Rome, Marmore Falls, Ferentillo, Cascia, Roccaporena, Norcia, Spoleto, Monteluco, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Venice, Padua, Ferrara, Cassino, San Giovanni Rotondo
DAY 1
Friday - ROME: Arrival in Rome late morning. Transfer to our Ex Religious House. Welcome drink. Accommodation in the reserved rooms. In the afternoon half day guided tour of the most impressive and characteristic places of the Eternal City rising on Seven Hills on Tiber banks. Wonderful position, for the number of monuments that give it an impressive and solemn peculiarity. A first walking tour visiting the historical centre: Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona, Fontana di Trevi, Pantheon. Dinner and overnight stay in the House.
DAY 2
Saturday - The Marmore Fall - FERENTILLO - CASCIA - ROCCAPORENA: Breakfast in the house. Departure for Cascia. Full day guided tour. First stop to see the famous Marmore Fall. The Marmore Fall is formed by Velino river water that, coming from Rieti tableland, they flow into Nera River with a jump of 160 meters. The scenery is imposing! The origins of the fall, according to the tradition, go back to the tragic death of a young shepherd, called Velino, that while he pastured the flock on Marmore tableland, he saw - at the precipice bottom, a wonderful girl: her name was Nera. Continuation by bus to Ferentillo with its numerous churches: Church of Santo Stefano al Precetto, Church of Santa Maria alla Matterella and with its particular Mummy museum, located under the Church of Satnto Stefano al Precetto. In this museum are kept remains of personages in the past lived in Ferentillo. The chief feature of this place is settled by a singular micro-organism present on the ground that guarantee to the remains a very good preservation. Continuation by bus for the special visit to the wonderful and hidden San Pietro in Valle Abbey (normally closed to the public) with is famous frescos. Arrival in Cascia, situated on Sant'Agostino hill, known in the world as the birthplace of Santa Rita. Visit to the famous Sanctuary of Santa Rita. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon tour of Roccaporena, visit to the native and marital house of the Saint, Church of St. Montano (where she got married), the Orto del Miracolo, the Lazzaretto, Via Crucis and the Scoglio della Preghiera. Dinner and overnight stay in our Ex Religious House.
DAY 3
Sunday - NORCIA - PRECI: Breakfast in the house. Full day guided tour. Departure for Norcia, city of Etruscan origin (Norsia means Luck in Etruscan language). Norcia is situated in the hearth of Valnerina and of the National park of Monti Sibillini. Tour of the city, San Bernardo and Santa Scolastica birthplace, known for many centuries for the pork-meat processing (called norcini) and sausages, besides the delicious tartufi. You will taste its typical products. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon tour of the medieval burgh of Preci and visit to the wonderful and ancient Sant' Eutizio Abbey, famous for the historical Scuola Chirurgica established by the local monks in the 10th century. In the evening, arrival at the Religious House. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 4
Monday - SPOLETO - Monteluco and San Francesco di Spoleto - ASSISI: Breakfast in the house. Departure for Spoleto. A half day guided tour of Spoleto, know in all over the world for its great Dome and for its wonderful surroundings, places rich of holiness. You can visit some particular places and grottoes when saints gone to pray. A very particular day immersed on the evocative silence of this charming places. Going up the road to Monteluco, on the left, 3.2 km from Spoleto, beside an old wooden gate is the beginning of a little road that leads into a wood. After a few hundred metres following the road straight ahead without deviating either up or down you arrive at the entrance of the ancient Hermitage of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Eremo di S.M. delle Grazie). Lunch on your own. In the afternoon departure for Assisi. Accommodation in our Ex Religious house or hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 5
Tuesday - ASSISI: Breakfast in the house. Full day guided tour of the medieval city built on Subasio Mountain slope, known for San Francesco Basilica, made by two churches laid one upon the other. The lower church includes the Saint Tomb, the upper one includes 28 frescos by Giotto representing the Saint's life. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon tour of the near Santuari: Santa Maria degli Angeli, in which is the famous Cappella della Porziuncola. The visit continues with Convento di San Damiano, where the Crucifix (now in Santa Chiara) spoke to San Francesco. Dinner and overnight stay in the house.
