You are cordially invited to join me on one of my upcoming guided tours of Rome. I have over 15 years of experience living and studying in Rome and have led numerous guided tours for students and congregations. Drawing upon my training as both a pastor and a scholar, I have created a unique program itinerary that focuses on faith, formation, and fellowship.

Even if you have been to Rome before, this trip will not only take you to places that are off the beaten tourist path but it will situate even the most famous sites (such as the Colosseum) within a context that relates to the Christian tradition, spirituality, and theology. As a small group, we will move throughout the city with ease, stopping to eat or for an espresso (or Spritz!) while discussing how these monuments, churches, and works of art impact our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ today.

The daily itinerary sets aside time for communal and private prayer, devotional practices, and worship, ensuring that this is more than a sightseeing adventure. Millions of pilgrims (Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox) travel to Rome each year desiring to walk in the footsteps of Peter, Paul, and countless other disciples of Christ. Our spiritual practices during the week provide an opportunity for us to thank God for these saints, to offer thanksgiving for our ability to see and experience this place, and to discern where God is present and leading us in our lives. Christian fellowship is fostered through these experiences as well as over conversations during our shared meals and evenings spent exploring the illuminated city, attending a concert together, or taking in the famous Roman opera!

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A Unique Experience

Rome offers all Christians a unique opportunity to experience two thousand years of church history in a beautiful and safe environment...with delicious food and drink!

Rome is a living museum of Christian history:

• Rome was home to one of the earliest Christian communities (the recipients of Paul's longest letter).
  
• Roman Christians welcomed both Peter and Paul, and then mourned their martyrdom under Emperor Nero.
  
• Rome is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art that also speak to the concerns raised and changes implemented during the Protestant Reformation.
• Rome continues to be the public face of Christianity around the world. Whether Protestants agree with the Roman Catholic Church on any particular issue, papal elections and pronouncements are often understood as representative of "the Christian" perspective.

For these reasons, among many others, Rome remains a destination for millions of Christians (Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox). We gather here to worship and celebrate the witness of so many of our spiritual ancestors who lived and died in this Eternal City. Come and walk in their footsteps!

ExploreChristianArt offers small-group guided trips that provide a deep immersion into church history through the art and architecture of Rome. These tours present historical study and experience as crucial elements in spiritual reflection and discernment, balancing historical information with time to discern where God is leading us and the church today!

Building Relationships

The small-group format of this guided tour encourages a close encounter with Christian art as well as the formation of meaningful and lasting friendships.

Each trip is specifically designed to cultivate relationships before, during, and after our time in Rome. Here's how:

• Pre-trip meetings: your adventure in Italy begins at home. Pre-trip meetings allow you to get to know your fellow travelers, making the experience in Italy all the more enriching. These meetings will also introduce you to the history of Rome, allowing you to get more out of your travel experience.
• Traveling Together: once in Rome, we will stick together. We lodge together, tour and eat together. While there is certainly time to explore on your own, the trip emphasizes beloved community. No noisy tour buses, no chatty guides with umbrellas, no garbled audio guides! You will be able to see more, do more, and experience more. This small-group experience allows you to get to know your fellow travelers and to create lasting memories together.
• Devotionals: time is set aside each morning and evening for group devotionals. As we pray together and reflect on our day, you will have the opportunity to share with  and listen to the other members of the group as they discern where God is present in their lives.
• Returning Home: groups typically share their experience with their family, community, school, or church by crafting a presentation delivered over a fun Italian-themed dinner. Groups also gather after trips for reunions to share photos, stories, and Italian cuisine! Years later, the memory of this experience continues to unite church members in powerful ways.

Trip Details

Guided trips are available for church congregations interested in offering a small-group experience. Occasionally, upcoming trips have spots open for individual travelers. Send me an email and let me know if you want to explore a trip for your church or if you want to join an upcoming trip. 

Upcoming trips:

• April 18-26, 2026 (committed)
• May 23-31, 2026 (committed with openings)
• April 2027 (in progress)

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Cost: $3500 per person* + airfare

*Price can fluctuate depending on hotel availability; based on double occupancy; final cost may vary slightly due to group size, currency fluctuations, and changes in lodging rates, etc.

What is included in this price?

• Clean and comfortable accommodations in the heart of Rome, near major sites!
• Full buffet breakfast every day
• Lunch in the city most days
• Four group dinners
• All museum and site tickets
• Small-group tours of all sites, churches, and museums.
• Plenty of espresso and gelato while "out and about" in Rome!

Itinerary Details:
The week's program proceeds chronologically through church history. We visit many sites "off the beaten path," but some of the major sites we visit include:

• The Colosseum, Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, the Palatine Hill, and the Pantheon
• The Vatican Museums (and the Sistine Chapel)
• The Ancient Christian Catacombs
• St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City
• St. Paul's Basilica
• The archaeological park of Ostia Antica, Rome's port city
• The Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain

What if I want to stay longer in Italy?
Pastor Daniel will help you curate a trip extension to places such as Florence and Siena (Tuscany), Cinque Terre, Venice, and Naples (Pompeii). Just ask!

What else do I need to know?

• Rome is a walking city. Participants should be in good physical health, as we will walk about 20,000 steps a day over uneven ground.
• ​Please make sure your passport is current. Renew your passport if it expires within 6 months of the trip.