Italy: A Feast for Body and Soul
with Mary DeTurris Poust
October 7-19, 2014 – 13 Days 
$4,999 from New York, JFK  
Special Package with this Trip :
International departure taxes of $115 plus current fuel surcharges of $516 are included [subject to change].
                  Alitalia Air     Baggage Info
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Popular Catholic author Mary DeTurris Poust
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Tuesday, October 7 - Day 1 - Today, we depart New York for our overnight flight to Rome. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft.

Wednesday, October 8 - Day 2 - ROME/MONTECATINI TERME-Arrive Rome airport, we will meet our tour guide and 
drive to our hotel in Montecatini Terme. Rest of the day is free. This evening welcome drink, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Thursday, October 9 - Day 3 - FLORENCE: This morning we drive to Florence. Our walking tour 
begins with a visit to the Academy Gallery to view Michelangelo’s David. Next we visit the Duomo the heart of the city with its cupola by Brunelleschi, completed in 1240, its campanile by Giotto; we proceed outside to view the Baptistry (exterior) with incomparable bronze doors by Ghiberti. We continue to Piazza della Signoria, the political and historical centre of Florence, with its imposing rectangular fortress-palace, Palazzo Vecchio. Opposite the Palace we see the Loggia dei Lanzi, with the statues of Perseus by Cellini and the Rape of the Sabines by Giambologna. Lunch on our own and time for shopping. Before returning to our hotel we will stop at Piazzale Michelangelo to enjoy a panoramic view of the splendid city. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight .

Friday, October 10 - Day 4 - SIENA – This morning we drive to the magnificent city of Siena, which invites us to stroll through its Gothic streets converging on the famous Piazza del Campo. This is the heart of Siena, a sloping amphitheatre of a square, lined with café tables. The Campo is the dramatic setting for the Palio bareback horserace. Heading uphill from the Campo, we reach the monumental green-and-white-striped Duomo, Siena's Cathedral. Today we enjoy a wine tasting and light lunch at Diovole Agriturismo http://www.dievole.it/splash/splash.aspx .Return to our 
hotel for dinner and overnight.

Saturday, October 11 - Day 5 - ASSISI: This morning we drive south through Umbria to the hilltop village of Assisi, the home of St. Francis. Our first stop is in the lower town for a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, and the Portiuncula, Francis' Church of the Little Portion. This afternoon, our taxis take us up to the Hermitage of the Carceri, where Francis and his Friars retreated from the world to pray and fast. Here the grotto of St. Francis can also be seen. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. 

Sunday, October 12 - Day 6 - ASSISI --This morning, we attend mass and visit the Basilica of St. Francis, including the tomb of St. Francis. We continue with our walking tour of the village. We begin with a stroll by the famous Temple of Minerva in the Piazza del Comune continue with a visit to the Basilica of St. Clare to view the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis... today again we enjoy a wine tasting and light lunch in a local agriturismo . Return to hotel rest of day at our leisure. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. 

Monday, October 13 - Day 7 - ASSISI /ROME- Today we continue driving south to Rome…Before our check in at the hotel we will enjoy a bus tour of this magnificent Eternal City… This will give you us chance to familiarize yourself with our surroundings. Our drive by will include the Coliseum, Roman Forum, and Castel Sant’ Angelo… once we arrive at our hotel check-in and rest of day free to begin our adventure in Rome. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at our hotel. 

Tuesday, October 14 - Day 8 – ROME- This morning we celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica for Mass at 7 a.m., after mass we begin our guided walking tour of Rome. The tour will include Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Spanish 
steps… rest of free to explore on our own. Dinner at a local restaurant overnight at our hotel. 

Wednesday, October 15 - Day 9 –ROME- This morning we make our way to St. Peter's for an audience with Pope Francis, if he is in residence. After lunch on our own, we will visit the Vatican Museums… Tonight we enjoy Vespers at 
Santa Maria in Trastevere (if available). Dinner at a local restaurant overnight at our hotel. 

Thursday, October 16 - Day 10 – ROMA/POMPEII/SALERNO - This morning we depart for Pompeii. Visit this classic Roman city buried by the Vesuvius eruption in the year 79 A.D. Marvel at the theatre, the magnificent fora, the private homes, the Roman frescos. We continue on to our hotel only to check in and off to Giffoni Valle Piana. Today we enjoy a cooking lesson with “DOP” oil tasting and a visit of the” Convento di San Francesco” here we celebrate mass. After Mass we will enjoy typical local foods that will be prepared for us tonight. Return to hotel for overnight. 

Friday, October 17 - Day 11- CAPRI/ANACAPRI -. This morning we will travel to Naples where we will board our ferry 
headed for Capri. Morning sightseeing of Anacapri. Afterwards we visit Capri’s Piazzetta and Augustus Gardens. (Depending on weather conditions we will enjoy a boat ride to the Blue Grotto) Free time for shopping and personal exploration. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Saturday, October 18 - Day 12 – SORRENTO/MASSA LUBRENSE - This morning we depart for Sorrento, along the 
Amalfi drive this narrow road that threads along the high cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea. We will visit this charming town. Time for shopping or enjoy a gelato as today we enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in Massa Lubrense area. This area is the climatic centre of the Sorrento Peninsula. It has a triangular form and borders at north-east with Sorrento, Gulf of Salerno on the left and Gulf of Naples on the right. The gulfs are separated by the peak of Punta Campanella (historically called “Athenaeum promontory”) that faces the island of Capri. This gorgeous strip offers fantastic 
occasions for excursions both overland and underwater. Farewell dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Sunday, October 19 - Day 13 - USA - Transfer to airport return to USA.

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INCLUDES:
  • 11 Breakfast, 2 Lunches, 11 Dinners, 
  • 2 Wine Tastings
  • Boat Ride to Blue Grotto
  • English speaking Tour Director throughout
  • State of the Art Motorcoach
  • 4*-plus lodgings
  • All Entrance Fees as per itinerary
  • Hotel taxes and Fees 
  • Gratuities to Hotel staff, Driver, Guides & Tour Director
  • RT air from New York (other gateways available)
  • Document Pouch
  • Luggage Tags
Summary of Optional Travel Insurance for this tour

If you prefer, you can download a hard copy of the trip brochure HERE