Day 1: DEPARTURE DAY — (I) Dinner and breakfast are served on your trans-Atlantic flight to Venice.

Day 2: PADUA — On arrival in Venice, transfer to your hotel in Padua, the town of St. Anthony. The remainder of the day is at leisure for relaxing and unpacking. Tonight meet the other tour members at dinner. - (D)

Day 3: PADUA / VENICE — Celebrate mass at the crypt of St. Anthony, located in the world's only eight-domed Basilica. Afterwards visit the huge sanctuary including the Chapel of Relics. Depart for nearby Venice where, upon arrival, you will cruise on a "avapetto" along the Grand Canal to St. Mark's Square. Your local guide will take you on a walk to St. Mark's Cathedral, the famous square also named after the evangelist, Rialto Bridge and the Doge's Palace with its Bridge of Sighs leading to the notorious Dungeons. Afterwards, you have plenty of time for independent exploration and a gondola ride (your guide will assist with negotiations). Return to Padua for dinner and overnight. - (B, D)

Day 4: PISA - FLORENCE — Travel south across the fertile Po River plains and across the spectacular Appeninnes mountain range to Pisa to see one of the world's most unique landmarks, The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Continue to Florence. A guided walking tour illuminates Florence's riches of the Renaissance. The marble Duomo and the Bell Tower by Giotto; The Baptistry with its bronze "Doors of Paradise"; Santa Croce church and famed Ponte Vecchio spanning the Arno River. - (B, D)

Day 5: SIENA - ASSISI — Ascend to Piazzale Michelangelo for a panoramic view of the Tuscan capitol. Also see a replica of Michelangelo's "David". Then, a scenic drive takes you throough the Chiati wine region to Siena. Explore world famous Il Campo, site of the colorful horse races, and the place affiliated with St. Catherine of Siena. Continue to Assisi for dinner and overnight. - (B, D)

Day 6: IN ASSISI — Visit the church of San Damiano before entering the walled, medieval part of Assisi. Visit St. Clare's basilica then walk by St Francis' birthplace and parental home to the huge basilica erectd over the final resting place of St. Francis. Following Mass at the Saint's crypt, explore the huge basilica above. Later in Lower Assisi, at St. Mary's of the Angels Basilica visit Porziuncola; see the thorn-less rosebush; the statue of St. Francis, adorned by a pair of live white doves; and the cave where the saint retreated for prayer. The afternoon is free. - (B, D)

Day 7: CASCIA (St. Rita) - ROME — Depart Assisi for St. Rita's Cascia. After Mass in the beautiful church dedicated to the saint, at the adjacent convent followed by the story of her tragic life as one of the nuns guides us through the convent, little has changed since the days when St. Rita lived there. Later continue along ancient Via Salaria to the "Eternal City" for dinner and overnight. - (B)

Day 8: ROME / VATICAN — Visit St. Peter's Basilica and Square, explore the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, site of the recent election of our new Holy Father, Benedict XVI, and see Michelangelo's celebrated "The Last Judgement". Afterwards visit the Basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran, the Holy Stairs and St. Paul Outside the Walls, erected over the Apostle's tomb. - (B, D)

Day 9: ROME / PAPAL AUDIENCE / CATACOMBS — Today attend an Audience and blessing by the Holy Father. Later drive along the ancient Appian Way past the Chapel of "Domine Quo Vadis?" to the Catacombs where the early Christians buried their dead. On return, stop to view the Colosseum and visit the Forum, center of Imperial Rome. Then explore Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. - (B, D)

Day 10: NAPLES - ISLE OF CAPRI - SORRENTO - PADRE PIO — Depart Rome and head south on the 'autostrada di sole' past the Abbey of Montecassino, which was founded by St. Benedict in 529 it has been completely restored after its 1944 destruction, to Naples. Board a hydrfoil to sail to the beautiful island of Capri. After a visit of this romantic place, and (weather permitting) entering the famed 'Blue Grotto' take a ferry to Sorrento. After time for lunch and visit if a shop to observe wood inlay work, skirt the cobalt-blue Bay of Naples below Mt. Vesuvius, cross the 'boot' of Italy to San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of Saint Padre Pio. - (B, D)

Day 11: IN SAN GIOVANNI — Mass at St. Padre Pio's crypt is followed by a lecture by one of the resident fathers about the saint's life and stigmata. Also visit the living quarters of Padre Pio. The afternoon is free for devotions and revisits. You may also wish to follow the Stations of the Cross behind St. Padre Pio's sanctuary. - (B, D)

Day 12: LANCIANO - LORETTO - OSTIA — Head north to Lanciano and celebrate Mass at the 8th century Eucharistic Miracle. Then, journey along the spectacular Adriatic coastline to Loreto. Here enter the "Holy House of Nazareth" and learn about the history of the Shrine to Our Lady of Loreto. Later motor to Ostia, the ancient harbor of Rome for dinner and overnight. - (B, D)

Day 13: RETURN FLIGHT — The time has come to say "Arrividerci Roma" as you transfer to Leonardo da Vinci Airport. Arrive home later today. - (B)