Italy Pilgrimage
Fr Bob & Our Lady of the Woods
November 6 - 16, 2023
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Day 1, November 6, 2023 (Monday): Detroit>Rome
Depart USA on overnight flight to Rome, Italy
Day 2, November 7, 2023 (Tuesday): Rome
Upon arrival in Rome we will be greeted by our tour escort and bus driver. We will check-in at the Hotel Orazio Palace before setting off to celebrate Holy Mass at the Major Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. This one of four Major Basilicas in Rome we will visit during our pilgrimage. After Holy Mass we will have time to relax before our Welcome Dinner at Visconti 2.0 Ristorante. (D)
Day 3, November 8, 2023 (Wednesday): Rome
Papal Audience -The Audience with the Pope consists of small teachings and at the end of the Audience, the Pope will pray the Our Father and impart his Apostolic Blessing upon the crowd which also extends to loved ones that are sick and suffering. Lunch at a local restaurant. The Vatican Museums - The Vatican Museums contain masterpieces of painting, sculpture and other works of art collected by the popes through the centuries. St Peter’s Basilica - St. Peter's is one of the holiest sites in Christendom, standing on the traditional site where Peter was crucified and buried. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B|L|D)
Day 4, November 9, 2023 (Thursday): Rome
This morning we visit the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Galloro, also know as Our Lady of the Woods, and the name sake of Our Lady of the Woods Parish in Woodhaven, MI. Here, along the Appian Way, we will learn the history of this revered site and celebrate Holy Mass. We then tour the famous Catacombs of St Sebastian. After lunch at Al Caravaggio Ristorante , we will enjoy a City Tour including views of The Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. Remainder of the day free to enjoy Rome. (B|L)
Day 5, November 10, 2023 (Friday): Rome – Florence - Tuscany
After an early breakfast, we travel to The Renaissance City of Florence. Upon arrival we'll check into The Grand Hotel Adriatico before you enjoy lunch and the rest of the afternoon on your own to explore Florence. For those interested, there will be an optional wine tasting and dinner at Castello Vicchiomaggio in the Tuscan countryside. . Overnight in Florence. (B)
Day 6, November 11, 2023 (Saturday): Florence
After breakfast we will enjoy a tour of Florence including the Galleria dell’ Accademia, Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo, Piazza della Repubblica, and the Ponte Vecchio. Lunch at Osteria dei Baroncelli and remainder of the day free. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B|L|D)
DAY 7: November 12, 2023 (Sunday): San Gimignano, Siena & Assisi
Today we visit the small walled medieval hill town of San Gimignano, known as the Town of Fine Towers, where we will have a walking tour and lunch on our own. We depart for Siena, the home of St Catherine and the beautiful Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena). We will celebrate Holy Mass at the Basilica of Saints Dominic and Catherine before a guided tour. We continue on to Assisi for dinner and overnight at The Grand Hotel Assisi. (B|D)
DAY 8: November 13, 2023 (Monday): Assisi
Half day guided tour of Assisi including the Papal Basilica of St Francis and the Basilica of St Clare. Holy Mass in Assisi or Santa Maria degli Angeli. Lunch and afternoon free to enjoy Assisi before we motor coach back to Rome. Dinner and overnight at The Hotel Mediterraneo. (B|D)
DAY 9: November 14, 2023 (Tuesday): Rome
Today we will visit the St Peter in Chains Minor Basilica before a half day guided tour with views of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. After lunch at Hosteria Isidoro , we will visit St John Lateran Basilica and Cathedral, The Holy Steps and St Mary Major Basilica. Back to hotel and dinner on our own. (B|L)
DAY 10: November 15, 2023 (Wednesday): Castel Gandolfo & Montecassino
This morning we visit the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo. Now a museum, it had served for centuries as a summer residence and vacation retreat for the Pope. This afternoon we travel south to the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino, one of the most famous abbeys in the world. Lunch Osteria Titina in Cassino before Holy Mass at Montecassino Abbey. Return to Rome for our Farewell Dinner. (B|L|D)
DAY 11: November 16, 2023 (Thursday): Rome>Detroit
After breakfast, transfer to Rome airport for our flight back home after a life changing pilgrimage through Italy. B
* double occupancy (single supplement $825)
Itinerary subject to change