Day 1: USA / Rome
Our pilgrimage begins as we depart on our overnight flight to Rome. Meals and refreshments will be served aloft.

Day 2: Arrive Rome
After arrival in the "Eternal City", we will be met by our local tour director and transfer to our centrally located hotel, our home for the next four nights. The balance of the day is free.

Day 3: Rome
This morning we will experience a highlight of our Roman stay, attendance at the weekly Papal Audience at St. Peter's (subject to the Holy Father's schedule). Join thousands of pilgrims from throughout the world to listen to the Holy Father and receive His Blessing. After the audience, enjoy a tour of the Scavi excavations underneath St. Peter's Basilica (subject to confirmation). The remainder of the day is free.

Day 4: Rome
This morning our sightseeing of "Ancient Rome" includes visits to the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, St. Peter in Chains featuring Michelangelo's "Moses" and St. Paul Outside the Walls, where Mass will be celebrated. After lunch continue our exploration of Rome with a visit to the Renaissance section of the city. See the Trevi Fountain where a coin thrown over your shoulder will guarantee you another visit to Rome; the Pantheon; Piazza Navona with the famous Bernini's fountains; and Campo de' Fiori, one of the most colorful street markets in Rome.

Day 5: Rome
A full day of exploring Rome begins with Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. Our guide then takes us through the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel with its awesome frescoes painted by Michelangelo. In the afternoon our sightseeing includes visits to St. Mary Major Basilica, St. John Lateran, San Clemente, the Holy Stairs, the Old Appian Way and the St. Sebastian Catacombs.

Day 6: Rome / Orvieto / Assisi
After a morning at leisure in Rome, we will depart for Orvieto to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria. The cathedral owes its existence to the eucharistic miracle that occurred in nearby Bolesena in 1263 which is celebrated yearly during the Feast of Corpus Christi. Continue to Assisi, the home of St. Francis and St. Clare, and check into our hotel with the remainder of the day free.

Day 7: Assisi
This morning we will enjoy a complete tour of Assisi. Visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, site of the Porziuncola, the tiny church in the woods where St. Francis began his ministry and where St. Clare began her religious life. Proceed to the Convent of San Damiano where the miracle of the Eucharist of 1211 took place, the Basilica of St. Francis where the saint lies in rest, and the Basilica of St. Clare.

Day 8: Assisi / Siena / Florence
This morning we will depart Assisi and drive to Siena, which along with Florence is one of Italy’s artistic treasures. At its heart is one of Europe’s great medieval squares. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis where we’ll venerate the Eucharistic miracle of Siena. Hosts there have remained incorrupt since 1730. Then we’ll go to St. Dominic’s which contains the head of St. Catherine in a golden reliquary. Adjacent to the church is her home, which we’ll tour and see the cell where she fasted and prayed. Continue our drive through the beautiful countryside to Florence popularly known as the "Cradle of the Italian Renaissance".

Day 9: Florence
Our tour of Florence is an artful experience as we take in the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo and visit inside the Baptistery with its renowned bronze doors. Continue to the Galleria Dell’Academia to see Michelangelo’s "David." Then visit Santa Maria Novella Church, Santa Croce, and San Marcos Cloisters. The remainder of the afternoon is free to wander Florence on our own.

Day 10: Florence / Padua / Venice
This morning depart Florence and driver north to Padua, the home of St. Anthony. Visit the Basilica of St. Anthony in whose treasury you can see, in a precious reliquary, the tongue and larynx of St. Anthony of Padua. After Mass in the Basilica built in his honor, we hear the amazing story of the Patron Saint of so many miracles, including raising people from the dead. Continue to the Chapel of the Madonna dell'Arena which contains some of the most fascinating paintings from the Renaissance period. Drive on to Venice, Italy's most colorful city. The city of Venice was built on 118 islands crisscrossed by 160 canals and linked by 400 footbridges. There are no roads, only canals; no traffic, only water taxis and gondolas.

Day 11: Venice
We'll enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Venice by foot, first visiting St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) and the St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), built to house the remains of St. Mark. Also visit the famous Doges' Palace and "Bridge of Sighs". The balance of the day is free to explore this fascinating city of islands on our own.

Day 12: Venice / USA
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the States.

The above itinerary is only a small taste of what we have to offer. Customized itineraries and competitive quotations will be furnished upon request.

Additional itineraries are available at our Information Center.