Spiritual Director

Fr. John A. Schwartzlose-

" The worl is a book and those who do not travel read only a page." - St. Augustine.

Let us together jorney to Italy's holy sites and explore those chapters that tell us so much about our rich heritage of faith and belief.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive 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. (Dinner)

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. (Breakfast)

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. (Breakfast)

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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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 PORTIUNCULA. On the way to Florence, stop in Siena and visit the SANCTUARY OF ST. CATHERINE and the BASILICA OF ST. DOMINIC. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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. (Breakfast)

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. (Breakfast)

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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 11 Venice

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

Meals

Full buffet breakfast (B); 6 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner with wine in Rome and a farewell dinner with wine in Venice.

Quality Hotels
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Rome Nova Domus (F), San Giovanni Rotondo Gran Paradiso (F), Assisi Giotto (F), Florence Hilton Garden Inn (F), Venice Plaza (F) at Mestre

• Sometimes there is a small charge for public toilets
• Stores may close earlier than back home and are usually not open on Sundays
• Ice machines are not available in all hotels, nor are washcloths (you might like to pack a couple)
• Please remember that it is not customary in Europe to drink iced water with meals. Ice is not normally added to drinks unless specifically requested
• Many restaurants only serve bottled mineral water (for a fee).
• Europeans generally dine slightly later than might be your custom
• Coffee and tea are usually only served after meals and cost extra (ask the hotel staff).
• If you intend to visit a specific museum or other public venues, ask your tour director for the days and dates they are open.
• Request and keep receipts for all your personal spending (meals, souvenirs etc.) Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is already included on price tags; VAT refunds, if applicable, will take about three months to process. Obtain the relevant tax form plus invoice from the store and hand it to the appropriate office when leaving your tour.

Additional Information

• We recommend layered, easy care clothing, a pair of comfortable, tried-and-tested walking shoes, a heavy cardigan or jacket, and a small umbrella for the occasional shower.
• We suggest ladies pack at least one long skirt, as shorts or trousers may be inappropriate when visiting religious sites.
• Evening dress: smart casual. Shorts and bare shoulders are considered inappropriate at some religious sites, so carry trousers and a pullover in your hand luggage, or ask your tour director.
• Having laundry done can be very expensive, so you may wish to bring some travel soap.
• Remember a good quality, electric current converter (check that it is sufficiently powerful for your appliance) and international plug adapter for using electrical equipment abroad.
• To reduce charges on calls home, we recommend you use a calling card (this service may not be available from every telephone).
• Items to pack in your hand luggage: a good supply of any medication you are taking as it may not be available, extra film and spare batteries for your camera, a pen, light rainwear, a sweater, a road map if you enjoy "plotting your progress," and maybe a small travel pillow.
• Label your camera and rolls of film with your name and tour code; should you lose them, there's a better chance of their being returned.
Remember to check that you have not left your camera or film on the motorcoach at the end of your tour.