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Wonders of Southern Italy

Wonders of Southern Italy

14 DAYS Wonders of Southern

Sicily – Syracuse (4) / / / / – (3) / / / (1) / Positano / Sorrento (2) / / Mugnano del Cardinale / Montecassino / Optional Extension (3)

WITH CHAPLAIN FR BRADLEY RAFTER S.T.B. 30 March – 12 April 2019

THE GENUINE EXPERIENCE Wonders of B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner

were not allowed to bury their dead within the legendary Arethusa fountain. Other points of city limits, so they went outside the boundaries interest include Piazza Archimede. 3 of Syracuse to create burial chambers in what During our time here also explore Ortigia’s vibrant Montecassino had been used by the Greeks as underground and colourful market. The heart of the market is aqueducts. The early Christians turned these into Pompeii 1 devoted to local produce with its exotic aromatic 2 . fusion of freshly picked lemons and oranges, Positano St. Paul who spent three days in Syracuse with unusual spices and local cheeses. St. Luke, is said to have given his first talk to the Continue with a visit to the archaeological park of Christian community here on this spot, the Crypt Neapolis with its Roman amphitheatre and the of St Marciano (Acts 28: 12). Ever since, it has been . venerated as a holy place by the early Christians. Milazzo Syracuse overnight (BD) Tindari Continue in the afternoon with a visit to the Taormina Shrine of Our Lady of Tears. DAY 5: WEDNESDAY 3RD APRIL - NOTO & Catania In September 1953, a plaster plaque of the PALAZZOLO ACREIDE Noto 4 Immaculate Heart of Mary, placed over the We travel south today by coach to Noto, the Palazzolo Acreide headboard of the bed of a young couple, Angelo European capital of Baroque. This beautiful city is Iannuso and Antonina Giusto, shed human home to many religious monuments. St. Clares tears (confirmed by scientific analysis). The – a ‘new’ church rebuilt after the of phenomenon took place at more or less long 1693; Saint Saviour Church, the Cathedral of St intervals inside and outside of the home. Many Nicholas (the mother church), and the Church of DAY 1: SATURDAY 30TH MARCH 2019 - DEPART saw, touched, gathered and tasted the salt of the Montevergini with its great views from the roof tears. An amateur film maker was able to capture FOR ITALY terrace (for those who wish to make the climb) are the event on film, making this one of the very few among the highlights. DAY 2: SUNDAY 31ST MARCH - ARRIVE SICILY documented miraculous happenings. From Noto we travel north but further inland to After our arrival into Rome we will be transferred Today the home in Via degli Orti is a place of Palazzolo Acreide, claimed to be one of the most to a domestic flight to Catania, where we will be prayer and recollection. Where the miraculous beautiful villages in Italy. Here we will see more welcomed by our guide and transferred to our image hung over the bed, there is now an altar beautiful Baroque including the hotel in Syracuse. where each day the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is churches of St. Paul, St. Sebastian and Church of Syracuse is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. celebrated. the . The monuments and archaeological sites situated Syracuse overnight (BD) We return to Syracuse in time for dinner. in Syracuse are the finest example of outstanding Syracuse overnight (BD) architectural creation spanning several cultural DAY 4: TUESDAY 2ND APRIL - SYRACUSE aspects; Greek, Roman and Baroque. Established After breakfast, our first stop for the day will be DAY 6: THURSDAY 4TH APRIL - VIA CATANIA Ancient Syracuse was “directly linked to events, the Byzantine Church of St Lucy, patron saint of TO TAORMINA ideas and literary works of outstanding universal Syracuse. The structure is said to have been built significance”. We depart Syracuse this morning, journeying on the site where she was martyred in 303 AD. north by coach to Catania. On arrival, take a Syracuse overnight (D) Then a tour of Ortigia, the historical heart of stroll on the famous sea-coast passeggiata. Our Syracuse. The charming, narrow medieval streets group Mass will be in the Cathedral of St. Agatha, DAY 3: MONDAY 1ST APRIL - SYRACUSE will lead us past romantic Baroque palaces and dedicated to the patron saint of Sicily. It is believed The tour will begin with a visit to the churches and on to the main sights of interest. that carrying the saint’s veil, taken from her tomb of St. John, containing some 20,000 early Delight at the majestic ruins of the Greek Temple in Catania in procession has averted eruptions of Christian tombs. In Roman times, Christians of Apollo, the regal