Melissa's Journey Part 1

Day 1: Monday 8th August

Sydney Airport

Depart Sydney on Thai Airways International (Airbus 340)
TG478 Economy Class.





Bangkok Airport

Change at Bangkok to Thai Airways International (Boeing 777)
TG940 Economy Class.


Day 2: Tuesday 9th August



Milan Airport

On arrival into Milan today we will meet our guide &

travel directly south to Florence,
the art capital of the world & home to superb churches, galleries & museums.





Florence

Before our arrival we will ascend the hill of Piazzale Michelangelo
to admire the view of this amazing city.

  

Hotel Donatello 

We will stay in Florence overnight at the Hotel Donatello...

Hotel Castri

... & the Hotel Castri.

Due to the size of your group, two hotels will be used

during your stay in Florence.

The property you are staying in will be advised by your group leader

at the start of your pilgrimage tour.

Day 3: Wednesday 10th August

Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze

Set out this morning to visit the Academy of Fine Arts
containing many treasures including Michelangelo's statue of David.

Florence Cathedral

Also enter the awesome Duomo whose magnificent dome
was created by Brunelleschi.

Sienna

Following our tour we travel to Sienna, birth place of St. Catherine.

Basilica of San Domenico

While here we will visit the Basilica of St. Dominic;

Piazza del Campo

Stroll the Piazza del Campo...

House of St. Catherine of Siena

... before entering the Sanctuary of St. Catherine.

Assisi

Continuing on today we will come to the pilgrimage centre of Assisi
where St. Francis tended the poor & sick
& founded the Franciscan order.

Hotel Antonelli

We will stay in Assisi overnight at the Hotel Antonelli.


Day 4: Thursday 11th August



Assisian Walkway  

This morning we will soak up the atmospheric sounds of chapel bells,

cobblestone footsteps & a tangible spirit of St. Francis 

preserved within the walls of the holy town.

Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli

Begin our pilgrimage with a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels
on the plain where St. Francis spent most of his life.

Porziuncola

Here we will see the Portiuncola,

Thornless Rose Bush

the thornless rose bush,
the cave where the saint returned for prayer
& the chapel where he died in 1226.

Basilica di Santa Chiara

Onwards to the Upper Town to the Church of St. Clare
where we will kneel before the famous crucifix
from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis.





Tomb of St. Francis

Continuing on we enjoy a guided walking tour
through some of the town's highlights including:
Basilica of St. Francis housing the tomb of St. Francis (for Mass);





San Damiano

The quaint Church of St. Damiano...





The San Damiano Cross

... built on the site where
St. Francis heard the voice of Christ speaking through the crucifix
'go rebuild my church which you see is falling down'. 

Eremo delle Carceri

The tour will culminate high up at the Hermitage (Eremo delle Carceri),
an oasis of peace & tranquility in the woods...





Cave of St. Francis

... built on the site of a simple cave where
St. Francis often withdrew to spend many hours in prayer.

The cave & Chapel of Our Lady are preserved in the Hermitage.

An opportunity also presents itself in the evening
to attend Vespers in the Church of St. Clare &
listen to the angelic voices of the Poor Clare nuns.



Day 5: Friday 12th August

  

Orvieto

We farewell Assisi & journey south to the quaint Umbrian town of Orvieto,



 

Orvieto Cathedral

place of the famous Eucharistic Miracle of 1263.





Rome

We will then continue on to Rome where we will
spend the following three nights.

Rome, the eternal city, is home for every wandering pilgrim.

Its vibrancy & beauty is written into the

monuments, artworks, cathedrals & basillicas 

that await us on the pilgrim's journey. 

From St. Peter's Square to the Vatican Museum,

from Michelangelo & Bernini to the underground catacombs,

Rome tells its amazing story through the ages.

Via del Corso

On arrival we will enjoy an orientation drive through the city 

to our place of accommodation.

Remainder of the day at leisure 

or perhaps wander down in groups to St. Peter's 

to check out the awesome Basilica - larger than 3 football fields!

Cardinal Hotel St. Peter

We will stay in Rome at the Cardinal Hotel St. Peter.

Day 6: Saturday 13th August

 St. Peter's Basilica

After a private mass at St. Peter's Basilica this morning...

 Vatican Museums

... we will visit the Vatican Museums...

Sistine Chapel

& wander the spectacular chambers & halls leading to the Sistine Chapel
to view Michelangelo's masterpieces,
including the magnificent fresco of the Last Judgment.

St. Peter's Basilica

We continue through to the awe inspiring St. Peter's Basilica,
the largest church in the world for an informative guided visit.

Tomb of Pope John Paul II

Here too we will also come & pray before
the tomb of Pope John Paul II.

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

Continue by coach this afternoon to the impressive
St. Mary Major Bascilica.

Basilica of St John in Lateran

Onwards to the Basilica of St. John in Lateran (First Papal residence)...

Scala Sancta

... & the adjacent Holy Stairs
brought from Jerusalem to Rome in 326 AD by St. Helena
(as a favourite of pilgrims, these steps may only be ascended on the knees).

Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

Visit then the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
with its extraordinary collection of relics from the Holy Land...

Shroud of Turin Replica

... including a full size replica of the Shroud of Turin.

Cardinal Hotel St. Peter

We will stay another night in Rome at the Cardinal Hotel St. Peter.



Day 7: Sunday 14th August

Catacombs of Rome

Journey out to the ancient Catacombs fora memorable guided tour
as we explore these underground burial tunnels
for Christians & Hebrews.

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Continue on to visit the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
for Mass as we give tribute to the Church's greatest evangelist.

Colosseum

We then travel back into central Rome, stopping at the Colosseum (outside view),

Circus Maximus

Circus Maximus...

Roman Forum

... & the Roman Forum.

A free afternoon to discover the sights of Rome
in small groups (optional).

Pantheon

Why not visit the Pantheon...

Trevi Fountain

... or the Trevi Fountain...

Piazza Navona

... & indulge in a gelato at the Piazza Navona.

Cardinal Hotel St. Peter

We will spend our final night in Rome at the Cardinal Hotel St. Peter.

Melissa's Journey Part 2