Day 1 – September 24, 2017
Evening departure from Toronto to Rome.
Day 2 – September 25, 2017
Early afternoon arrival in Rome. From the airport we travel to Nettuno where we visit sanctuary of Santa Maria Goretti and celebrate Mass. Continue to Cassino for dinner and overnight.
Day 3 – September 26, 2017
This morning we visit Monte Cassino, site of the oldest Benedictine monastery and witness of one of the fiercest battles of the WWII. We also visit Aquino, a town where St. Thomas Aquinas was born nearby. Afternoon we travel to Manoppello, where we visit Basilica del Volto Santo containing a sudarium – “Face of Manoppello, an image of Jesus face an a thin byssus vail. Continue to Lanciano, site of eucharistic miracle, where we celebrate Mass in San Legonziano church. Dinner and overnight in Lanciano.
Day 4 – September 27 2017
After breakfast we travel to San Giovanni Rotondo. Upon arrival we celebrate Mass the Church where Padre Pio said Mass most of his days, and then we visit His tomb and the museum. Some free time, dinner and overnight.
Day 5 – September 28, 2017
After breakfast we depart to Monte San Angelo shrine, important pilgrimage destination since Middle Ages where we celebrate Mass. Return to San Giovanni Rotondo for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 – September 29, 2017
After morning Mass we travel to Pompeii, site of catastrophic volcano eruption in 79 AD. After tour of the site we move to Naples where we visit the cathedral, housing the relics of St. Januarius, patron of Naples and church of San Biagio Maggiore, containing relics of St. Blaise. Continue to spectacular Sorrento on the Gulf of Naples. Mass, dinner and overnight.
Day 7 – September 30, 2017
Full day excursion to the enchanting Island of Capri. We enjoy a walking tour in Capri Town, where we see across the sea the Faraglioni rocks and Marina Piccola , then have some free time to further explore the island. Later cruise back to Sorrento for Mass, dinner and overnight.
Day 8 – October 1, 2017
After breakfast Mass and some free time to explore Sorrento. Later we take a drive through the beautiful Amalfi Coast, including breath-taking vistas of Belvedere viewpoint. Continue to Salerno for dinner and overnight.
Day 9 – October 2, 2017
After breakfast we depart to Taormina in Sicily. We pass through wonderful landscapes of Campania and Calabria and take a ferry from Villa san Giovanni to Messina in Sicily. Upon arrival in Taormina Mass, dinner and overnight.
Day 10 – October 3, 2017
Today we explore Taormina founded 400 BC and beautifully located overlooking the sea. We see the Greek theatre and the sub-tropical terraced gardens before strolling along the elegant Corso Umberto to the Piazza for splendid views across the bay to the Ionian Sea. Afternoon we visit observation point for Mt. Etna. Upon return Mass, dinner and overnight in Taormina.
Day 11 – October 4, 2017
This morning we leave for Agrigento. En route we visit the cathedral in Catania dedicated to St. Agatha. Continue to Siracuse, the Greek city and the birthplace of the mathematician Archimedes. We visit basilica of St. Lucia, built on the spot where she was murdered in 304 AD and also the shrine of our Lady of Tears, where we celebrate Mass. Dinner and overnight in Agrigento.
Day 12 – October 5, 2017
After breakfast we tour Agrigento, also known as the Valley of the Temples and designated as UNESCO World Heritage site. We visit well-preserved Greek temples and the ruins of the ancient city of Akragas. Afternoon we travel to Palermo, the capital city of Sicily. Mass, dinner and overnight.
Day 13 – October 6, 2017
Our tour of Palermo takes us to the nearby town of beautiful Monreale with 12th century cathedral, lovely squares of Quattro Canti, Piazza Bellini and Piazza Pretoria and the 12th century Norman Cathedral. Afternoon some free time for last minute shopping. Mass, dinner and overnight.
Day 14 – October 7, 2017
After breakfast we leave for the airport for a flight via Rome to Toronto. Evening arrival.
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