Day 1 Arrival in Rome, Italy
Transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director, then enjoy this evening’s welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (D)
Day 2 Rome
Attend the weekly general audience of the Pope (subject to availability). This afternoon, visit ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS and the CATACOMBS. During the persecutions, the catacombs were used as places of refuge for the celebration of the Eucharist. Next, visit ST. JOHN LATERAN BASILICA, the HOLY STAIRS, which were brought from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 AD by St. Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, and consist of 28 white marble steps. As a favorite of pilgrims everywhere, these steps may only be ascended on the knees. Then, visit the impressive ST. MARY MAJOR BASILICA. (B)
Day 3 Rome
This morning, enjoy 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, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World®, and the ROMAN FORUM, where Roman legions marched in triumph. (B)
Day 4 Rome - Montecassino - San Giovanni Rotondo
Visit the ABBEY OF MONTECASSINO, the first of the Benedictine monasteries founded by St. Benedict around 529 AD, and its MUSEUM. Then, journey to Italy’s eastern coast and San Giovanni Rotondo, home to the beloved St. Padre Pio. (B,D)
Day 5 San Giovanni Rotondo. Excursion to Monte Sant'Angelo
Visit the FRIARY OF PADRE PIO, including his tomb, cell, confessional, and the OLD CHURCH where he received the stigmata. Also visit the NEW CHURCH. Afterwards, visit the nearby SHRINE OF MONTE SANT’ANGELO, one of Christendom’s most celebrated shrines and where St. Michael the Archangel appeared in years 490 AD, 492 AD, and 1656. (B,D)
Day 6 San Giovanni Rotondo - Lanciano - Loreto - Assisi
Visit Lanciano and the CHURCH that is home to an 8th-century Eucharistic Miracle. Afterwards, visit the HOLY HOUSE OF LORETO, 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. (B,D)
Day 7 Assisi - Florence
Celebrate Mass this morning followed by a guided walking tour of Assisi. Visit the BASILICAS OF ST. FRANCIS and ST. CLARE. See the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis. Also visit the ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS BASILICA and the PORTIUNCOLA. Time to further explore Assisi on your own before leaving for Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance.” (B,D)
Day 8 Florence
Your walking tour with a Local Guide features a visit to the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS to see Michelangelo’s David, the CATHEDRAL, and Giotto’s Bell Tower. Balance of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 9 Florence - Padua - Venice
Depart for Padua and meet your Local Guide. Visit the BASILICA OF ST. ANTHONY to see the tomb and reliquaries of this miracle-working saint and patron of lost and stolen articles, and enjoy mass. Journey on to Venice, one of the world’s most romantic cities. Tonight is your chance to sample one of Venice’s fine restaurants. (B)
Day 10 Venice
This morning, enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT and start sightseeing with your Local Guide. Visit ST. MARK’S SQUARE and its BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Also watch skilled GLASSBLOWERS fashion their delicate objects in an age-old traditional manner. The afternoon is at leisure, you may wish to join an optional gondola serenade or attend Mass at the Basilica. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with wine. (B,D)
Day 11 Venice
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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On this Faith-Based vacation, discover Italy from Rome to Venice. Start your trip in Rome, Italy’s capital, with a welcome dinner and guided tours with a Local Guide to the Holy Stairs, St. John Lateran Basilica, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Mary Major Basilica, the Catacombs, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square and Basilica, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
