VIRGILIO TRAVEL
DETAILED ITINERARY
(Subject to Change)
Wednesday,
June 4
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“Recommended Group flight” Delta 230 departs from New York - JFK at 7:25pm ET
Thursday,
June 5
The “recommended group flight” arrives at 10:15am local time. Everyone needs to be at Rome-Fiumicino airport by 11:15am. Here you will meet Lino, Fr. Dave, Brett, Tyler, our guides, and hop on the buses. We drive to Tuscany where we
indulge in our first delicious Italian lunch. Then we head to our home for the next 4 nights: Borgo San Luigi. It’s like our own private villa! After check in, shower off those nasty plane germs and everyone meets for an aperitivo (pre-dinner drink) to get to know each other before a fantastic welcome dinner.
Friday,
June 6
This morning we leave at 9am for the beautiful hilltop town of Siena. We begin with a visit to St Dominic Church, followed by Mass.
You then have some time for lunch before a tour of the city and a tour of the Duomo. After this, we leave Siena for a fantastic winery. We’ll visit the winery, enjoy a wine pairing class, and then feast on a great dinner paired with Chianti wines. Did we mention this is the indulgent part of the trip? Nice and full, we head back to the Villa.
Saturday,
June 7
Today we head out at 9am for the amazing city of Florence. We start with a view of the city from one of Lino’s favorite places: Piazzale Michelangelo. We then do a tour of the Duomo and Baptistry before time for lunch.
After that, we’ll see Michelangelo’s David and a tour of the incredible church of Santa Croce. We’ll have Mass here before returning to Borgo San Luigi for another indulgent meal.
Sunday,
June 8
This morning we head to one of Tuscany’s most beautiful sights, the Abbey of St Antimo. This church and monastery are set deep in the rolling olive groves where we’ll have Mass – in Italian – with the monks. Afterwards, we’ll head to Montalcino to learn about wine and cheese production. Here we’ll have an Italian picnic lunch with all kinds of cheeses, salami, bread, and wine. We then visit another winery and tour the castle and vineyards (this is definitely the indulgent part of the trip), tasting some expensive Italian red wines. We then return to the Villa for a relaxing afternoon at the pool before a final dinner at the Borgo San Luigi.
Monday,
June 9
Today we head for Rome. Indulgent Italy is over… Now time for Indulgences!
We'll stop for lunch along the way and then visit our first of four Papal Basilicas: We'll wait in line (this is where we remind you…you’ve gotta be patient on this pilgrimage) to walk through our first of four Holy Doors. This is the largest church in the world dedicated to Mary, and we're visiting it on the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church. After a tour of the basilica, we'll get to have Mass here. Afterwards, we head to our hotel, check in, and have a delicious dinner.
Tuesday,
June 10
This morning is an early one! We head to St. Peter’s Basilica to stand in line (a running theme) to walk through the Holy Door. We then have a tour of the great basilica and you’ll have the rest of the morning to explore the church on your own: walk up to the dome, visit the Tombs of the Popes, plenty of time to pray, etc… After lunch, we will
meet up and head to St Paul’s Outside The Walls. After waiting in line (trying to really prepare you for the lines…), we visit this great church. Visit the tomb of St Paul, tour the church, and we'll get to have Mass here. After this, we do part one of Lino’s favorite churches in a walking tour. Followed by dinner at one of Lino’s favorite restaurants. Indulging at meals continues, we promise.
Wednesday, June 11
We have another early day by visiting St. Peter's Square and seeing Pope Francis for his Wednesday General Audience. After that, part two of Lino’s favorite churches in a walking tour.
We then have lunch on our own before visiting our fourth and final of the main Papal Basilicas: We’ll wait in line (one last time) for the Holy Door at St John Lateran. Followed by a final pilgrimage Mass. We’ll then return to the hotel to freshen up and pack before walking to dinner at another of Lino’s favorite restaurants (and where Lino and Jill had their wedding reception).
Thursday,
June 12