Arrive at  Fiumicino International Airport - Leonardo da Vinci in Rome and proceed to Baggage Claim and the Arrivals Hall.  Here, you will be warmly greeted by our local Trinity Tours Travel Tour Guide and Driver who will accompany you throughout the pilgrimage. Depending on arrival time, our journey begins with free time in Rome for lunch on your own and for taking in the sites nearby. – In the afternoon we will enjoy a tour of  the stately Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls follows where we see the site of St. Paul’s tomb. First consecrated in 324 and located two miles from the site of  St. Paul’s martyrdom, the basilica was completed in the mid 5th century when an altar was placed over the saint’s tomb.  Mass of Thanksgiving is celebrated this afternoon (time and location to be confirmed). 

Check-in, dinner & overnight in Rome. 

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square which is celebrated at 9:00am each Wednesday by the Holy See* (contingent  the papal schedule). Pilgrims are encouraged to bring special medals, rosaries, and other religious items to be blessed.  Following the pope’s themed speech and prayers, he offers a general blessing. Break for lunch. In the early afternoon, we travel the Appian Way, one of the earliest roads built in ancient Rome. Here, we visit Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis. Tradition maintains that St. Peter met the Risen Christ here asking, “Lord, where are you going?”  “I am going to Rome to be crucified again,” replied Jesus.  What makes this location particularly amazing is that Jesus is said to have left behind a marble slab imprinted with His footprints which has been venerated by pilgrims for centuries.  A copy remains on the floor of this church while the original relic is housed at the Church of St. Sebastian.. We will visit the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, celebrate Mass-  

This afternoon, we visit the Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, known as the "Mother of all Churches in the World"  which serves as the cathedral for the Diocese of Rome.  Founded in 324, it is the oldest of the four papal basilicas.  Larger than life magnificent marble sculptures of the Twelve Apostles are showcased in this basilica and the skull relics of St. Peter and St. Paul  are enclosed in two ornate reliquaries above the main altar.  From here, we cross the street to visit the Scala Sancta (the "Holy Stairs"), the marble staircase (encased in wooden ones) which led to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. It is on these stairs that Jesus climbed to meet Pilate on His way to trial during His Passion.  The marble stairs are visible through small openings in the wooden risers and at some spots, pilgrims may touch the marble through these openings as they climb the stairs (traditionally on knees).  Dinner & overnight in Rome. 

Following breakfast at the hotel, celebrate  Mass at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major.  Under the high altar of this basilica is the Crypt of the Nativity, encased in a crystal reliquary.  Pilgrims can view what is said to be the wood relics of the Holy Crib of the Nativity of Jesus.  St. Mary Major also houses the relics of St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church, who first translated the Bible into Latin. St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass as a priest in 1538 at St. Mary Major, which is also known for "The Miracle of the Snow".  It is also here that Pope Francis now lies at rest. We then proceed to the Vatican Museum to see the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel and much more- Through the Royal Stairs, we reach  the Papal Basilica St. Peter, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred by upside down crucifixion.  Our guided tour of the basilica includes seeing Michelangelo's Pieta, the tomb of St. Pope John Paul II and ends underground near the Tomb of St. Peter. Break for lunch, before an afternoon walking tour to see the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Enjoy time at leisure for shopping, before a group farewell dinner at a local restasurant. 

Dinner & overnight in Rome. 

Following  breakfast at the hotel, we travel to Assisi (2.5 hours).  Known as the birthplace of St. Francis, this charming town’s atmosphere has not changed much since St. Francis began his ministry there in the early 13th century. On our walking tour, we first stroll to the majestic 13th century Basilica of St. Francis which contains a series of frescoes depicting his life as well as houses several of the saint's personal possessions. Here, we also visit the final resting place of this humble saint.  

En route to the main square in Assisi, we visit the birthplace of St. Francis while taking in all the charm of this quaint medieval city!  We stop to tour the Basilica of Santa Chiara (St. Clare),  the spiritual sister and dearest friend of St. Francis, who founded the Order of the Poor Clares.  Here, we see her incorrupt body along with many of her relics and possessions.  On our continued walk, we visit Santuario Della Spogliazione to visit the tomb of  St. Carlo Acutis, best known for his love of the Eucharist and his computer cataloguing of Eucharistic Miracles throughout the world. Lunch on your own before traveling by bus a short way outside the walls of Assisi  for Holy Mass at The Basilica di Santa Maria degliAngeli (Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels).  It is comprised of two sections; the "Porziuncola", where St. Francis first understood his calling and renounced the world to live in poverty, and the "Capella del Transito",  the small room where St. Francis died in 1226. We visit the beautiful Rose Garden where St Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where the humble saint retired to pray.  Leisure evening for shopping and exploring the winding roads and charming alleys of Assisi. 

Dinner & overnight in Assisi. 

