Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.

Welcome to Italy! Upon arrival at the Naples airport, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and continue to the Arrivals Hall, where you will be greeted by your tour escort and/or driver. You will make your way to the bus and drive to Sorrento with its stunning panoramic views of the Bay of Naples, its picturesque narrow streets, parks, villas, and orange, lemon, and olive groves. Following check-in, you will have free time to unpack and relax, or explore Sorrento on your own. Your tour escort may suggest places to visit. Later in the afternoon, your group will meet in the hotel lobby for a “Meet and Greet” with your fellow pilgrims and depart for Mass. Following Mass, you will attend a welcome dinner. Enjoy your first overnight in Sorrento.

Embark on a journey along the Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its breathtaking Mediterranean beauty. You’ll follow the 34 miles of winding roads, making a quick stop to view the breathtaking panoramic view of Positano. Continue on through Praiano where you will drive by St. Gennaro Church, to Amalfi, one of the four maritime Republics of Italy, and view the beautiful Amalfi Cathedral consecrated to its patron, Saint Andrew. Enjoy some free time for lunch before your last stop on the Amalfi coast, Ravello. View its interesting Cathedral devoted to Saint Pantaleone, and the Villa Rufolo, a stunning venue for festivals and home to magnificent gardens. View the Gulf of Salerno and its beautiful coastline. Immerse yourself in the scenic beauty as you return to Sorrento, where you will enjoy dinner and overnight.

Transfer to the pier in Sorrento and embark on a hydrofoil journey to Capri. Often referred to as the “Blue Island” or “The Sleeping Beauty,” Capri is aptly known as “The Island of Love.” Its captivating beauty drew Emperor Tiberius to rule the Roman Empire from this enchanting isle for a decade. Embark on a panoramic island tour aboard comfortable minibuses. Weather permitting, venture into the mesmerizing Blue Grotto by rowboats accompanied by a local guide(weather permitting). Continue your exploration with a visit to the picturesque Marina Piccola, followed by the Salto di Tiberio, known as the “heart” of Capri. Conclude your tour with a stroll through Piazza Umberto I, a charming enclosed square reminiscent of a courtyard, and admire the enchanting gardens of Augusto, built upon the ruins of ancient Roman structures. Return to Sorrento for a delightful dinner and overnight stay.

Following a delightful breakfast, board your bus for a scenic journey to Mugnano del Cardinale, where you will visit the revered Shrine of Saint Philomena. Upon the arrival of Saint Philomena’s remains at the village church in Mugnano, a series of graces, favors, and miracles began to unfold among the villagers. These miraculous occurrences continued year after year, leading to Philomena’s elevation to Sainthood in 1837. Continue your journey to Montecassino, the principal monastery of the Benedictine Order, founded by Saint Benedict around 530 A.D. During the bus ride, your knowledgeable tour escort will captivate you with fascinating insights into the spiritual, historical, and cultural tapestry of Italy. Upon reaching Montecassino, embark on an enriching tour of this revered monastery. Before boarding the bus for Rome, also known as the Eternal City, take advantage of the opportunity to browse the gift shop for unique souvenirs. Upon arrival in Rome, check into your hotel and savor a delectable dinner. Afterward, join a group stroll to St. Peter’s Square for the Rosary (optional).

This morning, we will attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square or at the Audience Hall, depending on the papal schedule. The Papal Audience, celebrated each Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis, offers a unique opportunity to experience the spiritual and inspirational leadership of the Catholic Church. Next, we will proceed to the Trevi Fountain area for some free time and lunch (on your own). This afternoon, we will visit the Archbasilica of St. John the Lateran, the oldest of the four major Basilicas in Rome and the cathedral church and seat of the Bishop of Rome. Across the street, we will walk up the very steps that lead up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, which Jesus climbed on His way to trial during his Passion. These sacred steps, imbued with profound historical and spiritual significance, serve as a poignant reminder of Christ’s sacrifice for humanity. Holy Mass will be celebrated by our priest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. This exquisite basilica, housing a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus, offers a sacred setting for a prayerful Mass. Dinner and overnight.

Today we will tour St. Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter the Apostle was martyred. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to pray at the tomb of St. John Paul II and view Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture. Next you will visit the Vatican Museum, where you can see the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, and Sistine Chapel. After lunch, continue down Appian Way, one of the earliest roads built in ancient Rome, to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Catacombs. From there continue on to the Colosseum and learn everything from its construction, to the gladiators who competed in the Colosseum’s gory games. Its real name was the Flavian Amphitheater, named after the emperors who built it in the first century after Christ. Colosseum refers to the “colossal” statue of Nero that at one time stood at the entrance. Continue with a tour of the Roman Forum in Ancient Rome and admire incredible ruins, like the Temple of Julius Caesar. Enjoy dinner and overnight in Rome.

After a delightful breakfast at your hotel, embark on an unforgettable ancient sightseeing tour of Rome! Our first stop is Castel Sant’Angelo, a majestic cylindrical fortress that has served as a tomb, prison, and papal residence throughout its storied history. Within its walls, you’ll discover the tomb of the Roman emperor Hadrian, admire Raphael-inspired art, explore the site of fierce centuries-old battles, and marvel at the remnants of cannons and cannonballs. Ascend to the rooftop terrace for breathtaking views of St. Peter’s Basilica and the cityscape. Next, we’ll immerse ourselves in the vibrant Piazza Navona, a lively square built on the former Stadium of Domitian, which once hosted a variety of festivals and sporting events. At the heart of the piazza stands the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), a masterpiece by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Admire the sculptures representing the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio de la Plata, each symbolizing a continent. Step into the Pantheon, an architectural marvel that has captivated visitors for centuries. This awe-inspiring structure, with its massive concrete dome, boasts the largest masonry vault ever built. Sunlight streams through the oculus, a central opening in the dome, illuminating the Pantheon’s serene interior. Explore this remarkable temple, originally built in 27 BC and rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in 120 AD. In 609 AD it became a Christian church dedicated to the Madonna, and in the 17th century some of its bronze ceiling was taken and melted down for use in St Peter’s Basilica. Important figures such as King Victor Emmanuel II and the artist Raphael are buried in the Pantheon. Ascend the iconic Spanish Steps, a grand staircase leading to the Trinità dei Monti church. Later, visit the Church of Gesu, the first Jesuit church in Rome. Within its walls lies the tomb of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, and a fascinating relic: St. Francis Xavier’s right arm, with which he is said to have baptized over 300,000 people. Continue to view St. Philip Neri’s relics preserved in an urn below the altar in the Chapel of St. Philip Neri in the Chiesa Nuova.Conclude your day with a delectable dinner and a restful overnight stay in Rome.

Following breakfast transfer to the Rome airport for return flights home with memories for a lifetime!

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.