Shrines of Italy
April 12-22, 2010
Day 1: Monday, April 12, 2010
Overnight Flight
Travel with Collette Vacations on an inspirational journey visiting some of the most fascinating religious sites and relics in the world.
Day 2: Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Rome, Italy - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Rome. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a special welcome dinner at a popular local restaurant featuring regional delicacies and fine Italian wines. Today dinner will be included.
Day 3: Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Rome - Vatican City - Christian Rome City Tour - Papal Audience
This morning, visit Vatican City to attend the weekly papal audience* and receive the blessing given by His Holiness, Benedict XVI. Later, visit the catacombs where early Christians, fearing persecution, hid and buried their dead. Next, visit three of Rome’s major basilicas. See St. Paul Outside the Walls which contains the remains of St. Paul under its main altar; visit St. John in Lateran, the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377; and then proceed to St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 4: Thursday, April 15, 2010
Rome - Vatican Museum
After celebrating Mass, you head towards Vatican City. In the Vatican Museum* you will view such historical treasures as the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s restored mural of the Last Judgment. Also visit St. Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. Known as the grandest of the world’s churches, St. Peter’s is unsurpassed in beauty. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city on your own. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 5: Friday, April 16, 2010
Rome - Abbey of Montecassino Madonna del Rosario - Campania
This morning you travel to Montecassino to visit the renowned abbey founded by St. Benedict in the 6th century AD. This sacred place houses the relics of St. Benedict and his sister Saint Scolastica. Montecassino also became famous during the battles that took place here during World War II, when the abbey was bombed and destroyed. Later, your travels continue to the town of Pompeii where you will visit the Madonna del Rosario Sanctuary, one of the most famous shrines of Christianity.
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. Finish your day in Campania. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 6: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Abbey of Santissima Trinita - San Giovanni Rotondo
Begin your morning with a special visit to the Benedictine Abbey of Santissima Trinita in Cava de Tirreni, founded in the 11th century by a local saint. After a guided visit to the abbey, you will have the option of celebrating mass. Later, your travels continue southeast through the picturesque landscape of the regions of Campania and Apulia to San Giovanni Rotondo, home of Padre Pio. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 7: Sunday, April 18, 2010
San Giovanni Rotondo - Monte Sant’ Angelo
Begin your day with a special visit to Monte Sant’ Angelo. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Gargano Peninsula and visit one of the most celebrated shrines of early Christianity, the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Many popes and saints have knelt and prayed at this grotto, seeking the protection of Saint Michael. Later, return to San Giovanni Rotondo and celebrate Mass in the sanctuary of Padre Pio. This is followed by a tour of the sanctuary, including the old church and the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. Also visit the new church dedicated in 2004 to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. You will also see the confessional where Padre Pio spent many hours directing pilgrims on their journey toward God. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 8: Monday, April 19, 2010
San Giovanni Rotondo - Loreto - Assisi
Travel the Adriatic Coast to the Marian shrine of Loreto. Visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto where more than 50 popes have made a pilgrimage. You will celebrate Mass before crossing the Apennine Mountains en route to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 9: Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Assisi - Optional Florence Excursion
Enjoy a full day at leisure to independently explore historic Assisi. Or, if you prefer, join a full day optional excursion to Florence, the “Renaissance City,” where a local expert provides a leisurely paced walking tour featuring the Piazza Del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, one of the largest in the Christian world; the Museum of the Opera del Duomo, and the Baptistery doors. You also view the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Ponte Vecchio. Enjoy several hours of leisure in Florence before returning to Assisi. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 10: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Assisi
Begin your morning with a special visit to St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, where St. Francis spent most of his life. Enjoy a visit to the Chapel of the Porziuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint prayed. Later, visit the Church of St. Clare who founded the Order of Poor Clares and followed the teachings of St. Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. You will also be able to see and kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis, asking him to rebuild his church. A local expert will provide an interesting tour of Assisi highlighting the huge 13th century basilica where you can see many of St. Francis’ possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. Celebrate Mass in the basilica of St. Francis followed be a free afternoon in this beautiful Umbrian hill town. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a memorable pilgrimage to Italy. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 11: Thursday, April 22, 2010
Assisi - Tour Ends
Today breakfast will be included.
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Please Note:
Air rate and schedule are applicable for groups of 10 or more traveling on the same flights and dates.
To complete your vacation, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing Collette airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.
Due to flight schedules, you may require a very early morning departure from the hotel on the last day (Day 11). Travel time from Assisi to Rome airport is approximately 3 hours. Return flights should not be booked prior to 10:00 AM.
* Vatican Museums are not available on most Sundays and holidays.
Please note that single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis.
Proper dress, covering your knees and shoulders, is required when visiting religious sites, sanctuaries, basilicas, etc.
* The Papal Audience is, at times, unavailable due to the Pope's travel schedule.
Collette air passengers will depart from the Rome airport. All Collette transfers will depart from Assisi for the Rome airport.
This tour includes moderate physical activity. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. For your comfort, we recommend bringing walking shoes. If you require a walker or wheelchair, or have difficulty walking, you may not be able to access some of these areas and may want to consider an alternate Collette vacation. Our travel counselors can provide additional information or assistance to help you determine the perfect trip for you.
Contact Peter Markavage at (413) 298-3691 or email: pmarkavage@marian.org