Board flight from Norfolk International Airport (ORF) to Rome Fiumicino Airport.

Arrive in Rome and greeted by the tour manager and bus driver. Transfer to hotel in Rome where we will check in and stay overnight.

This morning we will drive to the Appian Way, the earliest road of Ancient Rome, to reach the Catacombs and the Basilica of St. Sebastian. We will also visit the Church of Domine Quo Vadis. We will stop at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls to walk through the first Holy Door of our Jubilee Year pilgrimage. Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, this Basilica is where the great Apostle Paul is buried. We will then break for lunch. In the early afternoon, we will enjoy a walking tour of the Imperial Rome area, starting with an outside visit to the Colosseum. We will then continue to the Roman Forum, the religious, political, and commercial center of Ancient Rome, and for centuries, the entire civilized world. We will see the Arches of Constantine and Titus, and visit the Church of St. Francesca Romana, also known as Santa Maria Nova, located between the Roman Forum and the Temple of Venus and Rome. We will then return to our bus and drive to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, walking through the second Holy Door of our pilgrimage. We will then return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Mass will be celebrated at a church in the Vatican area before we break for lunch. This afternoon, we will continue to the Vatican Museum, where we will see world-famous masterpieces, including the incomparable Sistine Chapel. Next, we will reach St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in Christendom. At the Basilica, we will walk through the third Holy Door of our trip and enjoy a guided tour. The Basilica was built on the site where St. Peter, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome, was martyred. Here, we will view Michelangelo's Pietà and pray at the tombs of St. Peter and Pope St. John Paul II. We will then reach the Basilica of St. John in Lateran, where we will walk through the fourth Holy Door of our trip. This Basilica is the seat of the Bishop of Rome, who, of course, is also the Pope. The Basilica houses magnificent artwork and wood from the table used at the Last Supper, which is displayed high above the altar above the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, to the left of the main Papal altar. From here, we will walk to the Shrine of the Holy Stairs, so named because they are the steps that led to the praetorium of the Roman Procurator Pontius Pilate. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

After an early morning wake-up call, we will head to Vatican City to attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square with Pope Francis. Following the audience, we will return by bus and transfer to the city center, where we will break for lunch. In the afternoon, we will continue to explore the most beautiful monuments of the Baroque Rome area, including the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. We will celebrate Mass before returning to our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

After early breakfast, we depart Rome on a 2,5 hours trip to Assisi. Upon arrival, we will meet our guide to visit the Basilica of St. Clare, the first and most important heroine of the Franciscan movement, view her remains and see the miraculous Crucifix – Then we walk throughout the narrow streets of the medieval city centre, to reach the Basilica of St. Francis. Our local guide will take us to explore the Basilica complex, which is actually composed of two churches built one atop the other. Beneath both churches is the crypt that houses the tomb of St. Francis. The lower Basilica dates from 1228 to 1230, and is richly decorated with beautiful stained glass windows, and paintings done by some of the most important artists of the 13th and 14th centuries. In the upper Basilica, built from 1230 - 1253, we will marvel at the monumental frescoes painted by Giotto, which depict scenes from the life of the saint.Break for lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the Santuario dell’e spoliazione where Carlo Acutis is buried. Check in at the hotel dinner and an overnight.

After a good breakfast, we will drive approximately 1.5 hours to Cascia, where we will visit the Augustinian monastery where St. Rita lived and died. We will witness evidence of her miracles and visit the basilica to see her incorrupt body. We will then celebrate Mass. After lunch, we will return to Assisi, stopping in the valley to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Crowned by the magnificent dome designed by Alessi, this grand Basilica was built in 1569. It encloses the shrine of the "Porziuncola" or Little Portion Chapel, around which the first Franciscan community was centered, the place where Clare received the habit from Francis, and the Cappella del Transito, which marks the spot where the Saint died. We will then return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Driving through the green region of Umbria, we will pass by Lake Trasimeno and reach Siena in Tuscany. We will celebrate Mass at St. Dominic’s Basilica, where the relics of St. Catherine are preserved. Afterward, we will have time for lunch at Piazza del Campo, the beautiful square famous for the Palio horse race. We will then continue to Montecatini, check in at the hotel, and enjoy dinner before an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we'll meet our local guide and discover why Florence is known as the cradle of the Renaissance. The city's art and culture are evident in its medieval streets, Renaissance palaces, and renowned museums. We'll start the day with Mass at the Basilica of Santa Croce and then embark on a walking tour to see the Baptistry of St. John with Michelangelo’s Gates of Paradise, Piazza della Signoria, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and Giotto’s Bell Tower. We'll also visit the bustling San Lorenzo Market, a paradise for food lovers, where you'll find fresh produce, artisan breads, cheeses, and cured meats. Enjoy a Florentine wine and cheese tasting. The afternoon is free for you to explore Florence on your own, with a must-see visit to the Ponte Vecchio, a bridge lined with goldsmiths' shops offering handcrafted gold jewelry. In the evening, we'll return to the hotel in Montecatini for dinner and overnight.

The Mall of Florence is a luxury outlet shopping destination located just outside the city of Florence. Known for offering high-end designer brands at discounted prices, it attracts fashion enthusiasts from around the world. The mall features a wide range of boutiques from iconic labels such as Gucci, Prada, and Valentino, set in a stylish, modern environment. Back to the hotel in Montecatini.

After breakfast, we will check out. We return towards Rome. Our destination today is the village of Castel Gandolfo, located on a lake and famous to the the summer residence of the popes since the XV century. We will have time to stroll around the streets of the village, take pictures and celebrate Mass. Enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel

At agreed time, a transfer to the airport to catch our flights back home.