Travel with Collette Vacations on an inspirational journey visiting some of the most fascinating religious sites and relics in the world. In Rome, enjoy regional delicacies and fine Italian wines as well as seeing biblically and historically significant sites including St. Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. Attend the weekly papal audience and receive the blessing given by His Holiness, John Paul II. In the Vatican Museum, you will view such historical treasures as the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s restored mural of the Last Judgment. Visit three of Rome’s major basilicas including St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin; St. John in Lateran, the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377; and St. Paul Outside the Walls which contains the remains of St. Paul under its main altar. In Pompeii visit the Madonna del Rosario Sanctuary, one of the most famous shrines of Christianity. Travel Italy’s picturesque landscape to San Giovanni, home of Padre Pio where you celebrate Mass at the tomb of Padre Pio. Tour the sanctuary, old church and crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Gargano Peninsula and visit one of the most celebrated shrines of early Christianity, the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Your travels also bring you to Lanciano, home to the Eucharistic Miracle in the little church of Lagontial; the Marian shrine of Loreto where you visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto, where more than 50 popes have made a pilgrimage; and Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. 

• Visit three of Rome’s major basilicas: St. Mary Major, St. John in Lateran and St. Paul’s. 
• Behold the unsurpassed beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistene Chapel.

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Travel with Collette Vacations on an inspirational journey visiting some of the most fascinating religious sites and relics in the world.

Day 2: Rome, Italy - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Rome, where you can enjoy free time to relax or perhaps independently explore the city. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a special welcome dinner at a popular local restaurant featuring regional delicacies and fine Italian wines. (D)

Day 3: Rome - Vatican City - Papal Audience
This morning, visit Vatican City to attend the weekly papal audience and receive the blessing given by His Holiness, John Paul II. Later, visit St. Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. Known as the grandest of the world churches, St. Peter’s is unsurpassed in beauty. In the Vatican Museum, you will view such historical treasures as the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s restored mural of the Last Judgment. In the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to worship and explore more of Vatican City. (B)

Day 4: Rome - Christian Rome City Tour
After celebrating Mass, you visit three of Rome’s major basilicas. See St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. You then proceed to St. John in Lateran, the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377. Next is St. Paul Outside the Walls which contains the remains of St. Paul under its main altar. Visit the catacombs where early Christians, fearing persecution, hid. (B, D)

Day 5: Rome - Madonna del Rosario - San Giovanni Rotondo
This morning you travel to Pompeii and visit the Madonna del Rosario Sanctuary, one of the most famous shrines of Christianity. Later, your travels continue southeast through the picturesque landscape to San Giovanni Rotondo, home of Padre Pio. (B, D)

Day 6: San Giovanni Rotondo - Monte San Angelo
Begin your day celebrating Mass at the tomb of Padre Pio. This is followed by a tour of the sanctuary, old church and crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. You will also see the confessional where Padre Pio spent many hours directing pilgrims on their journey toward God. Later today, 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. (B, D)

Day 7: San Giovanni - Lanciano - Loreto - Assisi
Travel to Lanciano to see the Eucharistic Miracle in the little church of Lagontial. In the 8th century, a monk, expressing doubts about Christ’s true presence in the consecrated host, found himself holding a host that had changed into flesh, and wine that had changed into blood. We celebrate Mass before traveling 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. Your day ends in Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. (B, D)

Day 8: Assisi - Optional Florence Excursion
Enjoy a full day at leisure to independently explore historic Assisi. Or, if you prefer, join a full day optional excursion to Florence where a local expert provides a leisurely paced walking tour featuring the Piazza Del Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, one of the largest in the Christian world; and the Baptistry. You also view the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Church of Santa Croce, burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. (B, D)

Day 9: Assisi
After celebrating Mass, a local expert provides an interesting tour of Assisi highlighting the huge 13th century basilica where you can see many of St. Francis’ possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. Later, visit the Church of St. Clare who founded the Order of Poor Clares and followed the teachings of St. Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. You will also be able to see and kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis, asking him to rebuild his church. St. Mary of the Angels Basilica is where St. Francis spent most of his life. Enjoy a visit to the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint prayed. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a memorable trip to Italy. (B, D)

Day 10: Assisi - Rome - Tour Ends
(B)

Visit Vatican City to attend the weekly papal audience and receive
the blessing given by His Holiness, John Paul II

Additional tour dates may be available, please call for details.

Please Note: The tour dates above are designed for groups and are not guaranteed. This tour needs a minimum number of passengers to travel otherwise is subject to cancel.

10 days, 15 meals
8 Buffet Breakfasts, 7 Dinners

Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Day 2 - 4 - Grand Hotel Palazzo Carpenga, Rome
Day 5, 6 - Hotel Parco Delle Rose, San Giovanni Rotondo
Day 7 - 9 - Hotel Giotto, Assisi

On some dates alternate hotels may be used

NOTES:

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