TRAVEL ITALY FOLLOWING THE STEPS
OF ST. FRANCIS
JUN 25-JUL 8, 2020 - PRIVATELY GUIDED TOUR OF ROME AND FLORENCE ITALY
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$3895* Person Based
on Double Occupancy Includes 12 nights lodging, all transportation, meals & tours as described below Breakfast each day and either Lunch or Dinner each day included *Price is subject to fluctuation with exchange rate Single Supplement $1200 
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SMALL GROUP OF 20 PEOPLE PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION Two nights in San Giovanni -- Five nights Rome - Three nights Assisi -- Two nights Florence Full of history and exploration! This trip is being escorted by Fr. Pete Meis, a local missionary priest stationed in Papua New guinea. He is originally from Hays, KS and has been serving there since 1967. Also accompanying the trip is our Travelooza agent Jeanne Riedel. 
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DETAILED ITINERARY
CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILED FINAL ITINERARY
DAY 1 --ARRIVE IN BARI. When you land in Bari, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in San Giovanni Rotondo, about a 2hr drive away. You will have the rest of the day at your leisure to relax before dinner in the hotel in the evening.
Overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.
DAY 2 -- Tour of San Giovanni Rotondo & the Sanctuary of St. Michael
Today after breakfast, a private guide will meet you at the hotel for a tour of San Giovanni Rotondo and the nearby Grotto of the Archangel Michael. See the tomb and cell of St. Padre Pio, his confessional, and the Crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. Visit the Church of Santa Maria della Grazie and Renzo Piano's modern sanctuary, the second largest church in Italy, which was built to comfortably host all the pilgrims who come here.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 3 -- TRANSFER TO ROME
Following breakfast at the hotel, your driver will pick you up for the transfer to Rome. The drive is long, so on the way you will stop for lunch in the town of Cassino, where you can get a taste of the delicious food of the southern region of Campania and visit the famous Abbey of Montecassio. The monastery was almost entirely destroyed during the Allied bombings in World War II, but was faithfully rebuilt afterwards and is today an imposing landmark that can be seen across the countryside.
In the afternoon you will arrive at your hotel in Rome, close to the walls of Vatican City. Here you can relax, or start exploring Rome, before meeting again for dinner in the evening.
Overnight in Rome.
DAY 4 -- PRIVATE HALF DAY TOUR OF ANCIENT ROME-- See many of the key sites of Rome and then the afternoon is free to explore at your leisure.
Overnight in Rome.
DAY 5 - PRIVATE TOUR OF PAPAL BASILICAS
After breakfast, the guide will meet them at their hotel to walk together to St. Peter's, the first stop on today's tour. They will have to wait in line to go through security, but as they wait, they will hear the fascinating story of the construction of the basilica and Bernini's wonderful square.
They will transfer by bus to visit the other 3 of Rome's major Papal Basilicas: St. John Lateran & the Holy Steps (including special permission to visit the Sancta Santorum at the top), St. Paul's Outside the Walls and St. Mary Major.
Including lunch. Dinner at leisure.
Overnight in Rome
DAY 6 - PAPAL AUDIENCE & PRIVATE TOUR OF THE VATICAN MUSEUMS
In the morning, they should have an early breakfast (or we can request a bagged breakfast to take with them), to get to St. Peter's Square in advance. There is no assigned seating for the Papal Audience and the earlier they arrive (security opens at 8am), the closer they'll be to the front - the Pope does move around the square so everyone can see him and the readings are broadcast on video screens so everyone can see and hear.
Lunch together near the Vatican. In the afternoon, a guide will meet them at their hotel and accompany them to the Vatican Museums where they will skip the line and enter straightaway for their tour of the Museums.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight in Rome.
DAY 7 -- VATICAN NECROPOLIS & FREE AFTERNOON -
We will request tickets for the Vatican Neocropolis today. The tour is with a Vatican archeologist who takes you into the foundations of St. Peter's to the Roman Necropolis where St. Peter was buried. As you walk along the ancient road, you will hear the story of how the necropolis was rediscovered and the quest to identify the burial place of the saint.
The rest of the day will be free until dinner together.
Overnight in Rome.
DAY 8 --MONASTERY OF ST. BENEDICT IN SUBIACO - In the morning, we will leave Rome and head north, following the Anio River to the town of Subiaco and the monastery founded by St. Benedict.
The monastery, built high on a hillside between the 9th and the 18th centuries, stands over the cave where the saint lived as he developed the Rules of the Benedictine Order. Here we will visit the cave which forms part of the lower church, richly decorated in 13th century frescoes of the ‘Romano Popolare’ school. The frescoes include an image of Saint Francis of Assisi, the oldest known portrait in existence of the saint, having actually been drawn before his death. This dates back to St. Francis' retreat to Subiaco between 1223 and 1224 and he is therefore depicted without the stigmata and without a halo. In the upper church we will see 14th century frescoes from the Siena School, depicting the final week of Christ’s life and his Resurrection and 15th century frescoes with scenes from the life of St. Benedict.
