Sample Day-by-Day Itinerary:

Day 1, Sunday, November 5 | Departure
Depart for your overnight flights to Italy!

Day 2, Monday, November 6 | Arrival Rome
Welcome to Rome, also known as, "The Eternal City." Upon arrival at Rome airport, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and continue to the arrival's hall, where you will be greeted by your tour escort. You will make your way to the bus and transfer to your hotel. Following check-in, you will have free time to unpack and relax, or explore on your own. Your tour escort may suggest places to visit. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 3, Tuesday, November 7 | Rome: Vatican Museum - Trevi Fountain - Appian
Way - Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls - Catacombs This morning you will enjoy an early breakfast before making your way to the largest Christendom Church, St. Peter's Basilica. This Basilica was built on the site where St. Peter, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome, was martyred. Also, it was Our Holy Father, Pope Francis who was the first Pontiff to visit the necropolis since extensive archaeological excavations were conducted at the ancient site decades ago. It is here that you will view Michelangelo's Pieta. This stunning marble sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding Christ after His crucifixion, death, and removal off the cross before being placed in the tomb. Continue to proceed to the Vatican Museums. At the world-renowned museum, you will see the most impressive of edifices, galleries, and awe-inspiring relics. Additionally, you will observe the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, and Michelangelo's Masterpiece, the restored mural of the Last Judgment. The final stop on your Vatican tour is at the tomb of St. John Paul II. Afterward, you will be transferred to the Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain), where you may enjoy some free time on your own for lunch. Continue on your short journey down the Appian Way, the earliest road of Ancient Rome. This road leads to the Domino Quo Vadis Chapel, the Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Drusus, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and the catacombs of St. Callixtus. The day concludes with a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century, this Basilica is the burial places of Saint Paul the Apostle. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4, Wednesday, November 8 | Rome: Papal Audience - Basilica of St. John the Lateran - Holy Steps - Basilica of St. Mary Major
After breakfast at your hotel, you will begin your day with the Papal Audience in St. Peter's Square! The Audience is celebrated each Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Following the Audience, there will be free time for lunch, or shop, or mail a postcard from the Vatican Post Office. This afternoon you will visit the oldest of the four major Basilicas in Rome, and the home to the relics of Peter and Paul, the Basilica of St. John the Lateran. This Basilica is where Pope Francis was installed as Bishop of Rome, and where he officiates as the Bishop of Rome. Next, we will cross the street to visit the Holy Staircase. Tradition states that this staircase is from Pontius Pilate's palace of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. It is also said that this Staircase was brought to Rome by St. Helen in the 4th century. If time permits, you may climb the steps on yourknees, in memory of Christ's agonizing Passion. To conclude your day, we will proceed to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. This Basilica contains a relic from the Manger of the Infant Jesus. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5, Thursday, November 9 | Rome – Orvieto – Assisi
After breakfast , board the coach and transfer to Orvieto. You’ll have some time to enjoy this beautiful town, and you shall see the main streets of the city. Later, continue to Assisi for dinner and overnight.

Day 6, Friday, November 10 | Assisi (St. Francis)
Enjoy an early breakfast, followed by a full day of touring the hometown of St. Francis. St. Francis is the "Patron Saint of Animals and the Environment." Additionally, he is responsible for founding the Franciscan Order, and the inspiration for our Holy Father, Pope Francis. He chose his name in admiration of the Saint of Nature, and Servant to the Poor. Known for being a humble man himself, Pope Francis spent most of his life denying the luxuries of life. He preferred to live in simplicity and humility, while giving up all other worldly possessions, just as St. Francis did. As we visit the birthplace of St. Francis, you will become captivated as the atmosphere has not changed since St. Francis began his ministry, in the early 13th-century. We will start our tour at the St. Francis Basilica, visit his tomb of St. Francis, and have the opportunity to view a series of frescoes depicting his life, along with a few of the saint's possessions. From there, we will continue on a walking tour through this picturesque town, including the birthplace of St. Francis, and ending with a tour of the Church that honors St. Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clare Sisters. This Saint followed the teachings of St. Francis very closely by also living a life of poverty and humility. Enjoy some free time on your own - you may take this time for additional prayer, shop in the many gift shops or enjoy a nice lunch. After lunch, we will board the bus, which will take us outside of the walls of Assisi, to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. This is where St. Francis spent most of life. This Basilica is made up of two structures, both of which you will visit. The first structure, is the "Porziuncola", which is where St. Francis founded his order of the Friar Minor (Franciscans). The second, is the "Capella del Transito", which is the place of St. Francis' death. During your time here, you will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Rose Garden where St. Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where the Saint retired to pray. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 7, Saturday, November 11 | Assisi – Florence
After breakfast, we’ll take a scenic drive through the countryside toward Florence. Once there, enjoy this beautiful city and its surroundings before dinner and overnight.

