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DAY 1 - Monday, September 24, 2018Welcome to Rome! At 5 pm, meet your Tour
Director, then enjoy this evening’s welcome dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate the start of your spiritual journey through Italy. |
DAY 2 - Tuesday, September 25, 2018This morning your Local Specialist takes you on a sightseeing tour starting with a visit to the Vatican City and the awe-inspiring St. Peter’s Basilica to view Michelangelo’s statue, the Pietà Cross the Tiber River and dip into ancient Roman history. See the 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.
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DAY 3 - Wednesday, September 26, 2018
This morning attend the Papal Audience (subject to availability) for a chance to see the Pope and
receive the Papal Blessing. Later we visit St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of Rome’s four major basilicas and also the burial site of St. Paul the Apostle, Next we visit St. John Lateran Basilica, built by Constantine the Great, and visit the Santa Scala (Holy Stairs) to see the 28 stairs which are traditionally ascended in a kneeling position with a prayer dedicated to Jesus Christ. Finally we visit St. Mary Major Basilica. For nearly sixteen centuries, St. Mary Major has held its position as a Marian shrine par excellence and has been a magnet for pilgrims from all over the world who have come to the Eternal City to experience the beauty, grandeur, and holiness of the basilica.
receive the Papal Blessing. Later we visit St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of Rome’s four major basilicas and also the burial site of St. Paul the Apostle, Next we visit St. John Lateran Basilica, built by Constantine the Great, and visit the Santa Scala (Holy Stairs) to see the 28 stairs which are traditionally ascended in a kneeling position with a prayer dedicated to Jesus Christ. Finally we visit St. Mary Major Basilica. For nearly sixteen centuries, St. Mary Major has held its position as a Marian shrine par excellence and has been a magnet for pilgrims from all over the world who have come to the Eternal City to experience the beauty, grandeur, and holiness of the basilica.
DAY 4 - Thursday, September 27, 2018 |
DAY 5 - Friday, September 28, 2018 |
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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 the Basilica and see the tomb with the saint’s incorrupt body, and attend Mass. Next, visit the lower basilica, home of the Eucharistic Miracle, which is commemorated each year with the Feast of Corpus Christi. Continue to hilltop Assisi and rambling through the cobblestone streets of Assisi with our Local Specialist, we visit the Basilica of St. Francis, famous for Giotto’s exquisite frescoes and 13th century stained glass windows and to see St Mary of the Angels, 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. |
This morning, we depart for Loreto, first making
a stop to visit in the city of Macerata where we pray at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, scene of a Eucharistic miracle, where in the 14th century, a priest torn by the doubt that Christ was really present in the Eucharist, saw the host bleed into the chalice and some of the blood spilled onto the corporal. Then we visit the Loreto Sanctuary and the Holy House, one of the prominent Marian Shrines in the world. |
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DAY 6 - Saturday, September 29, 2018Attend Mass this morning, followed by a guided
walking tour of Assisi. Visit the St Francis Basilica and St. Claire, and see the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis, who abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to Christianity after hearing the voice of God, who commanded him to rebuild the Christian church and live in poverty. He is the patron saint of animals and the environment. St. Claire was one of St. Francis’ first followers and founded the Order of Poor Clares, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition. 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 Monastary 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, is at your leisure. |
DAY 7 - Sunday, September 30, 2018Leave Assisi and enter Tuscany. In Siena, meet your
Local Specialist and learn all about St. Catherine, a saint, a mystic, a doctor of the Church and the patroness of Italy and Europe, as you visit the St. Dominic Basilica, St Catherine’s Sanctuary and her home. Then, enjoy a walk through the ancient narrow lanes and visit beautiful Piazza Del Campo. Afternoon arrival in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. |
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DAY 8 - Monday, October 1, 2018
This morning we join a Local Specialist on a leisurely walking tour to delve into the fascinating culture and history of Florence, venturing to the imposing Piazza del Duomo to view the multicoloured marble Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza della Signoria with its exquisite art and palazzi, and the 400-year-old Ponte Vecchio bridge which straddles the Arno River. This afternoon attend a mass at the Duomo with your group if desired.
DAY 9 - Tuesday, October 2, 2018Enjoy an insight into the world of Michelangelo
and his masterpiece, David. We have fast track entry to the Academy of Fine Arts and its Michelangelo collection, where you’ll learn all about the life and works of this immortal Renaissance genius through the expert commentary of our Local Specialist. Afterwards we arrive in Padua for, a guided visit of the St anthony’s Basilica that shows you the tomb and reliquaries of this miracle-working saint and patron of lost and stolen articles. St. Anthony is one of the Catholic church’s most popular saints. DAY 11 - Thursday, October 4, 2019This morning we wave goodbye to our fellow companions as we return to the airport to head home. One group transfer will be provided.
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DAY 10 - Wednesday, October 3, 2018Venice and all its centuries-old charm welcomes
us today as we cruise by private launch to the city’s most prominent sights, including views of the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica and the ornate Doge’s Palace. Return to Padua and join your traveling companions for a farewell dinner. 
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$2913 per person in double occupancy$530single supplement$209 travel protection planYOUR VACATION INCLUDES:
Unwind into a hassle-free journey with VIP access, the right accommodations and travel by luxury coach Meet your expert Travel Director and locals with Insider Experiences and must-see sightseeing Taste the flavors of the destination with 10 Breakfasts and 4 Dinners Includes one group arrival transfer and one group departure transfer Airfare is not included. |
