Day 1 - DEPART USA - Today we depart our home airport to connect with our overnight flight to Rome aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner, and breakfast aloft.

Day 2 - ROME/TUSCANY/MONTECATINI - This morning, we arrive in Rome and are met by our Unitours Tour Manager and board our motorcoach for our ride to Tuscany. Following lunch on our own along the way, we arrive in the delightful spa town of Montecatini Terme. The balance of the day is at leisure to stroll through the inviting streets of this charming town. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 3 - MONTECATINI/FLORENCE Today, we drive to Florence where our first stop will be “Piazzale Michelangelo” for the best panoramic view of this spectacular city one could ask for. We proceed with a tour of the Academia Gallery, where we view one of Michelangelo’s most famous works, “David” (OR MEDICI). We continue with the celebration of Mass and a visit at the Duomo (also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), in the heart of the city and the fourth largest in the world! There, we admire the cupola by Brunelleschi, completed in 1240, and its campanile by Giotto. Once outside, we view the Baptistery’s with its incomparable bronze doors by Ghiberti. We break for a leisurely lunch on our own at one of the many trattorias that dot the riverfront area, along Florence’s Arno River. We then continue our tour of Florence with the Piazza della Signoria, dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio and its iconic 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.” The remainder of the day is free for personal shopping browsing this fascinating city on your own. We return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 - FLORENCE This morning, we return to Florence to spend more time in this beautiful city and visit the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce. Among the most famous Italians interred here, lie Galileo, Rossini, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli. Following a break for lunch on our own, we enjoy some free time for shopping or personal adventure in any of the many art museums or to have a walk along the Arno River admiring the enchanting Ponte Vecchio. This evening, our dinner location will be at one of the restaurants of this enchanting city. After our included dinner, we return at our hotel for overnight.

Day 5 - MONTECATINI/SIENA/ASSISI 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 take the escalator down to the famous Piazza del Campo. This shell shaped square is the dramatic setting for the annual Palio bareback horserace. The piazza's focal point is the Palazzo Pubblico, the public palace, which dates to 1250AD. We continue uphill to visit the monumental Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary. We then enjoy free time for lunch on our own and browsing. This afternoon, we continue south through Umbria to the hilltop village of Assisi, the home of beloved Saint Francis. Our first stop is in the lower town for a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, and the Portiuncula, Francis' Church of the Little Portion. We thank St. Francis for two of his most notable gifts to humanity, the Nativity Scene, and the Stations of the Cross. We continue to the upper village for dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 6 - ASSISI 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 begin our walking tour of the village. Included, is a visit to the Church of St. Clare to view the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis. .Kneeling before it, Francis composed the following prayer, which is considered to be among the oldest of his writings: “All Highest, Glorious God, cast your light into the darkness of my heart. Give me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity, and profound humility, with wisdom and perception, O Lord, so that I may do what is truly your most holy will. Amen.”A Eucharistic miracle is attributed to St. Clare which is worth noting. In 1240AD, a band of Saracen soldiers were attacking Assisi and had reached the cloistered convent of a now sickly St. Clare. In fear that the soldiers would harm her sisters, she prayed in front of the Blessed Sacrament for protection. Tradition tells us that Our Lord assured her His protections and when she held the monstrance in front of the soldiers, they fled! We pass by the famous Temple of Minerva in the Piazza del Comune. This afternoon, following lunch on our own, we enjoy this picturesque hillside village on our own as the remainder of the day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 7 - ASSISI/ROME Today, we depart Assisi and travel south to Rome, stopping for lunch on our own along the way. This afternoon, we tour her many sites, including the Basilica of St. Mary Major and the Church of St. Peter in Chains, where we view Michelangelo's most celebrated sculpture, the "Moses." Afterwards, we have a walking tour to the nearby Roman Fora passing the Arch of Constantine, the Coliseum, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Today, following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return journey home with memories of a lifetime.

Day 8 - ROME/VATICAN CITY This morning, we make our way to St. Peter's for an audience with Pope Francis, if he is in residence. This afternoon, following a break for lunch on our own, we continue our tour with a visit to the Holy Stairs and Basilica of St. John Lateran. We conclude our day at the Callistus Catacombs, a burial place of early Christians. We celebrate Mass while there and view the 2nd and 3rd century fresco paintings. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 - ROME/VATICAN CITY Today, we visit Vatican City to see the treasures of the Vatican Museum. We marvel at Michelangelo's recently restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and the wonders of St. Peter’s, such as the famous Bernini altar columns, one Bernini engraved his own Rosary on and one that is rumored 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, following a break for lunch on our own, we are free to further enjoy this fascinating city. This evening we have our “farewell” dinner with entertainment at a typical local restaurant. We return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 10 - ROME/DEPART FOR USA Today we make our way home with memories of a lifetime.