Main menu:
Tours
Religious Pilgrimages:
Italian Eucharistic Miracles
Itinerary:
• Day 1
Buongiorno and welcome to Venice upon arrival, we meet our Italian Tour Escort. Transfer from the airport to our hotel on water taxis! The rest of the day is free to relax, as you adjust to the Italian time zone. Thanksgiving Mass for a safe arrival is planed for the afternoon at the historical “Santi Apostoli” Church (Holy Apostles). Take the time to wonder through the ever-winding street and alleys where memorable moments abound to enjoy one of the most romantic cities in the world. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at our Welcome Dinner at local restaurant. (D)
• Day 2
At leisure
• Day 3
After morning mass at St. Marks basilica we start our guided tour of Venice including sites like the Doges Palace, Piazza di San Marco, the famous square with shops, cafes, live music and obviously pigeons! On the same square we visit the Basilica di San Marco. Not to far from the square we can see the legendary “bridge of sighs”. At the end of the tour we witness a demonstration of Venetian Murano Glassmaking, and have an opportunity to shop at one of the finest glass shops in Venice. After the lunch break we will have time for an optional Gondola ride, for those who want to experience this exclusive and unforgettable Venetian tradition (there is a additional fee for this optional gondola ride). In the afternoon you may want to go for a walk around Venice’s neighborhood districts including the Rialto Bridge or visit the reliquary of St. Lucy in Cannareggio. (B)
• Day 4
This morning get ready to experience another exciting ride on water taxis through the smaller waterways across the Laguna until we reach the land transportation center where we meet our private motor coach & driver. As we leave Piazzale Roma, say “Ciao, Ciao Venezia”. En route we stop in Padova to visit St. Anthony’s basilica and to celebrate holy mass. We continue driving through the regions of Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Toscana ending up in Florence. Check-in at hotel and the rest of the afternoon will be free to relax and familiarize with the neighborhood. This evening enjoy an included Tuscan dinner at a local restaurant. (Florence). (B, D)
• Day 5
Morning guided walking tour that features the most memorable places in Florence including Museo della Accademia (Academy Museum), where one of Michelangelo’s most famous masterpieces can be found, the massive statue of David standing with his slingshot can be admired here along with an impressive collection of art. Continue towards P.zza della Signoria we stop to visit the Duomo flanked by Giotto’s Bell Tower and St. John’s Baptistery. Our tour ends at P.zza Santa Croce famous for the best leather factories and Jewelry wholesalers. The whole afternoon will be at leisure for you to experience and shop on your own. A late afternoon mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Maria in Fiore. Dinner tonight is on your own. (B)
• Day 6
Today heading south we continue our Tuscan journey to San Gimignano (the City of Towers), often referred to as “The Medieval Manhattan”, San Gimignano conserves all of its original medieval splendor and beauty. In addition to wonderful shops, we also experience a Chianti wine tasting session at a family owned winery, where you will also taste Tuscan specialties, appetizers and local wines. In the afternoon we drive to Siena city of St. Catherine and St. Bernardino through the scenic and beautiful Tuscan landscape. Guided tour of the magnificently preserved medieval town, we start with the Church of St. Domenico, where the famous relic, the skull of St. Catherine can be observed. Siena is also famous for the legendary “Palio”, a grand festival celebrated twice a year with bareback horse races on the main square.
