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Rome and Assis - October 2012

October 1 - We Leave for Rome!

At long last, we're on our way! We'll leave from the Albuquerque Sunport, and travel to Atlanta where we'll board our overnight flight to Italy.

October 2 - We Arrive in Rome

We'll arrive in Rome today, and we have a very light schedule while we get acclimated. We'll check into our centrally located hotel, freshen up a bit, take a stroll through the neighborhood and enjoy dinner together. If time permits, we'll enjoy a walking tour. After dinner, you may want to take a stroll down a quiet street and enjoy a gellato.     

October 3 - General Audience with Pope Benedict & Walking Tour

We'll celebrate Mass this morning and then make our way to Vatican City to attend the General Papal Audience (subject, of course, to the Holy Father’s schedule). Afterwards, we'll explore the area and have time for lunch on our own. This afternoon, we'll take a walking tour of the historic central Rome. We'll get up-close and personal with the beautiful sights of Rome, the fountains of Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps.   Dinner tonight is served at our hotel. 

October 4 - Diaconate Ordination

Today is dedicated to celebrating the Diaconate Ordination for the North American College, at St. Peter's Basilica. After the Ordination Mass, we'll attend the reception at the College. The balance of the day is at leisure. Our tour escort and group coordinators will gladly help you plan your free time and have suggestions for where you may want to enjoy dinner tonight.

October 5 - St. Peters Mass & Tour

After our Mass at St. Peters, and before the heavy afternoon crowds, we'll have a tour of the Basilica, With Michelangelo’s dome, it is the most prominent building in Rome. The basilica is Built over the site of “Old Saint Peter’s” constructed by the Emperor Constantine in the fourth century - and over the tomb of St. Peter. The 'new' Basilica began construction in 1506 and completed in 1626.

There are over 100 tombs located within the Basilica, including 91 popes. Atop the tomb of St. Peter, we see the Papal Altar covered with the bronze baldachin by Bernini, and the apse, aglow with golden mosaics. In addition to many sculptures and monuments by Bernini and other great artists, we will see Michelangelo’s famous statue of The Pieta. We also visit the tomb of John Paul II.

We will have some time for lunch on our own, an to visit some of the excellent shops in the area. If you're adventurous, you'll want to climb the dome, of St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the city.  This afternoon, we'll have an optional tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, or you'll set out to explore more of Rome on your own.  

October 6 - A Free Day! With Lots of Options!

Can you believe it? A completely free day! You've noticed by now that your time hasn't been overbooked. You've had time to relax, enjoy the sites, and spend time doing what you want to do. You're enjoying your time with fellow pilgrims, but you're not being rushed from place to place. So, what will you do? Well, here are some ideas:

Option 1 - Visit Pompeii and Naples! - You'll head south on the Highway of the Sun, and from Naples you'll enjoy a spectacular view over the Gulf of Naples and the volcano Vesuvio. You'll enjoy a city tour including the ancient fishing quarter of Lanta Lucia, Castel Dell'Ovo, The Royal Palace, Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, the Opera House. You'll enjoy an included lunch in Pompeii and then visit the excavations of the ancient city, returning to Rome for the evening. Registration for this tour will be done in Rome.

Option 2 - Visit Florence! This trip heads north through the Tevere Valley, and meander through olive groves and vineyards covering the slopes of the Apennines. Once in Florence, you'll visit the Acadamy Museum, where you'll see Michaelangelo's magnificent statue of David. You'll continue your walking tour where you'll see the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistry with the "Golden Door" and the heart of Florence, the Piazza della Signoria. You'll have time to visit the famous shops in the area. Florence is famous for both fabulous leather work ad goldsmiths. Mid way through your day, you'll enjoy an included lunch in a typical Florentine restaurant. Registration for this tour will be done in Rome.

Option 3 - Spend some more time in Rome, or on another adventure! -Sleep in... Explore on your own... Join up with other pilgrims... Slip over to Termini Station and take a trip to the Beach... Visit Anzio... Tivoli Gardens... Orvieto... Siena... Talk to your Tour Escort or Group Coordinator to help you plan your day.

This evening, we'll have dinner on our own, and then maybe enjoy some time in the hotel lounge. We'll catch up with our fellow pilgrims, and compare notes on how we each spent our free day.

October 7 - Assisi

We'll take a full day trip to Assisi, home of St. Francis and St. Clare.  We visit the Basilica constructed over St. Francis' tomb. After Mass at the Basilica, we enjoy an included lunch with, wine, at a nearby hotel.  After lunch we continue to the Church of St. Clare, where St. Clare lies in repose.  Here we also see the ‘San Damiano’ crucifix that spoke to Francis.  We also Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, containing the Porziuncola, built in part by St. Francis, in the valley below. Nearby marks the site where Francis surrendered to “Sister Death.”  We make our way back to Rome for the evening, and dinner is on our own. 

October 9 - Catacombs and St. Paul's

A chance to sleep in a little bit... or to get up early and squeeze in even more of Rome's incredible sights. This afternoon, we'll head just outside of the city to visit the Catacombs of St. Calixtus. Hewn from the soft Roman tufa , these catacombs house the tombs of sixteen early Popes and countless martyrs in an intricate network of passages and chambers.

While we're on the outskirts of Rome, we'll celebrate mass at the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls. You'll recognize the mosaic portraits of the Popes, surrounding the interior of the Basilica, and have the opportunity to pray at the tomb of St. Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles.

Tonight, we'll enjoy a special farewell dinner, with wine at a local restaurant.

October 8 - Return Home

Today, with our hearts full of memories, we'll return to the United States.

Want to learn more?  Drop us an email @ rome@funcatholictravel.com