Tour #: OLL0516

Tue, May 16^th: Ft. Myers/Rome - Depart on your overnight flight to Rome.  Dinner served in flight.

Wed, May 17^th: Rome/Naples/Sorrento - Upon arrival you are met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in SORRENTO. After time to rest we have a walking tour of the town.  This small town is wonderfully located over white steep cliffs and offers a fantastic view over the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.  For 2000 years visitors from all over the world have been attracted to Sorrento by breathtaking sunsets and fragrances of orange and lemon groves. The small fishing harbor of Marina Grande is especially beautiful, where one can sense the naturalness of Sorrento. (B,D)

Thu, May 18^th:  Sorrento/Pompeii/Sorrento - Morning departure to POMPEII.  Our first stop is at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii for Mass. After Mass, we visit the RUINS OF POMPEII. Following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, in the year 79 A.D. Pompeii lay buried and forgotten for hundreds of years. Your guide will take you slowly through some of the ancient streets of Pompeii where you can see the Baths, Forums and Villas built by the prosperous Romans in the year 80 B.C. After our visit, we return to Sorrento. This afternoon you will be offered an Optional Tour of Capri. (B,D)

Fri, May 19^th: Sorrento/Amalfi Coast/Sorrento - It's enough just to say the word "coastline" and immediately the most celebrated stretch of the Mediterranean springs to mind. As we leave Sorrento we head towards Positano for the start of the AMALFI DRIVE. Now and then the roadway passes white villages, churches with majolica cupolas, sudden rocky protrusions and terraced groves swollen with lemons. Every curve reveals a fishing cove nestled in the rocks, a quick glimpse of blue or a Bouganvilla-draped villa. Immortalized by thousands of painters and the films of several dozen film directors, it never fails to provoke strong emotions especially in those who are seeing it for the first time.  We exit the Amalfi Drive for a visit to one of the lovely towns along the coast – AMALFI. We visit Piazza del Duomo and the ninth century Cathedral of Saint Andreas (St. Andrew), whose remains are buried in the crypt. The Cathedral reflects Amalfi's original importance. We have free time on our own for lunch and to explore this lovely town.  After our visit, we return along the Amalfi Drive to Sorrento. (B,D)

Sat, May 20^th: Sorrento/Naples/San Giovanni Rotondo - Morning departure to San Giovanni Rotondo.  En route we stop in NAPLES for a panorama of the city.  Naples sits on the northern edge of one of the most beautiful bays in Italy - the Bay of Naples. Mount Vesuvius lies in close proximity to the city. Naples is a very old city - having been established as a Greek trading center around 600 BC. The city was later conquered by the ancient Romans and became a residence of several emperors and other important persons of that time. Today, Naples is a bustling city with a colorful street life, chaotic traffic, and numerous narrow and winding alleyways that lead to many quaint shops and restaurants. After our panorama we continue to SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO to visit the new Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Padre Pio’s Tomb and his Cell.  We will have a Vigil Mass at Padre Pio’s Tomb. (B,D)

Sun, May 21^st: San Giovanni Rotondo/Loreto - Free time this morning before our departure to Loreto to visit the HOLY HOUSE OF LORETO, also know as Mary’s House. Tradition tells us that on May 10, 1291 the House of the Holy Family was carried by angels from Nazareth across the Sea to Dalmatia, Yugoslavia. It remained there until Dec. 10, 1294 when again it was born aloft across the Adriatric Sea to Italy. (B,D)

Mon, May 22^nd: Loreto/Rome - Morning departure to the “ETERNAL CITY – ROME”. Today we travel through the Umbrian countryside en route to Rome. Upon arrival we visit the Catacombs to see the place where the early Christians worshipped in hiding. Next we visit one of the four major Basilicas’ of Rome – St. Paul Outside the Walls where we see the Tomb of St. Paul. After our visit we check into our hotel. After dinner this evening we will have a “Rome by Night Tour.”  We see the Coliseum, the Forum, the monument to Victor Emanuel and other famous sights of Rome. We leave our motorcoach for a walking tour from Piazza Navona to the Trevi Fountain. Those who wish may remain on the bus during the walking tour.

