Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - June 15, Monday: Depart for Rome 
Depart Chicago O’Hare International Airport on your overnight flight to Rome. Complimentary meals and beverages will be served on board.

Day 2 - June 16, Tuesday: Arrive – Rome – Assisi 
Arrive at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport, proceed through Passport Control, claim your luggage, and a The Catholic Journey tour manager will meet you upon your exit from Customs. Board your comfortable motor coach and soon you will be on your way to Assisi The narrow lanes, the Shrines of Saint Francis and the overwhelming art dedicated to its young friar - a rich young man who turned to God after an illness and established an order that has grown stronger over the centuries. Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Crowned by the magnificent dome designed by Alessi, this great Basilica was built in 1569. It enclosed the shrine of the “Porziuncola” or the Little Portion Chapel around which the first Franciscan community was centered, the place where Clare received the habit from Francis, and the Capella Del Transi- to, which marks the spot where the Saint died. You will see the statue of Saint Francis in the courtyard where thornless roses bloom. After our visit we continue to Assisi for hotel check-in. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Assisi. (D)

Day 3 - June 17, Wednesday: Visit the Sites of St. Francis & St. Clare 
After early breakfast, walk to the Basilica of St. Francis to Celebrate Mass at the Tomb of St. Francis, at which the Choirs of Catholic Central High School will sing for the Mass. After Mass, visit the Basilica of St. Francis. Our local guide will take us to explore the Basilica complex, which is actually composed of two churches built one atop the other. Beneath both churches is the crypt that houses the tomb of St. Francis. The lower Basilica dates from 1228 to 1230, and is richly deco- rated with beautiful stained glass windows, and paintings done by some of the most important artists of the 13th and 14th centuries. In the upper Basilica, built from 1230 - 1253, you will marvel at the monumental frescoes painted by Giot- to, which depict scenes from the life of the saint. Continue to visit the Basilica of St. Clare, the first and most important heroine of the Franciscan movement, view her remains and see the miraculous Crucifix. Independent lunch. Return to your hotel to freshen-up. Late afternoon, walk to the Basilica of St. Francis for rehearsal and the first concert presentation by the Choirs of Catholic Central High School. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Assisi. (BD)

Day 4 - June 18, Thursday: Assisi – Siena – Florence 
Breakfast at your hotel. We depart Assisi for Siena, a city that is self-contained and still rural in parts behind its medieval walls. Upon arrival, we will focus on the beauty of Siena, where Saint Catherine (1347-80) lived as a lay-affiliate of the Dominican Order. St. Catherine is well known for her intellect and mystical visions of Christ. Visit the Basilica of St. Dominic, which contains the incorrupt head of this beloved Patron saint of Italy. Our walking tour of Siena continues to the Cathedral di Santa Maria, better known as the Duomo, enjoy a guided visit of the Duomo, a gleaming marble treasury of Gothic art. Siena’s Duomo was built between 1215 and 1263 in the form of a Latin cross, with a dome and bell tower. Large in scale and ornately decorated inside and out, Siena’s cathedral is one of the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture. The dome was painted in dark blue with golden stars in the late 15th century, and is topped with Bernini’s gold “lantern. The exterior and interior are constructed of striped white and greenish black marble, with addition of red marble on the facade. The Cathedral contains valuable pieces of art including the “Feast of Herod” by Donatello and works by Bernini and the young Michelangelo. It makes this Cathedral an extraordinary museum of Italian sculpture. Continue on to visit Piazza del Campo (Il Campo), the site of the famous Palio horse races, built at the convergence of the city’s principal roads, the Banchi di Sopra, Banchi di Sotto, and Via di Citá. The market also used to take place here. We will best experience the beauty of Siena by walking through its historic streets. Perhaps you will enjoy relaxation and refreshment at one of the outdoor cafés in the Piazza del Campo, surrounded by remarkable Patrician buildings. Independent lunch. Late afternoon, we continue to one of the high points of any travel experience, Assisi. After a ride through the gentle Tuscan Hills, to the Renaissance city of Florence for hotel check-in. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Florence. (BD)

Day 5 - June 19, Friday: AM/Highlights of Florence;– PM/At Leisure 
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, the local guide will be ready to take on a walking tour to see the beautiful Piazza Del Duomo and the delicately patterned green, white and pink Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore, crowned with its magnificent Dome by Brunelleschi; Giotto’s Bell Tower; the Romanesque Baptistry of St. John with the exquisite bronze doors by Ghiberti, which Michelangelo called the “Gates of Paradise”; Independent lunch. This afternoon is free to do as you wish. Perhaps you will visit the Uffizi Palace, which houses what may be the most important collection of paintings in the world. Or, maybe you would like to visit the Piazza Della Signoria; the famous shop-lined bridge, Ponte Vecchio; and the adjacent “Straw Market”; or shop for leather, gold or other Florentine souvenirs. Enjoy time at leisure in the afternoon. Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight at hotel in Florence. (BD)

