Shrines central and North Italy
 12
Days / 11 Nights
DAY 1: ROME
In the late morning arrival at Rome; welcome drink and meeting with our Tour
Excort who will introduce our program. Time at leisure to enjoy Rome. Dinner
and overnight at hotel.
DAY 2: ROME
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning guided visit to the Vatican Museum, Sistina
Chapel and Raffaello's Rooms. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon guided visit
with our historical guide to St. Peter's Basilica and Santa Maria Maggiore,
the first Basilica of Rome. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 3: ROME
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning guided visit with our historical guide to
the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Cloister and the Baptistery, The Lateranense
Palace, the ancient Pope Residence, La Scala Santa and Sancta Santorum, the
Popes' private Chapel. Free time for lunch. In The afternoon we will visit the
"Basilica and Catacombe of S. Agnese and the Mausoleo of Santa Costanza",
wonderful examples of the Christian art. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 4: ASSISI
Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Assisi Travel northward this morning through
countryside and charming villages for a visit and Mass in the medieval town
of Assisi, located in the beautiful region of Umbria at the foot of Mount Subasio.
St. Francis was born here during the 12th century and after a nearly fatal illness
during his youth, he converted to a life of Christendom. The 14th-century castle
Rocca Medioevale offers a spectacular view of the city and the Umbrian Valley.
You will visit the Basilica of St. Francis, which contains his tomb and the
beautiful frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. You will also visit the churchof St.
Clare, and St. Mary of the Angels Basilica where you will visit the chapel,
Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where St. Francis retired for prayer.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 5: CHIUSDINO - ASCIANO - SIENA
Breakfast at hotel. Departure to full day guided tour. First stop to Chiusdino
for the visit the Whole of San Galgano. The whole, composed by the Hermitage
or "Rotonda di Montesiepi", with its precious "Sword on the rock"
and its Cistercian San Galgano Abbey ruins, is one of the most evocative of
the Tuscany. Continue to Monte Oliveto Maggiore in Asciano. Monte Oliveto Maggiore
is an early foundation of the Olivetan Order and the Abbey itself is one of
the most interesting in Italy. Arrival to Siena, historical and artistic city,
famous for its untouched medieval look. In the afternoon half day guided tour
of the centre of Siena: "Piazza del Campo", a particular square, famous
in all over the world for the "Palio delle Contrade" (festival and
horserace held twice a year at Siena) and its Beautiful Duomo. Departure to
Florence. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
DAY 6: FLORENCE
Breakfast at hotel. After celebrating Mass in one of the beautiful churches
of the city, we have a guided tour of the main sights. We'll see the Cathedral
with its magnificent dome of Brunelleschi, Giotto's elegant belfry and the Baptistery
with Ghiberti's Gate to Paradise; then to the Galleria dell'Accademia where,
among other art treasures we see Michelangelo's powerful David. The day's tour
concludes with a drive up Piazzalle Michelangelo to enjoy a wonderful view of
the city. Dinner and overnight in Florence.
Day 7: RAVENNA
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Ravenna. Meeting with the guide and
visit of Basilica di S. Vitale, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, Basilica di S. Apollinare
Nuovo and Sanctuary S. Maria in Porto. Free time for lunch. Continuation of
the guided visit: Battistero Neoniano, Museo Arcivescovile and Basilica di S.
Apollinare in Classe. Accommodation in the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 8: FERRARA
breakfast at the hotel and departure for Ferrara. Meeting with the guide for
the visit of S. Giorgio Cathedral and the Church S. Paolo. Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon on to Pomposa for the visit of the Abbey, then on to Comacchio
for the visit of the Sanctuary S. Maria in Aula Regia. Departure to Venice.
Accomodation in Hotel. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 9: VENICE
breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Venice, guided visit to the historical
center with St. Mraco Square, the Doge's Palace and the Beautiful Basilica of
San Marco. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon half day guided tour of the
Ghetto of Venice. When you visit the Ghetto of Venice you enter an extraordinary
and unique quarter. Five synagogues (15th to 16th C.) are located in this small
area, representing the different "nations" (Jewish ethnic groups)
who settled down in the Lagoon along the centuries. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 10: VENICE - PADUA - MILAN
Breakfast at the Hotel. In the morning departure to Padua, made famous in
part by the labors of Saint Anthony. Though born in Lisbon, Portugal, St. Anthony
chose Padua as the center of his preaching mission. We visit the tomb of the
blessed Saint and celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St. Anthony. We see Prato
della Valle, one of the beautiful Italian square, we can stroll along the watercourse
lined with tall statues and monuments. We'll also see the spectacular Basilica
of Santa Giustina and the Cappella degli Scrovegni wit the famous fresques of
Giotto. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon continue on to Milan. Dinner and
overnight.
DAY 11: MILAN
Breakfast at the Hotel. In the morning panoramic tour of the premier monuments
of this city where in the 4th century St. Ambrose was bishop and St. Augustine
was converted by his preaching. We see the Castello Sforzesco and La Scala Theater,
the most renowned opera house in the world. Next we visit the Duomo, the city's
cathedral and the largest and most elaborate Gothic structure in Italy, and
celebrate Mass. Free time for lunch. We continue on to the Church of Santa Maria
delle Grazie where the fully restored Last Supper frescoe of Leonardo da Vinci
graces a wall in the refectory where the Dominican friars once dined, Sant'Ambrogio.
Finally, we will visit the Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan's finest art museum. Dinner
and overnight in Milan.
DAY 12: DEPARTURE
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