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RELIGIOUS TOURS OF ITALY
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description.
DAY 1 Arrive in Rome, Italy
Welcome to Italy! Check into your hotel, then the rest of the day is free to explore on your own. This afternoon, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers, and prepare for your upcoming spiritual journey. Later this evening, a welcome dinner awaits at your hotel.
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DAY 2 Rome
This morning, attend the PAPAL AUDIENCE (subject to availability) for the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal Blessing. Later, visit ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS, burial place of St. Paul the Apostle and one of Rome’s four major Papal basilicas, along with ST. JOHN LATERAN BASILICA, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century. Next, visit the papal sanctuary of the SCALA SANTA (Holy Stairs), transported from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 AD by St. Helena, Emperor Constantine’s mother. These 28 marble steps are traditionally ascended in a kneeling position with a prayer recital dedicated to Jesus Christ. Then, visit the impressive ST. MARY MAJOR BASILICA and attend Mass Mass.
Breakfast Breakfast
DAY 3 Rome
The “Eternal City” is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, followed by the iconic COLOSSEUM, the largest amphitheater ever built; and the ROMAN FORUM, site of military processions, elections, trials, and the overall center of Roman public life for centuries. An optional visit is available to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo’s impressive fresco of The Last Judgment.
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DAY 4 Rome–Monte Cassino–Pietrelcina–San Giovanni Rotondo
Head deeper south today, stopping first in Monte Cassino to see the monastery and visit the ABBEY perched high above the valley. The monastery was the motherhouse of the Benedictines, founded in 529 AD and destroyed four times over the centuries. The last time it was laid to ruin was in 1944 during the great Battle of Monte Cassino. Then, stop in quaint Pietrelcina, birthplace of the beloved St. Pio, before heading towards San Giovanni Rotondo on the eastern coast, the Saint’s home from 1916 until his death in 1968.
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DAY 5 San Giovanni Rotondo. Excursion to Monte Sant'Angelo
Attend Mass Mass this morning at SANTA MARIA DELLE GRAZIE (Old Church), then visit the FRIARY of Padre Pio, including his tomb, cell, confessional, and the PADRE PIO PILGRIMAGE CHURCH (New Church). Afterwards, take a short drive to the nearby SHRINE OF MONTE SANT’ANGELO, one of Christendom’s most celebrated shrines and where St. Michael the Archangel appeared in 490, 492, and 1656.
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DAY 6 San Giovanni Rotondo–Lanciano–Loreto–Assisi
Visit ST. FRANCIS’ church in Lanciano, home of the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle, and attend morning Mass Mass. Continue to the LORETO SANCTUARY, including the HOLY HOUSE, where, according to tradition, angels transported the home of the blessed Virgin Mary. Arrive at the hilltop village of Assisi, home of St. Francis and St. Clare.
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DAY 7 Assisi
Today, learn more about St. Francis, patron saint of animals and the environment. Attend early morning Mass Mass at ST. FRANCIS BASILICA, famous for its 14th-century Giotto paintings depicting the life of St. Francis, then meet your Local Guide and visit the UPPER and LOWER BASILICAS of St. Francis and the BASILICA OF ST. CLARE, founder of the Order of Poor Clares. Next, visit the BASILICA of Santa Maria degli Angeli, situated at the foot of Assisi’s hills and protecting the Porziuncola, where St. Francis is said to have founded the Order of Friars Minor in 1209, and the Cappella del Transito, where the Saint died in 1226.
Breakfast Breakfast
DAY 8 Assisi–Cascia–Rome
Travel to Cascia this morning, situated in Umbria and home of St. Rita, the “Patron Saint of Impossible Causes.” Visit the SANCTUARY and see the Major Basilica, the chapel that houses the tomb of St. Rita. Also see the Minor Basilica, home of the Eucharistic Miracle that is commemorated each year with the Feast of Corpus Christi. Return to Rome for a final overnight and a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
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DAY 9 Rome
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description.
