SHRINES OF ITALY & THE AMALFI COAST

ITINERARY

Day 1. Monday, November 4: Transatlantic flight

 Take your transatlantic flight to Rome.

Day 2. Tuesday, November 5: Rome - Ancient Rome

Upon early arrival, enjoy a panoramic private bus tour of Rome. Visit the catacombs of St. Callixtus, among the greatest and most important of Rome. In it were buried many martyrs and 16 popes. Continue to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, originally erected by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century to house the Apostle’s relics. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (D)

Day 3. Wednesday, November 6: Rome - Downtown

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of downtown Rome beginning with the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone at Piazza Navona, where the saint suffered martyrdom; across the street, visit the Pantheon, the best-preserved monument from ancient Rome, thanks to its transformation into a church in 609. Continue to the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva and pray before the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena, patron saint of Italy, located beneath the main altar. Finally, visit the Church of St. Ignatius, housing the relics of St. Aloysius of Gonzaga, St. John Berchmans, and St. Robert Bellarmine. Tonight, dinner is on your own. (BB)

Day 4. Thursday, November 7: Rome

Begin your day in Rome with a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church and the center of Christianity. The church is built on the site where St. Peter died a martyr and where he was buried in 64 AD. Touch the beloved statue of St. Peter and admire Michelangelo’s Pieta. Pray before the incorrupt body of St. Pius X and render homage to the many buried popes. Then, visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major, housing two of Christianity’s greatest treasures: the manger from Bethlehem in which the Baby Jesus was laid following His birth, and a painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Salvation of the Roman people. The basilica was built on the site where a miraculous snowfall occurred in August of 356. Next, Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, built over Jerusalem soil brought by St. Helen, and containing an extraordinary collection of relics associated with Our Lord’s Passion. Finally, visit St. John Lateran, the mother of all churches and the cathedral of the bishop of Rome, and the Scala Santa, the Holy Stairs that Our Lord ascended during His Passion in Pontius Pilate’s palace. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (BB, D)

Day 5. Friday, November 8: Rome - Montecasino - Pompeii - Salerno

Today, travel south towards Amalfi. En route, stop at Montecasino for a visit to its spectacular Abbey, the mother church of the Benedictine Order and a center of medieval art founded in 529 by St. Benedict, patron saint of Europe. Continue to Pompeii for a guided tour of the Roman city both destroyed and preserved by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, the greatest Rosary shrine in the world that was founded and built by a former devil worshiper, Bl. Bartolo Longo. Continue to Vietri sul Mare, for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)

Day 6. Saturday, November 9: Vietri Sul Mare: Excursion to the Amalfi Coast

This morning, enjoy a coastal view of the Amalfi Coast, when a ferry transfers you to the town of Amalfi, the coast’s largest town and a popular resort. It was a maritime power before being subdued in 1131 by King Roger of Naples. The 13th-century Paradise Cloister flanks the Duomo that contains the relics of St. Andrew the Apostle. After some free time in Amalfi, continue to Salerno to venerate the relics of the Apostle St. Mathew and Pope St. Gregory VII in the cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Vietri Sul Mare. (BB, D)

Day 7. Sunday, November 10: Vietri Sul Mare – Orvieto – Florence

Depart north towards Florence. En route, stop at the Papal City of Orvieto, the refuge city of five popes during the 13th century. There, visit the Cathedral that houses the Holy Corporal of the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena, in which real blood from a consecrated host fell on the altar cloth at Santa Cristina Church in Bolsena. Continue to Florence for dinner and overnight. Before arriving to your hotel, stop at St. Miniato al Monte to take pictures of beautiful Florence and the Arno River. (BB, D)

Day 8. Monday, November 11: Florence

This morning, visit the Convent and Museum of San Marco, where the incorrupt body of St. Antoninus is kept. He was the convent’s first prior and later became Archbishop and patron saint of Florence. Admire devotional frescos on cloisters and cells by Fra Angelico. Afterwards, tour the Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore, the fourth largest church in Europe and one of the oldest buildings in Florence. Admire the East Door of the Baptistry, known as the “Gate to Paradise”. Enjoy a free afternoon in Florence and sample one of its exquisite restaurants. (BB)

Day 9. Tuesday, November 12: Florence – Vineyard – Assisi

This morning in Florence is at leisure. Early in the afternoon, travel to the medieval town of Assisi. On your way, stop at a winery to taste the wonderful wine of the region. Arrive at Assisi for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)

Day 10. Wednesday, November 13: Assisi

Today in Assisi, visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica housing the Porziuncola Chapel, where St. Francis spent most of his life; the rose bush; and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Afterwards, visit the 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis, housing his relics; and, pay homage to St. Clare at her Basilica. Rest of the day at leisure. Tonight, dinner is on your own. (BB)

Day 11. Thursday, November 14: Assisi - Loreto - Rome

Today, travel to Loreto on the Adriatic Sea to admire the Holy House of Our Lady. According to tradition, the Holy House was miraculously translated by angels from Nazareth. It is here that Our Lady was saluted by the Angel, it was the house of the Holy Family in Nazareth, and has been for centuries the scene of numerous miraculous cures. Continue to Rome to end this wonderful journey. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (BB, D)

Day 12. Friday, November 15: Homebound flight

This morning, transfer to Rome International Airport for your flight home.