Newman University Pilgrimage to Italy with Matthew and Robin Umbarger and Fr. Joseph Gile

Depart on an overnight flight to Venice. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the plane. Quotes for add-on flights from different airports, as well as optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades, are available upon request and will be provided starting 120 days before departure. Group air restrictions (for ten passengers traveling together) do not permit specific seating requests on flights. We recommend purchasing your own airline tickets and land-only packages with us if seat confirmation is important to your trip. 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 the motorcoach that takes us to Padua. We arrive at Padua mid-afternoon and settle into our hotel. We head over to the Shrine of St. Anthony for a tour of the Basilica and Mass. We visit the magnificent Scrovegni Chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Enjoy dinner at the hotel and a good night’s rest. Dinner and overnight in Padua. Meals: D

After a buffet breakfast, we are transferred to Venice, the city of mystery and fantasy. We have a walking tour of Venice, including the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark’s Square and Basilica (interior visit), and the Doge’s Palace. Mass will be celebrated. Marvel at the play of light on the city’s canals and the feeling of romance that permeates the air. In the afternoon, we visit the Murano glassblowing demonstration. Overnight in Padua. Meals: B, D

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. We drive to Florence and stop at Piazzale Michelangelo for a beautiful panoramic view of the city before we settle into our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Florence on our own. Dinner is on our own. Overnight in Florence. Meals: B

Our two-hour walking tour takes us to see the Duomo and the Baptistery next door (from the outside), 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 Mass will be celebrated. We stop at Mercato Centrale, a must-visit spot in the city, where you 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 the Basilica of San Marco and Santa Croce, followed by a visit to the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s beautiful statue of David. Dinner and overnight in Florence. Meals: B, D

We depart for Assisi, stopping in Siena where we celebrate Mass and visit the Church of San Domenico to see the relics of St. Catherine. After Mass, enjoy some free time to explore Siena, renowned for its horse races, and have lunch on our own. Before arriving in Assisi, we visit Saint Mary of the Angels Church, then check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. Overnight Assisi. Meals: B, D

This morning, we visit the Chapel of San Damiano, where St. Francis received his call to rebuild the Church and where St. Clare lived and died, before we visit the Basilica of St. Clare. Then, 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. We have the opportunity to visit St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church, dressed in jeans and tennis shoes, through a viewing glass on his tomb. Overnight in Assisi. Meals: B, D

We depart Assisi this morning for Rome. Our first stop is St. Paul Outside the Walls, where we celebrate Mass. We continue along the Appian Way, where we take a few steps along the ancient Road that St. Peter and St. Paul would have walked on their way to the Eternal City. We explore the Catacombs, where the early Christians buried their dead and worshiped in secret. We then check into our hotel. Dinner is at the hotel. Overnight in Rome. Meals: B, D

We start the day with a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. Our tour includes St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum, as well as the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel (TBC). We explore the Scavi Tunnels (TBC) underneath St. Peter’s Basilica. In the afternoon, we take 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 the Gesù Church, and see the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to shop and explore Rome. Tonight we have dinner reservations at L’Eau Vive, a French restaurant especially selected for you by Fr. Gile. Dinner is not included. Overnight in Rome. Meals: B

We depart early for St. Peter’s Square this morning to attend the Papal Audience, where the Holy Father blesses us. In the afternoon, we depart for a tour of the Basilicas with our Lord’s relics – including St. Mary Major, where we celebrate Mass. We then visit St. John Lateran, the Holy Stairs, and Holy Cross in Jerusalem. Tonight, our farewell dinner will be in a local restaurant. Overnight in Rome. Meals: B, Special Dinner

Today marks the end of our pilgrimage. We say farewell to a country and a trip that will last in our memory forever. We are transferred to the Rome airport for our return flight home. Meals: B