Pilgrimage to Italy with Rev. Fr. Randy Marquez, OSJ

NOV 08            CHECK-IN AT NAIA 3 AT 1930HRS / DEPARTURE FROM MANILA TO MILAN, ITALY 

NOV 09            MILAN

Upon arrival in Milan, have a half-day guided tour to visit the Duomo (Cathedral). View of Sforza Castle, La Scala Theatre and Da Vinci Statue. Have some free time at the Galleria Emmanuelle Vittorio. Proceed to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

NOV 10            MILAN / VENICE / PADOVA

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Have a long distance 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 a photo stop at the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Piazza, Bell Tower and the Bridge of Sighs. Visit San Marco Basilica and the Glass blowing factory. Then have another private boat ride leaving from Tronchetto. Drive to Padova. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

NOV 11            PADOVA / FLORENCE

After breakfast and check out at the hotel, have a guided tour in Padova which includes visit to the Basilica de San Antonio. Have some free time for private devotions. Afterwards, have a long distance drive to Florence. Have dinner at a local restaurant before transfer to the hotel for check-in and overnight.

NOV 12            FLORENCE / PISA / SIENA

Breakfast and check-out. Have a guided tour on foot of the city of Florence, which includes a visit to the Florence Cathedral (Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore); outside view and photo stop of the Baptistry (Battistero), Piazza Michelangelo, Giotto’s Bell Tower and Piazza del a Signoria. Then continue driving to Pisa. Upon arrival, have a short sightseeing tour on foot (without guide) of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, see the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. It is situated behind the Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in Pisa’s Cathedral Square. Then, we will proceed for a long distance drive to Siena. Transfer to hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

NOV 13            SIENA / ASSISI

After breakfast and check out at the hotel, have a short guided tour of the city of Siena. Visit the St. Domenico Church and to the Basilica of St. Maria dei Servi. Continue for a long drive to Assisi. Have a guided tour on foot to visit the Basilica Santa Maria Degli Angeli to see the Thornless Rose bush and Porziuncola Chapel located inside the church. You may enter the Basilica of St. Francis (without guide). Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight

NOV 14            ASSISI / CASCIA / MANOPELLO / LANCIANO

Breakfast and check out at the hotel. Drive to Cascia to visit the Basilica of St. Rita de Cascia and see the incorruptible body of St. Rita. Afterwards, have a long distance drive to Manoppello. Visit the Holy Face of Manoppello located at the Basilica del Volto Santo di Manoppello. Continue for a short drive to Lanciano. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

NOV 15            LANCIANO / SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

After breakfast and check out at the hotel, have a guided tour and visit the Eucharistic Miracle (St. Legonziano Church). Continue for a long distance drive to San Giovanni Rotondo. Upon arrival, have a half-day guided tour on foot to visit the Shrine of St. Padre Pio, and the Church of St. Mary of Grace (Santa Maria delle Grazie). Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

NOV 16     SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO / MONTE SANTANGELO / POMPEI / NAPLES

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Drive to Monte Sant’ Angelo and have a brief city tour on foot (without guide). Visit to Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel. Continue driving and have a guided tour to Pompei which was buried by the 79 A.D. eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Ruins here include the frescoed Villa of the Mysteries and the city’s amphitheater. Visit the Pompei Excavation. Transfer to Naples and have your dinner and check in at the hotel for overnight

NOV 17            NAPLES / GENEZANNO / ROME

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Have a guided tour and visit the city’s cathedral, the Duomo di San Gennaro, which is filled with frescoes and the lavish Royal Palace, visit also the Castel Nuovo, a 13th-century castle. Then drive to Genezanno to visit the Santuario Madonna del Buon Consiglio (Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel). You will see the Painting of Our Mother of Good Counsel located inside the Church. Proceed to the hotel in Rome for check in, dinner and overnight

NOV 18            ROME

After breakfast, we will have a half-day guided tour to visit the Vatican Museum and The Sistine Chapel. Visit also St. Peter’s Basilica – destination of all Catholics coming from all over the world. Rest of the time is free at leisure. Have dinner at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for overnight stay.

NOV 19            ROME

After breakfast, we will have a half-day guided tour of the Major Basilicas: Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano (UNESCO listed), and the Holy Steps (Scala Santa), Basilica of Sta. Maria Maggiore, and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Then have a visit also to the nearby St. Croce in Gerusalemme Basilica and see the original relics of the Holy cross of Christ. After the visit, have time for shopping at Castel Romano Designer Outlet. Have dinner at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

NOV 20            ROME / MANILA

Breakfast and check out at the hotel. Have a half-day guided tour to see the outside view of the Monument Vittorio Emanuelle II, Circus Maximus. Have a photo stop at Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, Pantheon Church, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Then transfer to Rome airport for our flight back to Manila.

NOV 21          MANILA

“Home Sweet Home”!!!