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Home , Justin Martyr

Custom Italy Pilgrimage for St.

March 19, 2019 CM

Day 1 Thursday February 27, 2020 Depart Cleveland International flights from Cleveland to , Italy.

Day 2 Friday February 28, 2020 Arrive Rome, Assisi Buongiorno! Welcome to La Bella Italia! Land in Rome. Your private driver and bilingual group manager will meet you in the arrivals hall, outside of baggage claim, holding a sign with your name you for a leisurely ride to Assisi (2h 20m). You will have a dedicated driver and bus for the duration of the journey. Check in and settle, adjusting to the Italian way of life. This evening, we will arrange a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Assisi. D/H

Day 3 Saturday February 29, 2020 Assisi

Breakfast at hotel. At 9:00 am in the hotel lobby, meet your private bilingual certified guide for a morning tour of the city. Assisi is the famous hometown of San Francesco, the saintly symbol of peace around the world. The city was a Free Town during the XII century, and it was in this period (1182) that Giovanni di Bernardone (San Francesco) was born. The complex of the famous basilica dedicated to Francis is composed of two churches, one built above the other. The lower church dates back to 1228-1230 and the upper one from 1230-1253. Far below both of these is the crypt that houses the saint’s tomb. He influenced life, religion and culture of Assisi, and later, of the entire world. Your tour will also include the Basilica di Santa Chiara. St. Claire's Basilica has the Cross St. Damiano, where St. Francis was praying when the Lord spoke to him. After this amazing experience, you may simply enjoy sitting and sipping a cold glass of local white wine as you observe the local color of the town. In your free time, perhaps you would like to visit the Cathedral of San Rufino where St. Francis was baptized. We will have dinner together in a local restaurant that puts modern spins on Umbrian classic dishes. Overnight in Assisi. B/G/ET/D/H

Day 4 March 1, 2020 Assisi, Orvieto, Roma Breakfast at hotel and check out. This morning, meet your private driver in the hotel lobby for transfer to your hotel in Rome. We will partake in public mass at the Basilica of St. Damiano 9:30 am, just outside the center of Assisi. This was the 12th century structure that St. Francis rebuilt when spoke to him and asked him to rebuild the church. Meet the driver after Mass as you continue your way south to Rome. Also, you will spend time in the quaint town of Orvieto (1h 20m) where independent exploration is a pleasure. The origins of Orvieto date back to the Etruscan Civilization. The first Etruscan settlements, going back to the 9th century B.C., in fact were found inside the tuffaceous caves in the bedrock upon which today rises the city itself. During your free time, you may choose to visit the Duomo as it is the most famous Cathedral of the city.

Construction of this Italian Gothic style structure took 100 years to complete and dates back to 1263. The Duomo houses the blood soaked cloth which is the relic related to the miracle at Lake Bolsena which occurred in the same year. The modern day Roman Catholic Festival of Corpus Christi is a result of this miracle. This afternoon, we will have an incredible Umbrian lunch together at 1:30 pm in an ancient Etruscan cave! Another possible sight could be Saint Patrick’s Well. If shopping is your goal, there are many beautiful shops to explore. One of my favorite things to do is to sit back and observe the Orvietani (citizens of Orvieto). Late afternoon, continue on to Roma (1h 30m) with your driver. Check in and settle. Roma for overnight. B/L/H

Day 5 Monday March 2, 2020 Rome Religiosa Breakfast at hotel. At 9:00 am in the hotel lobby, meet your private bilingual guide for a 3 hour walking tour which will begin with a visit to the Pio-Clementino Museum and will then move on to the visitation of The Vatican, The Sistine Chapel and The Vatican Museums. To save time, we will prearrange entrance tickets for you.

The journey through the Vatican Museums will proceed through the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of Tapestries and the Gallery of Maps and from these Galleries, you will enter directly into the Raphael Rooms, where you will observe the extraordinary frescoes executed by Raphael and the Sistine Chapel. The actual visit to the Basilica, the largest Christian place in the World, will include a viewing of the magnificent Pieta by Michelangelo, Bernini's bronze Baldacchino (canopy), and the throne of St. Peter. At the end of your tour, you may choose to visit the underground catacombs which house the remains of the . Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner tonight will be together at a nearby restaurant we love. Overnight in Rome. B/G/ET/D/H

Day 6 Tuesday March 3, 2020 Roma Breakfast at the hotel. Today is yours at leisure. You might spend it exploring the many neighborhoods, museums, art galleries or the famous areas of shopping. You may choose to visit the Trevi Fountain or the Spanish Steps. Campo Dei Fiori is also a lively spot with a wide choice of pubs and pizzerias. The Jewish ghetto and the Testaccio neighborhood are amazing spots as well. There is also Castel Sant’Angelo, where parts of the film Roman Holiday were shot. Overnight in Rome. B/H

Day 7 Wednesday March 4, 2020 Rome, Papal Angelus

Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will be attending a Papal Angelus in St. Peter’s Square.