Day 8, Sunday, November 12 | Florence
In Florence, your day begins with breakfast, followed by a guided tour. The tour starts at the Church of the Holy Cross, the Santa Croce, where many nobles are buried, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Continue to walk by Piazza Signorina, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, and Republic Square to the Santa Maria del Fiore. This Cathedral is an iconic piece of architecture of the city of Florence. It was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in the 13th century. Followed by a visit to L'Accademia, the well-known art gallery. At this gallery, you will have the opportunity to view the work from artists such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Pontormo and the ever famous sculpture by Michelangelo, David. This afternoon you will have time to explore Florence on your own. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 9, Monday, November 13 | Florence - Ravenna – Padua
We’ll depart Florence and travel toward Ravenna and marvel at the mosaics you will see there. See the Basilica of Sant' Apollinare in Classe, an important monument of Byzantine art near Ravenna. UNESCO cited this Basilica as an outstanding example of the early Christian Basilica. The Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo was erected by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace Chapel during the first quarter of the 6th century. The "Basilica of San Vitale" is one of the most important examples of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture in Europe. Later continue to Padua for dinner and overnight.

Day 10, Tuesday, November 14 | Padua
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Padua. Discover this charming university city, known as the ancient “city of water”. See the Prato Della Valle, thought to be the largest square in Europe, with its many statues adorning it. Of course, Padua is famous for its Saint, Saint Anthony, whose Shrine attracts millions of visitors each year. The Basilica complex houses famous works of art including three frescos by Tiziano. We’ll attend Mass in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of our beloved Parish. Dinner and overnight in Padua.

Day 11, Wednesday, November 15 | Full Day excursion to Venice
Today, you will have early breakfast before boarding your bus to the magical city of Venice. After Mass enjoy a tour of the "City paved with Water!" Your walking tour includes a visit to St. Mark's Square, the largest square in the city and the site of many government buildings; the Golden Basilica of San Marco, known for thegreat mosaics that depict the Old and New Testament of the Bible; and the Bridge of Sigh, a bridge that will bring eternal love to those who drift below it. You will also have the chance to view the Doges' Palace (Duke's Palace), which served as the seat of the Government for the Republic of Venice for centuries. Return to Padua for dinner and overnight.

Day 12, Thursday, November 16 | Return to Phoenix
After breakfast in the hotel, board the coach and transfer to the airport for your return flights home. Arrivederci Italia!

Options:
† Single Supplement / Solo Traveler: $679
† Upgrade to Business Class Trans-Atlantic:
       One-way: $1,750
       Round-Trip: $3,500
       First Class: available upon request
† Children Discount (under 12): available upon request

*Single Supplement option will be available to you after you press the button above.





Additional Information & Travel Tips:

What to Know Before You Go to Italy

Any questions? Contact Katherine or Caterina: 800-206-TOUR (8687)
[email protected] or [email protected]

About Rome:
Rome has been one of history's most powerful and important cities, along with home to the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope, and the site of the Vatican City. First built in 337, St. Peter's Basilica lies over the tomb of St. Peter. Contained within is a vast array of the most beautiful artwork ever assembled, reflecting the immensity, beauty, vastness, majesty, glory and awesomeness of God.

Orvieto, Italy   Prato Della Valle, Padua, Italy

Assisi Basilica, Italy