Wednesday, April 7, Depart the USA for Rome
Day 1 | Thursday, April 8 — Arrival in Rome
Morning Arrival at Fiumicino Airport, where you will be met by your English-speaking tour assistant and transferred into the city for Mass and a visit of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (San Paolo Fuori le Mura), followed by a transfer to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) for a visit. Check-in at the hotel and porterage-in.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 2 | Friday, April 9 — Rome
Breakfast, then transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica for a private Mass followed by a visit of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
Lunch in a restaurant.
In the afternoon, transfer to the Aventine Hill for a visit of the Church of Sant’Anselmo, Home to The Federation
of Order of Saint Benedict and Sant’ Anselmo University, then to the Caelian Hill for a visit of the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 3 | Saturday, April 10 — Rome, Montecassino, Veroli, Rome
Breakfast, then departure for the Abbey of Montecassino, Mother Abbey of all Benedictines and the tomb of Sts. Benedict and Scholastica, for a visit. Lunch in a restaurant, followed by a transfer Veroli and Santa Maria dei Franconi, Monastery and tomb of Blessed Fortunata Viti for a private Mass and visit.
Return transfer to Rome for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 | Sunday, April 11 — Rome (Papal Blessing)
Breakfast, then transfer to the Catacombs for Mass and a visit, followed by a transfer to St. Peter’s Square for the Papal Blessing.
Lunch in a restaurant.
In the afternoon, transfer and visit to the Coliseum and the Roman Forum.
Overnight: Rome
Day 5 | Monday, April 12 — Rome, Subiaco, Tivoli, Rome
Breakfast, then departure for Subiaco for Mass and visit to the Hermitage of Saint Benedict of Saint Scholastica and a visit. Lunch in a restaurant, followed by a transfer to Tivoli for a visit to Villa d’Este with its imperial fountains and gardens and free time.
Return transfer to Rome for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 | Tuesday, April 13 — Rome, Orvieto, Norcia, Assisi
Breakfast and check-out, then transfer to Orvieto and the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, site of the Eucharistic Miracle — followed by for a private Mass. This Church houses the Miraculous Blood-stained Corporal of Bolsena. This Miracle led to Pope Urban IV instituting the Feast of Corpus Christi in the 13th Century. Free time for lunch (not included).
Transfer to Norcia, the birth place and childhood home of St. Benedict for a visit of the Basilica of St. Benedict, built on the foundations of the home. We then go on to Assisi. Check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight in Assisi.
Day 7 | Wednesday, April 14 — Assisi
Breakfast, followed by a morning visit of the Basilica of San Francesco, famous for the tomb of St. Francis and the frescos by Gioto. Then, we visit San Damiano, the ruined chapel “rebuilt” by St. Francis at the order of Christ who spoke to him from the Cross displayed there. Finally we visit the Church of Santa Chiara, which houses the incorrupt body of St. Clare and the Cross of St. Francis. We have free time for lunch (not included) before heading down to the lower city.
In the afternoon, transfer to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli for a private mass at the Porziuncola, the first home of the founding friars of St. Francis on land given them by the Benedictine monks in Assisi. followed by We will have free time before returning to Assisi.
Dinner and overnight in Assisi.
Day 8 | Thursday, April 15 — Departure from Assisi
Early breakfast and check-out then followed by transfer to Fiumicino Airport (approximately 3.5–4 hours of driving) for your return flight.
