11 Day Basilicas & Shrines of Italy

Assisi, Lanciano, San Giovanni, Rome

Not included: airport taxes, fees & September 11th Security Fee, tips to local guides, driver, and tour escort/manager  (see Terms & Conditions).

Trevi Fountain, Rome

DAY 1, Mon Depart the USA to Italy. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2, Tues Arrive in Rome and transfer to Assisi via Orvieto. Balance of the day at leisure (D): ASSISI

DAY 3, Wed This morning, attend Mass at St. Francis' Tomb and visit the Basilica of St. Francis which was built in 1228, just two years after the Saint's death. It has since been called "Paradise Hill," for the mortal remains of St. Francis have been guarded there throughout the centuries. The basilica holds innumerable works of arts that have been created by world-famous painters. Visit Saint Clare Church and Saint Mary of Angels Church, including the thornless rose bush and Porziuncola Chapel. Balance of the day is at leisure (B, D): ASSISI

DAY 4, Thurs Travel to Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth. Continue to Lanciano to visit the Sanctuary of San Legonziano and the 8th century Eucharistic Miracle, one of the most moving sites for a pilgrim. Here, the pilgrim can find meaning in the Lord's solemn words, "Take and eat, for this is my body" (B, D): LANCIANO

DAY 5, Fri Travel south to Monte Sant'Angelo. At its center is the Sanctuary of San Michele, which was erected over a grotto where the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared in an apparition in the year 490. In the late afternoon, arrive in San Giovanni (B, D): SAN GIOVANNI

DAY 6, Sat Today, visit the sites of Padre Pio's life, including his tomb. During his lifetime, Padre Pio developed a huge following. Tens of thousands sought his help and counsel, including a young Polish priest, Karol Wajtyla, who years later was  to become Pope John Paul II. See the site of Padre Pio's beatification ceremony, which occurred in 1999 and attracted 350,000 pilgrims (B, D): SAN GIOVANNI

DAY 7, Sun After morning mass, travel to Monte Cassino and visit the Benedictine Monastery built in 529 AD. Continue to Rome (B, D): ROME

DAY 8, Mon Visit St. John Lateran Church, St. Mary Major Church, Holy Stairs and Catacombs, which hold the bodies of several early popes. The Catacombs also served as meeting places for Christians, especially before their religion was adopted by the Roman emperors in the fourth century AD. Christians gathered in the tombs on the anniversary of the death of a saint, martyr, or loved one. Together, they partook in a memorial "refreshment meal" and celebrated the Eucharist (B, D): ROME

DAY 9, Tues Tour the Vatican Museums, including the famous Sistine Chapel and see Michelangelo's ceiling and his mural of the Last Judgment. Visit the Roman Forum, walking through the ancient streets. Stop at the Colosseum, the huge amphitheater started in 72 AD. Continue on to visit Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls, built where the Apostle of the People is buried. Visit St. Peter's in Chains Church (B, D): ROME

DAY 10, Wed This morning, attend the Papal Audience at the Vatican and receive the Blessing of the Holy Father. Balance of the day at leisure. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant (B, D): ROME

DAY 11, Thurs Transfer to the airport for your departure flight (B)

Tours may be arranged for groups of 15 or more passengers. Please contact us at groups@gate1travel.com for rates & details.