Travel 'N' Tours, Inc.

5160 Tchulahoma Road

Southaven, Mississippi  38671

Phone:  (662) 349-2255

Toll Free:  (800) 528-6877

Fax:  (662) 349-9922

E-Mail:  info@travel-n-tours.com

Shrines of Italy

Rome, San Giovanni Rotondo, Assisi

11-day tour, including 4 nights lodging in Rome, 3 nights in Assisi,

and 2 nights in San Giovanni Rotondo

Basilica of St. Peter, Rome

Travel on an inspiring journey visiting some of the most fascinating religious sites in the world.  In Rome, see a multitude of significant historical shrines and churches, including St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.  Tour the restored Sistine Chapel and see Michelangelo's incredible fresco of the Last Judgment.  Attend a weekly papal audience to receive the blessings of Pope John Paul II.  Tour three of Rome's major basilicas including St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls.

 Travel south of Rome to Pompeii to visit the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Rosario, one of the most famous shrines of modern Christianity.   Continue through picturesque Italian landscapes to San Giovanni Rotondo, the city where Padre Pio is buried.  Marvel at breathtaking views of the Gargano Peninsula, and visit the hilltop town of Monte San Angelo to see the celebrated shrine of the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel.  In Lanciano visit the little church of Lagontial where in the 8th century a monk experienced the Eucharistic Miracle.  Visit the Marian shrine of Loreto to see the Holy House of Nazareth before continuing to the scenic hillside town of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis.  Here, visit the ancient basilica beneath which Francis is entombed and tour the Church of St. Clare, foundress of the Order of Poor Clares.

A full day excursion to Florence will include tours of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Church of Santa Croce, burial site of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.

On the last day of the pilgrimage, return to Rome and enjoy an afternoon of personal sightseeing and shopping before the festive “Farewell to Italy” dinner.

<Photos:  Top, Basilica of St. Peter, Rome - Middle, Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi

Bottom Right, Stained Glass, Basilica of St. Peter> 

Copyright © Travel 'N' Tours, Inc.

Tour Code IH1A00-04

Detailed Daily Itinerary:

Day 1: Overnight Flight to Italy

Travel on an inspirational journey visiting some of the most fascinating religious shrines and churches in the Christian world.  Your overnight flight to Rome will feature appropriate meals and a movie for your viewing pleasure. 

Day 2: Arrive Rome, Italy

Upon arrival in Rome, your Tour Director will greet you at the airport and accompany you to the hotel.  Along the way the Tour Director will provide an informative orientation tour to “The Eternal City.”  This evening, join your fellow travelers for a special “Welcome to Italy” dinner at a popular local restaurant featuring regional delicacies and fine Italian wines. 

Day 3: Rome - Vatican City - Papal Audience

This morning, visit Vatican City and attend the weekly Papal Audience (date/time of audience may be adjusted based on the Pope’s schedule and local conditions) and receive the blessing of Pope John Paul II.  Continue the day with a visit to the Basilica of St. Peter.  Renowned as the grandest of the world’s churches, St. Peter’s is unsurpassed in beauty.  In the Vatican Museum, you will view such historical treasures as the Sistine Chapel, featuring Michelangelo’s restored frescoed ceiling and his altar painting of The Last Judgment.  Time will be provided for personal devotions and sightseeing on your own within the confines of the Vatican.

