|
 |
| Day 1 |
USA-Venice |
| |
Depart the USA on overnight flight to Venice. Dinner and breakfast are served on board. |
| Day 2 |
Padua |
| |
Upon arrival, meet with your guide and transfer to Padua. Visit the Basilica of St. Antony and the Scrovegni Chapel, with frescos by the renowned artist Giotto. Overnight: Padua x 2 nights. [B/D] |
| Day 3 |
Venice |
| |
Travel to Venice and visit: St. Mark’s Square with the Golden Basilica of St. Mark; the Bridge of Sighs; the extraordinary Doges’ Palace. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure in this fascinating city. Return to Padua for dinner and overnight. [B/D]
|
| Day 4 |
Pisa |
| |
Depart Padua to Florence, en route stop to Pisa and view the world-renowned Leaning Tower. Proceed through the wonderful countryside to the Renaissance city of Florence. Overnight: Florence x 1 night. [B/D]
|
| Day 5 |
Florence |
| |
Tour of Florence, including: the Accademia Gallery - housing the superb statue of “David” by Michelangelo; Piazza del Duomo; the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore; Giotto’s Bell Tower; the Romanesque Baptistery of St. John. Continue to Siena through the wonderful countryside. Overnight: Siena x 1 night. [B/D] |
| Day 6 |
Siena |
| |
Visit Siena, birthplace of Saints Catherine and Bernardine and one of Italy’s loveliest medieval cities. Stroll through the Piazza del Campo to view the Cathedral and the Basilica of St. Francis. Continue to Rome, the capital of Italy, city of Seven Hills, of Romulus and Remus fame, the spiritual centre and headquarters of the Catholic Church. Overnight: Rome x 4 nights. [B/D] |
| Day 7 |
Rome* |
| |
Tour of Rome including: the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Church of St. Peter in Chains to see Michelangelo's unique statue of Moses, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona. [B/D] |
| Day 8 |
Rome* |
| |
Visit the Religious Rome starting with the Vatican Museums and its unique treasures: the Candelabras, the Tapestries and the Geographic Maps Galleries, the Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo’s magnificent masterpiece - the Sistine Chapel. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in Christendom and then proceed to visit the three major Basilicas: St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine containing a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus; St. John in Lateran, the former residence of the Popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377; St. Paul Outside the Wall, which houses the remains of St. Paul under its main altar. [B/D] |
| Day 9 |
Rome* |
| |
Enjoy the day at you leisure to discover Rome by your own: time for last minute shopping or to reflect on the many years of Christian continuity in the world centre of the Western Church. [B/D] |
| Day 10 |
Rome-USA |
| |
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA.
*IF SUNDAY - attend the Sunday mass in St. Peter’s Square and the Blessing given by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI;
IF WEDNESDAY - attend the weekly Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square and the Blessing given by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
|
| |
|
