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Pilgrimage to Italy & the Vatican | 2024

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

10 days / 8 nights

PRICE / PERSON:

4,598 $

Join us on a Pilgrimage to Assisi & Rome in the Footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, starting at $3698 from New York, NY, departing on dates below. You will see Assisi, the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels,  the Church and Convent of St. Damiano, the Papal Basilica of St Francis,  the Basilica of St. Clare, Rome, Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, Vatican’s Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon,  Basilica of Saint Paul, Catacombs of Callixtus, San Sebastian, Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love, and more.

All-inclusive PACKAGE PRICE INCLUDES:

  • All Inclusive Pricing

  • First Class Hotels

  • Breakfast and Dinner Daily

  • Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches

  • Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes

  • Entrance and Program Fees

  • Live Audio Headsets

  • Guided Tours

  • International Airfare from NY

  • Overseas Airport Transfers

  • Study Guide

  • Gratuities

  • Hotel Gratuities

Proposed Itinerary :

DAY 1

Your Italian adventure begins as you depart on your international flight.

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DAY 2

Your guide will greet you and escort you to your motorcoach for your drive through the countryside to Turin (Torino) for dinner and overnight. (D)

DAY 3

Enjoy a tour of Turin today, including a stop at the Palatine Gate from Roman Times. You walk through the Cathedral where the Shroud of Turin is kept. in the Chapel of the Holy Shroud. You will spend time in the Piazza Castello and see such buildings as the Savoy Royal House while walking there. This afternoon you will drive to Pisa for Overnight. Dinner on own in the city. (B)

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DAY 4

This morning you can take your photo in front of the famous Leaning Tower. This 180-foot round tower is over 10 degrees out of perpendicular. The tower began to lean during its construction in 1173 and corrective efforts failed. You will visit the Duomo next door, before heading to Florence. After lunch, you’ll see the Piazza della Signoria with its Neptune Fountain and Vecchio Palace, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral which houses Michelangelo’s unfinished Pietá, the Baptistry which features Ghiberti’s famous Gates of Paradise and the Academy where you can view some of Michelangelo’s finished and unfinished work, including the awe-inspiring David. Check in to your hotel in Assisi for a later dinner and overnight. (B, D)

DAY 5

This morning you will wake up to the atmospheric sounds of chapel bells, cobblestone footsteps and a tangible spirit of St Francis preserved within the walls of this holy town. In the morning you will visit the lower city. The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels stands at the foot of the hill of Assisi over the Porziuncola - Saint Francis’ Church given him by the Benedictine monks. The Church and Convent of St. Damiano is where in 1205, Saint Francis received his calling to “Rebuild My Church”. Saint Claire will later lead her Order of the Poor Ladies from here until her death in 1253. This afternoon, you will walk to the Papal Basilica of St Francis, the mother church of the Franciscan Order and burial place of St Francis. This Basilica which was begun in 1228 is built on the side of a hill and comprises an Upper and Lower church. These are decorated with numerous frescoes by late medieval painters including Giotto. Celebrate Mass here. Return to your hotel. Dinner on your own this evening. (B)

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DAY 6

Daily Itinerary After breakfast you will begin your journey to Rome. In route, stop in Greccio to visit the Sanctuary. Set within the rock like an eagle’s nest, the Greccio hermitage is an extraordinary fusion of architecture and nature. The Sanctuary is famous because Saint Francis of Assisi chose it as the backdrop to one of the highest and most lyrical moments in his life: the first recreation of the Bethlehem Nativity in Christianity on Christmas Eve, 1223. Upon your arrival to Rome, enjoy a visit to the Forum and the Colosseum, once the heart of ancient Rome and a place of martyrdom for the early saints. You will explore the romance of Rome as you stop at the famous Trevi Fountain. Legend says those who toss a coin into the fountain will one day return to Rome to toss another into the waters of Trevi. Check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

DAY 7

Enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican’s Museums and Sistine Chapel. Built by connecting portions of the old Papal residence with newer structures, the museum houses a world-renowned collection of art and antiquities. Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel between 1508 and 1512, and later painted The Last Judgment between 1535 and 1541 for Popes Clement VII and Paul III. The primary function of the chapel is the Papal Conclave, providing the place where the College of Cardinals of the church gathers to select a new Pope. Then walk through St. Peter’s Basilica and celebrate Mass here. The present structure completed in 1590 was built over the Byzantine and Middle Ages structures that marked the tomb of Saint Peter. There are more than 100 tombs within the basilica, including most recently Saint John Paul II. Finish the day at the Pantheon, built by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC to 14 AD). Emperor Hadrian rebuilt it around 126 AD. The building was given to Pope Boniface IV who converted it into a church - Saint Mary and the Martyrs (Santa Maria Rotunda). Mass continues to be celebrated here. (B)

