Itinerary

1. 

   Travel to Rome (D, DR)

   Morning: meet your fellow group members and check-in for your direct flight to Rome. Direct flights are available from both Heathrow and Manchester. On arrival meet your local Tour Manager and check-in at your hotel for a four-night stay. You will be situated just a stroll from the Vatican City and St. Peter's Square.

   Evening: welcome drinks followed by three-course dinner in a local restaurant close to your hotel. A nice opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

2. 

   St Peter’s Basilica & the Medieval Quarter (B, D)

   Morning: a guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica. Consecrated in 1626 several renowned architects designed the temple, highlighting the works of Bramante, Michelangelo and Carlo Maderno. Study extremely impressive pieces of art, including St. Peter’s Baldachin, a large bronze baldachin designed by Bernini, The Pietà, a sculpture by Michelangelo and the statue of St Peter on his throne. St. Peter has his right foot worn down due to the touches of the devoted. You will also see the tombs of several popes including John Paul II.

   Afternoon: transfer to the Medieval Quarter to explore sites such as the magnificent Piazza Navona, built on the site where the Stadium of Domitian (86 AD) once stood, with its three ornate fountains. Also see the Pantheon, the best-preserved ancient building in the city, this former Roman temple is a marvel of architectural harmony and proportion. It was entirely rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian around AD 120. After, we walk through the streets of Rome to the Trevi Fountain the most beautiful fountain in Rome. The origins of the fountain go back to the year 19 B.C., in which period the fountain formed the end of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct. Throw a coin and you will return to Rome!

   Evening: dinner in a local restaurant.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink 

3. 

   Papal Audience and the Catacombs of St. Sebastian (B, D)

   Morning: early stroll to St Peter's Square to take your seat for this morning's Papal Audience. The Audience with the Pope consists of small teachings and readings mainly in Italian but also in English and sometimes. The Pope will give a greeting in each language. At the end of the Audience the Pope will pray together with those attending the Audience, the Our Father prayer in Latin. This Prayer is normally printed on the back of the Papal Audience Ticket. At the end of the prayer he will impart his Apostolic Blessing upon the crowd which also extends to loved ones that are sick and suffering and blesses any religious articles such as rosary beads that people have brought with them for the purpose of the blessing.

   Afternoon: drive part of the Via Appa Antica, one of the most famous ancient roads. It was built in 312 B.C. by Appius Claudius Caecus. In its entirety it spanned 350 miles(563kms) stretching from the Roman Forum to modern day Brindisi. Large stones made up the bulk of its construction. It allowed trade and access to the east, specifically Greece. Then take guided tour of the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, used as a burial pagan place, then at the end of the 2nd century, they were transformed as a Christian Necropolis dedicated to the Saints Peter and Paul. Only in the 4^th century did the catacombs take the current name which derives from the name of the Saint placed here after his death (298).

   Evening: dinner in a local restaurant.

   Please note that this is planned for when his holiness is in Rome. Plans may change and the audience can be cancelled at short notice or attended by a cardinal in the event of his holiness being ill.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink 

4. 

   Basilicas di Santa Maria Maggiore & San Giovanni in Laterano and the Holy Stairs(B, D)

   Morning: visit of two major basilicas of Rome. The Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) is a Major papal basilica as well as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and the largest Catholic Marian church in Italy. The Basilica of Saint John in Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano) is defined as “the mother of all churches in the world.” You will visit the museum, which collects precious liturgical furnishings, sculptures, and ornaments of an ancient basilica. It was the first Christian basilica built in the city and the Pope’s main place of worship. After, cross the road to see the Scala Santa. According to an ancient Christian tradition, Saint Helena (†335), the mother of Constantine, had the stairs transported from Pontius Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem to Rome. It is believed that Jesus climbed these stairs several times the day he was sentenced to death, thus, they are known as the “Scala Pilati” or “Scala Sancta” (the Holy Stairs or Pilate’s Stairs). The first written testimonies to this renowned memory of the Passion are found in a passage from the Liber Pontificalis dating from the time of Sergius II (844-847) and in a Papal Bull issued by Pope Pascal II (1099-1119).

