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, attend an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner (D): FLORENCE

DAY 3, Wednesday
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 rests the remains of Michelangelo, Dante and Machiavelli. Balance of the day at leisure (B): FLORENCE

DAY 4, Thursday
This morning, depart Florence for Assisi, the ancient religious centre for the Order of the Frati Minori (Minor Friars). Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, followed by visits to the churches of Saint Clare and Saint Mary of Angels, where you will find the thornless rose bush and Porziuncola Chapel (B, D): ASSISI

DAY 5, Friday
Attend Mass this morning at St. Francis' Tomb, and afterwards, visit 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 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 San Giovanni Rotondo via 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 (B, D): SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

DAY 6, Saturday
This morning, 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. Afterwards, continue to Sorrento along the beautiful Amalfi Coast (B, D): SORRENTO

DAY 7, Sunday
Attend Sunday Mass at a local church, followed by an orientation tour of this fascinating coastal town. Known for its many beautiful gardens, this charming Italian resort overlooks the gulf of the same name. Orange and lemon groves occupy the surrounding countryside and the outskirts of the town. Visit the town's historic centre, where centuries old palaces and Durazzo portals bear evidence to the wealth of the noble families of Sorrento. In the heart of town, view the many colored shops along Via S. Cesareo. The remainder of the day is free to explore Sorrento on your own (B): SORRENTO

DAY 8, Monday
Today, travel via hydrofoil to the colorful Isle of Capri, a celebrated place of beauty since the Roman Republic. Enjoy lunch on your own and time to explore Capri independently. Return to Sorrento in the afternoon. Dinner is on your own this evening (B): SORRENTO

DAY 9, Tuesday
Today, continue north to visit the well-preserved ruins of Pompeii, including the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Forum. Afterwards, travel to Monte Cassino to visit the Benedictine Monastery, first built in 529 A.D., as well as the American Cemetery and Abbey. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant before continuing to Rome this afternoon (B, L): ROME

DAY 10, Wednesday
This morning, attend the Papal Audience (subject to Holy Father's schedule) at the Vatican and receive the Blessing of the Holy Father. 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 11, 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 to explore the Eternal City on your own. Tonight, celebrate your final evening in Rome at a farewell dinner at a local restaurant (B, D): ROME

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