Day 4: Rome

Today you will tour three of Rome’s most important basilicas.  See St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines in the world dedicated to the Blessed Mother.  Then, proceed to St. John in Lateran, the former papal residence.  Visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, which contains the confessio, the tomb of St. Paul whose body was supposed to have been buried here.  Traveling outside the city center, visit the Catacombs where early Christians buried their dead, which was in accordance with the laws of the time.  Return to your hotel for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Day 5: Pompeii – San Giovanni Rotondo

This morning you will travel along the southwestern coast of Italy to Pompeii to visit the pilgrimage shrine of Madonna del Rosario, a 19^th century Marian sanctuary founded by Blessed Bartolo Longo.  Continue through the scenic countryside, past Mount Vesuvius, to the Italy’s eastern coast to the town of San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 6: San Giovanni Rotondo - Monte San Angelo

Begin the day with a visit to the tomb of Padre Pio.  Your guide will conduct an in depth tour of the shrine sanctuary and the old church.  You will also see the confessional where Padre Pio spent many hours directing pilgrims on their spiritual journeys toward God.  An afternoon tour outside of San Giovanni will feature breathtaking views of the Gargano Peninsula on the way to visiting one of the most celebrated shrines of early Christianity, the Grotto of Michael the Archangel.  Numerous Popes and Saints have knelt and prayed at this grotto, seeking the protection of Saint Michael.  Return to San Giovanni for the night.

Day 7: Lanciano - Loreto - Assisi

Travel to the quaint town of Lanciano to see visit the little church of Lagontial, where in the 8^th century a monk experienced the Eucharistic Miracle.  The tour continues along the Adriatic coast to the Marian Shrine of Loreto where more than 50 popes have made a pilgrimage. Here, you will visit the Holy House of Nazareth and see the beautiful Madonna of Loreto statue. Your day ends in the hillside village of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis.

Day 8: Assisi – Florence

Using Assisi as a base, you will take an excursion to Florence, the "cradle of the Italian Renaissance."  While in Florence you will see Michelangelo's famous Statue of David, located in the Academy Gallery.  A walking tour of the city center will feature the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, located in the heart of the Piazza Del Duomo.  Also see the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Museum, and the Church of Santa Croce, burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.  Return to Assisi late this afternoon and enjoy some free time to wander the cobbled lanes of the village.

Day 9: Assisi

This morning a local historian will conduct a tour of Assisi, highlighted by a visit to the huge 13^th century basilica dedicated to St. Francis.  The basilica is adorned with numerous frescoes that depict the life and ministry of the saint of peace.  A visit will also be made to the Church of St. Clare who founded the Order of Poor Clares and who followed the teachings of St. Francis by living a life of poverty and humility.  You will also tour the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, in which is housed the restored Porziuncola Chapel, the stone structure where St. Francis spent much of his life.  This evening, enjoy a relaxed dinner at a restaurant in the quaint walled section of the village.

Day 10: Rome

Departing Assisi this morning, travel back to Rome.  There will be plenty of time for personal sightseeing and shopping this afternoon, and then a gala farewell dinner will serve as a wonderful conclusion to this inspiring and memorable shrine pilgrimage.

Day 11: Rome – Depart for Home

After transferring to Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport, your trans-Atlantic flight will carry you back to the United States, arriving later this same day due to the change of time zones.

Sacred Sites & Holy Places of Christendom

ROME:  St. Peter's Basilica & The Vatican Museums - Sistine Chapel -

St. Mary Major - St. John Lateran - St. Paul Outside the Walls

FLORENCE:  Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore & Church of Santa Croce

ASSISI:  Basilica of St. Francis & Church of St. Clare

POMPEII:  Sanctuary of the Madonna del Rosario

SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO:  Tomb of Padre Pio

VENICE:  Basilica of St. Mark

LORETO:  Marion Shrine

Special Notes: Pricing of a tour is always determined by three factors – 1) dates of travel; 2) number of participants and number of Tour Host Benefits required; 3) and, special features and sites that may be added to the itinerary at your request.  Generally, breakfast and dinner are included every day on “group exclusive” tours.  However, some dinners may not be included should you join a standard, regularly scheduled tour departure.

Please contact Travel ‘N’ Tours for further information regarding a “group exclusive” or regularly scheduled tour departure.  Masses, prayer services, lectures, and special events can be added to any itinerary.

© Travel 'N' Tours, Inc.  -  All rights reserved. - Privacy Policy & Disclaimer Notice