   Afternoon: free to wander at your leisure and explore Rome under your own steam and see other places of interest that you may wish to visit. Our Local Guide will offer a range of suggestions and ideas.

   Evening: dinner in a local restaurant.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink 

5. 

   Scenic drive through Umbria to Assisi (B, D)

   Morning: journey through the hills of Umbria to Assisi. On arrival stop in the large piazza dominated by the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.  The church was designed by the architect Galeazzo Alessi in collaboration with Vignola. A gold statue of the Madonna stands out against the sky on the top of the church.

   Afternoon: continue to the old town of Assisi and in the mid-afternoon check-in to your centrally located hotel for a three-night stay. The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax or wander and enjoy the local architecture and views.

   Evening: dinner in the hotel.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink 

6. 

   Assisi - St. Francis Basilica, Old Town and Basilica of St Clare (B, D)

   Morning: walk for a guided tour of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Divided into two parts: one is known as the "lower church", built in the rock on one side of Mount Subiaso between 1228 and 1230, and the other as the "upper church", built above it between 1230 and 1253, in the Gothic style. The bell tower is in Romanesque style. The two churches, united under the same name of "basilica", have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000. The body of St. Francis was secretly transferred to the crypt in 1230 and was so well hidden that it was only rediscovered in 1818.

   Afternoon: a walking tour of the Old Town including the New Church (Chiesa Nuova), built on the site of St Francis' house. After, continue to the basilica of St Clare is built in the second half of the 13th century. Three large flying buttresses characterize the construction. The interior is simple and bare. A flight of steps leads down to the Crypt, which contains the mortal remains of St. Clare. The chapel of the Crucifix contains the famous Byzantine crucifix (12th century), which, according to the tradition, is supposed to have spoken to St Francis in the church of St Damian.

   Evening: dinner in the hotel. Being in the centre, enjoy a stroll at your leisure after dinner.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink 

7. 

   Sanctuary of La Verna & Stigmata procession (B, L, D)

   Morning: drive to visit one of the most important Franciscan sanctuaries situated in the Tuscan Apennines. Standing on Mount Verna, which Saint Francis of Assisi chose as its location, the monastic complex is today the end-point of pilgrimages from every corner of the world. It all started when Francis met Count Orlando Cattani, the local feudal lord, who was persuaded to donate the mountain of La Verna to the friar. The sanctuary's location, standing on a cliff amidst the greenery of the Casentino woods, makes it one of the most beautiful in Italy, and its close connection to Saint Francis makes it one of the most significant. Even Dante wrote and recounted the story of the final seal, the stigmata that Francis received.

   Afternoon: you will have the opportunity to wander at leisure before joining the daily procession marking the occasion of the Stigmata before returning to Assisi.

   Evening: dinner in the hotel.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink 

8. 

   The Eremo (Hermitage) Delle Carceri & San Damiano (B, D, DR)

   Morning: journey above Assisi to the architectural complex called “Hermitage of Carceri” developed around a grotto in which Saint Francis of Assisi used to retreat in order to pray. The Hermitage of Carceri is a place of memory, kept alive by the Franciscan friars who still live there; and a place of witness, as well, permeated with spirituality. After, continue to San Damiano, a church with a monastery built in the 12th century and was where Saint Clare built her community.

   Afternoon: free to explore the Old Town of Assisi, its wonderful architecture, hillside views as well as soaking in its unique atmosphere.

   Evening: farewell drinks to reflect on all that we have seen, and toast new-found friends followed by dinner in the hotel.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink 

9. 

   Return to the UK (B)

   After a leisurely breakfast travel to Rome for your afternoon direct flight to the UK.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink 

Essential Information

Practical information

Dates