Medjugorje & Italy Pilgrimage 11 days SGR

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: 06.06.2013

Day 1 - DEPART ? Today, we depart from our home cities and to connect with our overnight flight to Europe. We will be served complimentary beverages, in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Day 2 ? ROME/SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO - This morning we arrive in Rome where we are met and board our coach for the ride to the eastern part of Italy and San Giovanni Rotondo. Here we celebrate Mass at the tomb of Saint Padre Pio and visit the sanctuary and his room here. We will have some free time for prayer and shopping before we continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight. DAY 3 ?LANCIANO/ROME - This morning, we continue north via the coastal highway to Lanciano, the site of the oldest Eucharistic Miracle certified by the Church. After almost eight centuries the Body and the Blood still maintain all the characteristics of fresh human material. We celebrate Mass here before we continue to Rome for dinner and overnight. N.B. TO INCLUDE LORETO HERE, WE WOULD HAVE TO ADD AN EXTRA NIGHT. Wednesday Day 4 ? ROME - This morning, we will make our way to St. Peter's for the Audience of Pope Benedict XVI if he is in residence. This afternoon we celebrate Mass at 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 will visit this week. This is the first church dedicated to the Blessed Mother first built in the fifth century following the Council of Ephesus. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 5 ? VATICAN CITY/ROME ? This morning, we begin our day celebrating Mass at St. Peter?s. Afterwards, we will see the treasures of the Vatican Museum. We will marvel at Michelangelo's recently restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and the wonders of St. Peter?s. This will be our third of the four major Basilicas of Rome This afternoon we will tour the sites, including the Church of St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo's possibly most celebrated sculpture, the "Moses." Next we will visit the Church of the Holy Stairs and the last of our four major Basilicas as we enter 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 will enjoy a tour of her treasures. We will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 6 ? ROME/MEDJUGORJE ? Following Mass at a church near our hotel this morning we will be free for shopping or personal adventure. This afternoon, we transfer to the airport for our evening flight to Split in Croatia. On arrival we will be met and transfer to Medjugorje for dinner and overnight. ARRIVAL TIME 7:05 PM ? BUS RIDE 3 HOURS ? VERY LATE ARRIVAL ? PILGRIMS WILL LIKELY NEED TO TAKE DINNER AT AIRPORT ON THEIR OWN. Day 7 & 8 ? MEDJUGORJE ? Following breakfast today and tomorrow, we will visit the famous Church of St. James where will join with other English speaking pilgrims to celebrate Mass. Depending upon schedules and if possible, our full time local guide will introduce us to the Medjugorje Visionaries who will share a talk with us and often be open for a time of questions and answers. We will have the opportunity to climb Apparition Hill (Podbrdo) where Our Blessed Mother first appeared to the children. We will pray the Rosary as we make our way up the hill. Later in the week, those who wish can make the more difficult climb up Cross Mountain (Krizevac.) In the evening we return to our guesthouse where our hosts will prepare a delightful dinner. Day 9 ? MEDJUGORJE/SPLIT ? Following our final Mass in Medjugorje, we depart over the mountains and cross the border to Croatia. We will stop in Makarska, center of the vacation area on the beautiful Croatian coast and have free time for lunch on the promenade overlooking an idyllic bay. Continue along the spectacular Magistrale coast road to Split where we will enjoy a short sightseeing tour including the 3rd century Diocletian Palace and Cathedral, formerly the Mausoleum of the Emperor Diocletian. We will have dinner and overnight at our hotel. DAY 10 ? SPLIT/ROME ? This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Rome. On arrival, we are again met and transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight. We will be free to explore on our own. Day 11 - RETURN TO USA ? We transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S and our home cities with unforgettable memories to cherish always.