Tue, May 23^rd: Rome - Free day to enjoy Rome on our own. Today we will have Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.  After Mass we will have a tour of the Basilica. (B,D)

Wed, May 24^th: PAPAL AUDIENCE AND FAREWELL DINNER - This morning we go to St. Peter’s Square for the Papal Audience with Pope Bendict XVI (provided the Holy Father is in residence). After the audience we are free until our evening Farewell Dinner at “Da Meo Patacca.” (B,D)

Thu, May 25^th: Rome/USA – Morning departure to Rome airport for our return flight to the USA.  For those joining the Optional Tour of Sicily, they will transfer to Rome airport for their flight to Catania.

5 Day Extension to Sicily

visiting Taormina, Siracusa & Agrigento
May 25 – 29, 2006

 This tour is Fully Escorted. Your guide will be with you for the Entire Tour.

 Thu, May 25^th: Rome/Catania/Taormina/Siracusa
This morning your guide will transfer you to Rome airport for your flight to Catania. Upon arrival at Catania airport, you are transferred to TAORMINA for a visit of the Palazzo Corvaja, the Greek Theater and the Cathedral. After your tour, you are free to enjoy Sicily’s most famous resort.  Wander through the tiny streets and alleyways. This is the city of the Jet Set and the shops and boutiques reflect this. Have lunch, on your own, in a small restaurant or sidewalk café. Sit in the Square which overlooks Mt. Etna, and watch the world go by. Late afternoon departure to SIRACUSA. (B,D)

Fri, May 26^th: Siracusa
Siracusa is a wonderful city where historic cultures are evident in the narrow streets and lovely courtyards of the old houses. Siracusa is the birthplace of Archimedes and, at one time, it rivaled Athens as the most important city of the Greek world. Our sightseeing tour includes the Archaeological Park to see the Altar of Geron II and the Ear of Dionysius. We visit the well-preserved Greek Theater which is carved out of the rocky hillside. Next we visit the historical part of the city. As we enter the ISLAND OF ORTIGA we see ancient ruins and Temples where St. Paul preached to the people of Siracusa.  We walk thorough the town passing beautiful Piazza’s and Fountains.  We have free time for lunch, on our own, in one of the little Cafes along the waterfront. (B,D)

Sat, May 27^th: Siracua/Agrigento/Siracusa
Early morning departure to AGRIGENTO.  En route we discover the picturesque countryside of central Sicily. Upon arrival in Agrigento, we visit the archeological area known as the VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES  — one of the world’s most important archeological sites. We have a guided tour of the valley and the temples. After our tour we return to Siracusa. (B,D)

Sun, May 28^th: Siracusa
This morning we have Mass at the Basilica of Madonna delle Lacrime which holds the plaque of Our Lady of the Tears. From   August 29 to September 1, 1953, a plaster plaque of the Immaculate Heart of  Mary,  placed over the headboard of  the bed  of a young  couple,  Angelo  Iannuso and Antonina Giusto, shed human tears. The phenomenon took place at intervals inside and outside of the house. Many saw, touched, gathered and tasted the salt of those tears. After Mass and our visit, the remainder of the day is free to explore Siracusa on your own perhaps to return to quaint Ortiga Island and just wander through the ancient streets.  (B,D)

Mon, May 29^th:  Siracusa/Catania/Rome/USA

Early morning depart to Catania airport for our return flight to the USA via Rome. 

*Terms & Conditions: Cancellation made by passengers. Of the $500.00 deposit, $200.00 is non-refundable in case of cancellation. 70 days to 46 days a $500.00 penalty is imposed. 45 days to 16 days a $500.00 penalty PLUS any penalty imposed by the airlines and hotels. 15 days or less may result in loss of entire cost, depending on what we can recover. Once travel has commenced, no refunds for unused portions can be made.