Photo by: HighContrast (commons.wikimedia.org)
Typical itinerary outlined below. Ask for a brochure for a customized itinerary with pricing specific to a scheduled departure date.
Day 1: Depart USA
Depart from the USA on flight to Rome, Italy
Day 2: Arrival in Rome
Meet our English speaking escort and transfer to hotel. The afternoon will be at your leisure. Relax or spend time exploring Rome. Your escort will suggest some sights or walks for you as well.
Day 1: Depart USA
Depart from the USA on flight to Rome, Italy
Day 2: Arrival in Rome
Meet our English speaking escort and transfer to hotel. The afternoon will be at your leisure. Relax or spend time exploring Rome. Your escort will suggest some sights or walks for you as well.
Photo by: Unknown (commons.wikimedia.org)
Day 3: Rome - Papal Audience (if possible)
Today will be a truly memorable day. This morning we will go to Vatican City to attend the weekly Papal Audience and Blessing given by His Holiness, Pope Francis. Following the audience,galleries filled with art treasures. See awe-inspiring relics and works of art donated throughout various rooms and the most overwhelming Sistine Chapel, including Michelangelo's Masterpiece, the restored mural of the Last Judgment. Later, enter the largest church in Christendom, St Peter's monument to the long history of the Catholic Church, to which pilgrims come from around the world, St Peter's is the grandest of the world's churches. Marvel Pieta and Bernini's amazing bronze canopy. Enjoy some leisure time before dinner.
Today will be a truly memorable day. This morning we will go to Vatican City to attend the weekly Papal Audience and Blessing given by His Holiness, Pope Francis. Following the audience,galleries filled with art treasures. See awe-inspiring relics and works of art donated throughout various rooms and the most overwhelming Sistine Chapel, including Michelangelo's Masterpiece, the restored mural of the Last Judgment. Later, enter the largest church in Christendom, St Peter's monument to the long history of the Catholic Church, to which pilgrims come from around the world, St Peter's is the grandest of the world's churches. Marvel Pieta and Bernini's amazing bronze canopy. Enjoy some leisure time before dinner.
Photo by: AngMokio (commons.wikimedia.org)
Day 4: Rome
This morning we’ll begin the sightseeing tour of a lifetime! Although, our focus is on "Christian Rome" we will also see many important cultural and monumental sights around Rome. The tour includes three major Basilicas: St Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine that contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus; The Basilica of St John in Lateran, the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377; St Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St Paul under its main altar. We will also see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Arch of Drusus, Chapel "O'Domine Quo Vadis?" the remains of imperial tombs, Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Dinner and overnight for your last evening in Rome.
This morning we’ll begin the sightseeing tour of a lifetime! Although, our focus is on "Christian Rome" we will also see many important cultural and monumental sights around Rome. The tour includes three major Basilicas: St Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine that contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus; The Basilica of St John in Lateran, the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377; St Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St Paul under its main altar. We will also see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Arch of Drusus, Chapel "O'Domine Quo Vadis?" the remains of imperial tombs, Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Dinner and overnight for your last evening in Rome.
Photo by: Lawrence OP (flickr.com)
Day 5: Rome - San Giovanni Rotondo
This morning we’ll leave the Eternal City and head southeast to San Giovanni. Time permitting we will stop in Monte Cassino to see the Monastery founded by St Benedict in 529. This lovely Abbey sits atop a hill overlooking the village of Cassino. We arrive in San Giovanni, the home of Padre Pio, just in time for dinner.
Photo by: Pilecka (commons.wikimedia.org)
Day 6: Monte Sant’Angelo
Today we’ll visit the tomb of Padre Pio, tour the sanctuary and see the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. You will see the confessional where Padre Pio spent innumerable hours with a multitude of pilgrims, directing them on their journey toward God. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Cargano Peninsula and a visit to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Six different popes, St Francis and at least four other saints have knelt in prayer at this grotto, seeking the protection of St Michael. A panoramic view of the ocean and the surrounding countryside awaits you at this most celebrated shrine of early Christianity, a shrine consecrated by St Michael himself in 490. Return to San Giovanni for devotions and reflection.
