Classic Italy

Day 1: Depart USA
Depart the USA from your local airport. Enjoy a full meal and inflight entertainment (movies, music, etc.) on your overnight flight to Rome, Italy.

Day 2: Arrival in Rome
Arrive at  Fiumicino International Airport - Leonardo da Vinci in Rome, where you proceed to Baggage Claim and then to the Arrivals Hall. Here, you will be greeted by our local Trinity Tour Travels Tour guide and driver, who will accompany you throughout the pilgrimage. Depending on arrival time, our journey begins at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls where a Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated, followed by a lovely Italian lunch in the basilica’s café. The basilica also houses a gift shop perfect for the purchase of affordable religious items to be blessed by the pope the following day. We visit the burial site of St. Paul and visit Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis, where tradition holds St. Peter met the Risen Christ asking, “Lord, where are you going?”  Jesus replied, “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.”  What makes this location particularly amazing is that Jesus is said to have left behind a marble slab with His footprints which have been venerated by pilgrims for centuries. 
Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 3: Rome - Papal Audience  |  Vatican Museums  |  St. Peter's Basilica
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square, celebrated at 9 a.m. each Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Pilgrims are encouraged to bring special medals, rosaries and other religious items to be blessed. Following the pope’s themed speech, prayers and homily, he offers a blessing! Lunch before a tour of the magnificent Vatican Museum (Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel) and we end the day at St. Peter’s Basilica, where we visit Michelangelo's Pieta and the tomb of St. Pope John Paul II prior to a walk through the basilica, which ends underground at the Tomb of St. Peter. Mass this day at a church near St. Peter Square. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 4: Rome - St. Mary Major  |  St. John Lateran  |  Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Following breakfast at the hotel, Mass is celebrated at St. Mary Major, one of the four papal basilicas. Under the high altar of this basilica is the Crypt of the Nativity, encased in a crystal reliquary. Pilgrims can view what is said to be the wood relics of the Holy Crib of the Nativity of Jesus. St. Mary Major also houses the relics of St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church, who translated the Bible into Latin. St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass as a priest in 1538 at St. Mary Major, also known for "The Miracle of the Snow." We visit the Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, another papal basilica, which houses several relics of the Passion of Jesus (including a rusted nail from the Crucifixion, pieces of the True Cross, thorns from the crown, and the sign over His Cross) and the doubting finger of St. Thomas in a reliquary. We visit the papal Basilica of St. John Lateran, known as the "Mother of all Churches in the World," and the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. Founded in 324, it is the oldest of the four papal basilicas.  Larger than life, magnificent sculptures of the Twelve Apostles (St. Paul takes the place of St. Matthias) are showcased in this basilica. From here, we cross the street to visit the Scala Sancta (the "Holy Stairs"), the marble staircase (encased in wooden ones), which led to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. It is on these stairs that Jesus climbed to meet Pilate on His way to trial during His Passion. The marble stairs are visible through small openings in the wooden risers and at some spots, pilgrims may touch the marble through these openings as they climb the stairs (traditionally on knees). Leisure afternoon in the city center visiting the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Navona Square. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 5: Rome  |  Assisi
After breakfast at the hotel, we travel through Tuscany to Assisi. The birthplace of St. Francis, this charming town’s atmosphere has not changed much since the humble saint began his ministry in the early 13th century. We start our tour at the Basilica of St. Francis, which contains a series of frescoes depicting his life as well as several of the saint’s personal possessions.  We visit Santuario Della Spogliazione to visit the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be declared Blessed. Carlo is best known for his love of the Eucharist and his computer cataloging of Eucharistic Miracles throughout the world.  We continue our walk through Assisi to the birthplace of St. Francis and then tour the Basilica di Santa Chiara, where the remains of St. Clare are contained. St. Clare founded the Poor Clare Sisters and closely followed the teachings of St. Francis while also living a life of poverty, humility and great holiness. Free time this afternoon for more strolling, private prayer, shopping, and a late lunch. We reboard the bus to go outside the walls of Assisi to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. This is where St. Francis spent most of his life. The basilica is made up of two structures: 1) The Porziuncola, where St. Francis first understood his vocation and renounced the world to live in poverty, and 2) The Capella de Transito, the small room where St. Francis died in 1226. During this time, you will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Rose Garden, where St. Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where the humble saint retired to pray. Mass, dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Day 6: Assisi  |  La Verna  |  Assisi
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we ride through the beautiful surrounding areas of Assisi to visit the deeply spiritual town of La Verna. We visit the Sanctuary of La Verna, where St. Francis received the stigmata in 1224.  Mass is celebrated here this day. A memorable day trip with charming Italian countryside along the way. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Day 7: Assisi  |  Siena  |  Florence
Following breakfast, we board our bus for a scenic drive to the Tuscan city of Siena, the birthplace of St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church. It is also the birthplace of St. Bernardine, the Apostle of Italy. We will visit the Basilica of St. Catherine, known as the Basilica of St. Domenico, where St. Catherine spent much of her life and where the saint’s incorrupt head can be venerated.  St. Catherine’s family home is now the Shrine of St. Catherine, which we will also visit.  We stroll through the medieval town of Siena and conclude at one of Italy’s best-known and finest squares, the Piazza Del Campo. Following Mass, we have free time for shopping, leisure strolls and lunch on our own. We travel to Florence, home of most of the world-renowned artists: Michelangelo, Raphael, DaVinci, Botticelli, and many, many others. Free time this afternoon to explore the streets of Florence and take in all its charm and beauty. Enjoy shopping, outdoor markets and siteseeing. Dinner and overnight in Florence.

Day 8: Florence
After breakfast, our day tour begins at the Basilica di Santa Croce, the Church of the Holy Cross. This magnificent church houses the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and other well-known figures in history. We walk the charming streets of Florence by Piazza Signorina, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio and the Republic Square to the magnificent Santa Maria del Fiore, the Florence Cathedral. We visit the L’Accademia, the gallery which contains the works of some of the world’s most famous artists, such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and Pontormo. It is here that Michelangelo’s David is showcased. Later this afternoon, there is more leisure time for lunch, exploring, and shopping. Dinner and overnight in Florence.

Day 9: Florence  |  Padua
Following breakfast at the hotel, we board the bus for our journey to Padua. Padua is the northern city in Italy that honors the Patron Saint of Lost Things and Causes, St. Anthony. St. Anthony of Padua is a Doctor of the Church, known for his powerful preaching, excellent knowledge of scripture and his undying devotion to the poor and sick. His teachings are so captivating, it is not surprising that when exhumed in 1263, his tongue was found to be incorrupt. He was canonized less than a year after his death, making him one of the most quickly canonized saints in church history. Our day includes a sightseeing tour of the city. We visit the Basilica of Santa Giustina, known as the patron saint of Padua. Our day tour will conclude at the Basilica of St. Anthony to visit the tomb of this beloved saint. Mass, dinner and overnight in Padua.

Day 10: Padua  |  Venice
After an early breakfast, we travel to the spectacular city of Venice. After Mass, we will enjoy a walking tour of the “city paved with water!"  We enjoy a walking tour visiting St. Mark’s Square, the site of several government buildings: the Golden Basilica of San Marco, which houses the magnificent mosaics which depict the Old and New Testaments; the bridge that will “bring eternal love” to those who drift below it, the Bridge of Sigh; and we will view the Doges’ Palace which served as the seat of the Republic of Venice for centuries. We return to Padua for our farewell dinner and overnight.

Day 11: Departure -  Venice  |  USA
After an early breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport for our return flight home. Ciao Italia!