Italy Tour: Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice and Lake Como (14 Days) | Catholic Pilgrimages

Italy: Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice and Lake Como
14 Day Tour

DAY 01:	BEGINNING OUR PILGRIMAGE Depart the USA enroute to Rome via jet service.
DAY 02:	ROME, THE ETERNAL CITY Upon your arrival in Rome, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure to relax.
DAY 03:	ROME St. Peter's Basilica Photo deess. Morning visit the Vatican Museum, including the Sistine Chapel. Participate in the Papal Audience. Visit the Basilica of St. Peter, the largest church in the world, before returning to your hotel.
DAY 04:	ROME The Colosseum in Rome This morning enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Rome. Visit the Spanish Steps, the Roman Forum, the Coliseum, Hadrians Arch, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and the Catacombs, where early Christians held their forbidden services and buried their dead. Return to your hotel.
DAY 05:	ROME Drive along Via Cavour, Piazza Delia Republica with Najads Fountain, Via Nazionale, Piazza Venezia with the monument of King Victor Emanuel II, and visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Drive on the Via Del Fori Imperiali for a panoramic view of the Roman Forum and capitol Colisseum, the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, Aventin Hill, Porta S. Paolo, Caius Cestius Pyramid, Via Ostiense Colle Oppio, and a visit to the Church of St. Peter in Chains to see the statue of Moses by Michelangelo.
DAY 06:	ROME / ASSISI Basilica of St. Francis Depart from Rome and drive to Assisi. *Mass* at the Crypt of St. Francis under the huge Basilica which contains many frescoes depicting the life of the 'Christ-like' figure. Visit the Cathedral of St. Rufino and the Basilica of St. Clare, the Basilica of St. Maria of the Angels, Church of Porziuncola. Overnight in Assisi.
DAY 07:	ASSISI / SIENA / PISA / FLORENCE Depart Assisi this morning and drive to Siena, the birthplace of St. Catherine, virgin and doctor of the church. Here, you will stroll through the narrow streets from the central square of Piazza Del Campo, to the Piazza Del Duomo, overshadowed by the tall marble cathedral, a remarkable example of Italian Gothic architecture. Drive to Pisa. *Mass* will be celebrated in the Romanesque Cathedral located in the huge Miracle Square. Adjoining the Baptistry is the famous Leaning Tower which we can climb before visiting some of the many splendid medieval churches of the city of Pisa on the banks of the River Arno. Proceed to Florence for overnight.
DAY 08:	FLORENCE Full day tour of Florence, the Renaissance City. Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore, with its great representation of Tuscan Gothic Architecture. The giant dome, designed by Bunelleschi, is decorated by an immense fresco, "The Last Judgement", by Vasari and Zuccaro. Over the Porta Della Manorla along the north wall is by Ghiriandaio. Next, we proceed to visit Giotto's Bell Tower. This 14th century Campanile rises to a height of 292 feet. Continue to visit the Baptistry of San Giovanni, with Ghiberti's greatest work, the East Door or "Gate of Paradise" which took the artist some 27 years to complete. Visit the Academy Gallery, where you will see some of the most famous works of art in the world including "David" by Michelangelo.
DAY 09:	FLORENCE Basilica of St. Croce Drive to Michelangelo's Square for a beautiful panoramic view of Florence. Pmceed to the Church of San Marco with its museum containing the most important works of Fra Angelco: his Annunciation is here. Continue to Santa Croce, the largest and most beautiful of all Italian Franciscan Churches and the burial place of Michelangelo and Galileo. From here we will visit Uffizi Gallery, a mecca for at lovers with paintings of Sienese, Florentine, Venetian and Umbrian Schools from the 13th to the 17th centuries including works by Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael. Take a short walk and visit the New Market, covered by an arcade lined on both sides with goldsmiths and silversmiths.
DAY 10:	FLORENCE / VENICE Depart Florence this morning and drive northward through the Italian countryside to Venice. Upon your arrival in Venice, transfer to your hotel and the balance of the day is at leisure.
DAY 11:	VENICE Basilica of St. Mark This morning visit St. Mark's Cathedral and Square, the Doges Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Dungeons and the Glass Blowing Factory where Venetian Glass is made. Overnight in Venice.
DAY 12:	VENICE / VERONA / LAKE COMO Lake Como Depart Venice and proceed to Verona, a handsome medieval city, which was the home of Romeo and Juliet and the supposed site of their tomb. Continue to Lake Como for overnight.
DAY 13:	LAKE COMO Full day at leisure for your personal exploration.
DAY 14:	LAKE COMO / MILAN / USA Transfer to Milan in time to connect with your return flight to the USA. Arrival back in the USA in the afternoon local time.