Your Italian adventure begins as you depart on your international flight.

Your guide will greet you and escort you to your motorcoach for your drive through the countryside to Turin (Torino) for dinner and overnight. (D)

Enjoy a tour of Turin today, including a stop at the Palatine Gate from Roman Times. You walk through the cathedral where the Shroud of Turin is kept in the Chapel of the Holy Shroud. You will spend time in the Piazza Castello and see such buildings as the Savoy Royal House while walking there. This afternoon, you will drive to Pisa for overnight. Dinner on own in the city. (B, D)

This morning, you can take your photo in front of the famous Leaning Tower. This 180-foot round tower is over 10 degrees out of perpendicular. The tower began to lean during its construction in 1173 and corrective efforts failed. You will visit the Duomo next door, before heading to Florence. After lunch, you’ll see the Piazza della Signoria with its Neptune Fountain and Vecchio Palace. Also, see, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, which houses Michelangelo’s unfinished Pietá, the Baptistry, which features Ghiberti’s famous Gates of Paradise and the Academy, where you can view some of Michelangelo’s finished and unfinished work, including the awe-inspiring David. Check into your hotel in Assisi for a later dinner and overnight. (B, D)

After breakfast depart for the Tuscan city of Siena. This medieval city is the birthplace of St. Catherine "Doctor of the Church", and the Apostle of Italy, St. Bernardine. Visit the Basilica of St. Catherine (which is also known as the Basilica of St. Domenico). St. Catherine passed a large part of her life inside the walls of this Basilica. It is here you will also view the incorrupt head of St. Catherine. After, visit the Shrine of St. Catherine, which occupies the site of her family home. Enjoy your walking tour through the Siena including a visit to its Cathedral (Duomo di Siena). Conclude at one of Italy's finest squares, the Piazza Del Campo, where you will be given free time to spend at your own leisure. There are several restaurants surrounding the square to have lunch, as well as shops for gifts and souvenirs. Travel to Assisi for dinner and overnight. (B, D).

This morning, you will wake up to the atmospheric sounds of chapel bells, cobblestone footsteps and a tangible spirit of St. Francis preserved within the walls of this holy town. Visit the lower city and go inside the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels stands at the foot of the hill of Assisi over the Porziuncola, Saint Francis’ Church given him by the Benedictine monks. The Church and Convent of St. Damiano is where in 1205, Saint Francis received his calling to “Rebuild My Church”. Saint Claire will later lead her Order of the Poor Ladies from here until her death in 1253. This afternoon, you will walk to the Papal Basilica of St Francis, the mother church of the Franciscan Order and burial place of St Francis. This basilica, which was begun in 1228, is built on the side of a hill and comprises an Upper and Lower church. These are decorated with numerous frescoes by late medieval painters including Giotto. Celebrate Mass here. Return to your hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening. (B)

After breakfast, you will walk to the Papal Basilica of St Francis, the mother church of the Franciscan Order and burial place of St Francis. This Basilica, which was begun in 1228, is built on the side of a hill and comprises an Upper and Lower church. These are decorated with numerous frescoes by late medieval painters including Giotto. Celebrate Mass here. Continue your guided pilgrimage of the town’s highlights featuring the Basilica of St. Clare, where you can kneel before the famous crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis. Travel to San Giovanni Rotondo for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Visit the Padre Pío Pilgrimage Church, erected in 2004 and walk the Way of the Cross on the forested hillside nearby. Visit the Sanctuary of Saint Mary our Lady of Grace to visit St. Padre Pio’s crypt. This afternoon we will have an optional pilgrimage to Mount St. Angelo. The Sanctuary of Mount St. Angelo was built in the 13th Century by Charles of Anjou. The archangel Michael appeared here in 490, 492, and 1656 consecrating the shrine and sacred cave. You'll have time for reflection and prayer, before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Bid farewell to San Giovanni Rotondo and travel to Pietrelcina. Visit the house where St. Padre Pio grew up and the chapel where he received the stigmata on September 7, 1910. Continue to Montecasino and visit the Benedictine Abbey where St. Benedict and his sister Scholastica are buried. Finish the day in Nettuno and check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

After breakfast say goodbye to Nettuno and travel to the eternal city, Rome. History is woven through the streets and neighborhoods of Rome as in no other city. Upon arrival stop at Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love. Here a pilgrim pursued by dogs appealed to Our Lady and she intervened for his safety. Pilgrims began to frequent the site and a chapel was built here in 1745. (B,D)

This morning, we will make our way to St. Peter’s Square to attend the Papal Audience led by His Holiness Pope Francis. (Papal Audience: Is scheduled to take place every Wednesday, pending the schedule of Pope Francis). Following the audience, you will experience the glory of Christian Rome when you visit the Vatican, home to one of the greatest museums in the world. And, of course, you’ll enter St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, where you’ll view Michelangelo’s frescoes which have been restored to their full, colorful glory. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Forum and the Colosseum, once the heart of ancient Rome and a place of martyrdom for the early saints. Explore the romance of Rome as you stop at the famous Trevi Fountain. Legend says those who toss a coin into the fountain will one day return to Rome to toss another into the waters of Trevi. (B,D)

After breakfast begin your day with a visit to the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. Six Popes are entombed here. View the extraordinary collection of relics at the Basilica of the Holy Cross, as well as a full-size replica of the Shroud of Turin. Next on to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The present structure stands over the place where Constantine built the first church over Saint Paul’s grave. The church features a portrait of every Pope that has served the church, with the face of Pope Francis I illuminated as the present pontiff. San Sebastian Outside the Walls is another magnificent church, built over the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian. The remains of Peter and Paul were temporarily protected here during the Valerian Persecution of 258. Step beneath the surface into the Catacombs of Callixtus, built along the Appian Way. Here 16 Popes from the 2nd through 4th Centuries were interred, though they have been removed to various churches over the centuries. Continue to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Maria Maggiore). This is the largest Marian church in Rome. Its construction began after the Council of Ephesus, in the year 431, proclaimed that Mary was the Mother of God." (B,D)

After breakfast, journey to Lanciano where a priest was doubtful about the Real Presence. During his celebration of Mass, the host turned to flesh and the wine into blood. Visit the shrine of the Eucharistic Miracle. Travel the rest of the way to Loreto. Check into your hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

See the family house of Jesus, Mary and Joseph located inside the Basilica of Loreto, where it has been since 1294. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Padua with a visit to the Basilica of St. Anthony. Also visit his Tomb, located in the Basilica, and take some time for private devotions. Continue to Venice are to check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Travel by boat to the magical city of Venice. Rising between sea and sky, this fascinating city boasts waterways and boats instead of roads and cars, encompassing 118 islands separated by more than 150 canals. Stand in the Piazza San Marco, bordered on three sides by palatial arcades in two tiers and faced on the other by the Basilica of St. Mark, one of the world’s most magnificent churches. Tour the Basilica with its treasure of marble and gold background mosaics. From the square, you can see the famous Bell Tower and the Clock Tower, as well as the charming pink and white Doges’ Palace. After seeing the romantic Bridge of Sighs, enjoy free time to explore on your own. You can shop, stroll along the bridges and canals or even indulge in a gondola ride along the Grand Canal. Return to your hotel in for dinner and overnight.(B,D)

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