Today we’ll visit the tomb of Padre Pio, tour the sanctuary and see the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. You will see the confessional where Padre Pio spent innumerable hours with a multitude of pilgrims, directing them on their journey toward God. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Cargano Peninsula and a visit to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Six different popes, St Francis and at least four other saints have knelt in prayer at this grotto, seeking the protection of St Michael. A panoramic view of the ocean and the surrounding countryside awaits you at this most celebrated shrine of early Christianity, a shrine consecrated by St Michael himself in 490. Return to San Giovanni for devotions and reflection.
Photo by: Mazaki (commons.wikimedia.org)
Day 7: Laciano - Loreto - Assisi
Today we will travel to Lanciano to see the eighth-century Eucharistic Miracle in the little Church of Lagontial. After expressing doubts about Christ's true presence in the consecrated host, a monk found himself holding a host that had changed into flesh and wine that had changed into blood. Next we follow the lush Adriatic coast to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto. More than 50 popes have made a pilgrimage to the house transported by angels to this hill in central Italy in 1294. Tradition has it that this is the house in which Mary prayed the Magnificat, in which Jesus grew to manhood, and in which the Holy Family lived. Celebrate Mass at the Shrine in Loreto, and then transfer for dinner and overnight in Assisi.
Today we will travel to Lanciano to see the eighth-century Eucharistic Miracle in the little Church of Lagontial. After expressing doubts about Christ's true presence in the consecrated host, a monk found himself holding a host that had changed into flesh and wine that had changed into blood. Next we follow the lush Adriatic coast to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto. More than 50 popes have made a pilgrimage to the house transported by angels to this hill in central Italy in 1294. Tradition has it that this is the house in which Mary prayed the Magnificat, in which Jesus grew to manhood, and in which the Holy Family lived. Celebrate Mass at the Shrine in Loreto, and then transfer for dinner and overnight in Assisi.
Photo by: Sacred Destinations Holly Hayes (flickr.com)
Day 8: Assisi
After breakfast we’ll celebrate Mass and visit the tomb of St Francis. Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St Francis that still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s, the period when St Francis began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are many of his possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. You may kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. It was in St Mary of the Angels Basilica where St Francis spent most of his life. Here we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval streets of the compact little town. After stopping at an outdoor cafe with a view of an ancient Roman temple, we’ll go to the Church of St Clare to see the saint's incorrupt body. The foundress of the Order of Poor Clares followed the teachings of St Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. Return to Assisi for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast we’ll celebrate Mass and visit the tomb of St Francis. Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St Francis that still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s, the period when St Francis began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are many of his possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. You may kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. It was in St Mary of the Angels Basilica where St Francis spent most of his life. Here we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval streets of the compact little town. After stopping at an outdoor cafe with a view of an ancient Roman temple, we’ll go to the Church of St Clare to see the saint's incorrupt body. The foundress of the Order of Poor Clares followed the teachings of St Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. Return to Assisi for dinner and overnight.
Photo by: Pacian01 (commons.wikimedia.org)
Day 9: Assisi - Sienna
Today our travels take us to the beautiful town of Siena, one if Italy’s loveliest medieval cities, and the birthplace of Saints Catherine and Bernardine. Here we will stroll the Piazza Del Campo, one of Italy’s finest squares and visit the Cathedral and the Basilica of St. Francis, containing the miraculous consecrated hosts that have remained intact since 1730. View dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Assisi - Rome - USA
In the early morning we will depart Assisi for the Rome airport and our return flight to the US. As we leave with our new friends and wonderful memories, we fondly say Ciao Italia!
Today our travels take us to the beautiful town of Siena, one if Italy’s loveliest medieval cities, and the birthplace of Saints Catherine and Bernardine. Here we will stroll the Piazza Del Campo, one of Italy’s finest squares and visit the Cathedral and the Basilica of St. Francis, containing the miraculous consecrated hosts that have remained intact since 1730. View dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Assisi - Rome - USA
In the early morning we will depart Assisi for the Rome airport and our return flight to the US. As we leave with our new friends and wonderful memories, we fondly say Ciao Italia!