Taste of Italy and Austria

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

Day 2 | Rome
Upon arrival in Rome, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. You are in the Eternal City –one of the greatest cities in the world. Remainder of the day is free to relax. Enjoy a group dinner tonight at your hotel. (D)

Day 3 | Rome
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, we tour the city including famous monuments of Rome such as the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Novona, Basilica of St. John the Lateran and St. Mary Major. (B, D)

Day 4 | Rome
This morning we will visit St. Peter’s Basilica, including Pope 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. Enjoy dinner this evening on your own in the Eternal City. (B)

Day 5 | Rome – Assisi
After a filling breakfast this morning we pack for our trip to Assisi. On our way out of the city, we visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls by the oldest Roman road, the Appian Way. Later in the afternoon we arrive in Assisi. (B, D)

Day 6 | Assisi Today we have a full day to enjoy 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 ourselves to explore Assisi. (B)

Day 7 | Assisi – Padua
After breakfast and Holy Mass we bid Assisi farewell and depart for our journey north to Padua. An early arrival in Padua gives us the opportunity to rest, or make a special stop along our travels north. (B, D)

Day 8 | Padua – Venice
In the morning, enjoy a half day guided sightseeing tour of beautiful Venice. We will take a boat to St. Mark’s Square, and see the Venetian–Byzantine Basilica of San Marco, Palace of the Doges, and The Bridge of Sighs. The afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy shopping and a Venetian restaurant with great food and fine wines. (B)

Day 9 | Padua – Salzburg
Visit the Basilica and the tomb of Saint Anthony. We will celebrate Holy Mass in the Basilica along with time for private prayer. In front of the Basilica you will see Donatello’s famous statues. In the late morning, our coach crosses the Austrian border, and continues to the beautiful alpine city of Salzburg. Dinner and overnight in Salzburg. (B, D)

Day 10 | Salzburg – Vienna
After a short tour of Salzburg, the birthplace of the famous composer Wolfgang Mozart, we will continue to the capital of Austria – Vienna. Dinner and overnight in Vienna. (B, D)

Day 11 | Vienna
We will take you on a guided bus tour of the city, including: The Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the Austro–Hungarian Empire, magnificent Schonbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and other vivid reminders of Vienna’s imperial history. In the evening enjoy your farewell dinner with wine. (B, D)

Day 12 | Vienna Departure for USA
After breakfast where we share our delightful memories together, transfer to the airport in Vienna for our flight home. (B)