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11 Days: The Major Shrines of Italy
DAY 1: DEPART USA
We depart USA en route to Milan, with complimentary meals and
beverages served
aloft.
DAY 2: ARRIVE MILAN / VENICE
We arrive in Milan (the See of Ss. Ambrose and Charles Borromeo
and Paul VI). We
are greeted by our Catholic Travel Centre representative and
proceed downtown to
visit the Duomo, "the most magnificent Gothic building in
Northern Italy". Dinner
awaits us at our hotel.
DAY 3: MILAN / VERONA / VENICE
We begin the day with DaVinci's Cenacolo (The Last Supper)
followed by a visit to the
Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio ("the most interesting church in Milan
and the prototype ofthe Lombard basilica and the Tomb of St.
Ambrose).
Leaving Milan (time permitting), our drive takes us to Verona to
walk a bit around this
quaint town. Among the cities of the Venetia it is second only
to Venice for the interest
of its monuments, and is especially notable for the quantity of
its Roman remains.
Family feuding produced the story of Romeo and Juliet. On to
Venice for dinner and
the evening. (B,D)
DAY 4: VENICE: VISIT OF THE TOWN
Venice is known as 'The Queen of the Adriatic'. "A unique
position, the grace of her
buildings, the changing colors, and not least the total absence
of wheeled transport,
make Venice the most charming and poetic city in the world." Our
visit begins at theBasilica of St. Mark--golden mosaics from the
Second Golden Age of Icons adorn this
magnificent Byzantine basilica built to honor the body of St.
Mark brought from
Alexandria in Egypt. Popes John
XXIII and John Paul I were Patriarchs of Venice. After Mass we
visit the Piazza di San
Marco and the Palazzo Ducale (the palace of the Doge, the
political leader of the
Republic of Venice). The balance of our day is free to explore
this exotic city. (B, D)
DAY 5: VENICE / PADUA / FLORENCE
After breakfast, our motorcoach proceeds to the town of Padua,
where we visit the
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ays: The Major Shrines of Italy | CTC
http://www.gocatholictravel.com/11_Days_The_Major_Shrines
10/16/2012
7/28/2019 11 Days_ a Franciscan Journey _ CTC
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Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua and celebrate Mass. From here
we continue to
Florence, the Jewel of the Renaissance. In Florence we check-in
to our hotel for
dinner and the evening. (B, D)
DAY 6: FLORENCE: VISIT OF THE TOWN
Florence is known as the city of the Medici Family and
Machiavelli. We visit the
Duomo--Santa Maria in Fiore; the Baptistery of San Giovanni
(bronze doors by
Ghilberti); at the Academia we marvel at Michelangelo's David;
and we admire the
frescoes by Giotto in the former monastery of San Marco. We
celebrate Mass at afrescoed chapel in the Franciscan church of
Santa Croce. Those wishing to stay in
Florence to browse the markets may do so; others of us can join
the motorcoach and
guide for an afternoon visit to Pisa to see the famed Leaning
Tower. (B, D)
DAY 7: FLORENCE / ASSISI / ROME
Departing Florence we make our way to Assisi, home to St.
Francis of Assisi. We visit
the Basilica housing the Saint's tomb, and afterwards enjoy a
guided tour of the
Basilica and the town. After Mass and some time on our own, we
continue to Rome
for dinner and the evening. (B, D)
DAY 8: ROME: VATICAN MUSEUM & SISTINE CHAPEL, PLUS BASILICA
OF ST.
PETER
This morning we proceed to the Vatican Museum, where our visit
is highlighted by the
Sistine Chapel, featuring Michelangelo's masterworks. This
afternoon we enjoy a
guided tour of the Basilica of St. Peter, where we view the tomb
of the first Pope and
also the Pieta, Michelangelo's masterful sculpture of Mary
holding her crucified Son.
We have some free time for visiting the local religious articles
shops. Dinner is served
at a local restaurant. (B, D)
DAY 9: ROME: PAPAL AUDIENCE AND WALKING TOUR OF ROME
This morning we transfer to Vatican City and the Pope Paul VI
Audience Hall for the General Papal Audience with the Holy
Father (subject to Holy Father's schedule). After the audience,
we take some time for lunch on our own.
This afternoon our guide will lead us on a walking tour of the
historical center of Rome. We begin at the Trevi Fountainwhere we
toss our traditional three coins. From here we continue to the
Piazza Trinita dei Monti at the top of the Spanish
Steps, affording a romantic panoramic view of the city of Rome.
Our tour continues across the city to the Pantheon, and we
finish our day at the Piazza Navona. You may wish to visit some
of the ice cream shops serving the Italian gelato! Dinner
this evening is served at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 10: ROME: ANCIENT ROME, ST. JOHN LATERAN, SANTA CROCE
Today we begin our visit at the Colosseum Its real name was the
Flavian Amphitheater, after emperors who built it in the
first century after Christ. Colosseum refers to the 'colossal'
statue of Nero that at one time stood at the entrance. Just up
the
street we see the Mamertime Prison, then on to the Church of St.
Peter in Chains.
This afternoon we visit the Catacombs of St. Calixtus, the
underground burial site of the early Christians and many of the
early popes. Our journey concludes at the Basilica of St. Paul
the Apostle, where we celebrate the closing Mass of ourpilgrimage
tour. This evening, we gather at a local Roman restaurant for a
festive farewell dinner with wine and music. (B,
D)
DAY 11: RETURN
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return
flight to USA. (B)
NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there might be occasions
when certain alterations become necessary to this
itinerary due to changes in airline schedules or for other
reasons. All Masses are subject to final church schedules.
ays: The Major Shrines of Italy | CTC
http://www.gocatholictravel.com/11_Days_The_Major_Shrines
10/16/2012
