Ireland, UK & Europe Group Experts
ITALY WITH FATHER DAVID O’CONNOR May 30 – June 7, 2021 - Itinerary
Sunday May 30th Arrive in Italy Today you arrive into Rome Airport in Italy. You will be met by your local representative and transferred to your hotel by the lake in Castel Gandolfo, 20 minutes away to relax after your long flight. The historic center of Castel Gandolfo is home to the Popes summer residence, the impressive Palazzo Pontifico. Upon check in you are free to enjoy this first day at your own pace. Later we enjoy dinner together to start off our Italian adventure Overnight: Castel Gandolfo (D)
Monday May 31st Exploring Italy– Orvieto – Perugia This morning, enjoy breakfast before boarding your coach. Our destination today is Perugia, capital city of the Umbria region of Italy.
Orvietto
Our first stop today is in Orvieto, a small Italian city perched on a rock cliff. Upon arrival we will enjoy a light lunch at a typical “trattoria” before our city sightseeing tour. You will have some time to stretch your legs before our visit to the Duomo - which has the most beautiful facades with its stunning carvings and mosaics.
We then continue onto Perugia. Here we will check into our hotel, drop our luggage and settle into our 2-night stay at this fabulous location. Tonight, we meet for dinner together. Overnight & Dinner: Perugia (B,L,D)
Tuesday June 1st Assisi & Gubbio Basilica of St Francis After our breakfast, we head out on an excursion to the towns of Assisi and Gubbio. The medieval town of Assisi was the birthplace of St Francis (1181-1226), one of Italy’s patron saints and founder of the Franciscan Religious Order. He is buried in the Basilica of St. Francis which also houses some of the most important original frescoes by painters from the Middle Ages.
Assisi is also the birthplace of St. Clare who founded the religious Order of the Poor Ladies, also known as the Order of Poor Clares. Her tomb can be found in the Basilica of Santa Chiara. Enjoy some free time to explore before we head to Torgiano for an olive oil tasting followed by lunch in this enchanting place.
Our next visit today is another medieval town located on the slope of Mount Ingino called Gubbio. Its history pre-dates the Roman Empire when it was known as Ikuvium, a town of ancient Umbrians. Wander through the Piazza Grande, the Palazzo Die Consoli and find some of the most perfect cloistered arches that frame the view of the city. We return to Perugia where you are free for this evening to enjoy Italy by night! Overnight: Perugia (B,L)
Wednesday June 2nd The Wonders of Florence After breakfast, your luggage will be loaded Florence on to a luggage van and sent ahead to Naples. We then board our coach and travel 2.5 hours to Florence. Upon arrival we will enjoy a guided day tour of the City. Florence’s museums, palaces and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. We enjoy a light lunch before heading off to visit the Accademia which houses the masterpiece of David. Afterwards you will have some free time to explore on your own.
The churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are veritable art galleries and the library of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo’s architectural genius. Later we will board the train for our journey to Naples (3-hour journey) where we will be staying for the next 2 nights. A boxed gourmet dinner will be provided on board the train. We arrive into Naples and are transferred to our hotel where we check-in our 2-night stay. Overnight & Dinner: Naples (B,L,D) www.caragrouptravel.com Tel: (617) 639-0273 [email protected]
Thursday June 3rd Excursion to the Amalfi Coast This morning, we set out to tour along Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast, exploring one of the area’s most stunning regions – the Sorrentine Peninsula. You will be treated with breathtaking views around every turn. We will visit the coast villages of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello and find the perfect spot for an Italian lunch and delicious Italian Gelato overlooking the sea. A truly delightful and breathtaking day.
We return to Naples in the afternoon where we enjoy a tour of this historic city which maintains signs of a city built carefully over 25 centuries. Naples is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. This evening you are free to enjoy the city and the many wonderful restaurants nearby. Overnight: Naples (B, L)
Friday June 4th Pompeii & Rome
Pompeii Excavation Our luggage will be sent off ahead of us to Rome. We bid farewell to Naples and get ready to say ‘When in Rome’! On our route we visit the ruins at Pompeii which were first discovered in the late 16th Century. Pompeii is a preserved ancient Roman city in Campania that was destroyed by the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius. After exploring this amazing site we continue our journey north with a stop for lunch.
Next, we visit the enchanting Monte Cassino Abbey and tour the monastery which is one of the largest in Italy. The Abbey was founded by St Benedict in the 6th century. The destruction of the Abbey by the Germans was one of the greatest military blunders of the WWII.
We arrive into Rome in the late afternoon and check into our hotel our 3-night stay. Rome was called the “Eternal City” by ancient Romans - they believed that no matter what happened in the rest of the world, the city of Rome would always remain standing. This evening you are free to explore and enjoy the many fabulous local restaurants for dinner on own. Overnight: Rome (B, L)
www.caragrouptravel.com Tel: (617) 639-0273 [email protected]
Saturday June 5th: The Vatican City & Sistine Chapel
This morning after an early Vatican City breakfast, we enjoy a tour at the Vatican Museums, located in the Vatican City State.
Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, the Vatican Museums boast one of the worlds’ greatest art collections. The many exhibits that are displayed along the halls and corridors range from Egyptian mummies to old masters and modern paintings.
You will also visit the Sistine Chapel - where Michelangelo Buonarroti dedicated ten years of his life to the paintings that cover the vault and wall on the altar of the Sistine Chapel. This day will be an unforgettable experience!
In the afternoon why not take a walk to discover all the Baroque Monuments including the Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps, Navona Square and The Pantheon.
This evening you are free to enjoy the many wonderful local eateries for dinner. You can’t go wrong in Italy.
Spanish Steps Trevi Fountain
Overnight: Rome (B, D)
www.caragrouptravel.com Tel: (617) 639-0273 [email protected] Sunday June 6th: Rome & The Colosseum This morning after breakfast we attend mass together. Afterwards, we will all venture together to the main symbol of Rome - the Colosseum!
Colosseum Exterior Colosseum Interior
With almost 2,000 years of history, the Colosseum is an imposing construction that will bring you back in time - to discover the way of life in the Roman Empire. The construction of the Colosseum began in the year 72AD, under the empire of Vespasian, and was finished in the year 80AD during the rule of the Emperor Titus. After completion, the Colosseum became the greatest Roman amphitheater. We return to Rome where you have some time to take in your last wonderful memories of this magnificent city before we depart for a very special farewell dinner in the Trastevere area of Rome. Overnight: Rome (B, D)
Monday June 7th Depart Rome We hope you had a fantastic time exploring Italy. Don’t forget your passport and boarding pass! Don’t forget to share your priceless memories online & tag #CaraGroupTravel
www.caragrouptravel.com Tel: (617) 639-0273 [email protected]