Enjoy the scenic route to the Abbey of Montecassino. The Abbey is one of the most famous Abbeys in the world. In 529, San Benedetto chose this mountain to build a Monastery that would house him and those monks who followed him from Subiaco. Paganism was still present, but he managed to transform this place into a well-structured Christian Monastery where everyone could have the dignity he deserved, through prayer and work.

"Ora et Labora et Lege" - this is the motto of the Rule of Saint Benedict that the monks still follow in their daily routine. Some study in the library surrounded by ancient books, or search the archives for wonderful manuscripts. Others welcome guests who come in search of a moment of inner peace and serenity. And if you are visiting the Abbey, you may encounter some of them taking a walk in the cloisters before returning to their cells to pray in solitude, or to meet later for common prayer.

Every day thousands of pilgrims and visitors from all over the world cross this threshold. They silently cross the cloisters and then climb the grand staircase to the Basilica, to the tomb of San Benedetto and Santa Scolastica. Then there is the crypt, to be discovered with its stupendous golden mosaics. But it is in the museum that visitors can finally see the magnificent paintings, wonderful manuscripts and ancient books. They can retrace the history of the Abbey from its beginnings to today, and understand why Montecassino is known as the "Lighthouse of Western Civilization".

This morning, you will board the Bus and enjoy the scenic route to Roccasecca. Your journey between History, Religion, Wine and Food in the land of the “Doctor of the Church”. In the birthplace of the Doctor Communis, Saint Thomas Aquinas, we will travel back in time from prehistory to the present day. Roccasecca is a beautiful town in the Province of Frosinone, and you will be walked through the suggestive alleys and narrow street of the “Borgo del Castello” until you reach the majestic Castle dominating the wide Liri Valley.The ruins of the castle of Roccasecca ("Dry Rock"). Below it starts the flat land of the Aquino. The castle was that of his father, the Count Landulph of Aquino. He was a Knight of noble lineage and Lombard descent. His mother, Theodora, was a noblewoman from Naples and was of Norman descent. Though St. Thomas's family members were descendants of Emperors Frederick I and Henry VI, they were considered to be of lower nobility. St. Thomas was the youngest boy in a large family. There were at least three older brothers, Aimo, Ronald, and Landulph; and four sisters, Marotta, Theodora, Mary and one whose name is not known. Before St. Thomas Aquinas was born, a Holy hermit shared a prediction with his mother, foretelling that her son would enter the Order of Friars Preachers, become a great learner and achieve unequaled sanctity. When St. Thomas was an infant, the little sister whose name is unknown was killed by lightning while she slept nearby in the same room of the castle. The rest of the boys in the family grew up to be a warriors, but St. Thomas was different.

Board our transfer that will bring you north through the Tuscan countryside to Siena. On the way, you will stop in Pienza. Around the year 1300, parts of this village became property of the Piccolomini family, and the Franciscans settled down here in the 13th century. Enea Silvio Piccolomini, the Renaissance humanist who later became Pope Pius II, was born in this tiny hamlet in 1405. Once he became Pope, he had the entire village rebuilt as an ideal Renaissance town and renamed it after himself as Pienza, which means “city of Pius”. Intended as a retreat from Rome, it is the first application of humanist urban planning concepts, subsequently adopted in other Italian towns and cities. While here, we will celebrate Mass at the Duomo. Continue on to Siena, the medieval city and the birth-place of St. Catherine "Doctor of the Church", and the Apostle of Italy, St. Bernardine. Check in to your Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Starting this morning with breakfast, followed by boarding the bus to start our day tour of Siena. Start with a visit to the Basilica of St. Catherine (which is also known as the Basilica of St. Domenico). St. Catherine passed a large part of her life inside the walls of this Basilica. It is here you will also view the incorrupt head of St. Catherine. After, visit the Shrine of St. Catherine, which occupies the site of her family home. Enjoy your walking tour through the Siena including a visit to its Cathedral (Duomo di Siena). Conclude at one of Italy's finest squares, the Piazza Del Campo, where you will be given free time to spend at your own leisure. There are a number of restaurants surrounding the square to have lunch, as well as shops for gifts and souvenirs. Return to the Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Starting this morning, you will leave your luggage outside your Hotel room where the porters will bring your bags down to place them on the Bus. Make your way to an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, you will board your transfer back to Rome. Along the way, you will stop in Montepulciano. Admire the town while you walk from the main gates to the historical center. Taking in the quaint shops, you will come to the first square where you will see the Colonna del Marcozza, a marble column with the heraldic lion of Florence which decorates many of the places such as the Palazzo Avignonesi. Continue on to the Church of Sant ‘ Agostino, designed by Michelozzo, and contains the crucifix attributed to Donatello. Then take in the Fortezza, and then the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi. Then we will conclude the day with a visit to the Shrine of the Madonna del buon Viaggio. On April 23, 1518 two girls were returning from carrying water from a nearby fountain when they witnessed the Madonna’s eyes repeatedly opening and closing. A nearby farmer also witnessed the miracle. September 15th, 158 – we saw the commencement of construction for the Shrine, and in 1681, the Vatican allowed the miraculous image to be crowned in gold. In 1739, the Church was consecrated by the Bishop of Montepulciano, and in 1963 – the image of the Madonna of San Biagio was proclaimed Madonna del Buon Viaggio, protector of those who travel by earth, sea, and sky. Mass will be celebrated at the Tomb of St. Agnus, followed by time to venerate the relics. After some free time, we will continue back to Rome where our pilgrimage will conclude.

