12-DAY ITALY (ROME TO MILAN)

After an early breakfast at your hotel, we will proceed to the Vatican for the Papal Audience with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square! After the audience, we will walk through the Holy Doors of the grand St. Peter’s Basilica! We will celebrate Mass, explore the basilica, and continue with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the world-famous Sistine Chapel! Dinner and overnight in Rome.

After breakfast, our tour begins by walking through the Holy Doors of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of Rome’s four major basilicas and the final resting place of St. Paul, the Apostle.  Next, we will explore the city’s Catacombs, followed by a tour of ancient Rome. We will visit the Colosseum, Capitol Hill, the Vittorio Emmanuel Monument, the Roman Forum, and Circus Maximus. This afternoon, we will visit Rome’s other major basilicas and walk through the Holy Doors of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. You’ll also have free time to explore before returning to your hotel. Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

After breakfast, we will travel south, passing through the beautiful and rich Italian countryside of vineyards, orchards, and olive groves. Our first stop will be the town of Monte Cassino, founded by St. Benedict in 529 and where he began the Benedictine Order. We will tour the magnificent Monte Cassino Abbey, followed by the Church of St. Peter and Paul. We will then continue to San Giovanni Rotondo, the hometown of the great St. Padre Pio. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

After breakfast, we will start our day at the Old Church, where we will celebrate Mass. After Mass, we will tour the sanctuary and view the crucifix St. Pio stood before as he received the stigmata in 1918. After your tour, we will travel along the beautiful Gargano Peninsula to Monte Sant’ Angelo and the Cave of St. Michael, where in the year 492, it is believed that Michael the Archangel appeared to a Bishop whose diocese was threatened with annihilation by pagans. St. Michael assured the bishop they would be saved. Today, almost a million pilgrims per year travel to the cave to pray for the intercession of St. Michael. Afterward, we will return to your hotel in San Giovanni Rotondo. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

After breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart for Lanciano. Upon arrival, we will visit the Church of St. Longinus, home of the 8th-Century Eucharistic Miracle. We will celebrate Mass here before continuing our journey toward the Adriatic coast to the great Marian Shrine of Loreto, a famous Catholic Pilgrimage site since the 14th century. Here, we will visit the Basilica of the Holy House, which enshrines the Holy House of Nazareth, the home in which the Blessed Virgin Mary is believed to have lived.  Afterward, you will have free time to enjoy lunch before continuing your journey to Assisi. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

After breakfast, we will begin exploring the hometown of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and the founder of the Franciscan Order. First, we will celebrate Mass at St. Mary of the Angels Basilica. Inside, you will see the famous Porziuncola, the tiny church in the woods where St. Francis started his ministry and St. Clare began her religious life. Next, we will enjoy a tour of St. Francis of Assisi Basilica and view the crucifix that said to him, “Rebuild my Church.” Afterward, we will visit the Church of St. Clare, a follower of St. Francis and founder of the Order of Poor Ladies, known today as the Order of Saint Clare. The rest of the day can be spent exploring independently, shopping, or relaxing. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

After breakfast, we will check out of your hotel and travel to Siena. Upon arrival, we will visit the city’s incredible Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, completed in 1380 and dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. Next, we will visit the Sanctuary of St. Catherine of Siena, where the Miraculous Crucifix from which she received her stigmata is kept. Afterward, we will walk through the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and view the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre Del Mangia, two of Siena’s architectural treasures. We’ll then continue to the Basilica of St. Dominic to see the incorrupt relics of St. Catherine of Siena before continuing our journey to Florence. Dinner and overnight in Florence.

After breakfast at your hotel, we will begin exploring Florence, known as “The Jewel of the Renaissance.” Our first visits are to the Church of the Holy Cross and the Santa Croce, where Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and other nobles are buried. Afterward, we continue our tour through the Piazza Signorina, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, and Republic Square. We will then arrive at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, an iconic piece of Florence architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the tour, we will visit L’Accademia, a well-known art gallery with notable artwork from Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Pontormo, and Michelangelo (Sculpture of David). Afterward, you’re free to explore independently before returning to our hotel for the evening. Dinner and overnight in Florence.

After breakfast at your hotel, we say farewell to Florence and depart for Milan! Upon arrival, we will visit the city’s most notable site: The Duomo, the most magnificent Gothic building in Northern Italy. After the tour, we’ll continue to the Basilica and Tomb of St. Ambrose and the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie to celebrate Mass. Our final stops include the incredible Castle Sforzesco, built by the Duke of Milan in the 15th century, and the famous La Scala Opera House. For the rest of the day, you are free to browse the Forza boutiques and stroll through the luxury shops of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele Arcade. Enjoy a special dinner with your spiritual director and fellow pilgrims tonight as you share your spiritual journey experiences in Italy. Overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport this morning to catch our return flight home. We hope this spiritual journey has enlightened you and given you many beautiful memories to last a lifetime.