At the end of the tour we walk to the Basilica di San Francesco, the Franciscan Friary in Siena, where we will celebrate Mass and experience one of the Eucharistic Miracles of Italy. Late afternoon we return to Florence. (B, L)
• Day 7
Morning departure from Florence across Tuscany and Umbria on our way to Assisi, land of St. Francis and St. Clare. We have a guided tour of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi including the tombs of St. Francis and his disciples. In the Lower and Upper Basilica admire the famous frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. After lunch we leave Assisi and drive across the Apennines towards the Adriatic coast of Italy for the Marian Shrine of Loreto, the Holy Land of Italy. Overnight and dinner at hotel in Loreto. (B,D)
• Day 8
Today we will spend the morning at the beautiful Church of the Madonna di Loreto, visit the Holy House of Nazareth, where Mary received the Annunciation. Only 3 walls are present because the fourth wall is actually a grotto in Nazareth. Holy Mass is scheduled on the main altar. After Loreto, we travel south down the Adriatic coast and then head southwest crossing once again the Apennine Mountain Range. Late afternoon we arrive in Rome, Capital of Italy and ancient home of the greatest empire in western civilization. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
• Day 9
We start our day from the ancient ‘Via Appia’ (Appian Way) to experience a unforgettable journey where we witness how our early brothers and sisters survived preserving the faith of our Lord’s Church. We will tour through an amazing complex of underground tunnels, the Catacombs of St. Callixtus. Holy Mass is scheduled at the Catacombs. We start our guided tour by visiting St. John Lateran, one of the Church’s four major Basilicas, the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) located across the street where you could climb the same steps Our Lord climbed on the way to see Pontius Pilate, and then walk down the park to Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Holy Cross of Jerusalem) where incredible relics can be found (fragments of the Holy Cross, one Nail, part of the inscription INRI, two thorns from the Crown of Thorns, fragments of the pillar of the scourging and of the rock of the Holy Sepulcher). We end today’s Roman tour by visiting the famous Coliseum surrounded by the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus. Dinner tonight is on your own. (B)
• Day 10
Early call for a once in a lifetime experience, an Audience with the Pope at the Vatican (depending on the Holy Father’s schedule). After the Pope’s message, the Holy Father will impart his blessing on you and your family. The rest of the day is free for shopping and relaxation, or you may want to join for a included walking tour including the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, Fontana de Trevi (Trevi Fountain), and Piazza Navona. (B)
• Day 11
This morning we celebrate Mass at the Crypt of Peter (depending on Vatican confirmation). Afterwards we tour the impressive Museo Vaticano (Vatican Museum) with a fascinating collection of historical artifacts and precious objects of art, including the Capella Sistina (Sistine Chapel) with the famous frescoes of Michelangelo. Afterwards, we tour the Basilica di St. Pietro (St. Peter’s Basilica) where the remains of St. Peter lay under the main altar. Join us tonight for a memorable Farewell Dinner in a spirit of thanksgiving for a fruitful and safe pilgrimage to Italy. (B,D)
• Day 12
Our Pilgrimage Priest/director gives us his blessing as we drive to Fiumicino Airport. Say “arrivederci” to your tour escort & driver before return flight to the US
Ciao, Ciao Italia! (B, M)
Your deposit reserves your space! Send your deposit soon! Limited space.
(See registration for price Terms & conditions)
Included features:
• Professional multilingual tour escort thought the tour
• Private luxury Motor coach & chauffeur.
• Baggage handling at hotels (1 bag per person).
• First Class, 4 star accommodation in Venice, Florence, Loreto and Rome.
• Papal audience (depending on the Holy Father’s schedule)
• Sightseeing and guided tours as per itinerary.
• Entrance fees.
• Daily breakfast, 5 included Meals, 4 Dinners, 1 lunch & wine tasting at local winery in Tuscany
• Spiritual program including Masses in most important Italian churches and monuments.
• Fr. …………..as Spiritual Director.
• Hotel sales tax & service charges.
Does not include:
Gratuities
• Tip Italian tour Escort (Suggested: $4 per day, per person)
• Tip Bus Driver (Suggested: $3 per day, per person)
• Tip Local tour guides (1 Euro per person per tour)
Price: $ *
* (Per person, double occupancy. Plus U.S. & Italy airport, departure and transportation taxes, approximately $161)
• Deposit of $500 per person is due to secure space
Cancellation Schedule:
• All Cancellations must be received by mail!
• 96 days prior to departure or before........$250.00 per person
• 95 to 65 days prior to departure...............$50% of tour cost
• 64 to 35 days prior to departure ..............$75% of tour cost
• 34 to 0 days prior to departure ................No Refunds