DAY 01: NORTH AMERICA
/ EUROPE. Tour members will depart to Europe
from the United States. Dinner will be served aboard the flight.
DAY 02: ARRIVE DUBROVNIK.
Upon our arrival at the Dubrovnik airport we will be met and escorted to
our motor coach for a tour around the city. Dinner and overnight at our
hotel.
DAY 03: DUBROVNIK / SPLIT /
OVERNIGHT FERRY. After a restful night and a
hearty breakfast, our local guide will meet us at the hotel for a
walking tour of The Jewel of the Adriatic’ so called by Lord Byron.
Although over
70% of the buildings were damaged in some way during the 1991 war, most
of the damage has now been repaired and the city is back to its stunning
best. Originally a Venetian port and one of the world’s major ports and
trading centers up until the 17th century, Dubrovnik is classified in
its entirety by UNESCO as a world heritage site and it’s easy to see
why. Our guide will take us to see the 15th century Onofrios fountain,
built to celebrate the completion of the city’s water system; the
magnificent Rector’s Palace which dates from the 17th century and has
been destroyed and rebuilt several times; the tiny Sigurata church that
dates from the 11th century; St. Blaise’s church with the small silver
statue of St. Blaise that survived the fire which destroyed the original
church in 1706; and the stunningly pretty Sponza Palace whose delicate
‘lace’ stonework has survived multiple earthquakes. This afternoon we
continue to Split - a city with a 1700-year old tradition. A variety of
archaeological, historical and cultural monuments, among which is the
well-known Palace of Diocletian (inscribed into the UNESCO World
Heritage List) certainly occupies a special position. Our guide will
show you the historical significance of the city including its many
museums: the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments - a capital
Croatian cultural project established in 1893 in Knin; the
Archaeological Museum from 1820 (one of the oldest in Croatia) and the
Treasury of the Split Cathedral, including a valuable collection of
religious art and more. Then we transfer to the pier for our overnight
ferry to Ancona.
DAY 04: ANCONA / FERRARA / VENICE.
This morning we arrive at Ancona and travel to Venice with a stop at
historic Ferrara enroute. It was in the church of St. Mary of the Ford
in Ferrara, Italy that the Eucharistic miracle took place over 800 years
ago. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
DAY 05: VENICE / FLORENCE.
Today begins with a sightseeing tour of
Venice.
Included will be St. Mark's Square with the Byzantine Basilica San Marco
and the Palace of the Doges. We will not miss a Gondola ride and the
Bridge of Sighs. Drive across serene Tuscan countryside to Florence, the
city considered to be the cultural heart of Italy and former stronghold
of the Medici family. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
DAY 06: FLORENCE.
Today we begin our beautiful trip by visiting the Piazza della Signoria,
where the Neptune Fountain stands. Then we visit Giotto's Bell Tower,
the baptistery with it's "Gates of Paradise" doors, and the Academia
that houses the Michelangelo's original statue of David. We will also
see the Santa Croce Church, the famous church where Dante, Michelangelo,
Leonard da Vinci and many others are buried. The rest of the afternoon
is at leisure to enjoy activities on our own.
DAY 07: FLORENCE / ASSISI / ROME.
This morning we drive through the Autostrada del sole across the Roman
countryside towards Rome. Enroute we will stop in Assisi.
DAY 08: ROME.
After breakfast we visit The Vatican City including the
Vatican Museum and Gallery, Raphael's Rooms, the Sistine Chapel and
St. Peter's Basilica. During the afternoon tour highlights include City
Hall, the Trevi Fountain, the Coliseum, St. Peter in chains, Appian
Way, Palazzo Venezia, Arch of Constantine, and Circus Maximus.
DAY 09: ROME / POMPEII / SORRENTO /
MT. VESUVIUS / NAPLES. Morning departure from
Rome to Naples. First we stop at Pompeii to visit the excavations. We
will also stop at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary. We drive along
the Amalfi coast and view Mt. Vesuvius, and then on to Sorrento for a
breathtaking view of the Bay of Naples. Continue to Naples for a city
tour, including a visit to the church of St. Januarium. Return to Rome
for dinner and overnight.
DAY 10: ROME / NORTH AMERICA.
Early departure from Rome to the United States. The end of a most
enjoyable journey.
70% of the buildings were damaged in some way during the 1991 war, most
of the damage has now been repaired and the city is back to its stunning
best. Originally a Venetian port and one of the world’s major ports and
trading centers up until the 17th century, Dubrovnik is classified in
its entirety by UNESCO as a world heritage site and it’s easy to see
why. Our guide will take us to see the 15th century Onofrios fountain,
built to celebrate the completion of the city’s water system; the
magnificent Rector’s Palace which dates from the 17th century and has
been destroyed and rebuilt several times; the tiny Sigurata church that
dates from the 11th century; St. Blaise’s church with the small silver
statue of St. Blaise that survived the fire which destroyed the original
church in 1706; and the stunningly pretty Sponza Palace whose delicate
‘lace’ stonework has survived multiple earthquakes. This afternoon we
continue to Split - a city with a 1700-year old tradition. A variety of
archaeological, historical and cultural monuments, among which is the
well-known Palace of Diocletian (inscribed into the UNESCO World
Heritage List) certainly occupies a special position. Our guide will
show you the historical significance of the city including its many
museums: the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments - a capital
Croatian cultural project established in 1893 in Knin; the
Archaeological Museum from 1820 (one of the oldest in Croatia) and the
Treasury of the Split Cathedral, including a valuable collection of
religious art and more. Then we transfer to the pier for our overnight
ferry to Ancona.
Venice.
Included will be St. Mark's Square with the Byzantine Basilica San Marco
and the Palace of the Doges. We will not miss a Gondola ride and the
Bridge of Sighs. Drive across serene Tuscan countryside to Florence, the
city considered to be the cultural heart of Italy and former stronghold
of the Medici family. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Vatican Museum and Gallery, Raphael's Rooms, the Sistine Chapel and
St. Peter's Basilica. During the afternoon tour highlights include City
Hall, the Trevi Fountain, the Coliseum, St. Peter in chains, Appian
Way, Palazzo Venezia, Arch of Constantine, and Circus Maximus.
