Program
9 days - 8 nights

Day 2 - Arrive Rome (Monday)
Upon arrival meet our professional tour manager . Transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.  Your tour escort can suggest tours or site to visit. 

Day 3 – Rome (Tuesday)
This morning you enjoy a private tour of "Christian Rome" which includes:  the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine that contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus; the Holy Stairs, the Basilica of  St. John the Lateran, The Basilica of the St John in Lateran, is the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377;  St Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St Paul under its main altar; and the Appian Way -- the oldest road from Roman times--plus the famous Domino Quo Vadis Chapel; see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Arch of Drusus;  Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. We will also enjoy a visit to the Trevi fountain.  Dinner and overnight at your hotel or in a Roman local restaurant.   

Day 4 – Rome (Wednesday) (Papal Audience and Vatican Museum Tour)
This morning we attend the weekly Papal Audience or Blessing given by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (pending papal schedule).  Following the audience we start our visit of the Vatican Museums, one of the most important museum in the world. This morning experience a very special privately guided tour of the priceless collection of art and treasures in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum. You will be amazed by the beautiful wall frescoes created by Michelangelo, Perugino and Botticelli. The unique ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is surely one of Michelangelo’s greatest achievements. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the Christian world, built over the tomb of St. Peter. Balance of the day at leisure, dinner at hotel or local restaurant. 

Day 5 - Rome - Monte Cassino - San Giovanni Rotondo (Thursday)
This morning we Rome “La città eterna”, drive south along Roman countryside with its villas and vineyards, stopping at the Abbey of Montecassino, a beautiful town founded by St. Benedict in 529. Continue heading east to Padre Pios town of San Giovanni Rotondo, where we stay for the following two nights. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 6 - San Giovanni Rotondo - Monte Sant'Angel (Friday)
After celebrating Mass at the tomb of Padre Pio, we tour the sanctuary, see the old church and the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. You will see the confessional where Padre Pio. We continue to discover the beauty of the Gargano Peninsula and visit the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Here the Archangel Michael is appeared in 490, 492 and 1656 and consecrated the shrine himself, he said: I am Michael the Archangel and am always in the presence of God. I chose the cave that is sacred to me. There will be no more shedding of bull's blood. Where the rocks open widely, the sins of men may be pardoned. What is asked here in prayer will be granted. Therefore, go up to the mountain cave and dedicate it to the Christian God!
A panoramic view of the Andriatic Sea and the surrounding countryside awaits you at this most celebrated shrine of early Christianity, a shrine consecrated by St Michael himself in 490. Return to San Giovanni for devotions, reflection, and a restful overnight.

Day 7 - San Giovanni Rotondo - Lanciano - Loreto – Assisi (Saturday)
After breakfast at hotel, we depart along the Adriatic coast to Lanciano where we will see the Eucharistic Miracle and celebrate Mass.  Then continue on to Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto. Tradition has it that this is the house in which Mary first prayed the Magnificat, in which Jesus grew to manhood, and in which the Holy Family lived. Continue to Assisi for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 –Assisi (Sunday)
The town of Assisi is a Unesco’s World Heritage Site, and a unique example of continuity of a city-sanctuary. There will be a guided tour of St. Francis Basilica, including the crypt with the remains of St. Francis as well as masterpieces by Cimabue and Giotto. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

Day 9 - Assisi – Siena (Monday)
This morning we reach the beautiful town of Siena, a small city of 60,000 people in Tuscany, has been called "the manageable Florence” one of Italy’s loveliest medieval cities. In the 14th century, it was the home of St. Catherine, an outspoken and politically active Dominican who experienced a "mystic marriage" with Christ and was one of the first women to be named a Doctor of the Church. Here we will visit the Piazza Del Campo, one of Italy’s finest squares and visit the Cathedral and the Basilica of St. Francis and Basilica of St. Dominic. Return to Assisi for dinner and overnight.

Day 10 -Assisi - Florence (or Rome) – USA (Tuesday)
Early departure from Assisi for Florence (or Rome) Airport for our return flight or the possibility to extend the stay in Italy.

TOUR FEATURES:
- 8 nights at centrally located first class hotels as follows: (or similar)
           - 3 nights:  Rome, Italy
           - 2 nights:  Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
           - 3 nights:  Assisi, Italy
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Breakfast and Dinner daily
- Drinks included with dinners (1/2 water ¼ wine per person)
- Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach throughout
- Assistance of a professional local Tour Director throughout
- Private English speaking guides: day 3 – day 4 – day 8 – day 9
- Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
- Mass daily & Spiritual activities
- Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
- Head-sets throughout
- Tips