September - 14th - 23rd, 2009
December 1st - 10th, 2009

JOIN US ON OUR APRIL 2010:

SHROUD OF TURIN PILGRIMAGE - 2010

Day 1 - Departure for Italy, Venice

Pilgrimage starts with intercontinental flight to Europe, to Venice. Dinner and breakfast meals are served on board of the plane.

Day 2 - Venice - Padua

Upon arrival to Venice International airport you meet your guide and leave for hotel in Padua. Time permit we will visit the Basilica of the St. Anthony, celebrate the mass and to the hotel for diner and overnight.

Day 3 - Venice

Entire day excursion to Venice, the city of romance , history and beautiful architecture. Our walking tour begins at the Piazza San Marco world-famous marble square lined with shops, charming cafes and galleries, main attractions here are the Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace, the magnificent Basilica di San Marco that with the mixtures of Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic styles reflects the history of Venice. After guided tour free time before returning to hotel.

Day 4 - Padua - Florence

Today you will start with the holy mass at the basilica of St. Anthony of Padua. After mass starts sightseeing tour of this second oldest university in Italy. Tomb of St. Anthony and his relics are first to see before continue at "Pratto Della Valle" one of the biggest squares in Italy, pass by the basilica of Santa Giustina. Narrow streets of old Padua will get you to the University founded in 1222, where first women ever got the university diploma. We'll walk through "Fruit" and "Vegetable" squares in between which stands "Palazzo Della Regione" or The Law Courts. University palace from the 16th century also known as Palazzo del Bo, actually got a name after an inn that stood in place, and famous café Pedrocchi. later in the afternoon you will depart for Florence. Arrival to Florence hotel on time for dinner and overnight.

Florence - Santa Croce
burial place of 280 noblemen

Day 5 - Florence

After the breakfast you will leave for Florence.
City tour will include Franciscan church of The Holy Cross "Santa Croce", church is a burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Machiavelli and others. You will pass by National museum before reaching the heart of the city Piazza Signoria with most important buildings such as Old Palace or Palazzo Vecchio, museum Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio. Story of Michelangelo Buonarotti, Medici, Dante Alighieri and Leonardo da Vinci will continue through Republic Square to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore at Piazza Duomo with view on Giotto's Bell Tower, on the St. John's Baptistery and Santa Maria del Fiore 13th century cathedral.
Return to our hotel in Florence for dinner and overnight

Day 6 - Florence - Assisi

In the morning you will leave Florence, road will take you to Assisi and Santa Maria Degli Angeli. Tour will include vast church of "Santa Maria degli Angeli" with continuing story of life of St. Francis and his first community. Prayer in Porziunkola will be just one of the highlights on today's tour. Visit continue with Basilica of St. Francis with detailed explanations on work of Giotto and Cimabue frescoes, St. Rufino's Cathedral, St. Claire's church hosting uncorrupted body of the saint. Free afternoon before we check in to hotel, dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Day 7 - Assisi - Norcia - Cascia

Whole day on the excursion to Norcia and Cascia, town of St. Rita. First visit to Cascia including basilica and monastery of St.Rita and St. Francis, continue to to Norcia birth place of St. Benedict founder of order of St. Benedict, and his sister St. Scolastica. Small town Norcia surrounded with town walls includes the St.Benedict's basilica, the main square with the city hall, the cathedral of Santa Maria Argentea. On the way to Assisi stop for a wine and olive tasting in nearby village. We will try couple sorts of wine from Umbria and Assisi.
Although a long day we've got to know Umbria a much better,...dinner and overnight in our hotel in Assisi.

Day 8 - Assisi - Rome

This morning you will leave Assisi and first stop is in the capital of Umbria - Peruggia. It will be a walking through the Corso Vannucci, the main street on the track of the ancient roman "cardus maximus" (street south-north), where the most important monuments of the ancient Peruggia are: Palazzo dei Priori (13th Century's city hall), Fontana Maggiore (one of the most beautiful italian gothic fountains, 13th Century), the Cathedral San Lorenzo, the Rocca Paolina (underground town), the old university and the magnificent panorama views from the southern and the northern hills.
After Peruggia you continue to Rome for visit to two Roman basilicas, St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran, in one of the basilicas group will celebrate holy mass before check in to hotel.

Day 9 - Rome - Vatican - Christian Tour

Early morning is reserved for your visit to Vatican museums with the Sistine Chapel, through the history and art we will walk down to the St. Peter basilica with the visit to the tomb of last died Pope John Paul II and St. Peter. Most impressive visit will end at the square. After lunch break visit continue with the basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls with the tomb of St. Paul and last visit is to the architecturally modest site but yet most interesting Domitila Catacombs. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 10 - Departure to the USA

Morning transfer to Rome international airport for our flight back home to the US

RATES DECEMBER 2009

- departure from Minneapolis - ........ US$,
- single room add on - ........ US$
- land only ........ US$

RATES APRIL 2010

- departure from JFK, EWR - ........ US$,
- single room add on - ........ US$
- land only............. US$

RATES JULY 2010

- departure from Minneapolis - ........ US$,
- single room add on - ........ US$
- land only........ US$

INCLUDES

• round trip air fares USA - Venice, Rome - USA
• airport tax and fuel surcharge
• accommodation in double rooms per person
• 2 nights in Padua 3* hotel
• 2 night in Florence 4* hotel
• 2 nights in Assisi 3* hotel
• 2 nights in Rome 4* hotel
• escort and local English speaking guides
• breakfast and dinner daily
• high class A/C tourist bus
• entrance fees according the itinerary
• porterage of one piece of luggage in/out hotels
• daily Holy Mass

NOT INCLUDED

• tips for guides and driver
• items of a personal nature
• travel insurance available with JeriCo Journeys upon request
  
  

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