CPA Catholic Italy Pilgrimage 11 days

Europe
Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegowina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroer
Finland
France
Germany
Great Britain
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Kosovo
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Moldavia
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine

Created: 12.09.2014

Day 1 ??? DEPART USA ??? Today we depart Newark to connect with our overnight flight to Rome aboard a wide-bodied jet. We are served complimentary beverages, in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Day 2 - MILAN/TURIN - Upon arrival in Milan, we are met and board our motorcoach for our ride to Turin for dinner and overnight.  Day 3 - TURIN/VENICE - This morning we will visit Turin Cathedral, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and the major church of Turin, Italy. It was built during 1491-1498 and it is adjacent to an earlier campanile (1470). In the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, the current resting place of the Shroud of Turin we view The Shroud a centuries old linen cloth that bears the image of a crucified man. A man that millions believe to be Jesus of Nazareth. This afternoon, we depart Turin on our scenic journey ride to Venice, the Queen of the Cities, where we transfer to our hotel in the nearby Mestre area for dinner and overnight.  Day 4 - VENICE - Venice, the Queen of the Cities!  The glories that are Venice have attracted Byron, Goethe, Wagner, Shakespeare and now - you!  Following Mass in one of her beautiful churches, time is spent this morning walking the sights of Venice:  the splendid Piazza San Marco and the incredibly rich Byzantine Basilica of San Marco.  We marvel at the intricate network of elegant squares lined with stately Renaissance villas and palaces.  This afternoon, we are free for shopping, personal adventure or an optional romantic gondola ride through the inner canals of Venice.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 5 - VENICE/TUSCANY - This morning, we depart Venice for our journey to Florence.  On our scenic drive through this beautiful countryside, we stop at Padua, including Mass and a tour of the Basilica of St. Anthony and the largest bronze work of Donatello.  Next we continue to Tuscany and Florence???s delightful nearby spa town of Montecatini Terme whose streets invite us to stroll after dinner at your hotel Day 6 - FLORENCE - This morning, we start with Mass at a delightful local parish church here in Montecatini.  Afterwards, we see the highlights of Florence, the jewel of the Renaissance. We first proceed to Piazzale Michelangelo for a panoramic view of the city. Next we visit the Duomo, the heart of the city with its cupola by Brunelleschi, completed in 1240, and its Campanile by Giotto and Baptistry with incomparable bronze doors by Ghiberti.  Next we visit the Medici Chapel in the church of San Lorenzo, to see the tombs designed and executed by Michelangelo. 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???.  After free time for lunch on our own, we visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce. Among the most famous interred here, lie Galileo, Rossini, Michelangelo and Macchiaveli. This is followed by free time for shopping or personal adventure.  Dinner and overnight at your hotel. Day 7 - FLORENCE/SIENA/ASSISI - Today we journey through the Italian countryside arriving in the magnificent city of Siena, which invites us to stroll through its Gothic streets converging on the famous Piazza del Campo. We celebrate Mass at the Dominican Church that commemorates St. Catherine.  We next continue south through Umbria to Assisi. 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.  We then proceed to the hilltop village of Assisi, the home of Saint Francis for dinner and overnight. Day 8 ??? ASSISI/ROME - This morning, we celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Francesco. After our visit of the Basilica, 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 Commune. This afternoon, we can enjoy this picturesque hillside village on our own. Later today, we depart Assisi and drive to Rome where we arrive for dinner and overnight at out hotel Day 9 - ROME - This morning, we go to the Vatican City, where we celebrate Mass below St. Peters. Afterwards, we see the treasures of the Vatican Museum.  We marvel at Michelangelo???s restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and the wonders of St. Peter???s.  This afternoon, we tour Rome???s sites; we start with the Basilica of St. Mary Major, then on to the Roman Fora passing the Arch of Constantine, the Coliseum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Church of St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo's possibly most celebrated sculpture, the "Moses."  We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.  Day 10 - 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 visit the Holy Stairs and Basilica of St. John Lateran We continue to St. Paul Outside the Walls. The huge, imposing Basilica, second only to St. Peter???s and one of the largest churches in the Christian world, contains an unusual gallery of papal portraits: 265 tablets portraying the popes of the past. We conclude our day at one of the Catacombs, burial place of early Christians.  We view the 2nd and 3rd century fresco paintings. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 11 - USA ??? Today we make our way home with memories of a lifetime.