ITINERARY

Sunday, October 15| Day 1 | DEPART USA Today, our pilgrimage begins! We depart from our home cities, to connect with our overnight flight to Europe. We are served complimentary beverages, dinner & breakfast and enjoy in-flight movies onboard.

Monday, October 16 | Day 2 | DUBROVNIK This morning we arrive in Europe where we board our flight to Dubrovnik. Upon arrival we are greeted by our English-speaking guide, we travel to our hotel for relaxation. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Tuesday, October 17 | Day 3 | DUBROVNIK / MEDJUGORJE Today, after breakfast, included daily, we enjoy a tour of Dubrovnik, celebrate Mass and stop for lunch before we transfer to Medjugorje for dinner /overnight.

Wednesday, Oct 18 | Day 4 | MEDJUGORJE Following breakfast, we visit the famous Church of St. James to celebrate Mass. If present, we may have the opportunity to meet the Medjugorje Visionaries. We visit the site where Our Blessed Mother first appeared to the children- Apparition Hill (Podbrdo) – we climb the hill praying the rosary. We may opt to climb Cross Mountain, which is difficult (Krizevac). In the evening return to our guesthouse for a delightful dinner.

Thursday, October 19 |Day 5 | MEDJUGORJE / SPLIT After breakfast we celebrate Mass in Medjugorje, then depart crossing the mountain border into Croatia. Our first stop is Makarska. This picturesque town is the center of the holiday area on the Croatian coast. We have free time for lunch on the promenade overlooking the beautiful bay. We continue along the coast road to Split. A sightseeing tour is included of the 3rd century Diocletian Palace and Cathedral, formerly the Mausoleum of the Emperor Diocletian. We board the ferry for Italy- enjoy dinner/breakfast onboard.

Friday, October 20| Day 6 |ANCONA /ASSISI Our ferry arrives in Ancona ( around 7AM) this morning- where we are greeted by our Italian guide. We board our private bus and head for the beautiful, peaceful Assisi. Our first stop will be in the lower town for a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, and the Portiuncula, Francis' Church of the Little Portion, for Mass. In the Village, we begin our walking tour at the Basilica of St. Francesco with a visit to St. Francis Tomb. After free time for lunch, we visit the Church of St. Clare to view the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis. We pass by the famous Temple of Minerva in the Piazza del Commune. Continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Saturday, October 21 |Day 7 | ASSISI/ ORVIETO/ ROME This morning, we depart Assisi for Orvieto, a beautiful hilltop town – for Mass at the breathtaking Cathedral, known as the jewel of Italian architecture. Inside the Cathedral is the Chapel of the Corporal, housing the chalice cloth involved in the Eucharistic Miracle, We enjoy free time in this quaint town for lunch & shopping. We continue to the Eternal City, Rome. Traffic patterns permitting, we tour her sites by bus, including the Roman Fora, the Arch of Constantine & the Coliseum. Dinner & overnight at hotel in Rome..

Sunday, October 22 | Day 8| FLORENCE After breakfast we journey north to Florence. Our first stop is the Academia Gallery, to view Michelangelo’s famous “David”. We continue to the heart of the city to celebrate Mass in the Duomo. Outside we view the Baptistery with its incomparable bronze doors by Ghiberti. After, we set out to the Piazza della Signoria, dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio and its crowned tower. Across from the Palace, we visit the Loggia dei Lanzi with the statues include Perseus by Cellini, “Rape of the Sabines” and “Hercules.” Following free time to explore Florence and for lunch , we visit the Basilica of Santa Croce. The most famous interred here are Galileo, Rossini, Michelangelo and Machiavelli.” We walk to the Ponte Vechhio and for shopping before returning to Rome for dinner/ overnight.

Monday, October 23 |Day 9 | VATICAN CITY / ROME Today we celebrate Mass at the Vatican & visit the Vatican Museums. We will marvel at Michelangelo's recently restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and the wonders of St. Peter’s. Free time for lunch on our own. This afternoon we tour the sites, including the Church of St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo's possibly most celebrated sculpture, "Moses." We visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome, built in the 4th century. The Basilica was the site of five ecumenical councils between the 12th and 16th centuries. We walk to the Basilica are the Holy Stairs – we have the option of climbing up on our knees. This evening we enjoy dinner at a restaurant in Rome.

Tuesday, October 24 |Day 10| After breakfast today, we visit Pompeii and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Pompeii. We tour the ruins and enjoy lunch on our own. We will

Wednesday, October 25 |Day 11|ROME This morning, we will make our way to St. Peter's for an Audience with Pope Francis if he is in residence. Free time for lunch on our own. We visit St. Mary Major, the first church dedicated to the Blessed Mother and built in the fifth century following the Council of Ephesus- where we celebrate Mass. Tonight, we enjoy our farewell dinner in Rome- then we stop at the Trevi Fountain to throw in our coin- to vow one day to return to Rome!

Thursday, October 26 |Day 12 | Return to USA Today we journey home with warm memories of our pilgrimage, that will remain with us forever!