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Rome / Assisi / Florence
Depart on a transatlantic flight to Rome, Italy.
Upon arrival in Rome you will be met by our professional tour escort, waiting outside the restricted customs area, to greet and assist you to your private deluxe motor coach. Transfer to hotel for check-in. Dinner and overnight Rome (B/D)
Today we will attend the Papal audience and blessings. Swiss guards surround the Basilica and Audience Hall assuring all is peaceful in eager anticipation of the Holy Father’s entrance. We will visit the highlights of Ancient Rome including St. Paul’s Outside-the-Walls, The Coliseum, the Roman Forum and drive down the Old Appian Way and visit to the catacombs. Overnight in Rome (B)
After breakfast, we will take a guided tour of the magnificent Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, the Basilica of St. John Lateran and the “Palace of the Holy Steps”... the actual steps that Christ, it is believed, climbed when He was brought before Pilate. We will also visit St. Mary Major Basilica, one of the four major basilicas of Rome. Overnight in Rome. (B)
After breakfast we depart on our scenic ride to Assisi, mystical town of St. Francis and St. Clare. Ancient walls surround Assisi and colorful houses of pink stone with flower-decked balconies. Its narrow winding streets spread in a fan shape over Mt. Subasio. This morning we tour the Basilica of St. Francis, with its lower church containing the Crypt of St. Francis and actual articles belonging to St. Francis ~ his tunic, shoes, chalice and communion plate. The upper church houses the Frescoes of Giotto and Cimabue depicting the life of St. Francis and the famous painting Virgin and Child with Four Angels. We will see the Crucifix of San Diamiano, which spoke to St. Francis, and celebrate Mass at St. Francis Crypt. Then we will visit the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli ~ St. Mary of the Angels ~ containing the famous Porziuncola, the chapel where St. Francis consecrated St. Clare and where in 1226 St. Francis passed from this life into eternal life. Free time, to browse the local shops or visit the monastery with its open courtyards and small religious shops. Dinner and overnight Assisi. (B/D)
Today we visit Mount La Verna, which has been described as the “most important of the Franciscan sanctuaries.” It was here in 1224 that St. Francis received the stigmata. Today modern villas overlook the steep road at Chiusi Delle Verna, a popular summer vacation center. The road winds through the woods, alpine meadows and fields of crops to the sites connected to the life of St. Francis. Here we will visit sites significant in St. Francis’ life. Then we will depart for the scenic drive to Florence ~ The Renaissance City. Arrival in Florence and transfer to hotel for check-in. Overnight in Florence. (B)
After breakfast we visit the highlights of this beautiful city including the Basilica de Santa Croce (Holy Cross), housing the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo and the famous two chapels with their fabulous frescoes. We will walk the Cloister of the monastery to the Leather Design School, which is the largest leather design school in Italy, and also visit to the Academia. Overnight Florence. (B)
After breakfast an excursion to Bologna,one of the most architecturally unified cities in Europe, with marbled sidewalks and porticos. Its university, the oldest in Europe, has for years produced a lively interest in art & culture. Bologna is also the gastronomic capital of Italy. Gourmets flock here just to sample the food. We will enjoy the region’s cuisine for lunch, along with sampling the local wine. We will also visit the Basilica of San Domenico, which houses the tomb of St. Dominic. Time for browsing the local shops, before returning to Florence. Overnight in Florence. (B/L)
After breakfast we depart for the airport
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