Today: Depart Milan for Verona. Celebrated by Shakespeare, who made it famous as the romantic setting for the moving tale of Romeo and Juliet, Verona is a splendid, ancient corner of the Veneto region, nestling between the river Adige and Lake Garda. Visit the Minor Basilica of San Zeno, Verona Cathedral. Continue to Padova, where we visit the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua and celebrate Mass.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: Venice is known as ‘The Queen of the Adriatic’. There is a total absence of wheeled transport which makes Venice the most charming and poetic city in the world. Our visit begins at the Basilica of St. Mark, adorned with golden mosaics and religious icon. It was built to honor the body of St. Mark brought from Alexandria in Egypt. After Mass, we see the Piazza di San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale (the palace of the Doge, the political leader of the Republic of Venice). The balance of our day is free to explore this exotic city. Optional, take a ride on a gondola.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We depart Venice to Pisa to visit the monuments of Pizza dei Miracoli > Duomo, Baptistery and Leaning tower. In the late afternoon, our motor coach proceeds to Florence, the “Jewel of the Renaissance.”

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We visit the Duomo–Santa Maria, the Baptistery of San Giovanni at the Academia where we marvel at Michelangelo’s David. We celebrate Mass at a frescoed chapel in the Franciscan Church of Santa Croce. We drive to Assisi for overnight.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We have our guide tour of Assisi, home to St. Francis of Assisi. We visit Basilica housing the Saint’s tomb, and afterwards enjoy a guided tour of the Basilica and the town. After Mass, there is free time to explore and shop before leaving for San Giovanni Rotondo.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We celebrate Mass at the tomb of St. Padre Pio and take a tour of the sanctuary. We see the old church and the crucifix before which he received the stigmata in 1918. We see the confessional where Padre Pio directed people on their path. We stand and pray before St. Padre Pio’s incorrupt body. We have a stunning view of the Gargano Peninsula as we travel to the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel. Saints, popes, and people from all over have come to this grotto looking for the protection and intercession of St. Michael. We then travel to Rome.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: We begin our day by traveling to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Mother. It contains a relic from the manger. From here, we visit the Scala Sancta, the stairs Christ climbed to stand before Pontius Pilate. Those who wish may climb the stairs, as is the custom, on their knees. Nearby we visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran which was once the residents for popes. It is here that St. Francis persuaded Pope Innocent III to give permission to begin the Franciscan Order. We visit the Church of St. Paul Outside the Walls where the body of St. Paul is buried. It is the second largest Basilica in Rome and one of the five largest in the world. Break for lunch. In the afternoon, we drive along the Ancient Appian way to see the Church of Domine Quo Vadis, which is located the spot where tradition says Saint Peter had a vision of the risen Christ while fleeing persecution in Rome. He convinced Peter to turn around and face crucifixion himself in Rome. Christ gave him the courage to follow him to martyrdom, as foretold in the Gospels. Finally, we visit the Catacombs of St. Callixtus which are among the greatest and most important of Rome.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: In the morning, we begin by attending a papal audience with Pope Francis. After the audience, we visit the Vatican-Museums to see centuries of beautiful artwork and artifacts. See the artwork of Michelangelo such as the Pieta and then visit the Sistine Chapel. We will explore St. Peter’s Basilica in its entire splendor. It is built over St. Peter’s tomb. Visit the Tomb of St. John Paul II in St. Sebastian’s Chapel. Continue to tour the Coliseum.

Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.

Today: This morning we will transfer to the airport to catch our return flight home.