Rome – trails of the saints

We will begin our pilgrimage to Italy with the meeting of the group at ORD airport in Chicago. After passport and baggage check-in, we will fly to Italy.

Day of arrival. A rest after a long trip. The welcome dinner or lunch at one of the local restaurants.

Tenth and eleventh day of our pilgrimage will be dedicated to exploring the most significant tourist attractions in Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Arch of Constantine commemorating the victory of Constantine the Great, Palatine Hill.

This day will be dedicated to participating in the General Audience with the Pope at the Vatican. This will include exploring the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter and the Saint Sebastian Chapel with the Tomb of John Paul II. After lunch, visits to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Gardens will take place. In the evening, the group will return to the hotel for dinner.

Rome – second day of exploring one of the most beautiful European cities. Piazza Navona with the Fountain of the Four Rivers, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps at Piazza di Spagna, Papal Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Piazza Venezia with its main features

After breakfast, we will depart for Siena, one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany. As we stroll through its medieval streets, we will reach the famous Piazza del Campo, considered one of the most stunning squares in Europe, surrounded by magnificent palaces and Gothic buildings. At the heart of the city stands the splendid Cathedral of Saint Mary, whose interior impresses with its wealth of details, including famous mosaics and sculptures.

Siena is full of charming, narrow alleys leading to hidden gems and cozy cafés, where you can truly feel the atmosphere of this Tuscan town. After the tour, there will be time for shopping and a moment of relaxation in one of the local restaurants. We will then continue our journey toward Florence. Overnight stay in the city or nearby.

After breakfast, we will travel to Florence, where we will see: the Basilica of Santa Croce with the tombs of Dante, Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its famous red-domed structure dominating the rooftops of Florence, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni with the Gates of Paradise (named by Michelangelo). We will stroll through Piazza della Signoria, the main square of the city, where we will see Palazzo Publico. Finally, we will visit the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence. Transfer to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay

After breakfast at the hotel, the group will tour Padua. During an all-day outing, there will be a visit to the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua. In the afternoon, the group will explore the Old Town, including Piazza delle Erbe and Prato della Valle. The day will end with some free time to enjoy the sunset, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in Padua.

Breakfast at the hotel.  A full day of touring Venice and Murano Island awaits. Murano Island is famous for its glassmaking. We will have the opportunity to observe the glassmaking process, purchase souvenirs or jewelry adorned with glass elements. In the early afternoon, we will return to Venice. The exploration of the city will include visits to the Basilica of Saint Mark, the Doge’s Palace, Church of Santa Maria della Salute, and the Bridge of Sighs. For those interested, a gondola ride is available (at your own cost). The day will conclude with a return to the hotel for a group dinner.

We will begin our tour of Bologna with a visit to the Basilica of Saint Dominic – the final resting place of Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers. The interior of the basilica houses remarkable works of art, including sculptures by the young Michelangelo.

Next, we will head to the Santo Stefano complex, known as the “Seven Churches” – one of the most unique places of worship in the city, combining various architectural styles.

Making our way toward the historic center, we will visit the Cathedral of Saint Peter (Cattedrale di San Pietro) – Bologna’s main cathedral, featuring a baroque interior and an impressive bell tower. While on Piazza Maggiore, we will see the famous Fountain of Neptune and the Palazzo d’Accursio with its clock tower. There will be free time to enjoy coffee or lunch at one of the local cafés around the square. In the afternoon, we will travel toward Assisi for check-in and an overnight stay.

On the sixth day of our Italian adventure, we will explore Assisi. The city tour will include a visit to the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, marking his birthplace. Additional stops will encompass the Basilica of Saint Clare, the Church of San Damiano, and the San Damiano Cross. We will also visit the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels with Porziuncola – Cappella del Transito, the place of Saint Francis’s death.

It is a final day of our trip to Italy. Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and drive to the airport for departure.