italy

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M A Y 1 3 – 2 1 , 2 0 2 0

H O L Y F A M I L Y C A T H O L I C C O M M U N I T YP I L G R I M A G E & P E R F O R M A N C E T O U R O F

A S S I S I | F L O R E N C E | R O M E

INFO MEETING:WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26TH

AT 6:30 PMHOLY FAMILY HALL 271 FOURTH STREET WAY,

FOND DU LAC, WI 54937

V I S I T F R . J O H N M I T C H E L L

I N R O M E !

S T . P E T E R ' S B A S I L I C AA S S I S I F L O R E N C E

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= Continental Breakfast | = Dinner

*Itinerary is tentative and subject to change; specified Masses pending confirmation

Day 1: Wednesday, May 13 • Departure

Depart USA for Rome, Italy via overnight flights. For those traveling on the group flight, round trip motor coach transfer will be provided from Holy Family Catholic Community in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to Chicago O’Hare International airport. (Costs and details for group air will be provided in July 2019).

Day 2: Thursday, May 14 • Arrival in Rome | Assisi

Arrive in Rome, meet your Italian tour manger, and travel to Assisi via luxury motorcoach. Stop en route to visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica and see the famous Portiuncula. Check into your hotel and freshen up. Welcome dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Day 3: Friday, May 15 • Assisi

This morning, join a public Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis followed by the opportunity to perform a brief concert immediately following the Mass. Then, enjoy a walking tour of Assisi to see the art, architecture and serenity of this Umbrian town. Begin with the Basilica of St. Francis embracing the opportunity to pray at his tomb. Visit the Church of St. Clare to see her tomb and the San Damiano Cross. Tour San Rufino Church where St. Francis and St. Clare were both baptized.

Afternoon at leisure to explore with dinner on own. Overnight in Assisi.

Day 4: Saturday, May 16 • Florence

Early morning departure from Assisi to Florence. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour of Florence, including the Duomo, Baptistry Doors, Signoria Square and Santa Croce with the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Rossini. Time for lunch on your own before visiting the Accademia Gallery to see

Michelangelo’s world-famous statue of David. Check into your hotel and freshen up before dinner as a group at a local restaurant. Overnight in Florence.

Day 5: Sunday, May 17 • Florence

After breakfast, join a public Mass at the Duomo of Florence follow by the opportunity to perform a brief concert immediately following the Mass. Then, enjoy a visit to the stunning Boboli Gardens with one of the best panoramic view of Florence! The remainder of the day will be at leisure to shop near the Ponte Vecchio Bridge or visit the Uffizi Gallery. For those interested, there will two optional experiences this afternoon and evening to participate in: Guided visit of the Parco della Musica – Teatro del Maggio (no additional cost) a premier concert venue and orchestra hall in Florence. Or, enjoy an Olivaria Olive Oil Farm experience (additional cost, see the 'Trip Options' section on pg. 3 to select). Visit a private Tuscan estate and learn about the olive harvesting process.

Tour the historical mill and enjoy an olive oil tasting and dinner at their restaurant, open exclusively for your group. Overnight in Florence.

Day 6: Monday, May 18 • Orvieto | Rome

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart for the ancient Etruscan town of Orvieto. Upon arrival, tour the magnificent Duomo, considered the most beautiful façade of any church in all of Italy. Pray in the Chapel of the Eucharistic Miracle of Corpus Christi and see the famous Signorelli cycle of frescos. Lunch on own and time at leisure for exploration on the quaint cobblestone streets and shopping. Continue to Rome and check into your hotel. This evening, there will an orientation walking tour to the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva and Piaza Navona.

Enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant before an overnight in Rome.

Day 7: Tuesday, May 19 • Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel | Catacombs | Gregorian

This morning, Fr. John Mitchell will celebrate a private Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica (subject to confirmation). Afterwards, experience a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, where you will view some of the most inspiring works of art, including Michelangelo's magnificent fresco of the Last Judgement. Lunch on own before visiting the St. Sebastian Catacombs to see the 4th century catacombs that burrow underground on four levels. This is the burial site of many early Christians. Conclude the day with a visit to Casa Santa Maria to see the residence of Fr. John and receive a tour of his

University, the Gregorian. Evening at leisure with dinner on own and an overnight in Rome.

Day 8: Wednesday, May 20 • Papal Audience | Ancient Rome Tour | Sing at St. Peter’s

After breakfast, attend the Papal Audience with Pope Francis (pending the Holy Father’s schedule). Lunch on own and time at leisure. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of Ancient Rome to visit the Coliseum and the Roman Forum. Then, cherish the opportunity of singing a prelude and performing as the featured

choir during the daily 5:30pm Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica (pending final confirmation). Farewell dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 9: Thursday, May 21 • Depart for the USA

This morning check-out of the hotel and depart to the Rome Airport for your flights to the USA.