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1014AA4 - Catholic Italy Pilgrimage 12 days from Charleston WV


Trip Flyer
Airline Name Baggage Information
American Airlines http://bit.ly/zRWIZO

Special Package with this Trip :
International departure taxes of $123 plus current fuel surcharges of $410 are included (subject to change).

Tour Code Departure Date Cost per person
AA1014DO 10/14/2024 $5899.00
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Trip Details

Today, we depart from Charleston, WV on our connecting flight to Italy aboard our overnight flight. We are served Complimentary beverages, in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft.
Upon arrival in Rome, we are met and board our motorcoach for our ride to the Florence area. Following lunch on our own we continue to the delightful nearby spa town of Montecatini Terme whose streets invite us to stroll after dinner at your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure.
This morning we drive to Florence where our first stop will be a visit to the Academia Gallery, here we view Michelangelo’s famous “David”. We continue for Mass and a visit to the Duomo, the heart of the city. Once outside we view the Baptistry of St. John with its incomparable bronze doors by Ghiberti. Up until the end of the 19th century, all Catholics in Florence were baptized within its doors. Afterwards, we set out to the Piazza della Signoria, dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio and its embattlement crowned tower. Across from the Palace, we visit the Loggia dei Lanzi with the statues of the Perseus by Cellini; Giambologna's the “Rape of the Sabines” and “Hercules.” Following free time for lunch on our own we visit the Basilica of Santa Croce. Among the most famous Italians interred here are Galileo, Rossini, Michelangelo and Machiavelli. Following some free time for shopping or personal adventure, we regather for dinner at one of the restaurants in this enchanting city. After our included dinner, we conclude with a drive to the “Piazzale Michelangelo” for a panoramic view of the city. Return to hotel in Montecatini for overnight.
Today we journey through the Italian countryside arriving in the magnificent city of Siena, which invites us to stroll through its Gothic streets. After we celebrate Mass at the Dominican Church commemorating St. Catherine, we walk down to the famous Piazza del Campo. We continue uphill to visit the monumental Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary. We say goodbye to the home of St. Catherine and continue south to Assisi, the home of St Francis, for dinner and overnight.
This morning, we begin at the Basilica of St. Francesco with Mass. After our visit of the Basilica and the tomb of St. Francis, we enjoy a walking tour of the village with visits to the Church of St. Clare to view the famous San Damiano crucifix. From this cross, Christ spoke to St. Francis telling him to “rebuild my Church”. After lunch on our own, we visit the resting place of newly beatified Blessed Carlo Acutis who was 15-years old when he died in 2006 from leukemia. Acutis' tomb is located in Assisi's Sanctuary of the Renunciation, a part of the Church of St. Mary Major. The sanctuary is located on the spot where a young St. Francis of Assisi is said to have cast off his rich clothes in favor of a poor habit. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
This morning, our first stop is in the lower town for a visit and Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, and the Portiuncula, Francis' Church of the Little Portion. We travel south to the wonderful town of Sorrento along the Mediterranean for dinner and overnight.
This morning, we leave Sorrento by steamer across the Bay of Naples to the Island of Dreams - Capri. We tour the island including Anacapri and weather permitting, the beautiful Blue Grotto. Following Mass at one of the churches here we return to Sorrento for dinner and overnight.
Today, we travel to Pompeii, the Roman City destroyed but yet preserved by the volcanic ash of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Late in the morning we leave Pompei and en route we have a quick lunch before arriving in Rome. We enjoy a tour and Mass at St. Mary Major, one of the Four Basilicas in Rome with Holy Doors for Jubilee years. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
This morning, we go to the Vatican, where we celebrate Mass below St. Peters. Afterwards, we see the treasures of the Vatican Museum. We marvel at Michelangelo’s restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and the wonders of St. Peter’s. In St. Peter’s Basilica, we take in the world-renowned altar columns created by Bernini. Tradition holds that Bernini engraved his own Rosary on one of the columns while another column is said to contain the spear of St. Longinus, the Roman centurion who pierced the side of our Savior and was healed by the blood and water that flowed from it! This afternoon after lunch on our own, we enjoy a tour Rome’s sites starting with the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, the Coliseum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Church of St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo's most famous sculpture, the "Moses". We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
This morning, we make our way to St. Peter's for an audience with Pope Francis if he is in residence. Afterwards, we visit the Holy Stairs and Basilica of St. John Lateran. Following lunch on our own, we continue to St. Paul Outside the Walls. The huge, imposing Basilica, second only to St. Peter’s and one of the largest churches in the Christian world, contains an unusual gallery of painted papal tablets portraying the popes of the past. We conclude our day at one of the Catacombs, which served as the burial place for the early Christians. We celebrate Mass here and appreciate the 2nd and 3rd century fresco paintings. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
We begin today by exploring Rome’s city center including the Piazza di Spagna, Fontana di Trevi, Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Mass at Sant’Agnese in Agone. The afternoon is free to pray, shop, enjoy street vendors and explore the city on our own. Our final day of our pilgrimage concludes with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at our hotel.
We transfer to the airport in Rome for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish for the rest of our lives.
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