SANCTUARIES & SUMMITS: A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY THROUGH CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ITALY

Arrival in the morning at Rome FCO Airport where you will be warmly welcomed by our local representative. Private transfer to your accommodation in Rome, check in, welcome aperitivo and introduction of the itinerary. In the afternoon visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Pray before the Salus Populi Romani icon and view the relic of the Holy Crib of Bethlehem. Late afternoon walk to the nearby Basilica of Santa Prassede to see beautiful 9th-century mosaics and the Pillar of the Scourging. In the evening group dinner in a local restaurant.

After breakfast, private transfer to visit the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, the "Mother and Head of all chuirches in the World". After the visit walk across the street to the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) for a time of intense prayer and reflection. Lunch at your own leisure. In the afternoon visit the Basilica di Santa Croce a Gerusalemme (of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem), which houses sacred relics of the Passion brought by St. Helena. It includes fragments of the True Cross and a"nail" of the Crucifixion. Journey slightly south to visit the Basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura, built over the burial site of St. Paul the Apostle. Time to pray by his tomb and view the chain used to imprison him. In the evening dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast and depending on the day of the week possibility to attend the Papal Audience (Wednesday) or head directly to St. Peter's Basilica. accompanied by our expert guide visit the Michelangelo's Pietà, the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, the tombs of St Peter, St. John Paul II, St. John XXIII and other buried in the Vatican Catacombs. Lunch and afternoon at your own leisure and you can visit (not included) the Vatican Museum. You can also take a private taxi/Uber and visit the Colosseum, Fori Imperiali and the Palatine Hill. In the evening group dinner in a local restaurant.

After breakfast, check out and departure by private transfer to Castelpetroso. Visit the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Addolorata, the Patronal Shrine of Molise. Lunch at your leisure. After lunch the journey continue to San Giovanni Rotondo, and your accommodation. After check in, time at your own leisure during which you can visit the monumental church of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. In the evening group dinner in a local restaurant.

After breakfast, private transfer to Monte Sant'Angelo & Padre Pio Shrine. Visit the UNESCO-listed Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo and descend into the sacred Michael Archangel Crypt, a grotto consacrated by the Archangel himself. Enjoy lunch ion the historic Junno Quarter in Monte Sant'Angelo, famous for its white terraced houses and traditional Ostie ripiene (filled wafers). In the afternoon return to the town to explore Padre Pio Sanctuary complex. You can spend time praying and visit the Padre Pio Crypt where the Saint's crystal urn is kept in veneration. In the evening group dinner in a local restaurant.

After Breakfast, departure by private transfer and head north. Your first stop is at the Sanctuary of Madonna dei Miracoli in Casalbordino, a site of deep Marian devotion linked to the apparition in 1576. Continue to Ortona and arrive at your accommodation. After check lunch in a local restaurant and in the afternoon visit the Cathedral of Saint Thomas the Apostle, the Crypt where the Saint relics are preserved inside an ossary made in copper and covered in gold. The Cathedral also houses the Diocesan Museum inside which a rich and precious collection of sacred art from 12th to 19th century is preserved. Evening at your own leisure.

After breakfast, private transfer to Lanciano to visit the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle, which houses the relics of the oldest documented Eucharistic Miracle in the Catholic Church. Lunch at your own leisure. In the afternoon continue inland to the Sanctuary of the Holy Face in Manoppello. Here you can venerate the ultra thin byssus veil that bears the image of the face of Jesus Christ. Return to Ortona, time at your leisure. In the evening group dinner in a local restaurant.

After breakfast, check out and ddeparture by private transfer to reach the Sanctaury of San Gabriele dell'Addolorata in Isola del Gran Sasso. A beloved Saint among young people, located at the foot of the Gran sasso Mountain range. Santuario di San Gabriele dell'Addolorata is one of Europe's most visited pilgrimage sites, welcoming nearly 2 million faithful annually. Visit the main altar in the new Basilica, the Crypt houses Saint Gabriele's mortal remains inside a lifelike metal statue. The journey continue to L'Aquila where you will visit the Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio linked to the Perdonanza Celestiniana, linked to the plenary indulgence established by Pope Celestine V in 1294. Lunch at your own leisure. In the afternoon departure to Bolsena and arrive at your accommodation After check in introductory stroll along the Lake of Bolsena shores, and in the evening group dinner in a local restaurant.

Brfeakfast. In the morning in when is very peaceful and quiet, visit the Basilica of Santa Cristina where you will be able to observe the detailed frescoes and architecture without the afteernoon crowds.The altar of the Miracle: Step into the Renaissance chapel to view the red-stained stones linked to the Eucharistic Miracle of 1263. Visit the Grotto of Saint Christina descending into the underground grotto, the true emotional heart of the complex. Here you can see the early medieval four column cibortium and the stone bearing the Saint's footprints. Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon departure by private transfer to Rome. Check in your accommodation, group dinner at a local restaurant

After breakfast, check out and private transfer to Rome FCO airport for your homebound flight.