SPEND NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH LIZ LEV IN Rome
DECEMBER 26, 2019-JANUARY 2, 2020
ART | FAITH | FUN | FOOD
41780 W Six Mile Road, Suite 100, NoRthville, Mi 48168 P: 866.468.1420 | F: 313.565.3621 | ctSceNtRal.Net ST. PETER'S BASILICA BORGHESE GALLERY ST. JOHN LATERAN
Day 1: Thursday, December 26, 2019 • Depart USA Depart the U.S. on overnight fights to Rome, Italy.
Day 2: Friday, December 27, 2019 • Arrive Rome • St. John Lateran Arrive at the Rome airport, transfer to your hotel on your own, and meet your professional Italian tour manager. Your pilgrimage will begin with a visit to the oldest church in the world, St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome and Papal residence from 324 to 1308. Celebrate Mass in the basilica, which has seen so much Christian history. See the Holy Stairs and venerate the relics of Christ’s Passion at the church of the Santa Croce. Then, return to the hotel with time to freshen up before a special welcome dinner. Overnight in Rome.
Day 3: Saturday, December 28, 2019 • Popes and Princes • Anagni After breakfast, celebrate Mass at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva and see the resting place of the body of St. Catherine of Siena in the high altar. Walk from there to visit the Pantheon, and then tour the glorious Palazzo Colonna, home to the Colonna princes for almost 1000 years and the residence of Pope Martin V who returned the papacy to Rome. Continue on to tour through Anagni, among the favorite residences of the popes in the in the 12th and 13th centuries and experience a special frescoed crypt labelled the ‘Sistine Chapel of the Middle Ages’. Return to Rome for an evening at leisure and dinner on own. Overnight in Rome.
Day 4: Sunday, December 29, 2019 • Catacombs • Borghese Gallery This morning, explore the origins of Christian art in the catacombs, visiting an ancient cemetery with the tombs of numerous popes and martyrs. Celebrate Mass in the catacombs. After lunch, head to the Borghese Gallery to be dazzled by the sculptures of Bernini and the paintings of Caravaggio. Continue the walking tour of sites signifcant to the Catholic Restoration including Santa Maria del Popolo, San Luigi dei Francesi, and Sant’ Agostino, visiting the displays of creches along the way. The tour concludes in Piazza Navona, where a little market offers for sale the creche pieces displayed throughout Rome. Remainder of the evening and dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome.
Day 5: Monday, December 30, 2019 • St Peter’s Basilica • Vatican Museums This morning, after Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, ascend into the soaring spaces of St Peter’s Basilica built “upon this rock”. See how over the centuries, popes, architects and artists transformed the pauper’s grave of Peter into the most splendid church in the world. After lunch as a group, return to see the crowning glory of the Vatican complex, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, and admire the beauty of Raphael's frescoes and Michelangelo's Last Judgement. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Rome.
Day 6: Tuesday, December 31, 2019 • Castel Gandolfo After breakfast this morning, depart for another splendid papal residence: Castel Gandolfo. After touring through the residence and Papal Gardens at Castel Gandolfo, celebrate Mass, then enjoy free time for lunch on your own at one of the various restaurants in the town. Ring in the New Year together with a special New Year’s Eve dinner tonight. Overnight in Rome.
Day 7: Wednesday, January 1, 2020 • World Day of Peace Mass • Walking Tour Early morning breakfast at the hotel, then walk to St. Peter’s Square to attend the New Year’s Papal Mass. Enjoy lunch on your own, then celebrate the feast of Mary, Mother of God, by visiting oldest Marian church in the West, St. Mary Major. Afterwards, marvel at the beautiful church dedicated to Santa Praxedes, with its splendid mosaics. Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy shopping, relaxing and exploring on your last day in Rome. Reconvene for a special farewell dinner. Overnight in Rome.
Day 8: Thursday, January 2, 2020 • Depart for USA Transfer to the Rome airport for return fights home.
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= Continental Breakfast | = Lunch | = Dinner *Itinerary is tentative and subject to change; specifed Masses pending confrmation