Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1: Monday, April 18 - Depart the USA to Italy

DAY 2: Tuesday, April 19 - Arrive in Rome/Assisi
Upon arrival, we meet our tour escort and board our bus. We will drive approx 2.5 hours to reach Assisi, where upon arrival we can visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Crowned by the magnificent dome designed by Alessi, this great Basilica was built in 1569. It enclosed the shrine of the "Porziuncola" or the Little Portion Chapel around which the first Franciscan community was centered, the place where Clare received the habit from Francis, and the Capella Del Transito, which marks the spot where the Saint died. You will see the statue of Saint Francis in the courtyard where hornless roses bloom. After our visit we continue to Assisi for hotel check-in. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Assisi. (D)
Mass: Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

DAY 3: Wednesday, April 20 - Assisi - Tuscany
After early breakfast, transfer to the Basilica of St. Clare, the first and most important heroine of the Franciscan movement, view her remains and see the miraculous Crucifix. Walking through the narrow streets of the medieval city, we reach the Basilica of St. Francis. Our local guide will take us to explore the Basilica complex, which is actually composed of two churches built one atop the other. Beneath both churches is the crypt that houses the tomb of St. Francis. The lower Basilica dates from 1228 to 1230, and is richly decorated with beautiful stained glass windows, and paintings done by some of the most important artists of the 13th and 14th centuries. In the upper Basilica, built from 1230-1253, we will marvel at the monumental frescoes painted by Giotto, which depict scenes from the life of the saint. Celebrate Mass. Time at leisure for lunch and shopping. In the afternoon we depart Assisi, leaving the lush landscape of Umbria for the rolling hills and cypress trees of Tuscany. We arrive at Relais Borgo San Luigi, a fantastic villa, our home for the next three nights (B, D)
Mass: Basilica of St Francis

DAY 4: Thursday, April 21 - Wine Tasting/San Gimignano
This morning we head for the Wine Region of Chianti, in the heart of Tuscany. Learn about “Chianti Classico” at the Mazzei family’s Castello di Fonterutoli Winery. Descend into the sprawling cellar of Le Cantine di Greve in Chianti for lunch of local products. In the afternoon, continue to San Gimignano - the epitome of a Tuscan hill town with fourteen remaining medieval towers, and beautiful piazzas perfect for sipping coffee and appreciating all that is Italy! A short walk from the Duomo of San Gimignano is the Convent of St. Agostino, where we celebrate Mass. Then we have free time to discover the ancient town on our own. Dinner and overnight in our Villa in the Tuscan countryside. (B, L, D)
Mass: Convent of St Augustin, San Gimignano

DAY 5: Friday, April 22 - Florence
Depart the hotel in the early morning (1.5 hrs drive). Today we will enjoy a guided tour of Florence. Here one almost breaths art and culture in its charming medieval streets, in craftsman's workshops. Renaissance palaces and the world renowned museums, all found within the downtown area of Florence. The memories of the Medici family are united with the splendor of the works of illustrious artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli. We start from the Accademia Gallery to marvel at the sight of the Michelangelo’s David. Continue the walking tour; A highlight will be a guided tour; see the Baptistery of St. John, the religious historic jewel of the city the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower. A site not to be missed is the Ponte Vecchio, a bridge covered since medieval times with goldsmiths' shops featuring a Florentine specialty—handcrafted gold jewelry, with other unique creations. Next destination is the Church of Santa Croce, where we celebrate Mass. Enjoy some free time for shopping, Return to our villa for dinner and overnight (B, D)
Mass: Church of Santa Croce

DAY 6: Saturday, April 23 - Siena/Rome
Breakfast and check out. Enjoy the unique panorama on Chianti Hills. Tuscany has been perpetuated by the romance of the region’s endless rolling hill sand cypress-lined country roads. It is home to some of the world’s most prestigious wines: Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vernaccia di san Gimignano, Montepulciano are among the most famous. We continue to Siena for a late afternoon in San Domenico. Mass will be celebrated today in Siena, upper town, where we also see the relics of St. Catherine. We meet our local guide and visit the center of this medieval town and spend some time in the historic “Piazza del Campo. Tonight we reach Rome, check in at our hotel, dinner and overnight (B, D)
Mass: Basilica of St Catherine

DAY 7: Sunday, April 24 - AM: Papal Blessing/PM The Passion of Jesus Christ 
After a good breakfast, this morning we will enjoy a panoramic tour of Imperial Rome, with stop at the Colosseum for a memorable picture. Continue to St Peter’s square to join pilgrims from all over the world who coming to Rome to attend the Sunday Papal Blessing, at 12:00. Break for lunch. This afternoon, we will visit the basilicas to pray on the relics of the Passion of Jesus Christ. We will begin the tour from Basilica of St. John in Lateran, which houses a fragment of the table on which Jesus consumed his last supper. From there we will visit Holy Stairs so named because they are the steps which led to the praetorium of the Roman Procurator Ponzio Pilato. After we will visit Basilica St Mary Major. Which is one of the oldest and most important shrines in the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The crypt is built to resemble the cave of the Nativity in Bethlehem and here there is a reliquary containing part of the Holy Crib in which our Lord Jesus Christ once lay. Here we will celebrate Mass. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight (B, D)
Mass: Basilica of St Mary Major

DAY 8: Monday, April 25 - AM: Tour of the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica/Baroque Rome
After breakfast, we will visit the Vatican Museums which house what can be described as the most important collections of art in the world. Highlights include The Tapestry Gallery, The Raphael Rooms, and The Sistine Chapel, where we will gaze on Michelangelo’s incredible masterpiece. Continue to the Basilica of St. Peter, the grandest church in Christendom, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. Break for lunch. We will enjoy a walking tour through the imposing baroque squares, fountains and churches of Rome. We start from Trevi Fountain. Then we continue to the Pantheon and, finally, we reach Navona Square with the famous Bernini’s fountain of the Four Rivers. Celebrate Mass at the Church of St Augustin that houses the Caravaggio’s painting “Madonna dei Pellegrini” and the tomb of Santa Monica. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight (B, D)
Mass: Church of St Agustin

Day 9: Sunday, April 26 - Depart Rome for our flight home.
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