Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has decreed the year 2,000 to be a holy “Liturgical Year” to celebrate the “Great Jubilee” commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. The Pope has announced that those making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land or Italy will receive a plenary indulgence.  A pilgrimage to the Holy Land or Italy will be taking part in this major Church event of our lifetime. 

To receive a plenary indulgence for your Italy pilgrimage, each pilgrim must pass through the doors of four major basilicas in Rome:

St. Peter's Basilica
St. Mary Major
St. John Lateran
St  Paul Outside the Walls

Day 2 Milan - Verona - Padua
Early morning arrival at Milan's Malpensa Airport, where we will take a short tour of Milan. Next we are off to Padua via Verona, the setting for Romeo and Juliet.  Afternoon arrival in Padua, you will visit the home of St Anthony, patron saint of things lost. Celebrate Mass at the Basilica built in his honor. Associated with many miracles, St. Anthony was renown for his passion for preaching.  Housed in the Basiclica are his tongue and vocal cords which were discovered incorrupt, although his body disintegrated after death. See the artistry of Donatello and his magnificent bronze works.  Dinner and overnight. 

Day 3 Padua - Siena - Assisi
Depart after breakfast for Siena, Italy’s loveliest medieval city was home to St. Catherine and St. Bernardine.  Here we will stroll the Piazza del Campo, one of Italy's finest squares. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral.  Visit the Basilica of St. Francis, containing the miraculous consecrated hosts that have remained completely intact since 1730.  View the incorrupt head of St. Catherine, the mystical bride of Christ, at St. Dominic’s Basilica.   Later we drive through the panoramic Umbria region to the pilgrimage center of Assisi, where St Francis tended the poor and sick and founded the Franciscan order.  Travel by motor coach to Assisi for dinner and overnight. 

Day 4 Assisi
After breakfast we celebrate Mass at the tomb of St Francis.  Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St Francis which still retains an unspoiled quality similar to the early 1200’s when he began his ministry.  Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are many of his possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. You may kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis, asking him to rebuild His church.  It was St Mary of the Angels Basilica, where St. Francis spent most of his life. Here we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval streets of the compact little town. After stopping at an outdoor cafe with a view of an ancient Roman temple, we go to the Church of St Clare to see the saint's incorrupt body.  The foundress of the Order of Poor Clare’s followed the teachings of St. Francis and lived life in poverty and humility.  We will visit these two saint’s tombs before dinner and retiring for the evening. 

Day 5 Assisi - Cascia - Loreto
We depart first to Cascia to see the Eucharistic Miracle and the Sanctuary of Saint Rita,“ saint of the impossible”.  A married woman, mother, widow, nun, mystic, stigmatist and a saint with an incorruptible body, were the dynamic roles of beloved St. Rita.  In the Basilica you can behold relics such as the crucifix from which she received the stigmata.  View the blood stained pages of the breviary which cradled the miraculous host, leaving a perfect outline of Christ’s face.  Next we follow the fertile Adriatic coast to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto  Over 50 popes have made pilgrimages to the house transported by angels to this hill in central Italy in 1294.   Tradition states this is the house where Mary prayed her “fiat”, where Jesus grew up and the Holy Family dwelled. Mass at the Shrine in Loreto, then transfer for dinner and overnight in Loreto. 

Day 6 Loreto - Lanciano - San Giovanni Rotondo
After breakfast, we motor south along the Adriatic Sea to Lanciano. Here we see the 8th-century Eucharistic Miracle in the little Church of Lagontial.  Expressing doubts about Christ’s true presence in the consecrated host, the monk found himself holding a host that had changed into flesh and the wine changed into blood.  Scientific examination in 1970 affirmed the mystery. This moving sight defies human explanation and breathes new meaning into the words, “Take and eat, for this is My body.”  This afternoon we depart for San Giovanni Rotondo for dinner and overnight.
 

Day 7 San Giovanni Rotondo - Mt St Angelo (Grotto of Michael the Archangel)
Celebrate Mass at the tomb of Padre Pio and a visit to the sanctuary, led by one the fathers who knew Padre Pio personally.  We will tour the old church and behold the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918.  You will see the confessional where Padre Pio spent innumerable hours with the multitude of pilgrims, directing them on their journey toward God. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Cargano Peninsula and a visit to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel.  Six different popes, St. Francis and at least 4 other saints have knelt in prayer at this grotto, seeking the protection of St. Michael.  Claiming the promise of  “sins pardoned and prayers granted”, a panoramic view of the ocean and surrounding countryside awaits you at one of the most celebrated shrines of early Christianity.  This site is the only Catholic church consecrated by St. Michael’s presence in 490, rather than by a human.  Return to San Giovanni for devotions, reflection and a restful overnight.

Day 8 San Giovanni Rotondo - Monte Cassino - Rome
Today we head west to Rome with a stop in Monte Cassino, the Benedictine Monastery founded in 529.  Arrive in Rome, the Eternal City, in time for dinner.

Day 9 Rome
Begin our day with Mass at St Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world.  This morning we will tour St Mary Major, this is one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, after she appeared to Pope Liberius in 358 requesting a church be built in her honor.  This shrine contains a relic from the manger where the infant Jesus was laid.  We will tour the Catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution.  You will see the Cathedral of Rome and the Holy Stairs. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax or stroll along the charming streets of Rome.  Walk to the city’s center, past numerous fountains ending at the famed Spanish Steps.  You may wish to stop at an outdoor cafe for an espresso before retiring for the evening.  Dinner and overnight.

Day 10 Rome (Papal Audience at the Vatican)
After breakfast we go to Vatican City and attend the weekly Papal Audience and Blessing given by His Holiness, John Paul II.  Visit St Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred.  This largest religious temple in the world has housed 264 popes.  Unsurpassed in beauty, importance and history, pilgrims from around the world are welcome to the most grandiose, sacred church in the world. 
View historical treasures such as a piece of the true cross, the lance that pierced Christ’s side and numerous papal tombs.  Michelangelo’s mural of the Last Judgment restored on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is considered one of Michelangelo's greatest masterpieces, in addition to his Pieta and 4 mighty piers supporting the magnificent dome. In the afternoon take time to visit the Vatican Garden, Library and Museum to see the awe-inspiring relics and works of art donated throughout centuries as tributes of faith.  In the afternoon we will drive past the Coliseums, the Roman Forum and explore St Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St. Paul under the main altar.  Many relics are displayed, along with the chains that once bound the apostle while a prisoner in Rome.  We will visit the Church of St Peter in Chains to see Michelangelo's incomparable statue of Moses.  Dinner and overnight in Rome. 

Day 11 Rome - USA 
Depart Rome for our return flight to the USA.  We fondly say, Arrivederci Roma! 

Your Trip Includes:
   Round-trip flight from New York to Italy
   9 nights at First class hotels, or similar:
  1 night:   Hotel Biri, Padua 
  2 nights: Windsor Savoy Hotel, Assisi 
  1 night:   Hotel Loreto, Loreto
  2 nights:  Hotel Parco della Rose, San Giovanni Rotondo 
  3 nights:  Hotel Michelangelo, Rome 
   Breakfast and dinner daily
   Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
   Guided tours and admission fees
   Hotel taxes and service charges
   Papal Audience
   Mass daily
   All baggage handling
   Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

Not Included  Airport tax of $85. Travel insurance at $99. Tips to your guide & driver ($5 per day) Items of personal nature.