Depart the USA to Italy. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.

Arrive in Rome and transfer to Assisi via Orvieto. Balance of the day at leisure (D): ASSISI

This morning, attend Mass at St. Francis' Tomb and visit the Basilica of St. Francis which was built in 1228, just two years after the Saint's death. It has since been called "Paradise Hill," for the mortal remains of St. Francis have been guarded there throughout the centuries. The basilica holds innumerable works of arts that have been created by world-famous painters. Visit Saint Clare Church and Saint Mary of Angels Church, including the thornless rose bush and Porziuncola Chapel. Balance of the day is at leisure (B, D): ASSISI

Travel to Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth. Continue to Lanciano to visit the Sanctuary of San Legonziano and the 8th century Eucharistic Miracle, one of the most moving sites for a pilgrim. Here, the pilgrim can find meaning in the Lord's solemn words, "Take and eat, for this is my body" (B, D): LANCIANO.

Travel south to Monte Sant'Angelo. At its center is the Sanctuary of San Michele, which was erected over a grotto where the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared in an apparition in the year 490. In the late afternoon, arrive in San Giovanni (B, D): SAN GIOVANNI.

Today, visit the sites of Padre Pio's life, including his tomb. During his lifetime, Padre Pio developed a huge following. Tens of thousands sought his help and counsel, including a young Polish priest, Karol Wajtyla, who years later was to become Pope John Paul II. See the site of Padre Pio's beatification ceremony, which occurred in 1999 and attracted 350,000 pilgrims (B, D): SAN GIOVANNI.

After morning mass, travel to Monte Cassino and visit the Benedictine Monastery built in 529 AD. Continue to Rome (B, D): ROME.

Visit St. John Lateran Church, St. Mary Major Church, Holy Stairs and Catacombs, which hold the bodies of several early popes. The Catacombs also served as meeting places for Christians, especially before their religion was adopted by the Roman emperors in the fourth century AD. Christians gathered in the tombs on the anniversary of the death of a saint, martyr, or loved one. Together, they partook in a memorial "refreshment meal" and celebrated the Eucharist (B, D): ROME.

Tour the Vatican Museums, including the famous Sistine Chapel and see Michelangelo's ceiling and his mural of the Last Judgment. Visit the Roman Forum, walking through the ancient streets. Stop at the Colosseum, the huge amphitheater started in 72 AD. Continue on to visit Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls, built where the Apostle of the People is buried. Visit St. Peter's in Chains Church (B, D): ROME.

This morning, attend the Papal Audience at the Vatican and receive the Blessing of the Holy Father. Balance of the day at leisure. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant (B, D): ROME.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight (B).