For Consecrated Virgins following the

International Congress-Pilgrimage for Consecrated Virgins

The Shrines of Italy

May 20-27, 2008 

Price per person: $2,752 Includes Airfare*, Accommodations (double occupancy), Tours as per the itinerary, Airport Taxes, and Travel Insurance  *Airfare: Departure

May 12th for the International Congress-Pilgrimage and Return May 27th

The Land Only * cost is $1,505.00

Group Coordinator:     Isabel Bettwy

YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:

Round-trip air from New York to Italy

    (special Add-on Airfares  from all other US gateways)
7 nights at 3-star & 4-star hotels: (or similar)
             Assisi – Hotel Giotto / dei Priori – 4 nights hb

             S.G.R  - Hotel Savoia Regency – 2 nights hb

Rome – Hotel Tiberio / Diana  – 1 night hb

Breakfast and dinner daily, plus 2 lunches
Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
Guided tours and admission fees
Hotel taxes and service charges
Papal Audience (if available)
Baggage handling
Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents

Airport tax up to $220 (subject to change)

Travel Insurance

Not Included:

Lunches except where indicated, Drinks with dinners, Tips to your guide & driver ($6 per day). Items of a personal nature. Add-on airfare from your hometown (see special rates at www.206tours.com/addon) 

May 20 : Rome / Collevalenza / Assisi  (Pick up group at Hotel )

After being picked up at the hotel we depart for Assisi.  On the way we stop in Collevalenza, a small village in the district of Todi, in the Province of Perugia, situated at about 350 meters above sea level on a hill that gently slopes down into a valley.  It was here that on the 18^th August 1951, by a special disposition of Divine Providence, Mother Speranza, with some of her sisters and the first Sons of Merciful Love, came to settle.  We continue on until we reach Assisi.  Upon arrival we will check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

May 21 : Assisi

Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare, still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s, the period when St. Francis began his ministry. We will visit the Basilica of St Francis and the crypt where his remains are entombed. The 13th Century Basilica contains some of the saint’s possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. After strolling through the streets of the compact town and stopping at an outdoor cafe with a view of an ancient Roman temple, now the Catholic Church of Minerva, we will proceed to the Basilica of St. Clare, where the saint's incorrupt body remains. We will pray before the San Damiano crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis, asking him "to rebuild my Church." Outside the town of Assisi is St. Mary of the Angels Basilica where St. Francis spent most of his life. In the Basilica we will visit the little Chapel known as the Portiuncola and the cave where St. Francis retired for prayer and where he died. Dinner in our hotel.

May 22 : Assisi Excursion to Siena

We are off to the beautiful town of Siena, the birthplace of Saints Catherine and Bernardine and one of Italy’s loveliest medieval cities. Here we will stroll the Piazza Del Campo, one of Italy’s finest squares and visit the Cathedral and the Basilica of St. Francis, containing the miraculous consecrated hosts that remained intact since 1730. View the incorrupt head of St. Catherine at the Basilica of St. Dominic.   Return to Assisi for dinner and overnight.

May 23 : Assisi

Enjoy Assisi today on your own.  Explore the city and relax in it’s old world tranquility. Dinner and overnight.

May 24 : Assisi / Loreto / Lanciano / San Giovanni Rotondo (S.G.R.)

We will have breakfast at our hotel before we embark on a drive down the Adriatic coast to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto. More than 50 popes have made a pilgrimage to the house transported by angels to this hill in central Italy in 1294. Tradition has it that in this is the house where Jesus grew to manhood, and in which the Holy Family lived.  We will continue on to Lanciano where we will see the Eucharistic Miracle and celebrate Mass.  We will end our day in San Giovanni Rotondo, where we will have dinner and overnight at our hotel.

May 25 :  Visit of: S.G.R / Monte S’Angelo   

After celebrating Mass at the tomb of Padre Pio, we tour the sanctuary, see the old church and the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. We will have an opportunity to view his exhumed body (through September 2009). You will see the confessional where Padre Pio spent innumerable hours with a multitude of pilgrims, directing them on their journey toward God. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Cargano Peninsula and a visit to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Six different popes, St Francis and at least four other saints have knelt in prayer at this grotto, seeking the protection of St Michael. A panoramic view of the ocean and the surrounding countryside awaits you at this most celebrated shrine of early Christianity, a shrine consecrated by St Michael himself in 490. Return to San Giovanni for devotions, reflection, and a restful overnight.

May 26 : S.G.R. / Pietrelcina / Cassino / Rome

Pietrelcina is the birthplace of Padre Pio and where he spent his childhood.  Today we will celebrate Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli (Our Lady of the Angels Church) where St. Pio celebrated his first Mass.  Then we will stop in Monte Cassino, a beautiful town founded by St. Benedict in 529. We will visit the Benedictine Monastery made famous during World War II. From there we will transfer to Rome for dinner, rest, and overnight before we depart for home tomorrow.

May 27 : Transfer on departure from Rome Airport

Depart for our return flights to the USA. We fondly say, Arrivederci Roma!

 For more information Please contact:

Isabel Bettwy, imabettwy@aol.com or

Or Billy Ryan,    billy@206tours.com,   800-206-8687

Any questions?      Call  800-206-TOUR  - or -    E-Mail Us