0218UA4 - Catholic Italy Pilgrimage 12 days from Norfolk

Airline Name Baggage Information
United Airlines http://bit.ly/yoafSS

Special Package with this Trip :
International departure taxes of $130 plus current fuel surcharges of $400 are included (subject to change).

Tour Code Departure Date Cost per person
UAA0218GS 02/18/2024 $5099.00
Trip Details

Today we depart from 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.
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. Overnight at our hotel.
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”. (OR MEDICI). We continue for Mass and a visit to the Duomo, the heart of the city, here we admire the cupola by Brunelleschi, completed in 1240, its campanile by Giotto. Once outside we view the Baptistery’s with its incomparable bronze doors by Ghiberti. 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, then some free time for shopping or personal adventure. We conclude with a drive to the “Piazzale Michelangelo” for a panoramic view of city spectacular city. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
This morning, 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. 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 1250. We continue uphill to visit the monumental Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary. We enjoy free time for lunch and browsing. In the afternoon we continue south through Umbria to the hilltop village of Assisi, the home of 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. Continue to the upper village for dinner and overnight at our hotel.
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. We pass by the famous Temple of Minerva in the Piazza del Comune. This afternoon, we can enjoy this picturesque hillside village on our own. Dinner and overnight at out hotel.
Following an early morning departure from Assisi, we travel south through the Umbrian countryside. Our first stop is Santa Maria Degli Angeli for our Mass. Stop along the way for lunch on our own. We continue our travel south to the wonderful town of Sorrento along the Mediterranean coast 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 overnight.
Today, we drive along the famous Amalfi Coast to reach Positano. We visit this wonderful village and celebrate Mass at one of its churches Free time for Lunch. In the afternoon we return to Sorrento for a guided tour. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
This morning, we leave Sorrento as we travel to Pompeii, the Roman City destroyed yet preserved by the volcanic ash of Vesuvius in 79 AD. We visit the church of the Holy Rosary visited by Blessed John Paul II, shortly before his death. We enjoy some free time for lunch and shopping. In the afternoon we continue to Rome for dinner and overnight.
Following morning Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, we tour Catholicism’s mother church and the largest church in the world. Highlights will include Michaelangelo’s Pieta as well as Bernini’s famous altar columns, one of which contains the spear of St. Longinus, the Roman centurion who pierced the side of Christ and was healed by the blood and water that flowed from it! Afterwards, we visit the Vatican Museum, including the Sistine Chapel. After lunch on our own, we’ll visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major. After, we enjoy a walking tour of the Roman Fora, the Arch of Constantine, the Coliseum and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
This morning, we make our way to St. Peter's for an audience with Pope Francis if he is in residence. This afternoon, we visit the Holy Stairs and Basilica of St. John Lateran. We continue to St. Paul Outside the Walls. This huge, imposing Basilica, second 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 one of the Catacombs, burial place of early Christians. We celebrate Mass here and view the 2nd and 3rd century fresco paintings. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Today we make our way home with memories of a lifetime.