This afternoon at 2:00 pm in the lobby, meet your private bilingual certified guide and driver. Embark on a wonderful four-hour tour of the antiquities of Rome. As you plunge into the vivacious traffic of Rome, your senses will be simultaneously stimulated by antiquity and modern day society. You will feel the heartbeat of the city as you pass through the Piazza Venezia, where you will admire the huge monument dedicated to the first Italian King, Vittorio Emmanuele II. The Italians refer to this monument as the “Wedding Cake,” and you will see why. Today, this has been dedicated to the memory of the unknown soldiers with the eternal . You will pass the Teatro Marcello and The Circus Maximus, the site of many chariot races. You will enter The Coliseum, the magnificent Flavian Amphitheatre, where you will envision the gladiator duels, wild beast fights and naval battles that were arranged for the entertainment of the Roman people. Enjoy an in-depth lesson about the construction, history and events that took place here; to save time, we have prearrange entrance tickets. The Arch of Constantine is visible from here as well. Please note no liquids are allowed inside the Coliseum. If you choose, visit the Pantheon and discover its unique history as a Roman pagan temple turned . It is also the final resting place of the famous Renaissance artist Raphael. After your tour, you will have free time to explore; you may opt to visit the Roman Forum using your same Coliseum ticket. Dinner together tonight. Overnight in Rome. B/D/G/ET/H

Day 8 Thursday March 5, 2020 Roma Papal Basilicas Breakfast at hotel. At 9:00 am in the hotel lobby, meet your private bilingual guide and private driver for a four-hour tour which will begin with a visit to the Basilica San Paolo Fuori le Mura, the Papal Basilica of St. Paul located outside of the walls. It is the second largest church in Rome and contains a shrine to St. Paul. You will see many locals relaxing in the nearby park as well. Continue on to St. John in Lateran, the 4th century church founded by , the main cathedral of Rome. You will find the Scala Sancta, or Holy Stairs, nearby; according to tradition, these are the stairs Jesus walked on this way to trial with . This precious staircase is believed to have been brought to Roma around the year 326 by Saint Helena. According to Catholic tradition the 28 white marble steps were part of the praetorium of Pontius Pilate. Jesus walked these steps to his historical fate. Pilgrims wishing to honor the Passion of Christ will walk the stairs on their knees. You will visit St. Mary Major, the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Under the main altar, you will find the Crypt of the Nativity, which is said to contain wood from the manger Jesus was laid in. There are also many beautiful here representing the Virgin Mary and Christ. The next stop will be the church of Santa Maria della Concezione (Our Lady of the ) Relics of St Justin the Martyr rest under the altar within the choir chapel. The bones of nearly 4,000 Capuchin friars are located in the crypt. The crypt walls are decorated with the remains in elaborate fashion, making it a macabre work of art. Some of the skeletons are intact and draped with Franciscan habits, but for the most part, individual bones are used to create elaborate ornamental designs. Your journey will end in Trastevere, where you will enjoy an authentic pizza lunch around 1:30 pm in a family owned hidden gem. The remainder of the afternoon will be yours at leisure. You may enjoy exploration of the Trastevere neighborhood and visiting the Church of Santa Maria in Traserevere. Overnight in Rome. B/G/L/H

Day 9 Friday March 6, 2020 Depart Rome Breakfast at your hotel and check out. Meet your private driver in the hotel lobby for transfer to the Rome Fiumicino Airport. There you will board your International flights to the U.S. Arrivederci Bella Roma, until you meet again! B CODES: B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner H=Hotel G=Guide ET=Entrance Ticket PD=Private Driver PT=Private Transfer TRTK=Train Ticket BR= Boat Ride WT=Wine Tasting PWT=Private Water Taxi CL=Cooking Lesson

Your custom itinerary includes: 7 nights in hotels 7 breakfasts 4 private bilingual certified guides 3 entrance tickets per person, skip the line 2 lunches per person, with wine 4 dinners per person, with wine All transportation is included in an air conditioned van or bus 24/7 bilingual group manager

*Mass can be added in any city on any day. We can arrange celebrations at local churches at your request.

With 12 – 17 travelers, the price per person is $3364.00, based on double occupancy + international airfare

With 18 – 25 travelers, the price per person is $2826.00, based on double occupancy + international airfare

With 26 – 32 travelers, the price per person is $2658.00, based on double occupancy + international airfare

Single room supplement – TBD

Tipping estimate - TBD

Kindly note that your final quote for the land portion of this journey does not include international airfare, tipping, meals where not indicated and personal spending.