Overview
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Highlights
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant; guided sightseeing, visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, attend [M] Mass; Papal Audience (subject to availability); visit St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Catacombs, St. John Lateran Basilica, the Holy Stairs, St. Mary Major Basilica
CASTEL GANDOLFO Guided visit of the Papal Palace and the Barberini Gardens
CASCIA Visit the Basilica and attend [M] Mass
ASSISI Visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica and the Porziuncola; celebrate [M] Mass; guided walking tour, visit the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare, the Carceri Hermitage, and the Monastery of St. Damian
SIENA Guided walking tour, visit the Basilica of St. Dominic, the Sanctuary of St. Catherine & House, and Piazza del Campo
FLORENCE Guided walking tour, visit the Academy of Fine Arts to see Michelangelo’s David; celebrate [M] Mass at the Duomo; walk to Signoria Square, and Santa Croce Square
PADUA Guided visit of St. Anthony’s Basilica; farewell dinner
VENICE Private boat ride; guided walking tour, visit Doges’ Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and St. Mark’s Square & Basilica
2020 Tour itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Total meals included:
- 9 breakfasts, 4 dinners
ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY
Day1
Welcome 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.
Meals included:
- Dinner
ROME. EXCURSION TO CASTEL GANDOLFO
Day2
Look forward to a unique experience with a guided visit to the impressive PAPAL PALACE in Castel Gandolfo. The former summer residence of the popes is now a museum that is open to the public. Also visit the magnificent BARBERINI GARDENS, where ruins of the residence of Roman Emperor Domitian are still visible. Return to Rome and discover Vatican City with a guided visit of the VATICAN MUSEUMS, a unique collection of religious and secular art that spans centuries. Explore some of the finest examples of Renaissance paintings and visit the SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment, as well as the place where the conclave takes place for the election of the new popes. Then, visit ST. PETER’S BASILICA, not only an incredibly rich architectural and decorative wonder, but also the place where all Catholic popes are buried, and attend M Mass. Finally, see monumental ST. PETER’S SQUARE, where the Pope prays the Angelus every Sunday in front of thousands of believers.
Today’s Distance: 50 mi / 80 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ROME
Day3
This morning, attend the PAPAL AUDIENCE (subject to availability) for the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal Blessing. Later, visit ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS, one of Rome’s four major Papal basilicas built by Constantine on the grave of St. Paul, beheaded by Nero around 65-67 AD. Explore the mysterious ancient CATACOMBS that run under the city. During the persecutions, the catacombs were used as places of refuge for the celebration of the Eucharist. Next, visit ST. JOHN LATERAN BASILICA and the HOLY STAIRS, brought from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 AD by St. Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. Officially, pilgrims may only ascend these 28 white marble steps on their knees. Then, visit the hallowed halls of ST. MARY MAJOR BASILICA. Its beautiful treasures are of inestimable value, and represent the Church’s role as the cradle of Christian artistic civilization in Rome. 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.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ROME–CASCIA–ASSISI
Day4
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 BASILICA, see the tomb with the saint’s incorrupt body, and attend M Mass. Also, visit the lower basilica, home of the Eucharistic Miracle, which is commemorated each year with the Feast of Corpus Christi. Continue to hilltop 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 PORZIUNCOLA, where he founded the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in 1209.
Today’s Distance: 168 mi / 270 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
ASSISI.
Day5
Attend M 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, who abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to Christianity after the voice of God commanded him to rebuild the Christian church and live in poverty. He is the patron saint of animals and the environment. St. Clare 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 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, where she died in 1253, is still intact. This afternoon, you may wish to join an optional excursion to magnificent medieval Spello.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ASSISI–SIENA–FLORENCE
Day6
Leave Assisi and enter Tuscany. In Siena, meet your Local Guide and learn all about St. Catherine, a saint, a mystic, a doctor of the Church, and the patroness of Italy and Europe. You’ll visit the BASILICA OF ST. DOMINIC, ST. CATHERINE’S SANCTUARY, and her HOUSE. Then, enjoy a walk through the ancient narrow lanes and visit beautiful PIAZZA DEL CAMPO. Arrive this afternoon in Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance”.
