Created: 21.08.2015

Day 1 ??? DEPART USA ??? Today we depart San Francisco to connect with our overnight flight to Milan aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. DAY 2 ??? MILAN/BELLAGIO ??? This morning we arrive in Milan and drive north to Lake Como. We will celebrate Mass at Sacri Monti di Ossaccia, Afterwards, we continue to Bellagio.  We enjoy independent lunch followed by a walking tour of Bellagio.  Bellagio is a commune in the Province of Como in the Italian region of Lombardy, located on Lake Como. It has long been famous for its setting at the intersection of the three branches of the Y-shaped lake, which is also known as Lario.  Continue to our hotel for our welcoming dinner and overnight. DRIVE TIME 2 HOURS DAY 3 ??? BELLAGIO - Morning Mass in Bellagio. Late morning tour of Villa Carlotta in Menaggio - Villa Carlotta welcomes you with its magnificent botanic garden and art masterpieces in over 70.000 square metres of gardens and museum. The beautiful villa was built at the end of XVII century by the Milanese marquis Giorgio Clerici in a natural basin between lake and mountains, facing the dolomite Grignas and the peninsula of Bellagio. The architect created for the Clericis an important but sober building, with an Italian garden decorated with sculptures, stairs and fountains. Balance of day and evening free, dinner on our own. DAY 4 ??? BELLAGIO/MILAN- Morning departure for Milan to celebrate Mass at the Cathedral followed by tour of La Scala and  viewing of Last Supper (if available).   Free time this afternoon.  We will be free to enjoy the culinary delights of Milan tonight as dinner is on our own.  Overnight at our hotel. DAY 5 ???MILAN/PORTOFINO ??? This morning following Mass near our hotel, we drive south to the Italian Riviera to Italy???s yachting capital near Genoa.  We will enjoy a drive along the coast line and end in the Village where we will have lunch on our own and have time to explore. We continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 6 ??? PORTOFINO/SIENA??? 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 walk 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. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 7 ???SIENA/ASSISI ??? This morning 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 where we celebrate Mass. Continue to the upper village where we visit the Basilica of St. Francis and the tomb of St. Francis.  We then 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 8 ???ASSISI ??? This morning, we begin at the Basilica of St. Francesco with Mass.  Afterwards our taxis take us up to the Hermitage of the Carceri, where Francis and his Friars retreated from the world to pray and fast.  Here the grotto of St. Francis can also be seen. The balance of the day is on our own.  We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. DAY 9 - ASSISI/ORVIETO/ROME - Following an early morning departure from Assisi we travel south through the Umbrian countryside. We stop at Orvieto for a visit and Mass at the breathtaking Cathedral, which is known as the jewel of Italian architecture.  Inside the Cathedral is the Chapel of the Corporal, which houses the chalice cloth, involved in the Eucharistic Miracle, which occurred in nearby Bolsena. In the 13th century a pilgrim priest named Peter of Prague was celebrating Mass at the crypt of St. Christina.  He was having a faith crisis concerning the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and while speaking the words of the consecration, blood started to drip from the consecrated Host.  Subsequently Pope Urban instituted The Feast of Corpus Christi.  Afterwards we continue to Rome for dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 10 ??? ROME - This morning we pass through the Holy Doors of St. Peters and then celebrate Mass in one of the crypt chapels below the Vatican.  Afterwards, we 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. Rome where this afternoon we tour her sites, including the Basilica of St. Mary Major where we pass through the Holy Doors opened for this Jubilee Year.  We continue to 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. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.  Day 11 ??? ROME - This morning, we make our way to St. Peter's for an audience with Pope Francis if he is in residence. This afternoon, we continue our tour as we pass through the Holy Doors of the Basilica of St. John Lateran. We continue to St. Paul Outside the Walls where we pass through the final set of Holy Doors opened for the Holy Year.  We conclude our day with Mass at the Catacombs of Priscella, burial place of early Christians.  We view the 2nd and 3rd century fresco paintings. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 12 ??? ROME FREE DAY - Today is free for rest, shopping or personal adventure. We have the opportunity to explore the culinary delights of Rome tonight, as dinner is on our own. Overnight at the hotel. Day 13 ??? ROME/USA ??? Today we make our way home with memories of a lifetime.  

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