CPA Catholic Italy Pilgrimage 9 days

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Created: 12.09.2014

Day 1 - USA/MILAN - Today we depart St. Louis to connect with our flights to Milan aboard a wide bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Day 2 ??? MILAN/TURIN - This morning we arrive in Italy and see the highlights of Milan, arguably the most important city in northern Italy and the capital of fashion. If possible, we  start with a visit to Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece 'The Last supper' in the refectory beside Santa Maria delle Grazie church, continue past La Scala opera house and walk through the graceful Galleria to Piazza del Duomo to see the famed Cathedral, bristling with 135 pinnacles and 2245 white marble statues.  While building started in 1386, the façade was only completed by order of Napoleon in 1809. Afterwards, we continue to the Turin area and our hotel for dinner and overnight.   DRIVE TIME 2 HOURS Day 3 - TURIN ??? This morning, we visit the city of Turin where we 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.  We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 4 - TURIN/FLORENCE ??? Early this morning, we depart Turin for our scenic journey into Tuscany where this afternoon, we see the highlights of Florence, the jewel of the Renaissance Afterwards, we proceed to for a panoramic view of the city. Afterwards, we see the highlights of Florence, the jewel of the Renaissance. We start with a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts to admire Michelangelo???s David???the original--as well as other masterpieces by the great artist.  Next we visit the Duomo, the heart of the city with its cupola by Brunelleschi, completed in 1240, its campanile by Giotto and Baptistry with incomparable bronze doors by Ghiberti. Next, we set out to the Piazza della Signoria, the political and historical centre of Florence, with its imposing rectangular fortress - palace; Palazzo Vecchio. Across from the Palace we see the Loggia dei Lanzi, with the statues of Perseus by Cellini and the Rape of the Sabines by Giambologna. We transfer to our hotel here in Florence for dinner and overnight . Day 5 - FLORENCE ???We proceed to the Fiesole the village founded by the Etruscans and Piazzale Michelangelo for a panoramic view of the city. We return to Florence for Mass and a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce. Among the most famous who lie here are Galileo, Rossini, Michelangelo and Macchiaveli. This afternoon is again yours for shopping, personal adventure, or optional excursions.   Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 6 ??? TUSCANY/ASSISI/ROME ??? This morning, we travel south through the Umbrian countryside 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 where we celebrate Mass.  We then proceed to the hilltop village of Assisi, the home of Saint Francis. We begin our walking tour of the village with a visit to the Church of St. Clare and view the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis.  After some free time, we continue south to Rome for dinner and overnight. DRIVE TIME MONTECATINI/ASSISI  2 HOURS 20 MIN.  ASSISI/ROME  2 HOURS 15 MIN.   COULD ADD OVERNIIGHT. Day 7 - ROME - This morning, we begin our day with Mass beneath St. Peters.  We then continue to 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 tour the sites, including the Church of St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo's possibly most celebrated sculpture, the "Moses."  Next we visit the Church of the Holy Stairs and the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome.  First built in the fourth century.  The Basilica was the site of five ecumenical councils between the 12th and 16th centuries. The Popes resided in the Palace from the time of Constantine until 1304 when they moved to Avignon.  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 Francis if he is in residence. Following lunch on our own, we visit St. Paul Outside the Walls.  Rome's second in size only to St. Peters it is the first of our major Basilicas and the tomb of the Apostle Paul. Finally, we make our way to St. Mary Major, our second patriarchal Basilica of Rome which we   visit this week.  This is the first church dedicated to the Blessed Mother first built in the fifth century following the Council of Ephesus. We continue our tour including the Roman Fora passing the Arch of Constantine, the Coliseum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and a stop at the Fountain of Trevi.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 9 - ROME/USA - This morning, we board our flight to home arriving later today with memories to last for a lifetime!