Today’s Distance: 127 mi / 205 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
FLORENCE
Day7
Follow your Local Guide and visit the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS with Michelangelo’s David. Later, walk to beautiful Cathedral Square, admire Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gates of Paradise”. Attend M Mass at the magnificent DUOMO, with its incredible Renaissance dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. Also see sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE and famous SANTA CROCE SQUARE with its Franciscan basilica.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
FLORENCE–PADUA.
Day8
Travel through the Apennine Mountains to arrive in the flat Po area. In Padua, a guided visit of the BASILICA OF ST. ANTHONY 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. He was a powerful Franciscan preacher and teacher. He was born in Lisbon in 1195 and died just outside Padua in 1231, having led a short but very intense religious life.
Today’s Distance: 155 mi / 250 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
PADUA. EXCURSION TO VENICE.
Day9
A short drive brings you to Venice. Enter the city in style by PRIVATE BOAT and see the sights with your Local Guide. Visit lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the BRIDGE OF SIGHS, ST. MARK’S SQUARE and its BASILICA. Spend time at leisure or take an optional gondola ride. Return to Padua and join your traveling companions for a farewell dinner.
Today’s Distance: 62 mi / 100 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
PADUA.
Day10
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (The nearest airport is Venice.)
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Things to note
- This tour involves a lot of walking.
- For operational reasons, slight schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Hotels
It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.
Starhotels Michelangelo
Superior First-Class
Modern hotel catering to business and leisure travelers located a short walk to St. Peter's Square; staff is multilingual.
Location
Via Stazione S.Pietro,14, Roma, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Bar/Lounge
- Pool
- Parking/Valet
- Ice Machine
- Restaurant On-Site
- Free WiFi
- Concierge desk
- Laundry Available
- Business Center
- Elevator
- Currency Exchange
Room Facilities
- In-Room Safe
- Window Opens
- Voicemail
- Room Service
- Phone
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Hair Dryer
- Mini-bar
- Cable/Satellite
- Air Conditioning
- Television
- Internet Access
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Desk
Cenacolo
First-Class
Hotel Cenacolo Assisi is a structure created from the accurate and careful renovation of an old Franciscan convent, located in Santa Maria degli Angeli, a short distance from the Porziuncola of St. Francis. The wonderful atmosphere of the place, a beautiful view of Assisi, the wide green spaces that call for reflection and the functionality and efficiency of the Hotel Cenacolo guarantee a perfect stay.
Location
V.Le Patrono D'italia 70, Assisi, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Business Center
- Concierge desk
- Ice Machine
- Luggage Storage
- Restaurant On-Site
- Parking/Valet
- Bar/Lounge
- Gift Shop
- Currency Exchange
- Laundry Available
Room Facilities
- Room Service
- Mini-bar
- Hair Dryer
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Desk
- In-Room Safe
- Cable/Satellite
- Internet Access
- Phone
- Television
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Air Conditioning
Grand Hotel Mediterraneo
First-Class
Modern hotel situated on the banks of the river Arno, steps away from the city center - Duomo and Palazzo Pitti nearby.
Location
Lungarno Del Tempio, 44, Florence, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Gift Shop
- Elevator
- Bar/Lounge
- Business Center
- Laundry Available
- Ice Machine
- Parking/Valet
- Currency Exchange
- Restaurant On-Site
- Concierge desk
- Beauty Salon
- Luggage Storage
- Free WiFi
Room Facilities
- In-Room Safe
- Cable/Satellite
- Room Service
- Air Conditioning
- Alarm Clock
- Desk
- Internet Access
- Smoking Rooms
- Mini-bar
- Television
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Hair Dryer
- Phone
Milano
First-Class
A modern 80-room property of minimalistic design, ideally located only steps away from the city's historic centre. Facilities include a gym, a restaurant serving tradisional local cuisine and there is also a bar/lounge.
Location
Via Pilade Bronzetti,62, Padova, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Business Center
- Bar/Lounge
- Luggage Storage
- Elevator
- Concierge desk
- Parking/Valet
- Free WiFi
- Fitness Room
- Restaurant On-Site
- Dry Cleaning
Room Facilities
- Wake-Up Calls
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Desk
- Cable/Satellite
- Internet Access
- Phone
- Mini-bar
- Air Conditioning
- Window Opens
- Complimentary Toiletries
- In-Room Safe
- Television
- Alarm Clock
- Climate Control
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Hair Dryer
- Air Conditioning (Seasonal)
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Room Service
