Disembark Crystal Symphony & Vatican City Tour

Welcome to Rome!

Following breakfast on the ship, we disembark in Civitavecchia and transfer as a group via private motor coaches to Rome (approx. 90-minute drive).

Once in Rome, we start our journey with a tour of Vatican City. Created as a result of the Lateran Treaty in 1929 between Pope Pius XI and the Italian government, the Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world.

Enjoy the treasures of the Vatican Museums with a highlight in the Room of Constantine where we view “The Battle at Pons Milvius,” a fresco depicting the infamous battle between Constantine and Maxentius. Continue our visit with entrance to the Sistine Chapel, with its famous frescoes by Michelangelo.

Then, enter the awe-inspiring St. Peter’s Basilica. The dominant structure of the Vatican was erected on order by Constantine over the tomb of the crucified St. Peter. The present structure is mostly Renaissance and Baroque, formed under the hands of masters such as Michelangelo, and the inside is an elaborate and detailed display of marble, mosaics, gilding, and bronze.

Enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant before boarding the motor coaches for the hotel. Along the way, our guide will point out the Arch of Janus, the only quadrifrons triumphal arch preserved in Rome, and stop for a short photo op at Circus Maximus, an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium.

Check into the 5-star hotel Westin Excelsior, Rome, centrally located on Via Veneto, one of the most famous and opulent streets in Rome. The remainder of the evening and dinner are at leisure.

Perhaps discover the Spanish Steps, one of the most photogenic landmarks in the city, or the world-famous Trevi Fountain, both just a short walk from the hotel.

The Westin Excelsior, Rome | Deluxe Room
Sitting just moments from Piazza di Spagna and the Villa Borghese gardens, The Westin Excelsior, Rome is one of the world’s great classic hotels. Unique and unforgettable, it is located on the famous Via Veneto. The upscale hotel amenities include a luxe restaurant, piano bar, and café, as well as a spa, indoor pool, and fitness center.

All refined Deluxe rooms are elegantly furnished with crystal chandeliers, one king or two twin plush beds, working area, sitting area with classic velvet armchairs, flat screen TV, personal electronic safe, and a marble bathroom with shower/tub combination and luxurious bath amenities. Rooms also offer a mini-bar, air conditioning, soundproof windows, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Overnight The Westin Excelsior, Rome (B on ship, L)

Constantine’s Rome Tour

Following breakfast at the hotel, board our private motor coaches to begin a full-day tour discovering iconic Roman sites including ones associated with Constantine the Great, the Roman Emperor who inspired Kappa Sigma’s Order of Constantine.

Our first stop is at the triumphal Arch of Constantine, built in 315 AD to commemorate Constantine’s victory over the Roman tyrant Maxentius. We take time to study the intricacies and hear of Constantine’s remarkable military victories and accomplishments while standing beneath the ornate marble monument.

Steps away lies the 2,000-year-old Colosseum. Tour the inside of this iconic landmark and hear tales of its violent gladiatorial past.

Continue to the Roman Forum; once the center of the ancient city of Rome and home to the ruins of several important government buildings and temples including the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine. Completed in 313 AD, the basilica was the largest building in the Forum and the last Roman basilica built in the city.

Enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Curia Julia, a Roman Senate building built in 44 BC. We hear of the various office ranks and positions used in ancient Rome and how they directly relate to the history of Sigma Chi’s history.

We continue to Capitoline Hill with a visit to the Capitoline Museums, one of the most important art and archaeological museums in Rome. Hear the history of the Colossus of Constantine from our guide. The massive statue of the emperor stood 40 feet tall near the Roman Forum around 315 AD. Now, only a handful of fragments remain.

We conclude the tour with a stop at the present-day Milvian Bridge, or Pons Milvius, the site of the epic Battle of the Milvian Bridge that took place in 312 AD. On the eve of his great victory, it is said Constantine saw a fiery white cross in the sky and the words In Hoc Signo Vinces (In this sign you will conquer)—now the public motto of the brotherhood of Sigma Chi.

Return to the hotel with the remainder of the evening and dinner at leisure.

Overnight The Westin Excelsior, Rome (B, L)

Sigma Chi Event, Optional Tours & Farewell Dinner

This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, gather for a private ritual exclusive to only Kappa Sigma Brothers. More details coming soon!

During the ritual, family and friends have the option of joining three morning tours:

Option 1: Italian Couture! Shopping with a Stylist ($)

Shop till you drop! Set out on two of Rome’s main shopping streets and discover the best of the Roman fashion scene, from cutting-edge designs to vintage treasures, on a small group shopping tour with a personal stylist.

Option 2: Gardens & Masterpieces! Villa Borghese & Galleria Borghese ($)

Explore the gardens of Villa Borghese, the former 1600’s estate of the wealthy Borghese family, on a guided tour that includes entrance to the Galleria Borghese, a world-class art museum with an impressive collection.

Option 3: Hillside Retreat! Tivoli & the Alban Hills with Lunch ($)

Escape the city to the hillside town of Tivoli and take in the serenity of the spectacular water gardens of Villa D’Este, a 16th-century palace. Continue south to Frascati in the Alban Hills for a short walking tour and a ‘fraschetta’ lunch consisting of cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and authentic Italian pasta dishes.

Return to the hotel for the afternoon and lunch at leisure. Tonight, join fellow Kappa Sigma Brothers and friends for a Farewell Group Dinner at a local restaurant and toast to the end of a memorable adventure!

Overnight The Westin Excelsior, Rome (B, D)

Depart Rome

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) for your flight home.

(B)