June 13: Departure from Buffalo

June 14: Arrival in Florence, in beautiful Tuscany, which was home to many renowned artists from the Renaissance and now houses some of its most beautiful pieces of art.  After unloading at Casa Santo Nome, the guide will lead you on a walking tour through the city to see some of its famous sites: Piazza Signorina, Palazzo and Ponte Vecchio, and Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo).  Optional Visit to the church and museum of San Marco, where Blessed Fra Angelico lived and which contains his celebrated paintings.  Early dinner and bedtime.

June 15: Morning Mass and Breakfast at the Pensione before visiting two of the world’s most famous art galleries: L’Accademia and the Uffizi.  Dinner, with free time in the evening to stroll Florence’s streets and sites one last time.

June 16: Early departure to lovely Umbria and treasured Assisi, home of the great Sts. Francis and Clare, founders of the Franciscan Order.  Before ascending into the city, stop in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which hallows the spot where St. Francis spent most of his life, after leaving his prominent family and luxurious lifestyle.  Visit and time for prayer at the Porziuncula chapel, which the saint himself “rebuilt”, the cave where he lived, the miraculous rose garden—bereft of thorns—and the Capella del Transito, where he died.  Lunch at the hotel afterwards, and time to settle into Hotel Roma, in Piazza Santa Chiara, with a breathtaking view of the valley.  The afternoon will continue with Holy Mass and a guided tour at the Basilica San Francesco, its beautiful frescoes, and the crypt where St. Francis is buried.  Freetime for dinner; overnight.

June 17: Morning Mass at the Basilica Santa Chiara, before the Crucifix from which Christ spoke to St. Francis, followed by a guided tour, and time to pray before the incorrupt body of St. Clare.  Continue on through the Piazza del Comune, San Rufino (the Cathedral of Assisi), and enjoy a delicious lunch at La Rocca, a wonderful Umbrian family restaurant, with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.  Afternoon walk to the Eremo delle Carceri, named for the “prisons” or “cells” inhabited by the first brothers of St. Francis.  Freetime to enjoy your last evening in Assisi.

June 18: Early breakfast and departure to Bolsena-Orvieto, whence originated the Feast of Corpus Christi, on the Feast itself!.  In Orvieto, attend Holy Mass and enjoy time for prayer before the holy relic—the corporal bearing the spots of blood from the thirteenth century Eucharistic Miracle.  Lunch together, before journeying onto St. Christina’s Church in Bolsena, where the miracle occurred, and see the stains made by the bleeding host in the Chapel of the Miracle.  Evening drive to Rome, the Eternal City!

June 19: Breakfast early, before venturing to St. Peter’s for Holy Mass, a visit to the Vatican Museums and the incredible Sistine Chapel, and guided tour through the Basilica.  Time for lunch and shopping at the Borgio Pio.  Visit to the Scavi Museums, excavations under the Basilica, where were found the remains of St. Peter himself.  Then, take an evening stroll across the Tiber to catch a glimpse of Castel Sant’Angelo, visit the Chiesa Nuova, Piazza Navona and Parione Restaurant for dinner.

June 20: Breakfast and bus tour to three of Rome’s most famous Basilicas: San Giovanni Laterano, the Pope’s Basilica, with time to climb the Holy Stairs, on which Jesus Himself walked on the way to Calvary, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, where reside the relics of Christ’s crucifixion, and drop off at Santa Maria Maggiore, which contains relics from His Birth, for Holy Mass.  Lunch at the Spanish steps, and an optional tour of Santa Maria ad Martyres (the Pantheon), Santa Maria sopra Minerva (Dominican Church which contains the body of St. Catherine of Siena), the Gesu (the Jesuit Church in Rome), the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles (burial place of Sts. Philip and James), followed by a common dinner at the Abbruzzi restaurant.  Visit the Trevi fountain, under the stars, and share a gelato before retiring.

June 21: Breakfast and walk to St. Peter’s Square, in time for the Papal Audience with Pope Francis!  After the meeting with the Holy Father, grab a slice of pizza or a panini, climb the Cupola to see the city from the top of St. Peter’s Dome, or do some last-minute shopping.  Early afternoon drive to the Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls and San Callisto Catacombs, for Holy Mass where the early Christians would have celebrated! Early dinner at Cecilia Metella. Finally, driving tour of ancient  Rome: the Circo Massimo and Terme di Caracalla (ancient Roman baths), Colosseum and Roman Forum.

June 22: Breakfast and load up for return home.