PILGRIMAGE
St. Michael's Catholic Church presents… Shrines of Italy
15 Days ● 23 Meals: 13 Breakfasts, 10 Dinners
Itinerary at a Glance:
Day 1 November 11
Overnight Flight
Days 2 – 5 November 12 to 15
Passport Travel Pre-tour to Medjugorje
Day 6 - 8 November 16 to 18
Cardinal Hotel St. Peter, Rome
Day 9 November 19
Hotel Scapolatiello, Campania, Italy
Days 10, 11 November 20, 21
Hotel Parco delle Rose, San Giovanni Rotondo
Day 12 November 22
Roseo Hotel Assisi, Assisi
Day 13 November 23
Hotel Rivoli Florence, Florence
Day 14 November 24
Best Western Hotel Bologna, Venezia
Passport Travel
Exclusive Medjugorje
Pre-Tour
Passport Travel has arranged a pre-tour to Medjugorje prior to the Shrines of Italy tour program.
Includes accommodation with breakfast and dinner, transfers and airfare Split to Rome
Per Person Rates*:
Double: $4,354
Single: $4,954
Triple: $4,324
Included in Price:
Hotel Transfers and Round Trip Air Provided by Passport Travel
Not included in price:
Fuel surcharges: $ 460.00
Tax: $ 165.00
Insurance
Whole Package: based on individual booking
Land Only: $ 310.00
11/11/2015 -
25/11/2015
15
days
Itinerary
Day 1: November 11, 2015
Overnight Flight
Day 2 - 5: November 11-16 2015 Pre-Tour to Medjugorje
Passport Travel has arranged a pre-tour to Medjugorje prior to your Shrines of Italy tour program. (B) (D)
Day 6: Monday, November 16, 2015 Rome, Italy -Shrines of Italy Tour Begins
Your tour opens in Rome. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a special welcome dinner at a popular local restaurant featuring regional delicacies and fine Italian wines. (D)
Day 7: Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Rome - Christian Rome City Tour
Today, stroll through the catacombs where early Christians, fearing persecution, hid and buried their dead. Next, spend time at Rome’s major basilicas. See St. Paul Outside the Walls which contains the remains of St. Paul under its main altar; then visit St. John in Lateran, the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377. Next see one of the oldest churches in Rome, St. Pudentiana Church. Proceed to St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. (B)
Day 8: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 Rome - Papal Audience - Vatican Museum
This morning, attend the weekly papal audience* at Vatican City to receive the blessing given by His Holiness, Pope Francis. Next, visit the Vatican Museum** where you will view such historical treasures as the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s restored mural of The Last Judgment. Then it’s on to the breathtaking 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. (B)
Day 9: Thursday, November 19, 2015 Rome - Montecassino - 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. Finish your day in Campania. (B, D)
Day 10: Friday, November 20, 2015 Campania - Trani - San Giovanni
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. On route, you will stop in the beautiful city of Trani and view the Cathedral of Holy Mary of the Assumption and St. Andrew’s Church. (B, D)
Day 11: Saturday, November 21, 2015 San Giovanni
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 as well as a visit to Padre Pio’s tomb. Then, 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. (B, D)
Day 12: Sunday, November 22, 2015 San Giovanni - Lanciano - Loreto - Assisi
Today, travel to Lanciano where you will celebrate Mass. Next, 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. Next, cross the Apennine Mountains en route to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. (B, D)
Day 13: Monday, November 23, 2015 Assisi - Siena - Florence
This morning visit the Basilica of St. Francis. Next, take a scenic journey through Tuscany’s graceful low-lying hills brings you to the mystical city of Siena. Delight in its narrow Gothic streets, magnificent palaces and historic Piazza del Campo. After a walking tour with a local expert and seeing the Church of St. Francis, take some time to explore the medieval corners of Siena. You are sure to find many surprises among its shops and outdoor cafés. Arrive in Florence and enjoy some free time. (B)
Day 14: Tuesday, November 24, 2015 Florence - Padua - Venezia Mestre
Begin your day with a cultural tour of Florence where you will view the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Basilica of St. Ambrose, the Palazzo Vecchio and the Church of Santa Croce. Next, travel to Padua, once of the most ancient cities in northern Italy. Tonight, gather with your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 15 Wednesday, November 25, 2015 Venezia Mestre - Tour Ends
Your tour comes to a close today in Venezia Mestre. (B)
Please Note:
*The Medjugorje Extension is paid for and arranged by Passport Travel.
Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis.
Most shops and businesses in Italy are closed on Sundays and on national/religious holidays.
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.
**Vatican Museums are not available on most Sundays and holidays.
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 program with us. Our travel counsellors can provide additional information or assistance to help you determine the perfect trip for you.
Please be advised many airlines do not provide advance seat assignments until check-in at the airport. Advance seating will be subject to the airline's terms and conditions.
Economy air rate and schedule are applicable for groups of 10 or more travelling on the same flights and dates.
A deposit of $250 per person due upon reservation. Reservations are made on a first come, first served basis. Reservations made after the seat reduction date of May 08, 2015 are based upon availability. Final payment due by September 15, 2015. Please note: deposits are fully refundable up until May 15, 2015, after that date certain charges apply.
BC Reg. #23337; Travel Industry Council of Ontario Reg. # 3206405