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

DAY 2, Tuesday
Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant (D): ROME

DAY 3, Wednesday
This morning, attend the Papal Audience at the Vatican and receive the Blessing of the Holy Father (subject to Holy Father's schedule). In the afternoon, enjoy an exciting tour of Christian Rome. Depart the Piazza San Bernardo, crossing the Piazza della Repubblica, and continuing along the Via Nazionale to the Basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John in Lateran. Upon arrival, visit the well-preserved site of the Holy Stairs, the 28 marble steps climbed by Jesus Christ to stand trial before Pilate's Palace. From this age-old pilgrimage site, the tour continues by coach, crossing the Piazza San Giovanni and Via Latina, to the Ancient Appian Way, where you will find the sacred Chapel of "Domine Quo Vadis." The tour concludes with a visit to the legendary Catacombs of St. Domitilla. Return in the early evening, passing the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla en route (B): ROME

DAY 4, Thursday
This morning, celebrate private Mass at St. Peter's, and afterwards, enjoy a tour of the Vatican Museums and Galleries. Here, you'll admire the Round Hall, the Hall of the Greek Cross, and the Tombs of St. Helen and St. Constance. From here, visit the Sistine Chapel and behold the great frescoes by Michelangelo. The tour continues to the Galleries of the Chandeliers, Tapestries, Geographical Maps, and the Vatican Library Hall. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in the Eternal City (B): ROME

DAY 5, Friday
Depart Rome this morning and drive south to Monte Cassino, where, upon arrival, you'll visit the Benedictine Monastery, first built in 529 A.D., as well as the American Cemetery and Abbey. Following your visits, continue to San Giovanni Rotondo (B, D): SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

DAY 6, Saturday
Today, visit the sacred sites of Padre Pio's life, including his tomb. Famous for his piety and the mystical stigmatizations he endured during the course of his life, Padre Pio was sought by tens-of-thousands of Christians for his community and counsel; the most famous of those being a young Polish priest, Karol Wojtyla, 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. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure (B, D): SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

DAY 7, Sunday
This morning, celebrate Sunday Mass at a local church. Afterwards, travel to Mt. San Angelo to visit the Sanctuary of San Michele. First constructed over the grotto where the Archangel Michel is said to have appeared in 490 A.D., the sanctuary remains one of the most frequented religious sites in the Capitanata region. The tour continues to the town of Lanciano to visit the Sanctuary of San Legonziano, site of the 8th century Eucharistic Miracle. Standing as the first and greatest Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church, this sacred site is deeply moving for pilgrims, a place where they can find proof and meaning in the Lord's solemn words: "Take and eat, for this is my body." Continue to Assisi, the ancient religious centre for the Order of the Frati Minori (Minor Friars) (B, D): ASSISI

DAY 8, Monday
Today's tour of Assisi begins with a visit to the 13th century Basilica of St. Francis, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally erected atop land known as the "Hill of Hell," owing to the many criminals executed there, the church has since been called "Paradise Hill," for the mortal remains of St. Francis have been guarded there for centuries. The basilica is primarily composed of a lower and upper section, the former of which comprises a central nave with side chapels and exquisite frescoes known as the Maestro di San Francesco. Continue to visit the churches of St. Clare and St. Mary of Angels, where you will find the thornless rose bush and Porziuncola Chapel (B, D): ASSISI

DAY 9, Tuesday
Today's tour takes you to the ancient Etruscan city of Cortona, one of the oldest cities in Tuscany. After lunch, enjoy a leisurely walking tour of this medieval town, including visits to the Romanesque church and the Diocesan Museum. Continue to Florence this afternoon (B, L): FLORENCE

DAY 10, Wednesday
Attend morning Mass at the Duomo, followed by a tour of Florence city. Enjoy a spectacular view of Florence from Michelangelo Square before reaching the Accademia, where Michelangelo's David is housed. Walk to the Duomo and Baptistery to view Ghiberti's famous "Gates of Paradise," whose south door quatrefoils and seated Virtues feature scenes from the life of John the Baptist. Continue to view Signoria Square and Ponte Vecchio, known as the "Old Bridge." Afterwards, visit Santa Croce Church and Square, where lies the remains of Michelangelo, Dante and Machiavelli. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Florence. This evening, dine at an authentic Tuscan restaurant in the countryside (B, D): FLORENCE

DAY 11, Thursday
After breakfast depart for Siena, birthplace of St.Catherine and St. Bernardine.Enjoy the walking tour of this picturesque medival city and visit the St.Francis Basilica where you will view the Eucharisitc Miracle. Free time for lunch (on own), shopping and/ or individual visits. Continue to Rome for dinner and overnight. (B,D) ROME

DAY 12, Friday
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home (B)