In the afternoon, we will arrive in Assisi, where we will be spending the next 3 nights.
DAY 9 -- TOUR OF THE BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS & FREE AFTERNOON -- After breakfast this morning, you will meet your guide for a tour inside the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis. Visible across the Umbrian countryside for miles, the basilica and its adjoining monastery, are incredible works of art in themselves, ornately decorated by some of the master painters of the 13th century.
Construction of the church began following the canonization of the saint in 1228 and two years later, the mortal remains of St. Francis were laid to rest here. The light Upper Church is decorated in colorful frescoes by Giotto and his school, showing scenes from the life of St. Francis. The Lower Church, which houses the monumental tomb of the saint, contains frescoes by Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti, and Simone Martini.
The tour is with an official Assisi guide. An additional tour can be arranged with one of the friars or nuns, which looks at the spiritual significance of the artworks. This cannot be paid for in advance and donations are accepted at the end.
In the afternoon, there will be time to hike up to the Carceri Hermitage, situated 4km above the town on Mount Subasio (bring sturdy shoes). Throughout his lifetime, St. Francis would come to a cave here to pray. Over time he was joined by others who sought the tranquility of the mountain for contemplation. Today the small community of Franciscans living here, happily welcome visitors who make the walk up from the town.
Return to the hotel for dinner.
DAY 10- FREE MORNING & TOUR OF ASSISI -- Today will start with the option to attend mass in English at the Basilica of St. Francis at 9am.
The rest of the morning and lunch will be at your leisure, until the churches re-open in the afternoon.
You will be quite familiar with the town by now, as our guide leads you to some of the town's other churches, which play a role in the story of St. Francis: The Basilica of St. Clare, the first female follower of St. Francis and the founder of the Order of the Poor Clares; the town's cathedral which is dedicated to San Rufino where both saints were baptized and the church of San Daimano where St. Francis first heard the voice of God.
Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 11 - LA VERNA SANCTUARY & ARRIVAL IN FLORENCE
Today we will visit the La Verna Sanctuary where St. Francis received the Stigmata. High up in the mountains, the sanctuary remains a place of pray and contemplation, surrounded by the woods on the beautiful Mount Penna.
You will be free to move around the sanctuary at your leisure, to pray and to visit the Chapel of the Stigmata and the frescoed corridor that leads to it, built so that the friars can visit the chapel daily, whatever the weather.
In the evening arrive in Florence.
DAY 12 - TOUR OF FLORENCE & THE ACCADEMIA In the morning, a local guide will meet you at the hotel for a walking tour of the city and a visit to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David.
In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner together in the heart of Florence.
DAY 13 -- DEPART FOR HOME FROM FLORENCE
DEPOSIT OF $1000 PERSON IS DUE BY JULY 31ST, 2019. FINAL PAYMENT DUE MAR 31ST, 2020
ONLY 17 SEATS AVAILABLE SO THIS TOUR WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY! GET YOUR RESERVATION IN NOW!!
DAY 1 --ARRIVE IN BARI. When you land in Bari, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in San Giovanni Rotondo, about a 2hr drive away. You will have the rest of the day at your leisure to relax before dinner in the hotel in the evening.
Overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.
DAY 2 -- Tour of San Giovanni Rotondo & the Sanctuary of St. Michael
Today after breakfast, a private guide will meet you at the hotel for a tour of San Giovanni Rotondo and the nearby Grotto of the Archangel Michael. See the tomb and cell of St. Padre Pio, his confessional, and the Crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. Visit the Church of Santa Maria della Grazie and Renzo Piano's modern sanctuary, the second largest church in Italy, which was built to comfortably host all the pilgrims who come here.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 3 -- TRANSFER TO ROME
Following breakfast at the hotel, your driver will pick you up for the transfer to Rome. The drive is long, so on the way you will stop for lunch in the town of Cassino, where you can get a taste of the delicious food of the southern region of Campania and visit the famous Abbey of Montecassio. The monastery was almost entirely destroyed during the Allied bombings in World War II, but was faithfully rebuilt afterwards and is today an imposing landmark that can be seen across the countryside.
In the afternoon you will arrive at your hotel in Rome, close to the walls of Vatican City. Here you can relax, or start exploring Rome, before meeting again for dinner in the evening.
Overnight in Rome.
DAY 4 -- PRIVATE HALF DAY TOUR OF ANCIENT ROME-- See many of the key sites of Rome and then the afternoon is free to explore at your leisure.
Overnight in Rome.
DAY 5 - PRIVATE TOUR OF PAPAL BASILICAS
After breakfast, the guide will meet them at their hotel to walk together to St. Peter's, the first stop on today's tour. They will have to wait in line to go through security, but as they wait, they will hear the fascinating story of the construction of the basilica and Bernini's wonderful square.
They will transfer by bus to visit the other 3 of Rome's major Papal Basilicas: St. John Lateran & the Holy Steps (including special permission to visit the Sancta Santorum at the top), St. Paul's Outside the Walls and St. Mary Major.
Including lunch. Dinner at leisure.