Board our transfer that will bring you north to Florence. Upon arrival in Florence, you will notice immediately that it is the land for art lovers. Some of the most world-renowned artists are from Florence such as Dante, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Donatello, and many others. Start the day with a guided tour. The tour starts at the Church of the Holy Cross, the Santa Croce, where many nobles are buried, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Continue to walk by Piazza Signorina, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, and Republic Square to the Santa Maria del Fiore. This Cathedral is an iconic piece of architecture of the city of Florence. It was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in the 13th century. Next, a visit to L'Accademia, the well-known art gallery. At this gallery, you will have the opportunity to view the work from artists such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Pontormo, and the ever famous sculpture by Michelangelo, David. This afternoon you will take a tour of the Fra Angelico Museum ***, followed by some free time to explore Florence on your own. Arrival at the hotel for dinner at a local restaurant, and then return to the Hotel for overnight.

Starting this morning, you will leave your luggage outside your Hotel room where the porters will bring your bags down to place them on the Bus. Make your way to an early breakfast and then continue to Santa Maria Novella which is a key Dominican Church in Florence. After a brief Tour, you will celebrate Mass here, and then with heartfelt farewells, you will board your transfer back to Rome.

This morning, you will board our transfer and head north through the Italian countryside of vineyards and villas. You will arrive in Orvieto, where you will make your way to celebrate Mass at the Orvieto Cathedral (also known as “Duomo of Orvieto”). After, you will take a tour of the Cathedral, which is also where a Eucharistic Miracle is preserved. In 1263, a Priest stopped to celebrate Mass at Saint Christina’s Church in Bolsena. Having doubts that the Eucharist was really the Body and Blood of Christ, the Priest was shocked when the host began to bleed right after the prayer of consecration. Unable to hide this fact, he interrupted the Mass and went to Orvieto where Pope Urban IV was in residence. The Pope ordered that the miraculous host and then linen altar cloth stained with blood be brought to Orvieto and placed on display, where is still rests today. The Cathedral also has some of the most magnificent frescoes to be found anywhere. The depicting visions of heaven and hell in the San Brizio Chapel rival those of the Sistine Chapel. We will make our way to lunch, followed by some free time to walk around at your own leisure. Then you will board our bus for your return transfer back to Rome.

This morning, you will board our transfer and make your way to Fossanova. It was here in 1274 A.D., in the Cistercian Monastery, where St Thomas of Aquinas died, while on his way to the council of Lyon. Declared a “National Monument” in 1874, the Church is the oldest example of Cistercian Gothic Art in Italy. This Monastery centers around a magnificent cloister featuring an array of masterful sculptures. The Church itself is a soaring gothic affair, complete with rib vaults and a beautiful mullioned rose window.

We will begin the day by traveling south to Naples, the city where St. Thomas of Aquinas attended University. Upon arrival, you will start with a visit to the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary (also known as the Cathedral of St. Januarius). It was built in the 14th Century, and known as the Dominican Church of San Domenico Maggiore. It was here that St. Thomas lived and taught. You will also see the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Thomas, noting that he had written well of Him. We will celebrate Mass, and then make our way to lunch. Next, we will continue on to visit the University of Naples, which is where St. Thomas of Aquinas studied. Some other landmarks that we will also see the famous “Quartieri Spagnoli”. Originally built to house troops during the Spanish occupation, this historic neighborhood is ringing with life, colorful laundry hanging from the balconies, espresso shops, and many wonderful local restaurants. You will have some free time to explore on your own before we meet back together, board our transfer, and return back to Rome.