DAY 1 - DEPART USA - We depart our local airport for an overnight flight to Rome. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner, and breakfast while aloft.

DAY 2 - ROME – Upon morning arrival in Rome, we are greeted by our Unitours Tour Manager, as we transfer via luxury motor coach to visit the Basilica of Paul Outside the Walls, the first of the four major basilicas we will visit while in Rome. Following our first pilgrim Mass, we proceed to our hotel to enjoy our “welcome” dinner and overnight in Rome.

DAY 3 - ROME/VATICAN CITY - This morning, we depart our hotel for Vatican City, to participate in the Papal Audience (pending Pope Francis’s schedule). Following Mass and a break for lunch on our own, we enjoy our walking tour of “Ancient” Rome. We visit the Flavian Amphitheater (know to us simply as the “Coliseum”), the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Piazza Venezia, Arch of Constantine, as well as other sites as time permits. This evening’s dinner is on our own as we enjoy the culinary delights of Rome. Overnight in Rome.

DAY 4 - ROME/NORCIA/ROME - Today, we depart Rome for our journey to the town of Norcia (originally named Nursia), to the birthplace of St. Benedict. While there, we will visit the Cathedral and Monastery of the Benedictines. Depending on the schedule, we may have an opportunity for Mass at the Cathedral. We break for lunch on our own before we continue our journey back to Rome for dinner and overnight in Rome.

DAY 5 - ROME/MONTE CASSINO/ROME This morning, we leave Rome for a full day excursion to the monastery founded by St. Benedict in the 5th and 6th century, Monte Cassino Abbey. Situated on a hill overlooking the town of Cassino, the views of the countryside are awe-inspiring. We will view both the tombs of St. Benedict, as well as his sister, St. Scholastica, who also lived the monastery life. We stop for lunch on our own before returning to Rome for a late dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 6 - ROME/SUBIACO/ROME - Today, we begin our day traveling east to the town of Subiaco, along the Aniene River. While there, we visit the Abbazia di Santa Scolastica and Monastero di San Benedetto, a complex of two churches, chapels, and other buildings on the site of St. Benedict’s cave “the Sacro Speco,” where he lived as a hermit for over three years. We stop for lunch on our own before we return this evening to Rome in time for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7 - ROME/VATICAN CITY  - This morning, we return to Vatican City and visit the Vatican Museums and Gallery, Raphael’s Rooms, and the famous Sistine Chapel, with its recently renovated ceiling frescoes by Michelangelo. We also enjoy a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, enjoying marvels of architecture, such as the famous Bernini alter columns, one Bernini engraved his own Rosary on and one is rumored to contain the spear of St. Longinus, the roman centurion who pierced the side of our Savior, and was healed by the blood and water that flowed from it! Following lunch on our own, we visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major and the Basilica of St. John Lateran before concluding our day. This evening, we enjoy dinner on our own at one of the many restaurants within walking distance of our hotel. Overnight in Rome.

DAY 8 - ROME - OPEN DAY  – Following morning Mass at a nearby church, today is ours for shopping, personal adventure, or simply to take in Rome one last time, at a more relaxed pace. We return to our hotel for our “farewell” dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 9 - ROME/USA  - Today, we make our way to the airport for our return flight home, arriving later today with memories of a lifetime.