After breakfast, we drive through the beautiful Umbrian mountains to Gubbio (one hour).  Site of the legendary terrorizing  wolf who relentlessly attacked the livestock and locals in the 1220’s, Gubbio is known as one the largest and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe.  Its charm is highlighted by its labyrinth of alleys, narrow streets and it is well known as the “City of Stone” as it appears to be painted onto the hills of Mount Ingino.  It is here where St. Francis is said to have tamed the menacing wolf by blessing him with the sign of the cross. The wolf submitted and remained completely at the saint’s mercy and the townspeople were never bothered again. Following lunch on your own nearby, we travel to the profoundly spiritual town of La Verna (1.5 hours) to visit The Sanctuary of La Verna where St. Francis received the stigmata in 1224.  Long considered a serene place for contemplation and prayer, St. Francis was given this location in 1213 as a spiritual center of retreat. A chapel was built for him in 1218 and just years later he would receive the stigmata in this sacred place. Mass is celebrated this day in one of the many chapels now found there. Return to Assisi (1.5 hours). 

Dinner & overnight in Assisi. 

Breakfast and check-out and we travel to the beautiful Tuscan city of Siena, a medieval gem and the birthplace of two great saints: St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church and Co-Patroness of Europe, St. Bernardine of Siena, known as the Apostle of Italy (2 hours). We begin with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico, where St. Catherine spent much of her religious life in prayer and penance. Within this sacred space is a treasured relic—her incorrupt head—enshrined for veneration. Mass will is celebrated here this day. We then visit the Shrine of St. Catherine, located at her family home. This site offers insight into her early life and spiritual formation. It was here that Catherine experienced her first mystical encounters with Christ, including her mystical betrothal and the reception of the stigmata.  As we continue our walk through Siena’s cobblestone streets, and arrive at the stunning Piazza del Campo, one of Italy’s most famous public squares.  Lunch on your own near the square with free time to take in the charm of this ancient walled city. We later depart for Florence, a city rich in Catholic heritage and Renaissance art (1 hour). minutes.  Leisure evening exploring the city as schedule permits. 

Check-in, dinner, & overnight in Florence. 

After breakfast, we begin our day tour of Florence, rich in Catholic history and the cradle of the Renaissance.  We visit the Basilica of Santa Croce (Church of the Holy Cross), the Franciscan church which is the largest of its kind in the world. It holds the tombs of many notable Italians, including Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Niccolò Machiavelli, and composer Gioachino Rossini. Santa Croce also houses sacred relics and remarkable frescoes by Giotto depicting the life of St. Francis of Assisi.From there, we walk through the Florence historic center and passing by several iconic sites: Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of the city; Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's town hall; the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world’s most celebrated art museums; the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge known for its artisan shops; and Piazza della Repubblica, a lively square that dates to the Roman era.We visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Florence Cathedral or the Duomo. Consecrated in 1436, this majestic cathedral features the iconic, red-tiled dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi, a masterpiece of architecture. The cathedral complex also includes the Baptistery of St. John, renowned for its bronze doors referred to as the "Gates of Paradise" by Michelangelo, and Giotto’s Bell Tower.Lunch on your own nearby and we visit the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s statue of David, the renowned  sculpture which symbolizes the strength and faith of the giant slayer.  Free afternoon as schedule permits.  Mass time and location to be confirmed. Enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant, before returning to the hotel for overnight  

Dinner & overnight in Florence. 

Following breakfast, we travel to Padua (3 hours), the northern city of Italy which honors the Patron Saint of Lost Things and Causes, St. Anthony.  St. Anthony of Padua is a Doctor of the Church, known for his powerful preaching, excellent knowledge of scripture and his undying devotion to the poor and sick.  His teachings being so captivating, it is not surprising that when exhumed in 1263, his tongue was found to be incorrupt. He was canonized less than a year after his death, making him one of the most quickly canonized saints in church history.  

Our walking tour includes seeing several sites of this historic city, including one of the oldest universities in Italy, the University of Padua, and the Basilica of Santa Giustina,  the patron saint of Padua. Our day tour will conclude at the Basilica of St. Anthony to visit the tomb of this beloved saint where Mass is celebrated. 

Check-in, dinner & overnight in Padua. 

After an early breakfast, we enjoy a day trip to the spectacular city of Venice (.5 hour).  Following  Mass, we enjoy an iconic walking tour of the “city paved with water”.  We visit St. Mark’s Square, the site of several government buildings: the Golden Basilica of San Marco, which houses the magnificent mosaics which depict the Old and New Testaments; the bridge that will “bring eternal love” to those who drift below it, The Bridge of Sigh,  and we will view the Doges’ Palace which served as the seat of the Republic of Venice for centuries. 

We return to Padua for a special  Farewell Dinner &  overnight. 

After our final breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport for our return flight home.  We bid “Ciao” to the holy beauty of  Italia!