Pittsburgh Italy Pilgrimage 10 days

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Created: 04.09.2015

Day 1 ??? DEPART USA ???We depart from Pittsburgh for our overnight flight to Rome (via East Coast gateway) aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Day 2 ??? SIENA - Upon arrival in Rome we journey to Siena by the coastal road- stopping en-route for a special lunch next to the Mediterranean Sea.  We continue to Siena and enjoy a tour of this splendid town, celebrating Mass at the Cathedral. We have some free time to acclimate while settling into our Siena hotel for dinner and overnight.  Day 3- SIENA/FLORENCE - This morning we drive to Florence! Our first stop is the Academia Gallery, where we view Michelangelo???s famous ???David???.  We continue to the Piazza del Duomo, in the heart of Florence, and admire the cupola by Brunelleschi, completed in 1240, and its campanile by Giotto.  We view the Baptistery with its incomparable bronze doors by Ghiberti known as the Gates of Paradise. 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 by Cellini, Giambologna and Bandinelli???s famous ???Hercules.??? Following some free time for lunch, and shopping on the Ponte Vecchio - we visit the   Basilica of Santa Croce. Among the most famous interred here, lie Galileo, Rossini, Michelangelo and Macchiaveli. We celebrate Mass and conclude our time in Florence with a drive to the ???Piazzale Michelangelo???. Here we enjoy the panoramic view of this spectacular city. Return to hotel in Siena for dinner and overnight. Day 4 ??? SIENA/ASSISI This morning, we drive through the Italian countryside arriving in the hilltop village of Assisi, the home of Saint Francis. Our first stop is 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 celebrate Mass here. We continue to the upper village and begin our walking tour of quaint, peaceful Assisi. We will visit the Basilica and the tomb of St. Francis. Also 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. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. DAY 5 - LORETO/ MONTESILVANO ??? Today we drive east towards Ancona arriving in Loreto where we celebrate Mass, at the site of the Santa Casa or Holy House.  Ancient tradition tells us angels carried the house of the Holy Family from Nazareth to Loreto as it was about to be destroyed by Holy Land invaders.  After our visit, we continue southwards via the coastal highway to the Montesilvano Pescara area for dinner and overnight at our hotel on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. DAY 6 - LANCIANO/SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO - This morning we visit and pray at Lanciano, the site of the oldest Eucharistic Miracle certified by the Church- almost eight centuries ago.  We continue south to San Giovanni Rotondo where we celebrate Mass at the tomb of Saint Padre Pio and visit the sanctuary.  We return to our hotel in Montesilvano for dinner and overnight. DAY 7 - MONTESILVANO/ MANOPELLO/SUBIACO/ROME ??? We depart this morning for Rome- stopping en-route in Manopello to pay homage to Veronica???s Veil. We also stop in Subiaco. It was here that Saint Benedict and his sister Scolastica retired at the end of the 5th Century and built five little monasteries.  We visit the Monastery of St. Benedict, which dates from the 13th and 14th centuries and visit the Sacred Cave where Benedict lived as a hermit for three years. The staircase holds the earliest portrait of St. Francis without his halo or stigmata. We celebrate Mass here. We continue to Rome and time permitting enjoy a driving tour of the ancient sites including the Roman Fora and the Arch of Constantine, the Coliseum, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Rome.  Day 8 - 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 Vatican. We will walk through the first Holy Door.  Following free time for lunch, we visit the Basilica of St. John the Lateran- and walk through the second Holy Door. We stop and view the Holy Stairs which are believed by many to be the staircase from Pilate???s palace in Jerusalem, and brought to Rome by St. Helen in the 4th century.  We also visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major- where we will have our group photo and celebrate Mass.  We also walk through the third Holy Door. Farewell dinner tonight in the Trastevere area at a restaurant with entertainment. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Rome. Day 9 - ROME This morning, we wake up early and make our way to St. Peter's for an audience with the Holy Father if he is in residence. We enjoy some free time and then visit the catacombs. Our last stop is St. Paul outside the Wall where we will walk through the 4th and last Holy Door as we complete our re-commitment to a life of faith. The remainder of the day is free for exploration ??? dinner on your own tonight! Overnight Rome.  DAY 10- ROME ??? Today we bid Arrivederci to ROMA with memories to last a lifetime.