Tuttle Italy 10 days

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Created: 17.03.2016

Tuesday, October 18 - St. Luke - Day 1 ??? DEPART USA ??? Today we depart Orlando, Pittsburgh or Columbus to connect with our overnight flight to Rome aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Wednesday, October 19 - Day 2 - ROME/ TUSCANY/MONTECATINI ??? This morning we arrive in Rome where we are met and board our motor coach for our ride to Tuscany.  Following included lunch we arrive in the delightful nearby spa town of Montecatini Terme. The balance of the day is at leisure to stroll through the inviting streets of this charming town.  Dinner and overnight at your hotel. Thursday, October 20 - Day 3 - FLORENCE - This morning we drive to Florence where our first stop will be a visit to the Academia Gallery, here we  view Michelangelo???s famous ???David???. We continue to the Duomo, the heart of the city, where we admire the cupola by Brunelleschi, completed in 1240, and its campanile by Giotto.  Once outside we view the Baptistery???s with its incomparable bronze doors by Ghiberti. 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.??? Following free time for Lunch on our own we visit the   Basilica of Santa Croce. Among the most famous interred here, lie Galileo, Rossini, Michelangelo and Macchiaveli. We celebrate Mass here. Following some free time for shopping or personal adventure, We conclude with a drive to the  ??? Piazzale Michelangelo??? for a panoramic view of city spectacular city. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight. Friday, October 21 - Day 4 ??? MONTECATINI /SIENA/ORVIETO/ASSISI ??? 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 take the escalator 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. Our next stop is Orvieto- the hilltop town famous for the Eucharistic miracle. We visit the spectacular Cathedral. Free time for lunch and browsing. In the afternoon 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. Continue to the upper village for dinner and overnight at our hotel. Saturday, October 22 - Day 5 - ASSISI - This morning, we begin at the Basilica of St. Francesco with Mass. After our visit of the Basilica and the tomb of St. Francis, 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 also 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 our hotel. Sunday, October 23 - Day 6 - ASSISI/ROME - This morning, we depart Assisi and travel south to Rome where this afternoon we tour her sites, including the Basilica of St. Mary Major and 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.  Dinner and overnight at hotel. Monday, October 24 - Day 7 ??? ROME - This morning we visit the Vatican City and see 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. This afternoon, we continue our tour with a visit to the Holy Stairs and Basilica of St. John Lateran. We visit St. Paul???s Beyond the Walls. This 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 celebrate Mass here and view the 2nd and 3rd century fresco paintings. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.  Tuesday, October 25 - Day 8 ??? ROME FREE DAY - Following morning Mass at the hotel or at a nearby church, today is yours for shopping, personal adventure, or optional excursions to Pompeii, Sorrento, Naples or the Isle of Capri. We have the opportunity to explore the culinary delights of Rome tonight as dinner is on our own.  Overnight at the hotel. Wednesday, October 26 - Day 9 - 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 are free to further enjoy this fascinating city. We will enjoy our farewell dinner tonight at a restaurant near our hotel.  Overnight at the hotel. Thursday, October 27 - Day 10 - RETURN TO U.S. - Today we make our way home with memories of a lifetime.