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DAY 8

After breakfast, enjoy the opportunity to join in prayer with Pope Francis and receive his greeting, blessing and prayers. Begin your afternoon with a visit to the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. Six Popes are entombed here. Next door is the Holy Staircase (Scala Santa), brought from Pilate’s Palace in Jerusalem by Saint Helena in the 4th Century. Climbing the stairs on your knees is a devotion that many pilgrims perform, and a plenary indulgence is granted for completing this feat. Next is the Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls (San Lorenzo). Saint Lawrence was one of the first seven deacons of Rome, martyred in 258. The Church is built next to catacombs that lead down to his grave. The relics of Saints Justin Martyr and Stephen are also enshrined here. Continue your pilgrim journey to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Maria Maggiore). This is the largest Marian church in Rome. Its construction began after the Council of Ephesus in 431 proclaimed that Mary was the Mother of God. Saint Jerome, translator of the Bible into the Latin Vulgate, is buried here. Celebrate Mass in one of the Churches here. (B)

DAY 9

This morning begins your final day of pilgrimage at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The present structure stands over the place where Constantine built the first church over Saint Paul’s grave. The church features a portrait of every Pope that has served the church, with the face of Pope Francis I illuminated as the present pontiff. Step beneath the surface into the Catacombs of Callixtus, built along the Appian Way. Here 16 Popes from the 2nd through 4th Centuries were interred, though they have been removed to various churches over the centuries. San Sebastian Outside the Walls is another of the seven Pilgrimage churches, built over the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian. The remains of Peter and Paul were temporarily protected here during the Valerian Persecution of 258. Our seventh and final pilgrimage stop is the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. Saint Helena brought Passion relics here, and the floor was covered with soil from Jerusalem. Relics here include the index finger of Thomas that touched the wounds of Christ after His resurrection, and a piece of the Good Thief’s Cross. Those who want to complete the seven-church pilgrimage as declared by Saint John Paul II in 2000 can continue to one more stop at Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love. Here a pilgrim pursued by dogs appealed to Our Lady and she intervened for his safety. Pilgrims began to frequent the site and a chapel was built here in 1745. Celebrate Mass in one of the churches. (B, D)

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DAY 10

Return home with memories of the people and places of Assisi and Rome or continue with an extension to the San Giovanni Rotundo.

Enhance Your Journey

San Giovanni Rotundo and Pompeii -starting from $1599

5-Days | Starting at $1,599* Day 10 - Tivoli / San Giovanni Rotundo Depart Rome and travel to Tivoli, the resort villas of Roman emperors and others who sought to escape the crowds of Rome. This afternoon, travel to San Giovanni Rotundo for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Day 11 - San Giovanni Rotondo – Padre Pio – Mount St. Angelo Visit the Padre Pío Pilgrimage Church, erected in 2004, and walk the Way of the Cross on the forested hillside nearby. This afternoon, we will continue to Mount St. Angelo. The Sanctuary of Mount St. Angelo was built in the 13th Century by Charles of Anjou. The archangel Michael has appeared here in 490, 492, and 1656 consecrating the shrine and sacred cave. You’ll have time for reflection and prayer, before returning to your hotel for overnight. Dinner is on your own this evening. (B) Day 12 - San Giovanni Rotundo / Sorrento This morning you will attend Mass at one of the churches here. After lunch, travel to Sorrento for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Day 13 - Pompeii / Rome You will visit the spectacular ruins in Pompeii, which were covered by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. The city remained buried and undiscovered for almost 1500 years until excavation began in 1748. These excavations continue today and provide insight into life during the Roman Empire. Continue to Rome for your overnight stay. Dinner is on your own this evening. (B) Day 14 - Return to the USA Transfer to the airport for your return to the USA. Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion.

*The trip will take place in case of a group of 16 people

* * The route, as well as the order of visiting places, may be changed due to quarantine restrictions, as well as for safety reasons or due to the weather, road repair work etc.

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