Overnight in Rome
DAY 6 - PAPAL AUDIENCE & PRIVATE TOUR OF THE VATICAN MUSEUMS
In the morning, they should have an early breakfast (or we can request a bagged breakfast to take with them), to get to St. Peter's Square in advance. There is no assigned seating for the Papal Audience and the earlier they arrive (security opens at 8am), the closer they'll be to the front - the Pope does move around the square so everyone can see him and the readings are broadcast on video screens so everyone can see and hear.
Lunch together near the Vatican. In the afternoon, a guide will meet them at their hotel and accompany them to the Vatican Museums where they will skip the line and enter straightaway for their tour of the Museums.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight in Rome.
DAY 7 -- VATICAN NECROPOLIS & FREE AFTERNOON -
We will request tickets for the Vatican Neocropolis today. The tour is with a Vatican archeologist who takes you into the foundations of St. Peter's to the Roman Necropolis where St. Peter was buried. As you walk along the ancient road, you will hear the story of how the necropolis was rediscovered and the quest to identify the burial place of the saint.
The rest of the day will be free until dinner together.
Overnight in Rome.
DAY 8 --MONASTERY OF ST. BENEDICT IN SUBIACO - In the morning, we will leave Rome and head north, following the Anio River to the town of Subiaco and the monastery founded by St. Benedict.
The monastery, built high on a hillside between the 9th and the 18th centuries, stands over the cave where the saint lived as he developed the Rules of the Benedictine Order. Here we will visit the cave which forms part of the lower church, richly decorated in 13th century frescoes of the ‘Romano Popolare’ school. The frescoes include an image of Saint Francis of Assisi, the oldest known portrait in existence of the saint, having actually been drawn before his death. This dates back to St. Francis' retreat to Subiaco between 1223 and 1224 and he is therefore depicted without the stigmata and without a halo. In the upper church we will see 14th century frescoes from the Siena School, depicting the final week of Christ’s life and his Resurrection and 15th century frescoes with scenes from the life of St. Benedict.
In the afternoon, we will arrive in Assisi, where we will be spending the next 3 nights.
DAY 9 -- TOUR OF THE BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS & FREE AFTERNOON -- After breakfast this morning, you will meet your guide for a tour inside the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis. Visible across the Umbrian countryside for miles, the basilica and its adjoining monastery, are incredible works of art in themselves, ornately decorated by some of the master painters of the 13th century.
Construction of the church began following the canonization of the saint in 1228 and two years later, the mortal remains of St. Francis were laid to rest here. The light Upper Church is decorated in colorful frescoes by Giotto and his school, showing scenes from the life of St. Francis. The Lower Church, which houses the monumental tomb of the saint, contains frescoes by Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti, and Simone Martini.
The tour is with an official Assisi guide. An additional tour can be arranged with one of the friars or nuns, which looks at the spiritual significance of the artworks. This cannot be paid for in advance and donations are accepted at the end.
In the afternoon, there will be time to hike up to the Carceri Hermitage, situated 4km above the town on Mount Subasio (bring sturdy shoes). Throughout his lifetime, St. Francis would come to a cave here to pray. Over time he was joined by others who sought the tranquility of the mountain for contemplation. Today the small community of Franciscans living here, happily welcome visitors who make the walk up from the town.
Return to the hotel for dinner.
DAY 10- FREE MORNING & TOUR OF ASSISI -- Today will start with the option to attend mass in English at the Basilica of St. Francis at 9am.
The rest of the morning and lunch will be at your leisure, until the churches re-open in the afternoon.
You will be quite familiar with the town by now, as our guide leads you to some of the town's other churches, which play a role in the story of St. Francis: The Basilica of St. Clare, the first female follower of St. Francis and the founder of the Order of the Poor Clares; the town's cathedral which is dedicated to San Rufino where both saints were baptized and the church of San Daimano where St. Francis first heard the voice of God.
Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 11 - LA VERNA SANCTUARY & ARRIVAL IN FLORENCE
Today we will visit the La Verna Sanctuary where St. Francis received the Stigmata. High up in the mountains, the sanctuary remains a place of pray and contemplation, surrounded by the woods on the beautiful Mount Penna.
You will be free to move around the sanctuary at your leisure, to pray and to visit the Chapel of the Stigmata and the frescoed corridor that leads to it, built so that the friars can visit the chapel daily, whatever the weather.
In the evening arrive in Florence.
DAY 12 - TOUR OF FLORENCE & THE ACCADEMIA In the morning, a local guide will meet you at the hotel for a walking tour of the city and a visit to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David.
In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner together in the heart of Florence.
DAY 13 -- DEPART FOR HOME FROM FLORENCE
DEPOSIT OF $1000 PERSON IS DUE BY JULY 31ST, 2019. FINAL PAYMENT DUE MAR 31ST, 2020
ONLY 17 SEATS AVAILABLE SO THIS TOUR WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY! GET YOUR RESERVATION IN NOW!!
Tour specially designed and guided by Italy Vacation Specialists
in conjunction with Travelooza just for you!
in conjunction with Travelooza just for you!
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