Depart today on board your overnight transatlantic jet flight to Rome, arriving the following day. Enjoy a full meal service as well as in-flight entertainment such as movies, music, etc.

Welcome to the Eternal City! After collecting our luggage, we will be met by our guide who will bring us to our nearby private motorcoach for our journey to Assisi. Upon our arrival, we will visit and celebrate Mass in the breathtaking Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels built atop the beloved Portiuncula chapel that was restored by St. Francis. It is here that Francis lived and built his community. Following Mass, we will enjoy lunch and venture up to the hilltop medieval city of Assisi where we will check into our hotel followed by dedicated free time for unpacking, resting, and acclimating to the new time zone. In the evening, we will enjoy a celebratory group welcome dinner, served with local wine. Overnight in Assisi. (D)

We will start the morning with a visit to the Basilica of St. Clare. While here, we will have time to pray at the foot of the San Damiano Crucifix, the very crucifix that God used to speak to Francis instructing him to “Rebuild My Church.” We will conclude our visit with prayer before the incorruptible body of St. Clare of Assisi. Next we walk down to the nearby church of Santa Maria Maggiore, where the body of Blessed Carlo Acutis is entombed. Next we will visit the vast upper and lower sections of the Basilica of St. Francis. Here we will celebrate Mass. While here, we will have the blessed opportunity to pray in the lower crypt at the tomb of St. Francis. Afterwards, we will enjoy free time for lunch and for exploring the charming boutique shops. In the evening we will close the day with a spectacular winery tour, tasking, and 4-course Umbrian dinner (included) at our favorite Italian winery, Tili Vini, owned for centuries by the Tili family. Overnight in Assisi. (B, D)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will make our way to the Basilica of St. Clare for Mass. Following Mass, we will check out of our hotel and make our way to the motorcoach destined for Florence: Dante's city, Renaissance jewel, and center of art and architecture. After checking into our Tuscan hotel and lunch on our own, we will participate in an afternoon walking tour of the city. We will start in front of the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce, walk along the Arno river to the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge, marvel at the Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza della Signoria, and conclude in front the the iconic Duomo. Overnight and dinner on your own in Florence. (B)

After breakfast, we will take a guided tour of the Convent of San Marco and the accompanying museum to admire the world-famous frescos by Fra Angelico. Afterwards, we will take a guided tour of the Accademia as we visit Michelangelo's "David.” We conclude our morning with a memorable Mass at the Duomo. The afternoon will be free to explore and shop on your own. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Florence. (B)

Following an early breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart for Siena, one of Italy's best-preserved medieval towns. Located in the heart of Tuscany, it is well known as the birthplace of St. Catherine of Siena, one of the doctors of the Church. We will have a walking tour of the town including St. Catherine’s birth home and the Basilica of St. Dominic which contains the relics of St. Catherine. Next, we visit Siena Cathedral, known as one of Italy’s greatest gothic churches. Following lunch, we will continue our journey to Orvieto. Here, we will have a guided tour and celebrate Mass at the Duomo, the gothic Cathedral built to house the holy relics of the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena. It was this miracle that occasioned the proclamation of the Feast of Corpus Christi and inspired St. Thomas Aquinas to write the famous hymn “Tantum Ergo.” Afterwards, we will make our way to Rome where we will check into our hotel and enjoy a free evening with dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)

Following breakfast at our hotel, we will make our way to a nearby church for our morning Mass. Afterwards, we will make our way to the side entrance of the Vatican where the Swiss Guard will permit us to enter to participate in a guided tour of the Necropolis underneath the Basilica, better known as the "Scavi Tour." The tour culminates with the veneration of the bones of our first Pope, Saint Peter. After the tour concludes, we will visit the tombs of the deceased popes in the crypt, including the tomb of Pope Benedict XVI. After passing through the special Jubilee Year "Holy Door," will spend the remainder of the morning exploring St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world. Afterwards, free time for lunch and exploring Rome at our leisure. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)

After an early rise and quick breakfast at our hotel, we will depart early to get ahead of the crowds for the Wednesday General Audience with the Pope. Remember to bring your religious items to be blessed! Following the Papal Audience, we will take a leisurely walking tour to the heart of downtown Rome with a stop for lunch. During our afternoon stroll, we will visit some of Rome’s most beloved sites, including Piazza Navona, the Pantheon (exterior view), Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Sant’Ignazio, and the Gesú where we will celebrate Mass. We will enjoy a group dinner (included) at a lovely hidden gem of a restaurant, Ristorante Abruzzi, known only to locals and priests from the USA studying in Rome. Overnight in Rome. (B, D)

Today we will drive south of Rome to the famous Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino, founded by St. Benedict in the year 529. This is the exact location of the first Benedictine monastery established by Benedict and it is the location where he wrote his famous Rule. He also died and chose to be buried here. We will visit the magnificent chapel and pray in the crypt in the presence of his mortal remains. We will have Mass and admire the well-known vista from the high-point of the monastery. A leisurely lunch and drive back for a free evening in Rome. Overnight in Rome. (B)

After breakfast at our hotel, we will make our way to the Vatican Museums for a privately guided tour of the Museums and the Sistine Chapel. We will have VIP “skip the line” group entrance privileges. Highlights of the tour will include the Raphael Rooms and the mighty Sistine Chapel, with its ceiling and sanctuary wall by Michelangelo. Following lunch, we will board our private motorcoach for an afternoon tour of three of the four major basilicas. We first start at St. Mary Major where we will venerate the holy relic of the crib of Jesus. Next, we will drive to the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. Among the many sacred relics here, we will venerate the mensa table from the Last Supper. Lastly, we will transfer to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Here we will pray before the tomb of St. Paul. It is here that we will celebrate the vigil Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints. After Mass, we will make our way to one of our favorite restaurants in Rome for a final farewell dinner, serving local wine. Overnight in Rome. (B, D) 

After breakfast and hotel check-out, we will transfer to the Rome International Airport (FCO) for our return flights home. (B)