Day 2 Paris - Lourdes 
Upon your arrival in Paris this morning, we connect to the 1-hour flight to Lourdes.  Arrive in Lourdes about noon and transfer to your hotel.  At the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains in southwestern France, nestled between the spectacular mountain river, Gave de Pau is Lourdes. One of the most important pilgrimage sites for over 140 years, is the birthplace of St Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle.  Relax or explore before dinner, followed by the candlelight procession before retiring.  Dinner and overnight. 

Days 3 & 4 Lourdes
During your stay in Lourdes you will have a chance to celebrate daily Mass at the Grotto, enjoy a video presentation telling the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St Bernadette.  See the Boly Mill where St. Bernadette was born, view the “Cachot” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived in humility.  Join your prayers with pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring the Virgin directed Bernadette to locate at the base of the grotto which has flowed uninterrupted since 1858. Submerge yourself at the Baths which claim thousands of healings. Experience Christ’s love as you walk the life-size Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy Grotto.  Kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto, in obedience to the request of the “Immaculate Conception”.  Our tour of Lourdes includes visits to the sanctuary, the Basilica of St Pius X, the world's largest underground church.  Contemplate Christ’s Passion as you pray the unique 3-dimensional Stations of the Cross; attend the blessing of the sick, and participate in nightly candlelight processions requested by Our Lady. 

Day 5 Lourdes - Paris - Rome
Evening arrival in Rome, the Eternal City and transfer to our first class hotel.  Dinner and relax or perhaps you will prefer a stroll along the charming streets of Rome, 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 in Rome.

Day 6 Rome (Papal Audience at the Vatican)
After breakfast we go to Vatican City to experience the thrill of attending the weekly Papal Audience and Blessing by His Holiness, John Paul II.  Visit St Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred.  This is the largest religious temple in the world, which 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 important historical treasures such as: is 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.  Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 7 Rome
Breakfast, then we depart for a tour of Christian Rome.  The tour includes three major Basilicas: 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.  The Basilica of the St John in Lateran, the former residence of all the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377.  Five ecumenical councils were held in this cathedral housing the remains of 4 saints.  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 also see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Arch of Drusus, Chapel "O'Domine Quo Vadis?", the remains of imperial tombs, Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the Catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. 

Day 8 Rome - San Giovanni Rotondo
We leave the Eternal City and head south-east to San Giovanni. Time permitting we will stop in Monte Cassino to see the Monastery founded by St. Benedict in 529.  This lovely Abbey sits atop a hill overlooking the village of Cassino Continuing on, we arrive at the birthplace and home of Padre Pio, San Giovanni in time for dinner. 

Day 9 San Giovanni Rotondo - Monte San 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 10 Lanciano & Loreto 
Our travels today first take us to Lanciano to 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.”  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.  Dinner and overnight in Loreto. 

Day 11 & 12 Assisi
Depart for Assisi to 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 13 Assisi - Rome - USA
In the early morning, we say Ciao Italia, leaving Assisi for Rome to connect to your return flight to the USA.

Your Trip Includes:
   Round-trip flight to Lourdes/Rome/ New York
   11 nights at 4 & 3-star hotels, or similar 
          3 nights:  St. Savour, Lourdes 
          3 nights:  Hotel Michelangelo, Rome 
          2 nights:  Hotel Parco della Rose, San Giovanni Rotondo 
          1 night:    Hotel Loreto, Loreto 
          2 nights:  Hotel Giotto, Assisi 
   Breakfast and dinner daily 
   Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
   Comprehensive guided tours and admission fees
   Hotel taxes and service charges
   Mass daily
   Papal Audience
   All baggage handling
   Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

Not Included:  Airport tax of $85.  Lunch.  Tips to guides ($5 per day). Travel insurance at $99. Items of personal nature.