Catholic Italy Pilgrimage 10 days

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Created: 05.06.2013

Day 1 ? DEPART USA ? Today we depart our home airport to connect with our overnight flight to Rome aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Day 2 - ROME/TUSCANY/MONTECATINI ? This morning we arrive in Rome where we are met and board our motorcoach for our ride to Tuscany. Following lunch on our own we arrive in the delightful nearby spa town of Montecatini Terme. The balance of the day is at leisure to stroll through the inviting streets of this charming town. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. Day 3 - FLORENCE - This morning we drive to Florence where our first stop will be a visit to the Academia Gallery, here we view Michelangelo?s famous ?David?. (OR MEDICI). We continue for a visit of the Duomo, the heart of the city, here we admire the cupola by Brunelleschi, completed in 1240, its campanile by Giotto. Once outside we view the Baptistery?s with its incomparable bronze doors by Ghiberti. Afterwards, we set out to the Piazza della Signoria, dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio and its embattlement crowned tower. Across from the Palace, we visit the Loggia dei Lanzi with the statues of the Perseus by Cellini; Giambologna's the ?Rape of the Sabines? and ?Hercules.? Following free time for Lunch on our own we visit the Basilica of Santa Croce. Among the most famous interred here, lie Galileo, Rossini, Michelangelo and Macchiaveli. We celebrate Mass here. Following some free time for shopping or personal adventure, We conclude with a drive to the ? Piazzale Michelangelo? for a panoramic view of city spectacular city. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 4 ? MONTECATINI/SIENA/ASSISI ? This morning, we journey through the Italian countryside arriving in the magnificent city of Siena, which invites us to stroll through its Gothic streets. After we celebrate Mass at the Dominican Church commemorating St. Catherine, we.take the escalator down to the famous Piazza del Campo. This shell shaped square is the dramatic setting for the annual Palio bareback horserace. The piazza's focal point is the Palazzo Pubblico, the public palace, which dates back to 1250. We continue uphill to visit the monumental Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Free time for lunch and browsing. In the afternoon we continue south through Umbria to the hilltop village of Assisi, the home of Saint Francis. Our first stop is in the lower town for a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, and the Portiuncula, Francis' Church of the Little Portion. Continue to the upper village for dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 5 - ASSISI - This morning, we begin at the Basilica of St. Francesco with Mass. After our visit of the Basilica and the tomb of St. Francis, we begin our walking tour of the village. Included, is a visit to the Church of St. Clare to view the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis. We pass by the famous Temple of Minerva in the Piazza del Comune. This afternoon, we can enjoy this picturesque hillside village on our own. Dinner and overnight at out hotel. Day 6 - ASSISI/ROME - This morning, we depart Assisi and travel south to Rome where this afternoon we tour her sites, including the Basilica of St. Mary Major and the Church of St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo's possibly most celebrated sculpture, the "Moses." Afterwards, we see the nearby Roman Fora passing the Arch of Constantine, the Coliseum, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Dinner and overnight at hotel. Day 7 ? ROME - This morning we visit Vatican City where we see the treasures of the Vatican Museum. We marvel at Michelangelo's recently restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and the wonders of St. Peter?s. This afternoon, we continue our tour with a visit to the Holy Stairs and Basilica of St. John Lateran. We conclude our day at one of the Catacombs, burial place of early Christians. We celebrate Mass here and view the 2nd and 3rd century fresco paintings. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 8 ? ROME - This morning, we make our way to St. Peter's for an audience with Pope Benedict XVI if he is in residence. This afternoon we are free to further enjoy this fascinating city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Day 9 - ROME FREE DAY - Following morning Mass at the hotel or at a nearby church, today is yours for shopping, personal adventure, or optional excursions to Pompeii, Sorrento, Naples or the Isle of Capri. We have the opportunity to explore the culinary delights of Rome tonight as dinner is on our own. Overnight at the hotel. Day 10 - RETURN TO U.S. - Today we make our way home with memories of a lifetime.