Southern Italy: Her Magnificent Shores & Majestic Shrines

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

Day 2: Arrival in Rome  |  Sorrento
Arrive at Fiumicino International Airport – Leonardo da Vinci in Rome. Proceed to Baggage Claim and to the Arrivals Hall, where you will be greeted by our local Trinity Tour Travels guide and driver, who will accompany you throughout the pilgrimage. From here, your pilgrimage begins with an enchanting drive along southwest Italy to beautiful Sorrento. Facing the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is perched atop cliffs overlooking magnificent water views and the Piazza Tasso. We celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Philip and James (the Sorrento Cathedral). Hotel check-in and free time. Dinner and overnight in Sorrento.

Day 3: Amalfi Coast - Positano  |  Amalfi  |  Sorrento
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive along the world-renowned Amalfi coast road. With breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the mountainous coastline of Western Italy, we stop in Positano. Known for its narrow boutique and café-lined streets, this charming town is the gem of the Amalfi Coast. In the stunning town of Amalfi, we celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, where we visit his relics and crypt. A full day of spectacular sights and awe-inspiring landscapes! Dinner and overnight in Sorrento.

Day 4: Sorrento  |  Pompeii  |  San Giovanni Rotondo
Following breakfast at the hotel, we depart for a full-day excursion to Pompeii. Buried under meters of ash, rubble and pumice from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., Pompeii remains a preserved site of what once was a thriving, sophisticated Roman city. We walk through the excavated ruins of the streets, houses and even “cafes” of this ancient city. Mass is celebrated at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii this day. We begin our travel across Italy to San Giovanni this afternoon. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 5: San Giovanni Rotondo  |  Monte Sant'Angelo
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a morning dedicated to visiting the holy sites associated with Padre Pio’s life. We tour Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, the hospital founded by this humble Capuchin Priest, which still serves as a hospital today. “Inside those who are sick, Jesus is suffering. Inside those who are sick and poor, Jesus is there twofold.” We visit the beloved church of Padre Pio, Santa Maria della Grazie, where Padre Pio committed himself to hours of hearing confession daily. It is said that this great saint was able to “read souls,” and his confessional stands mid-church for viewing. We visit Padre Pio’s shrine, where we venerate this saint’s incorrupt body and tour his living quarters. We board the bus and journey through the Gargano Peninsula to visit the Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel in Monte Sant’Angelo. Mass is celebrated here this day in a grotto where St. Michael is said to have appeared in the years 490, 492 and 493. Free time in this charming area prior to returning to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 6: San Giovanni   |  Rome
Following an early breakfast, we board the bus and, en route to Rome, stop in Manoppello in the charming province of Pescara. We visit the Sanctuary of Volto Santo (Sacred Face), where Mass is celebrated this day. Reputed to be identical to the sacred Veil of Veronica, the Sanctuary of Volto Santo contains a sudarium (a thin sweat veil used by early Romans) known as the Holy Face of Manoppello. We continue to Rome this afternoon with hotel check-in and free time schedule allowing. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 7: Rome - Vatican Museums  |  Scavi Tour*
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a guided tour of the Vatican Museums. We walk through the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms and several historic museum rooms which house paintings, sculptures, and varying artworks from the Greek/Roman eras to modern times. We visit the Sistine Chapel to view the site of each Conclave (assembly of cardinals for the election of a pope), as well as the epic frescoed ceiling painted by Michelangelo. We tour St. Peter’s Basilica, where we view the tomb of St. Pope John Paul II and the beautiful Pieta carved by a solid piece of marble by Michelangelo, which he began when he was only 23 years old. Mass is celebrated this day at the Tomb of St. Peter. 
*The day ends with the Scavi Tour, the ancient underground cemetery below St. Peter’s altar. The Scavi Tour is granted by an official request made to the Excavations Office of the Fabbrica di San Pietro. This tour is subject to confirmation before the pilgrimage. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 8: Rome - Papal Audience  |  Papal Basilicas
Breakfast at the hotel before we attend the General Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square. The Papal Audience is held on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. (when the pope is in Rome), where we receive the Holy Father’s Apostolic Blessing. Pilgrims are encouraged to bring rosaries, medals and other religious articles to be blessed by the Holy Father following his themed speech, homily and prayers.
After lunch, we visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, where we visit the saint’s tomb. Next, a visit to the impressive Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. Founded in 324, it is the oldest of the papal basilicas and the oldest basilica in the Western world. We cross the street to the Scala Sancta (“The Holy Stairs”), the marble staircase (encased in wooden risers) which led to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. It is on these steps that Jesus climbed to meet Pilate on his way to trial during His Passion. Pilgrims traditionally climb this staircase on their knees. We end our day with Mass at the Basilica of St Mary Major. Under the high altar of this magnificent 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. Also known for "The Miracle of the Snow," St. Mary Major houses the relics of St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church who translated the Bible into Latin. It is also the site where St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass as a priest in 1538. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 9: Rome
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by Mass at a local church. Enjoy an entire free day on your own to explore the Eternal City and all its glory! Farewell Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 10: Depart Rome for USA
Following our final breakfast at the hotel, we return to Fiumicino International Airport – Leonardo da Vinci in Rome for departure to the USA. We bid farewell to this phenomenal part of the world and treasure the memories made for a lifetime!
Ciao, Italia!

Optional Day: Sorrento  |  Capri
Added as Day 3 for an 11-Day Pilgrimage
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a most memorable ferry ride to the Island of Capri in the Bay of Naples! Famed for the ruins of Imperial Roman Villas, the town of Anacapri, and the Blue Grotto, this awe-inspiring area is known for its rugged and panoramic landscape. View the famous Faraglioni rock formations and enjoy this free day on the island by strolling, sightseeing and shopping in the Piazzetta and along the Via Camerella. Mass this day is at the Church of St. Francis. Dinner and overnight in Sorrento.