Prepare for Italy
Your journey to Italy will open your eyes to the roots of the early church, surround you with breathtaking beauty, and fill your soul with awe as you walk where apostles, martyrs, and church fathers once stood. It will change the way you read the New Testament letters, and it will give you a deeper appreciation of how God shaped the faith in the heart of the Roman world. At the same time, there are four preparations that will help you get the most from this experience.
You will need to prepare your mind with a little bit of background learning so the sites come alive from the very first day.
Preparing your stuff will make the journey smoother and ensure you have the right tools at hand.
Getting your body ready will help you enjoy the trip with energy and focus.
And most importantly, preparing your heart will open you to the ways God may speak to you as we travel together.
Prepare Your Mind
If you will spend a short time before you go, you’ll land in Italy already familiar with the geography and history that shaped the early church. Pull up a map of Italy on Google Maps, or pick up a simple folding map before you travel. Notice the “boot-shaped” peninsula, the Apennine mountain spine running down its center, and the long Mediterranean coastline that made Italy a crossroads of the ancient world.
Some key points to know before you arrive:
Rome: The heart of the Roman Empire, home of Paul’s prison, Peter’s martyrdom, and countless early believers.
Pompeii and Naples region: Sites that vividly show daily life in the first century.
Florence and Tuscany: Not New Testament sites, but crucial for church history and Renaissance faith expression.
Venice: A reminder of the church’s global reach in the Middle Ages.
Spend some time looking into the Roman Empire at its height—roads, aqueducts, and forums that you’ll see in person. A Bible atlas or study Bible map may also help when reading Paul’s letters to Rome, Philippians (written from prison in Rome), and later church history.
Prepare Your Stuff
Bring your Bible, and consider adding a Bible app on your phone (Olive Tree or YouVersion). Reading Paul’s letters in the very city they were written to will be powerful.
Some practical packing suggestions:
Clothing: Italy values modest but stylish dress. Comfortable walking shoes are a must (cobblestone streets are everywhere). Churches and cathedrals often require covered shoulders and knees—carry a light scarf or wrap.
Electronics: Italy uses 220V current and European plugs (Type C/L). Most phones and laptops auto-adjust voltage, but you’ll need adapters.
Day pack: Bring a small backpack for water, snacks, and a journal.
Headwear: A simple hat for sunny days, especially in southern sites or during summer travel.
Prepare Your Body
You’ll be walking a lot—often several miles a day—on uneven cobblestone streets, up staircases, and through ancient ruins. Begin walking at home a few weeks before the trip, especially on hills or uneven ground. Break in your shoes ahead of time.
Jet lag is real when crossing the Atlantic. A sleep aid or melatonin may help those first few nights. Hydrate well, and resist the urge to nap too long during the day. Staying outside in the Italian sunlight will help reset your body clock faster.
Prepare Your Heart
Italy is more than sightseeing—it is a pilgrimage. You’ll stand in the Mamertine Prison where Paul may have been held, walk into catacombs where early believers worshiped in secret, and pray in basilicas built over the tombs of martyrs.
Here are three ways to prepare your heart:
Pray—Ask God to open your heart to what He wants to teach you. Invite friends to pray for you as you prepare.
Read—Take time in Paul’s letter to the Romans, and skim Acts 27–28 (Paul’s journey to Rome). These will come alive when you’re standing on those very streets.
Journal—Start a travel journal. Write down prayers, questions, and reflections before you go. Add daily notes during the trip. You’ll treasure this record later.
The more you prepare, the deeper the impact will be—not just in your mind, but in your walk with Christ.