With its many places of worship, Italy is a destination for travelers who want to rejoice in their faith. On this inspirational Italy tour, you'll overnight in Rome, the heart of Christianity; San Giovanni Rotondo, where St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina lived and worked his miracles; and Assisi, where St. Francis was born, worked, and died. Along the way, you'll visit many of Italy’s treasured basilicas, churches, and more. In Rome, you'll encounter three of Rome's four major Papal basilicas: St. Peter's Basilica, the largest Christian church in the world; St. Paul Outside the Walls, Rome's second-largest basilica and the burial place of St. Paul the Apostle; and St. John's Lateran Basilica, the oldest basilica in the Western World and the Papal residence until the 14th century. Also in Rome, you'll attend the Papal audience (subject to availability) and receive the Papal Blessing. On this Italy tour, you'll attend Mass in Rome at St. Mary Major Basilica, the most important Roman church dedicated to the Virgin Mary; in San Giovanni Rotondo at Santa Maria delle Grazie (Old Church), consecrated in 1629; in Lanciano at St. Francis’ Church, home to the relics of the earliest-known Eucharistic Miracle; and in Assisi at St. Francis Basilica, one of Italy's oldest gothic churches. Other tour highlights include visits to the Loreto Sanctuary and Holy House, where, according to tradition, angels transported the home of the blessed Virgin Mary; the Shrine of Monte Sant'Angelo, one of Christendom's most celebrated shrines and where St. Michael the Archangel appeared in 490, 492, and 1656; the Abbey at Monte Cassino, founded by St. Benedict in 529 AD; and much more.

SPIRITUAL HIGHLIGHTS OF ITALY

SKU: COS006

$1,789.00

Destinations

SIGHTSEEING
Visits to Monte Cassino Abbey, St. Pio's Pietrelcina and San Giovanni Rotondo, Monte Sant'Angelo shrine, and the sanctuaries of Lanciano, Loreto, Cascia.

GUIDES
Local Guides for city sightseeing in Rome and Assisi; services of a professional Tour Director while touring.

TRANSPORTATION
Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach.

MASS
Rome, San Giovanni Rotondo, Lanciano, Assisi (subject to change)

HOTELS
Includes rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges.

HEADSETS
Throughout your tour.

INSIDE VISITS and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.

MYACCOUNT
Personalise your tour ahead of time with additional excursions. Visit our website for details and conditions.

MASS
Rome, San Giovanni Rotondo, Lanciano, Assisi (subject to change).

Meals

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

8

0

5

Buffet breakfasts (B) daily, 5 dinners (D)including a dinner at a local restaurant in Rome.
Day1 ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY.
Welcome to Italy! Check into your hotel, then the rest of the day is free to explore on your own. This afternoon, meet your Tour Director and fellow Travellers, and prepare for your upcoming spiritual journey. Later this evening, a welcome dinner awaits at your hotel. (D)

Day2 ROME.
This morning, attend the PAPAL AUDIENCE (subject to availability) for the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal Blessing. Later, visit ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS, burial place of St. Paul the Apostle and one of Rome's four major Papal basilicas, along with ST. JOHN LATERAN BASILICA, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century. Next, visit the Papal sanctuary of the SCALA SANCTA (Holy Stairs), transported from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 AD by St. Helena, Emperor Constantine's mother. These 28 marble steps are traditionally ascended in a kneeling position with a prayer recital dedicated to Jesus Christ. Then, visit the impressive ST. MARY MAJOR BASILICA and attend Mass. (B)

Day3 ROME.
The "Eternal City" is steeped in history, vibrantly alive and exciting, and absolutely unique! Included sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with St. Peter's Square and Basilica, followed by the iconic COLOSSEUM, the largest amphitheater ever built; and the ROMAN FORUM, site of military processions, elections, trials, and the overall centre of Roman public life for centuries. An optional visit is available to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo's impressive fresco of The Last Judgment. (B)

Day4 ROME-MONTE CASSINO- PIETRELCINA-SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO.
Head deeper south today, stopping first in Monte Cassino to see the monastery and visit the ABBEY perched high above the valley. The monastery was the motherhouse of the Benedictines, founded in 529 AD and destroyed four times over the centuries. The last time it was laid to ruin was in 1944 during the great Battle of Monte Cassino. Then, stop in quaint Pietrelcina, birthplace of the beloved St. Pio, before heading towards San Giovanni Rotondo on the eastern coast, the Saint's home from 1916 until his death in 1968. (B,D)

Day5 SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO. EXCURSION TO MONTE SANT'ANGELO.
Attend Mass this morning at SANTA MARIA DELLE GRAZIE (Old Church), then visit the FRIARY of Padre Pio, including his tomb, cell, confessional, and the PADRE PIO PILGRIMAGE CHURCH (New Church). Afterwards, take a short drive to the nearby SHRINE OF MONTE SANT'ANGELO, one of Christendom's most celebrated shrines and where St. Michael the Archangel appeared in 490, 492, and 1656. (B,D)

Day6 SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO- LANCIANO-LORETO-ASSISI.
Visit ST. FRANCIS' church in Lanciano, home of the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle, and attend morning Mass. Continue to the LORETO SANCTUARY, including the HOLY HOUSE, where, according to tradition, angels transported the home of the blessed Virgin Mary. Arrive at the hilltop village of Assisi, home of St. Francis and St. Clare. (B,D)

Day7 ASSISI.
Today, learn more about St. Francis, patron saint of animals and the environment. Attend early morning Mass at ST. FRANCIS BASILICA, famous for its 14th-century Giotto paintings depicting the life of St. Francis, then meet your Local Guide and visit the UPPER and LOWER BASILICAS of St. Francis and the BASILICA OF ST. CLARE, founder of the Order of Poor Clares. Next, visit the BASILICA of Santa Maria degli Angeli, situated at the foot of Assisi's hills and protecting the Porziuncola, where St. Francis is said to have founded the Order of Friars Minor in 1209, and the Cappella del Transito, where the Saint died in 1226. (B)

Day8 ASSISI-CASCIA-ROME.
Travel to Cascia this morning, situated in Umbria and home of St. Rita, the "Patron Saint of Impossible Causes." Visit the SANCTUARY and see the Major Basilica, the chapel that houses the tomb of St. Rita. Also, see the Minor Basilica, home of the Eucharistic Miracle that is commemorated each year with the Feast of Corpus Christi. Return to Rome for a final overnight and a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day9 ROME.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)