Day 6 - June 20, Saturday: Florence – Rome – Palestrina 
After breakfast, we leave Florence to Rome and the “Eternal City.” History, evolving over 2,500 years, will be made visible for you by the Roman ruins, 15th century churches, 17th century palaces and 20th century monuments. Break for lunch along the way . Upon arrival we have lunch at our hotel, Check in - In the afternoon, we will drive a short distance to a village named “Palestrina”. Here, was born Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina the greatest producer of Sacred Polyphony Music, also known as 'Princes Music'. – We will visit his house-museum where thousands of “compositions” have been collected.- and perform our last concert, at the village’s Cathedral where the young Pierluigi used to sing. The concert will be open by the local choir which preserves the "Palestrina style" of singing Dinner will be a Renaissance style served in a local restaurant, based on local recipes. During the dinner the the Choirs of Catholic Central High School will have the chance to perform Madrigals together with the Palestrina Choir ! 22:30 Drive back to our hotel for overnight (B,special D)

Day 7 - June 21, Sunday: AM/Solemn Mass at St. Peter’s Square – PM/time at leisure, visit St Peter's Basilica , Sing at Mass in San Peter’s Basilica 
Breakfast at your hotel. This morning you will be transferred to St. Peter’s Square to attend the Holy Mass . At noon attend the Papal Blessing in St. Peter’s Square. Then, you will enjoy a restaurant lunch ( included) with the afternoon at leisure for browsing, shopping or exploring the sights of Rome. Hearty pilgrims may want to attempt to climb the 330 stairs (or take the elevator) to the top of St. Peter’s for an unparalleled view of Vatican City and Rome. We will visit St Peter's Basilica with a local guide and , at 5 pm, the Choirs of Catholic Central High School will sing during the afternoon Mass celebrated in San Peter’s Basilica . Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B.L.D.)

Day 8 - June 22, Monday: Christian Rome / Navona Square and Pantheon 
After breakfast, this morning, we visit the magnificent Basilica of St. Paul. It was built by Constantine in the 4th century on the site of St. Paul’s tomb. After having been totally destroyed by fire in 1823, it was rebuilt on the original basilica plan of early Christian churches. Surrounding the nave are the medallions of each Pope, from Peter to Francis XVI. We celebrate Mass and sing at Mass. Continue your tour to the Cathedral of St. John Lateran, the first Christian church to be consecrated. It was founded by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th century and was home to the Popes for many years prior to the present Vatican residence. Break for lunch. End our morning tour with a visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the four major Basilicas built by Pope Sixtus III (AD 432- 440). View the impressive interior with its remarkable mosaics in the nave depicting scenes from the Old Testament. View relics of Jesus’ manger from Bethlehem and the high altar, which contains the remains of St Matthew the Evangelist. The mosaics above the entablature are among the most ancient Christian mosaics in Rome. We then reach Navona Square with time to browse through the artists’ stalls to buy a painting or just look...and a chance to buy one of Rome’s most famous products, a “tartufo” (ice cream) at the Gelateria “Tre Scalini.”and see the Pantheon. Balance of the day at our leisure. .Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight at hotel in Rome. (BD)

Day 9 - June 23, Tuesday AM Tour of Ancient Rome – PM/Tour Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps
Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Begin your day with a visit to the Church of St. Peter in Chains to see the original chains in which St. Peter was brought captive to Rome and the statue of Moses, one of Michelangelo’s greatest masterpieces. Then, we continue to the ancient Roman Forum. See the Arch of Titus and the Arch of Constantine and proceed to the outside of the Coliseum for a fascinating explanation of its history. Continue on to the grandiose white marble monument of King Victor Emmanuel II, often called the “Wedding Cake”. See the Trajan Column and the Market (the ancient Roman equivalent of a department store) We continue walking to the Trevi Fountain and toss in a coin to ensure your “Arri-vederci, Roma. Independent lunch. This is the time to visit the local shops and street vendors. Rome is yours! Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight at hotel. (BD)

Day 10 - June 24, Wednesday: AM– Tour of the Vatican Museums; PM Formal Concert
After breakfast, begin your morning of sightseeing with a visit to one of the great art collections in the world, the Vatican Museums. Walk in the footsteps of the Princes of the Church through the richly decorated galleries. Continue on to the Sistine Chapel, the private chapel of the Popes, where Michelangelo best expressed his genius in monumental frescoes. Daily Itinerary tour continues in St. Peter’s Basilica. Take in the awesome architecture and the statuary adorning this largest of all Christian churches, including Michelangelo’s magnificent “Pieta.” Pray at the new tomb of Saint John Paul II, in St. Sebastian’s Chapel. On your own, with time permitting, you may wish to go to the Vatican Crypt to see and pray near the tomb of St. Peter and where numerous pontiffs are buried, among incredible works of artReturn to the hotel for lunch Around 4:00pm, you will be transferred to the city center. At 17:00, formal concert will be presented by The Choirs of Catholic Central High School. Balance of the evening is at your leisure. Dinner is at leisure - Return to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Rome. (BL)

Day 11 - June 25, Thursday: After a good breakfast, we will check out and drive to the airport. (B) 

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