DAY 6
Wednesday - Chiusdino - Asciano - SIENA: Breakfast in the house. Full day guided tour. First stop in Chiusdino to visit the Whole of San Galgano. The whole, composed by the Hermitage or Rotonda di Montesiepi, with its precious Sword on the rock and its Cistercian San Galgano Abbey ruins, is one of the most evocative of the Tuscany. Continuation to Monte Oliveto Maggiore in Asciano. Monte Oliveto Maggiore is an early foundation of the Olivetan Order and the Abbey itself is one of the most interesting in Italy. It stands in the very hearth of Tuscany, in a beautiful position among lofty cypresses facing a very suggestive view of the Sienese crete (moors). Arrival in Siena, historical and artistic city, famous for its untouched medieval look. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon half day guided tour of the centre of Siena: Piazza del Campo, a particular square, famous worldwide for the Palio delle Contrade (festival and horserace held twice a year in Siena). Dinner and overnight stay in one of our Ex Religious houses.
DAY 7
Thursday - FLORENCE: Breakfast in the house. Departure for Florence, built on on the banks of the river Arno, in a harmonious setting of hills covered in houses and villas. Cradle of teaching and Italian language, the main city of Tuscany has a universal reputation for its wonderful richness and the exquisite quality of its monuments and art treasures. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon half day guided tour of the city starting the visit from Piazza della Signoria, the Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, a magnificent masterpiece of the most famous Florentine artists. Dinner and overnight stay in one of our Ex Religious Houses.
DAY 8
Friday - VENICE: Breakfast in the house. Departure for Venice, also known as La Serenissima, it raises on a little island archipelago in the middle of the lagoon of Venice and it is famous for its brightness and the uncommon beauty of its marble monuments on the shore. Lunch on your own. Accommodation in an Ex Religious House. In the afternoon half day guided tour of the Ghetto of Venice. When you visit the Ghetto of Venice you enter an extraordinary and unique quarter. Five synagogues (15th to 16th C.) are located in this small area, representing the different nations (Jewish ethnic groups) who settled down in the Lagoon along the centuries. Here also stand the skyscrapers, the old and crowded buildings were the Jews lived, the ancient pawn shops, the midrashim were the sacred texts were studied and discussed. Dinner and overnight stay in one of our Ex Religious Houses.
DAY 9
Saturday - VENICE - PADUA - FERRARA: Breakfast in the house. In the morning free time. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon departure for Padua and half day guided tour: St. Anthony Basilica. Named Il Santo, the church is one of the most famous sanctuary of the world and was built in Roman-Gothic style from 1232 to the half of 1300th in order to receive the grave of Saint Anthony of Padua. It is very rich of art works, such as the marvelous bronzes by Donatello. It is possible visit to the Scrovegni Chapel (EXTRA), built in Roman-Gothic style, consecrated in 1305. It contains the famouI frescoes by Giotto, one of the masterpieces of the Italian painting. Departure for Ferrara late afternoon. Accommodation in an Ex religious house in this wonderful city. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 10
Sunday - FERRARA - CASSINO - SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO: Breakfast in the house. Free time for a short individual visit of the city. Departure for San Giovanni Rotondo. During the journey stop at the famous Montecassino Abbey of San Benedetto and his sister, Santa Scolastica. After the visit lunch in a typical restaurant of Ciociaria area. In the evening arrival in San Giovanni Rotondo. Accommodation in Ex religious house. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 11
Monday - S. G. ROTONDO - MONTE SANT'ANGELO: Breakfast in the house. Full day guided tour. In the morning excursion to Monte Sant'Angelo, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view over the Gargano coast. Visit to San Michele Sanctuary and to the Grotto, the medieval district where it is possible to buy typical products. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon visit to Padre Pio's places. Possibility to book the Holy Mass. Dinner and overnight stay in the house.
DAY 12
Tuesday - S.G. ROTONDO - PIETRELCINA - ROME: Breakfast in the house. Half day guided tour. Departure for Pietralcina, birthplace of Padre Pio. Visit to the native house of the Blessed and of his parish church. Lunch on your own. Departure for Rome. Accommodation in the house. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 13
Wednesday - ROME: Breakfast in the house. In the morning Papal Audience. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon half day guided tour of Vatican Museum and St. Peter Basilica. Dinner and overnight stay in the house.
DAY 14
Thursday - ROME - End of our services: Breakfast in the house. Transfer to the Airport. End of our services.
Accommodation in our wonderful Monastery-hotels comparable to ***/**** star hotels Daily breakfast and dinner Welcome drink on arrival Lunch in a typical restaurant in Ciociaria Sightseeing tours and guided visits by our art historian guides as per program Service for Papal Audience tickets 24 hour ZefiroWorld telephone assistance One person free for every 25 paying people
Luxury motor coach English speaking tour escort Beverages and lunches Entrance fees Bus driving and parking permits Tips and extras Everything not mentioned in " Included in the price"
(min.25 pax)
