Our journey begins as we depart the USA.

Arrive at Venice Airport. Meet Tour Escort and drive to the city center of Padova. Upon arrival, we will visit the basilica, where St. Anthony is buried, see the Saint’s tongue, and celebrate Mass. Check-in at the hotel, dinner, and overnight.

This morning, we will begin a full day excursion in the fascinating town of Venice. Continue on a guided tour to see the Doge’s Palace and the Basilica of St. Mark the Evangelist. Celebrate Mass. The rest of the day is at leisure for an optional “Gondola ride”, or to discover the city on your own. Dinner and overnight are at the hotel.

After breakfast, we will drive to Florence. Here, we will start with a walking tour through the streets of Florence and visit the Duomo, Giotto Bells Tower, the Baptistery Doors, and the Gates of Paradise. Continue to Signoria Square, considered as an “open-air museum.” Then, we will visit the Franciscan church of Santa Croce, which houses the tombs of many Italian artists, among whom are Galileo and Michelangelo. Celebrate Mass—time at leisure for shopping at Ponte Vecchio. Dinner and overnight are at the hotel.

Today, we will explore the city of Siena with the guide. See the Gothic Duomo, the famous Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in all of Italy, the Basilica of Saint Francis, the site of the Eucharistic Miracle and of St. Domenico, the site of the relic of St. Catherine of Siena. Celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, we will drive to Assisi, where we can visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels to see the Porziuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the Saint retired for prayer. Dinner and overnight.

This morning, we will celebrate Mass in one of the chapels of the Basilica of St. Francis and see the tomb of the saint. Then, walk across the hilltop town of Assisi to the Basilica of St. Clare to see where St. Clare was buried. We will visit San Damiano convent to see where the Miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi took place in 1241, twelve years before St. Clare died. Visit the church where St. Francis wrote the “Canticle of the Sun” and see where St. Clare lived. Visit the castle and the hermitage of Cerceri to pray in the same peaceful spot where St. Francis prayed. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight are at the hotel.

Today, we will drive to Cascia. Here, we will visit the monastery where St. Rita lived. Then, we will celebrate Mass at the Basilica, where her incorrupt body is preserved. Some time at leisure for lunch and continue our drive to Loreto. Upon arrival, we will visit the Shrine of Holy House. Dinner and overnight are at the hotel. After breakfast, we will drive to Lanciano to celebrate Mass at the Eucharistic Miracle shrine. Then, we will drive to San Giovanni Rotondo. Here, we will enjoy a guided tour of the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent. We will also visit the crypt where the body of San Pio is preserved. Dinner and overnight are at the hotel.

After breakfast, we will drive to the village of Monte Sant’Angelo. Here, we will visit the shrine consecrated by St. Michael. St. Michael appeared to a Bishop at this grotto to assure him that his diocese would not be annihilated as he feared. Then, we will continue to Montecassino to visit the abbey founded by Saint Benedict in 1529. The abbey has been destroyed four times, most recently during World War II. Here, we will celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, we will continue to Rome. Dinner and overnight are at the hotel.

After breakfast, we will take a panoramic tour of Imperial Rome. We begin at the church of San Peter in chains, which houses the chains that held St. Peter when he was imprisoned in Rome and in Jerusalem. Then, walk down to the Coliseum (visit from outside) and walk past the Roman Forum, the Traian Forum, and the column to Capitol Hill and Venice Square. Break for lunch. Then, we will continue with a guided tour of the Catacombs of St. Callistus and the Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls. Celebrate Mass. Dinner and overnight are at the hotel.

Have an early morning transfer to St. Peter’s Square to join pilgrims worldwide to attend the weekly Papal Audience and Blessing. After lunch, we will visit the major basilicas of Rome: San John Lateran, Holy Stairs, and Saint Mary Major. Celebrate Mass. Dinner and overnight are at the hotel.

Depart on flight back home.