Best of Italy with Fr. Brandon Artman and Fr. Dennis Gill

Depart Newark on a non-stop United Airlines overnight flight to Venice. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Quotes for add-on flights from different airports, as well as for optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades, are available upon request, starting 120 days before departure. Group air restrictions (for ten passengers traveling together) do not permit specific seating requests on flights. If seat confirmation is important to you, we recommend purchasing your own airline tickets and booking the Land Only trip package. Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact your trip Account Manager, who will be happy to assist you.

Upon arrival in Venice, we are greeted by our tour guide and escorted to our motorcoach which takes us to Padua. We arrive in Padua in the mid-afternoon and visit the Shrine of St. Anthony for a tour of the Basilica and Mass. We see the magnificent Scrovengi Chapel, dedicated to St. Mary of the Charity, before settling into our hotel for dinner and a good night’s rest. Overnight in Padua. (Dinner with wine)

After breakfast, we are transferred to Venice, the city of mystery and fancy. We have a walking tour of Venice, including the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, and the Doge’s Palace. Marvel at the play of light on the city’s canals and the feeling of romance that permeates the air. In the afternoon, we attend the Murano glass-blowing demonstration. Mass will be celebrated. Dinner and overnight in Padua.

In the morning, we visit the Shrine of St. Dominic in Bologna, where we celebrate Mass and can view the relics of the beloved Saint, founder of the Dominican Order. Then drive to Florence and settle into our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Florence on your own. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Florence.

A walking tour of Florence takes us to see the Duomo and the Baptistery next door (outside views), the Church of the Holy Cross, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and other notable city highlights. Visit the Church of St. Ambrogio, one of the most ancient churches in Florence, where we celebrate Mass. We stop at Mercato Centrale, a must-visit spot in the city, where we can enjoy tasting delicious local food. However, be sure to bring some cash, as not all vendors accept credit cards. The afternoon is spent visiting Santa Maria Novella and Santa Maria de Fiore, followed by a visit to the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s beautiful statue of David. Dinner and overnight in Florence.

In the morning, we celebrate Mass in Siena and visit San Domenico Church to see the relics of St. Catherine. Following Mass, enjoy fascinating views over the city. Then enjoy a tasting at a local winery with a selection of the best wines of the area, including Super Tuscans, Brunello di Montalcino, and Chianti Classico wines. Explore the city of Siena, famous for its horse races, which take place in the center, and continue after lunch to Assisi. We see St. Mary of the Angels Church before we check into our hotel in Assisi for dinner and overnight. (B.Wine tasting.D)

This morning, we visit the Basilica of St. Francis, featuring the upper Basilica, which showcases Giotto’s frescoes that depict the life of St. Francis. We then proceed to the lower Basilica and the Tomb of St. Francis. Mass will be celebrated at one of the chapels in the Basilica. Proceed to the Basilica of St. Clare and the Chapel of San Damiano, where St. Francis received his call to rebuild the Church and where St. Clare lived and died. Visit St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be beatified in the Catholic Church, dressed in jeans and tennis shoes, through a viewing glass on his tomb. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

We stop at the hilltop town of Orvieto to celebrate Mass and visit the Cathedral, which houses the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena. After visiting the town, we continue to a beautiful local winery and enjoy a wine tasting and a delicious lunch in the Italian countryside. In the afternoon, arrive in Rome and settle into our hotel. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome. (B.Special lunch and wine tasting)

We start the day with Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica (TBC). Then enjoy a tour of the Basilica and the Vatican Museums, including the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel (TBC). In the afternoon, we explore the Scavi Tunnels (TBC) underneath St. Peter’s. Our dinner is at a local restaurant where we learn how to make pasta. Overnight in Rome. (B.Special Dinner)

This morning, we visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where we celebrate Mass, and the nearby Tre Fontane Convent to see the site where St. Paul was beheaded. Our visit continues with a visit to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, and the Holy Stairs. Enjoy a farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant. Overnight in Rome. (B.Special dinner)

We depart early this morning for St. Peter’s Square to attend the Papal Audience, where the Holy Father blesses us. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of Rome’s historic center. Enjoy a walk through Piazza Navona to view the magnificent Four Rivers fountain by Bernini, and then walk to the Pantheon. On this route, we also visit Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the only true Gothic church in Rome, Gesù Church, and the Trevi Fountain. Dinner is at leisure. Mass will be celebrated. Overnight in Rome.

Today marks the end of our pilgrimage. We say farewell to a country and a trip that will last in our memories forever, as we are transferred to the Rome airport for our return flights.