course the Sistine Chapel. We will exit the museum into St. Peter’s Basilica, thought to be St. Peter’s final resting place.  Lunch at leisure in Vatican area. From there you will cross the Tiber to visit the ancient hippodrome now preserved as the Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, as well as the Ara Pacis museum. Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (B,D)

Sep 16 Wed ROME - Imperial Rome
After breakfast the local guide will take you on a full-day (6 hours) walking tour of the center of ancient Rome. In the morning you will visit the Basilica of St. Clement with its Necropolis, Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum. Lunch by your own.  In the afternoon you’ll proceed for the Roman forum, you’ll visit the Mamertine prison and will admire the Palatine Hill from the Capitoline Hill. At the end of the guided tour you will be transferred to your hotel.  Dinner and overnight in Rome. (B,D)

Sep 17 Thu   ROME - OSTIA
Breakfast at your hotel.
09:00 Depart hotel with the guide.
09:20 Catacombs of St. Sebastian.
11:00 Basilica St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.
12:15 Abbey of Three Fontaines.
13:15 Free time for lunch.
15:00 Ancient Ostia.
17:30 End of the guided tour. Transfer back to the hotel

Sep 18 Fri ROME AIRPORT - FLY BACK TO SFO. END

• San Francisco – Malta and Rome – San Francisco international flights
• Catania-Naples flight by Ryanair (1 checked baggage up to 20kg, 1 carry-on luggage max 10kg, 1 small hand bag)
• 2 nights stay in Malta Hotel Cavalieri or similar
• 1 night stay in Taormina area Hotel Capo dei Greci**** or similar
• 1 night in Pompei, Hotel Palma****or similar
• 4 nights stay in Rome, Best Western Hotel Universo or similar
• Daily open buffet breakfasts
• 8 dinners
• Transportation by private bus according to the program
• Ferry tickets Malta / Pozzallo
• English-speaking assistant from Sep 10th till Sep 14th
• English-speaking guide minimum 2 hours - maximum 8 hours per day according to the program
• Entrance fees to the sites and museums according to the program
• Whisper Headsets in Italy for 12 days
• City taxes in Malta and in Italy

* Lunches (except 1 in Pompeii) and drinks
* TIPS to drivers and guides
* Porterage at hotels and airports
* Travel and Medical insurance
* Other services not included above