Essential Italy

Day 1 | USA – Rome, Italy
Board your flight to Rome. Dinner and breakfast served during your transatlantic flight.

Day 2 | Rome – Orvieto – Assisi
Upon arrival in Rome, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Assisi. On the way stop to celebrate Holy Mass and explore the Orvieto Cathedral, a large 14th-century church dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Region in Umbria. Upon arrival in Assisi, enjoy dinner together and rest. (D)

Day 3 | Assisi
Today enjoy a full day in the peaceful and tranquil village of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis. Visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, St. Francis’ Porziuncola, and Capella Del Transito. Pray in the Shrine, inspired by Giotto’s frescoes of the life of St. Francis. Visit the monastery and the Basilica of St. Clare to pray before the San Damiano crucifix from which Jesus told St. Francis to rebuild His church. Time to explore Assisi. This evening enjoy dinner in Assisi on your own. (B)

Day 4 | Assisi – Loreto – Lanciano – San Giovanni Rotondo
After breakfast we travel the absolutely stunning landscape of Italy to its eastern coast along the Adriatic Sea, stopping at the Holy House of Loreto, and in Lanciano on our way to San Giovanni Rotondo. We will pray at the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano where in the 8th century the host visibly changed to flesh and the wine visibly changed to blood when a monk doubted the presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo. (B,D)

Day 5 | San Giovanni Rotondo – Monte Sant’ Angelo – San Giovanni Rotondo
Saint Padre Pio lived in San Giovanni Rotondo for 50 years. We will pray at his tomb, and see his uncorrupt body in the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace. Saint Pio is truly a miraculous being, known for his stigmata, mysticism and sufferings. In the afternoon we will travel to Monte Sant’ Angelo to visit the Grotto of Michael the Archangel, the very famous place where thousands, including many Popes, come seeking the protection of St. Michael the Archangel. (B,D)

Day 6 | San Giovanni Rotondo – Pompeii – Sorrento
After breakfast we depart for Naples. En route, we stop in Pompeii to see the ruins of a city buried by a catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius in the year 79AD. Later we visit the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary. In the late afternoon we enjoy the scenery of the Bay of Naples from Sorrento. (B,D)

Day 7 | Capri – Rest Day
Today we take a boat ride to the famous Island of Capri where we have a splendid day to take in the Mediterranean scenery and relax. (B,D)

Day 8 | Sorrento – Monte Cassino – Rome – Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Catacombs of St. Callixtus
Today we make an early departure from Sorrento for Rome. Along the way we make a stop in Monte Cassino, the principle monastery of the Benedictine Order, founded by Saint Benedict around 530 A.D. Continue to Rome and visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls by the oldest Roman road, the Appian Way. Time permitting explore the nearby Domino Quo Vadis Chapel, the Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Drusus, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and the catacombs of St. Callixtus. Late tonight we enjoy a delicious meal in our hotel together. (B, D)

Day 9 | Rome
We will tour St. Peter’s Basilica, including St. John Paul II’s tomb in Vatican City. Millions come every year to these breathtaking pilgrimage sites. This is the world’s largest Basilica, designed by architects such as Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. After lunch, we will tour the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s Room, and more. (B)

Day 10 | Ancient and Christian Rome – Colosseum, Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Holy Staircase, Basilicas of St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major
Today will be an intense day of Ancient and Christian Rome, one of the busier walking days as our tour bus cannot drive to every site we will be visiting. Begin with a visit to the famous monument of Ancient Rome – the Colosseum. We take you around and explain the history of the arena and the events that took place here, while you stand on the same spot as emperors, gladiators and the Roman mob. From here, go through the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Continue to the Trevi Fountain, the Holy Staircase and Basilicas of St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major. This city tour is largely by foot and makes for a long day. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight in Rome. (B)

Day 11 | Rome – Papal Audience
In the morning we will attend the Papal Audience and receive a Blessing by His Holiness the Pope in St. Peter’s Square. (Pending schedule of the Holy Father, subject to change at last moment). In the afternoon enjoy your last day free for shopping and leisure. You are in the Eternal City –one of the greatest cities in the world. Enjoy a final group dinner together tonight at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 12 | Rome – USA
After breakfast transfer to the airport in Rome for our flight home. Ciao Italia! (B)