Join us for a life-changing, faith-based pilgrimage.
Day 1 - April 28, 2014
Depart USA
Enjoy your overnight transatlantic flight and an in-flight dinner & breakfast from your home city.
Day 2 - April 29, 2014
Arrive in Rome, Italy
Time to rest or to start exploring the "Eternal City." At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director, then enjoy this evening's welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (Dinner)
Day 3 - April 30, 2014
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. As a favorite of pilgrims everywhere, these 28 white marble steps may only be ascended on the knees. Then, visit the impressive ST. MARY MAJOR BASILICA. (Breakfast - Dinner)
Day 4 - May 1, 2014
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 - Dinner)
Day 5 - May 2, 2014
Rome–Cascia–Assisi
Enter Umbria and stop in the town of Cascia to explore the life of St. Rita, known as the "Saint of the Impossible." Visit the MAJOR BASILICA, the chapel that houses the tomb of St. Rita, and the MINOR BASILICA, home of the Eucharistic Miracle, which is commemorated each year with the Feast of Corpus Christi. Arrive at the hilltop village of Assisi, home of St. Francis and St. Clare. Here, visit ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS BASILICA, where St. Francis consecrated St. Clare as the "Bride of Christ," and the PORTIUNCOLA, where he founded the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in 1209. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6 - May 3, 2014
Assisi
Celebrate Mass this morning followed by a guided walking tour of Assisi. Visit the BASILICAS OF ST. FRANCIS and ST. CLARE, and see the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis. A short trip by minibus will take you to the CARCERI HERMITAGE, where St. Francis came to meditate and pray, an oasis of peace and tranquillity in the midst of the woods of Mount Subasio. Finally, visit the MONASTERY 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; here she died in 1253. This afternoon you may wish to join an optional excursion to magnificent Spello. (Breakfast - Dinner)
Day 7 - May 4, 2014
Assisi
Attend Mass this morning and enjoy a full day at leisure to relax or to further explore the city. Optional excursions are available. (Breakfast - Dinner)
Day 8 - May 5, 2014
Assisi–Siena–Florence
Leave Assisi and enter Tuscany. Stop in Siena and visit the BASILICA OF ST. DOMINIC and the SANCTUARY OF ST. CATHERINE. Enjoy a walk with a local expert through the ancient narrow lanes to beautiful PIAZZA DEL CAMPO, theater of the biannual Palio, Siena's spectacular medieval-style horse race. In the afternoon, continue to Florence, "Cradle of the Renaissance." (Breakfast - Dinner)
Day 9 - May 6, 2014
Florence
Follow your Local Guide to the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo's celebrated David and the magnificent CATHEDRAL. Admire Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistry's heavy bronze "Gate of Paradise," and sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE. End your walking tour in SANTA CROCE SQUARE and admire its splendid basilica. (Breakfast - Dinner)
Day 10 - May 7, 2014
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 attend 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 - Dinner)
Day 11 - May 8, 2014
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 a gondola serenade or attend Mass at the Basilica. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with wine. (Breakfast - Farewell Dinner)
Day 12 - May 9, 2014
Venice
Our pilgrimage ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