DAY 1 Arrive in Rome, Italy
Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director, then enjoy this evening’s welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
DinnerDinner
DAY 2 Rome
Your spiritual journey begins with a major highlight: a guided visit of the VATICAN MUSEUMS and the SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment. Continue to monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE and BASILICA. Cross the Tiber River and visit the COLOSSEUM, the largest amphitheater ever built; and see the Roman Forum, site of military processions, elections, trials, and the overall center of Roman public life for centuries.
Breakfast Breakfast
DAY 3 Rome
This morning, attend the PAPAL AUDIENCE (subject to availability) for the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal Blessing. Later, visit ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS, one of Rome’s four major Papal basilicas, and explore the mysterious ancient CATACOMBS that run under the city. During the persecutions, the catacombs were used as places of refuge for the celebration of the Eucharist. Next, visit ST. JOHN LATERAN BASILICA and the HOLY STAIRS, which were brought from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 AD by St. Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. Officially, pilgrims may only ascend these 28 white marble steps on their knees. Then, visit the hallowed halls of ST. MARY MAJOR BASILICA, another of Rome’s four major Papal basilicas.
Breakfast Breakfast
DAY 4 Rome–Cascia–Assisi
Depart Rome today and head north into Umbria for a stop in Cascia to explore the life of St. Rita, known as the “Saint of the Impossible.” Visit the BASILICA, see the tomb with the saint’s incorrupt body, and attend Mass Mass. Also visit the lower basilica, home of the Eucharistic Miracle, which is commemorated each year with the Feast of Corpus Christi. Continue to hilltop Assisi, home of St. Francis and St. Clare. Here, visit ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS BASILICA, where St. Francis consecrated St. Clare as the “Bride of Christ,” and the PORZIUNCOLA, where he founded the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in 1209.
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DAY 5 Assisi
Attend Mass Mass this morning, followed by a guided walking tour of Assisi. Visit the BASILICAS OF ST. FRANCIS and ST. CLARE, and see the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis. A short trip by minibus takes you to the CARCERI HERMITAGE, a peaceful oasis in the woods of Mount Subasio where St. Francis came to pray. Finally, visit the MONASTERY OF ST. DAMIAN, a Franciscan shrine built on the spot where St. Francis heard the voice of Christ, and where he wrote the Canticle of the Creatures. The convent founded by St. Clare is still intact, and is where she died in 1253. This afternoon, you may wish to join an optional excursion to magnificent medieval Spello.
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DAY 6 Assisi–Siena–Florence
Leave Assisi and enter Tuscany. In Siena, meet your Local Guide and learn all about St. Catherine as you visit the BASILICA OF ST. DOMINIC, the SANCTUARY, and the HOUSE. Then, enjoy a walk through the ancient narrow lanes and visit beautiful PIAZZA DEL CAMPO. Afternoon arrival in Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.”
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DAY 7 Florence
This morning, attend Mass Mass at SANTA MARIA NOVELLA, the city’s first great basilica. Then, embark on a guided walking tour that visits the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s David. Admire the magnificent Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gate of Paradise,” and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. Then visit SANTA CROCE BASILICA with the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Rossini, and others.
Breakfast Breakfast
DAY 8 Florence–Padua
Travel through the Apennine Mountains to arrive in the flat Po area. In Padua, a guided visit of the BASILICA OF ST. ANTHONY shows you the tomb and reliquaries of this miracle-working saint and patron of lost and stolen articles.
Breakfast Breakfast
DAY 9 Padua. Excursion to Venice
A short drive brings you to Venice. Enter the city in style by PRIVATE BOAT and see the sights with your Local Guide. Visit lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS, ST. MARK’S SQUARE and its BASILICA, where you may wish to attend Mass. Time at leisure or take an optional gondola ride. Return to Padua and join your traveling companions for a farewell dinner with wine.
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DAY 10 Padua
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning (the nearest airport is Venice).
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