Italy & France Pilgrimage with FR. BENJIE LEDESMA

Arrival in Rome in the evening. Proceed to the hotel for check-in and overnight. Enjoy your dinner onboard the flight from Dubai to Rome.

Breakfast and check-out. Drive to Naples. Have a guided tour to see the Historic Center, Posillipo, San Martino. Visit the Duomo of Naples. Celebrate private Mass before check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast and check-out at the hotel, we will drive to Pompeii, the ancient Roman town. Have a guided tour of the city which includes a visit to the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii. St. John Paul II beatified the founder of the shrine, Bartolo Longo. His feast day is Oct 06. Blessed Bartolo, a Third Order Dominican, founded the Sisters of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii and he also established homes for the poor, the orphans and for the children of people in prison. Entrance to Pompei Excavation (UNSESCO listed). We will continue to Amalfi. Have a quick photo stop at the beautiful panoramic view. Transfer to your hotel in Sorrento for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Have a long-distance drive to Rome. Have a half-day guided tour to visit the Classical Rome: Venezia, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon. Visit the relic of St. Canillus de Lellis at St. Mary Magdalene Church near Pantheon. Transfer to hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. We will have a guided tour to visit the Major Basilicas: the Santa Maria Maggiore, the Basilica San Giovanni in Laterano, the Basilica Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, The Holy Steps, and the Basilica San Paul Outside the Walls.  Have dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Have a half-day guided tour to visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. Visit also the St. Peter Basilica, destination of all Catholics coming from all over the world. Rest of the time is free at your own leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Have a boxed breakfast and early check-out at the hotel. We will now attend the General Papal Audience. Afterwards, we will have a long-distance drive to Loreto. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. We will visit the Basilica of the Sanctuario della Santa Casa di Loreto. Drive to the Republic of San Marino. It is a landlocked microstate in Southern Europe surrounded entirely by Italy (Emilia-Romagna / Marche regions). Have a guided tour to explore and have some phot stops at the Old Town (Centro Storico), Montale Tower, and the Passo delle Steghe. Visit the Basilica of Saint Marinus; entrance to First Tower (GUAITA) and to Second Tower (CESTA). Continue to Bologna. Check in at your hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast and check-out at the hotel, have a short-guided tour which includes view of the famous Piazza Maggiore, and the Two Towers; visit to the lovely Square of Santo Stefano, also called the “Jerusalem of Bologna”. Visit also the Church of San Domenico. Then, we will drive to Venice. Upon arrival at Venice Tronchetto Terminal, we will have a private boat transfer to Piazza San Marco to have a guided city tour on foot of Venice including entrance to St. Marco Basilica; a photo stop at the St. Mark’s Piazza, Bell Tower and the Bridge of Sighs. Visit the Glass blowing factory. Then have another private boat ride leaving from Tronchetto. Transfer to the hotel in Venice-Mestre for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out. Have a long-distance transfer to Verona. We will visit the House of Juliet (Romeo and Juliet play). Afterwards, continue driving to Milan. Upon arrival, have a guided tour to visit the Duomo (Cathedral); view of the Sforza Castle, La Scala Theatre and Da Vinci Statue. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast and check-out, we will have a short-distance drive to Lake Como. Have a city tour on foot without guide to view the Lake Como, and the Villa Olmo. Have some free time at your own leisure. Drive to Turin. Upon arrival, we will have a guided tour which includes visiting the Turin Cathedral (St. John the Baptist Basilica) and St. Maria Ausilliatrice Basilica.  Visit the Chapel of the Holy Shroud where the Shroud of Turin is kept (St. Shroud Museum or Santa Sindone). Entrance is strictly subject to availability since it is difficult to confirm. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out. Have a long-distance drive to La Salette. We will visit the Notre Dame de la Salette. Transfer to the accommodation for check-in, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast and check-out, we will have a long-distance drive to Paray le Monial to visit the Visitation Chapel and see the relics of St. Marguerite-Marie Alacoque. Visit also the Basilica of Sacre Coeur. Then continue driving to Nevers. Transfer to hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out. We will visit Espace Bernadette Soubirous Nevers, a former convent and the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers. This is where the body of Saint Bernadette reposes. Have a long-distance drive Paris – the heart of Europe’s most romantic city. Upon arrival, we will have a photo stop at the famous Eiffel Tower. Drive to Sacre Coeur. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Celebrate private Mass at the Chapel of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal. Visit also the nearby St. Vincent de Paul Chapel. Start a guided tour of this breathtaking city which includes view of the Place de la Concorde, Arche de Triomphe, Avenue des Champs Elysse, Les Invalides, and Seine River banks. Visit also Notre Dame Cathedral. Then, have an hour sightseeing river cruise aboard Bateaux Mouches Cruise. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Reims – the most populous city in the French department of Marne, and the 12^th most populous city in France. Have a guided tour to visit the Reims Cathedral; view of the Place Drouet-d’Erlon, Porte de Mars. Return to Paris. Entrance to the Louvre Museum. Have dinner at an international restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast and check-out.  Transfer to Paris airport to catch the flight back to Manila.

HOME SWEET HOME!!!