Piazza Duomo and the . Visit the famous fish market, Crociferi Street, Etnea Street and roman amphitheatre. sed formosa” (black am I, but beautiful). Under Emperor Diocletian it was a time of unbridled materialism, love of power, greed self -indulgence, En route to Mt Etna, the Cyclops Riviera - a Time permitting on our return journey we can hedonism and decay. St. Philomena provides us charming stretch of coastline north of Catania stop for a visit of the magnificent traditional all, but most especially to the youth of today, with made up of stone from Etna’s numerous seaside/port town of Milazzo. a shining and powerful example of how we are to eruptions. Taormina overnight (BD) live our lives, focused totally on what is of eternal Continue towards the vicinity of Mt Etna, so we importance, that being “love of God and the truth” can admire one of the most active volcanoes in DAY 9: SUNDAY 7TH APRIL - TAORMINA TO through Christ and his divine mercy. . SALERNO Today we journey to the beautiful International Today is a travel day by ferry and coach, from the In the late afternoon depart for Taormina - one of Shrine of St Philomena in Mugnano del island of Sicily across the Mediterranean again the most attractive cities in Sicily. Cardinale. It is here that the earthly remains of St on to the mainland of Italy, journeying north to Taormina overnight (BD) Philomena rest. During our time here we will have Salerno. the opportunity to pray before her relics, spend Salerno overnight (BD) DAY 7: FRIDAY 5TH APRIL - TAORMINA some time at the side altar dedicated to her, and visit the museum. Taormina is renowned for its location and inspiring DAY 10: MONDAY 8TH APRIL - SALERNO TO outlook on the open sea. Continue to nearby Pompeii, the city which was SORRENTO petrified and engulfed by the eruption of Mt During our time here we will enter the Church of The (la Costiera Amalfitana) is a Vesuvius in 79AD. On arrival we embark on a Varò, a Spanish word meaning “visitation”. This beautiful and renowned stretch of mountainous guided visit of the ruins of ancient Pompeii. See stunning church has one of the most elaborate coastline south of , in . It is dotted a patrician home, public baths, and shops that give interiors of all the churches in Taormina with white with picturesque villages and towns clinging to cliffs. a striking picture of what day-to-day life was like. stuccos and chandeliers. Construction dates back Stacked precariously above the sea, for decades these We return to Sorrento in time for dinner. to the 15th century, however the medieval crypt fishing villages have been one of Italy’s major tourist which was used by Christians as a hiding place attractions. Sorrento overnight (BD) hints that the church has more ancient origins. There are plenty of photo opportunities as we DAY 12: WEDNESDAY 10TH APRIL - Today also explore the historic city centre and the travel today by ferry (weather permitting) or MONTECASSINO & DEPART ITALY beautiful Theatre. smaller buses hugging Italy’s finest coastline, the Departing Sorrento, we commence our day’s Taormina overnight (BD) Amalfi Coast. Our first stop will be the town of Amalfi. Highlights of our visit here include the journey towards Rome. Heading north we firstly Duomo with its relics of St Andrew, the crypt and wind our way up to the spectacular mountaintop DAY 8: SATURDAY 6TH APRIL – TINDARI adjacent Cloister of Paradise. Abbey of Montecassino, founded in 529 by St PILGRIMAGE Benedict, patron saint of Europe and the founder Continue on to enjoy some time in the pedestrian Travel out today to Tindari, a Greek colony of Western Monasticism. The Abbey was carefully town of Positano. Walking through the village, we founded in 396BC on the northern coast of Sicily rebuilt after the epic battle of 1944 and still will spot the dome of the Collegiate Church of and now a pilgrimage site. It is set high on a hill dominates the surrounding countryside from its Santa Maria Assunta. Enjoy some time to wander with great view of the . mountaintop setting. We will have a guided visit and explore at your own pace, before finally on arrival. The is richly decorated with The Shrine of the Black is a very arriving in to Sorrento. popular pilgrimage site. According to local mosaics. We come as pilgrims to pray before the Set on a plateau with spectacular views across the tradition, the statue of the Black Madonna (of relics of St Benedict and his sister, St Scholastica. Bay of Naples to Vesuvius, Sorrento is famed for The displays examples of medieval Byzantine origin), was one of many works of art museum its beauty, charm and hospitable people. monastic art. smuggled out of Constantinople in the 8th and 9th centuries during the period of Iconoclasm Sorrento overnight (BD) We then continue north to Rome airport for our initiated by Emperor Leo III. A storm forced the homebound flight connections (Or join optional ship carrying the Black Madonna into the port of DAY 11: TUESDAY 9TH APRIL – MUGNANO DEL Rome extension). (B) Tindari, where the sailors deposited their load CARDINALE & POMPEII DAY 13: THURSDAY 11TH APRIL - IN TRANSIT at the local abbey for safekeeping. She now sits St. Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, lived in a 3rd behind the altar with the inscription “nigro sum century world dominated by the Empire of Rome. DAY 14: FRIDAY 12TH APRIL - ARRIVE OPTIONAL ROME EXTENSION Rome in 326AD by St Helena (as a favourite of pilgrims, these steps may only be ascended on the COST: $6990 (per person) knees). DAY 12: WEDNESDAY 10TH APRIL - VIA TOUR CODE: 9PV08 MONTECASSINO TO ROME Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce in Departing Sorrento, we commence our day’s Gerusalemme with its extraordinary collection of SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: $980 journey towards Rome. Heading north we firstly relics from the Holy Land. TIPPING: $180 wind our way up to the spectacular mountaintop Rome overnight (BD) Abbey of Montecassino, founded in 529 by St ROME EXTENSION: $1390 (per person) Benedict, patron saint of Europe and the founder DAY 14: FRIDAY 12TH APRIL - ROME of Western Monasticism. The Abbey was carefully PILGRIMAGE SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: $280 rebuilt after the epic battle of 1944 and still Journey this morning out to the majestic dominates the surrounding countryside from its TIPPING: $60 Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls. Originally mountaintop setting. We will have a guided visit consecrated in 324, the saint’s tomb is visible on arrival. The Basilica is richly decorated with now under the Papal Altar. We will celebrate a NB: Costs have been based on prices as at March 2018 mosaics. We come as pilgrims to pray before the wonderful Mass here as a special tribute to the and must remain subject to possible change in the unlikely relics of St Benedict and his sister, St Scholastica. Church’s greatest evangelist. event of significant exchange rate variations, airfare The museum displays examples of medieval increases and minimum group size (20) contingencies. monastic art. Continue then to the ancient Catacombs for a memorable guided tour to marvel at these We then continue north to Rome, the Eternal City. underground burial tunnels for Christians and INCLUSIONS Rome overnight (BD) Hebrews. Airfares: Return Economy class airfare from Final afternoon at leisure. Australia (N.B. Airlines taxes are included on DAY 13: THURSDAY 11TH APRIL - ROME This evening we will celebrate our final night in standard itinerary and subject to fluctuations). PILGRIMAGE Rome at L’Eau Vive French Restaurant run by Accommodation & Meals: Based on moderate Commence our time in Rome with a spectacular missionary nuns who actually sing the Ave Maria standard accommodation throughout with Mass at St Peter’s Basilica before coming to to us between courses! breakfast & dinner daily the nearby Vatican Museums. Wander the Miscellaneous inclusions: • Deluxe Air- spectacular chambers leading to the Sistine Rome overnight (BD) Conditioned Motor coach with driver • Local tour to view Michelangelo’s masterpieces, guide • Sightseeing and entrance fees throughout including the magnificent fresco of the Last DAY 15: SATURDAY 13TH APRIL - DEPART itinerary. Judgment. Continue through to the awe inspiring ROME Not Included: Passport and Visa Costs • Prepaid St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the Today we will be transferred to the airport for our Tipping • Other meals not stated • Items of a world for an informative exploration. Our homebound or onward flight connections.(B) personal nature including phone calls, laundry, guided tour will feature among other highlights beverages, etc. • Travel insurance (Harvest will Michelangelo’s stunning Pieta, the tomb of Pope DAY 16: SUNDAY 14TH APRIL - IN TRANSIT recommend a special group policy rate). St John Paul II, the great Confessional and the DAY 17: MONDAY 15TH APRIL - ARRIVE Crypt containing the tombs of several Popes. AUSTRALIA © Copyright 2018–2019 Harvest Australia Pty Ltd In the afternoon, visit the impressive St Mary Major Basilica. Onwards to the Basilica of St All rights reserved. Reproduction of these tours/ John in Lateran (First Papal residence) and the itineraries in whole or in part without permission is adjacent Holy Stairs brought from Jerusalem to prohibited.

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