0523AA4 - In the Footsteps of St. Augustine 10 days from Philadelphia

Today, we depart Philadelphia or Boston on our overnight flight to Rome aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner, and breakfast while aloft.

Following our arrival in Rome, we are greeted at the airport by our Unitours Tour Manager and board our coach bus for our ride through Rome to our hotel. We stop to enjoy lunch on our own en-route to our hotel. Pending availability of our accommodations, we have time to relax and re-energize before we enjoy our “welcome dinner” celebrating the start of our pilgrimage in honor of our patron Saint, Augustine. Depending on our final schedule there may be time to celebrate Mass before dinner at a local church near our hotel. Overnight at our 4-star hotel, Cicerone in Rome.

This morning, we visit the Basilica di Sant’Agostino, an Augustinian parish where the tomb of St. Monica is located. While there we celebrate Mass. Following our visit, we depart for the famous Piazza Navona, originally known as the Stadium of Domitian, and then, Circus Agonalis, before it eventually retained the name it is known by today. Under Pope Innocent X, this Roman piazza was transformed by the construction of various statues, elaborate fountains, and numerous church buildings. The now famous Bernini masterpiece “The Fountain of Four Rivers” has been featured in numerous movies, including “Angels & Demons”. The Church of Sant’Agnese in Argone is located nearby and houses some of the most magnificent Catholic artwork outside the Vatican! Following a break for lunch on our own at one of the many trattoria’s that dot the area, we enjoy the remainder of the afternoon before returning to our 4-star hotel, Cicerone for dinner and overnight.

Today, we enjoy a very short drive to the nearby port of Ostia Antica, an ancient Roman seaport that now lies over 2 miles inland because of silt deposited over the many centuries at the mouth of the famed Tiber River. It was in this port that St. Augustine arrived after leaving North Africa in 382AD. It was also here that St. Monica would later fall ill and die in 387AD, at the age of 55. Shortly after her death, St. Augustine left for North Africa from this same port. Following our visit, we break for lunch on our own as we return to Rome, the city where Augustine taught rhetoric (public speaking) before eventually journeying to Milan where he would meet St. Ambrose. We stop at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the four major basilicas in Rome! Our visit is followed by a walking tour of the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, the Flavian Amphitheater the “Coliseum”, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We conclude our day at the Church of St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo's possibly most celebrated sculpture, the "Moses." Time permitting, we celebrate Mass here before returning to our 4-star hotel, Cicerone for dinner and overnight.

This morning, we visit Vatican City, where we view the treasures of the famous Vatican Museum. We marvel at Michelangelo's restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and the wonders of St. Peter’s Basilica. We visit Sant’Anna Parish, the parish of Vatican City, staffed by the Augustinian Friars. This afternoon, following lunch on our own, we continue our day with a visit to the Holy Stairs and Basilica of St. John Lateran. We then proceed to our next stop, St. Paul Outside the Walls. This huge, imposing Basilica, second in size only to St. Peter’s and one of the largest churches in the Christian world, contains an unusual gallery of papal portraits: 265 tablets portraying the popes of the past. We conclude our day at the Callistus Catacombs, the early burial places of 2nd and 3rd century Christians. While here, we celebrate Mass and view the unique fresco paintings. We return to our 4-star hotel in Rome, Cicerone in time for dinner and overnight.

Today, we visit St. Monica’s, the International Headquarters of the Augustinian Order for an informal tour. While there we celebrate Mass. Following lunch on our own, the remainder of the day is free for shopping, relaxation, or personal adventure. This evening, we explore the culinary delights of Rome, as tonight’s dinner is on our own. Overnight at our 4-star hotel Cicerone in Rome.

This morning, we again make our way to St. Peter's for a public audience with Pope Francis (pending whether he is in residence). After the audience, we immediately journey north to Bologna, stopping for lunch on our own and a break along our beautiful scenic drive through central Italy, a route dotted with vineyards and olive orchards! We arrive in time for dinner and overnight at our 4- star hotel, UnaBologna San Vitale.

Today, we travel to Pavia and the Basilica of San Pietro Ciel d’ Oro, the final resting place of St. Augustine and celebrate Mass while there. Following a stop for lunch on our own, we continue to Milan, where we visit the place where St. Ambrose, baptized St. Augustine as a Catholic! While here we will renew our baptismal vows before heading to our hotel to relax. Dinner is on our own at one of Milan’s notable restaurants. Overnight at our hotel in our 4-star hotel, NH Milano Touring in Milan.

This morning, our first stop is the Duomo di Milano, one of the largest cathedrals in Italy and a gem of gothic architecture and magnificent stained-glass windows. We then visit the tomb of St. Charles Borromeo, the first Archbishop of Milan and the “Patron Saint of Seminarians”. Following Mass, we visit a hidden gem in Milan, the Church of St. Mary of the Fountain. Built in the early 16th century by the governor of Milan, Charles II d’Amboise. He had the church built to honor Mother Mary for a miraculous healing he received from the adjacent spring, which was incorportaed into the design of the church. Though the exterior is rather nondescript, the interior is quite impressive. Following a break for lunch on our own be enjoy our last day in Milan and have this afternoon to relax, shop or sightsee. Tonight, we celebrate our farewell dinner and overnight at our 4-star hotel NH Milano Touring in Milan.

Today, we make our way home with memories of a lifetime, cherishing the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of St. Augustine!