+1 (800) 653-0017
hello@canterburypilgrimages.com
Our pilgrimage begins with an overnight flight from the USA to Venice!
We arrive in Venice, where we meet our Canterbury Tour Director. We transfer to our hotel for check-in and dinner.
Overnight Venice
Following breakfast, we spend the the day taking in the sights of this magical city, including the Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Piazza and Basilica, the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal. There will be time this afternoon to step aboard a Gondola ride (on your own) and see Venice from the canals. We end the day with dinner.
Overnight Venice
This morning we will get an inside look into the centuries-old art of glassblowing with a factory tour on Murano Island, home to the world’s finest artisan glass. We’ll continue on to the island of Burano, famous for the colorful fishermen’s houses and traditional handmade laces.
Overnight Venice
Before departing for the city that honors the “Patron Saint of Lost Things and Causes”, St. Anthony. Next, we drive to Florence. We will check into the hotel followed by a tour through Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Overnight Florence
We celebrate Mass this morning at the Basilica of Santa Croce, where Galileo, Michelangelo and Machiavelli are all buried. We see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery of St. John. Free time in the evening to enjoy other sites, like Ponte Vecchio bridge.
Overnight Florence
After breakfast this morning we’ll take a tour of the Galleria dell’Accademia, where we will view Michelangelo’s “David” as well as other fine works of art. We’ll enjoy a wine tasting in Florence this afternoon before dinner.
Overnight Florence
All roads lead to Rome. On our way to the Eternal City, we’ll drive through the Tuscany countryside. We’ll also take time to visit Siena, where we’ll marvel at the Eucharistic miracle at the Basilica of San Francesco. We’ll arrive in Rome in time for dinner.
Overnight Rome
Following breakfast, we will visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Church of St. Mary Major, as well as the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran where we’ll have an opportunity to climb the Lateran Steps. After a short break for lunch, we will continue onto the Pantheon before finishing our day with a Scavi tour of the Tomb of St. Peter’s (subject to availability).
Overnight Rome
A day at the Vatican: After breakfast, we’re off to Saint Peter’s Square for the Papal general audience with Pope Francis (subject to the Pope’s schedule). Following a short lunch break, we’ll tour the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Overnight Rome
Following breakfast, we travel back in time with a historic tour of Ancient Rome. Making our way along centuries-old cobblestone streets lined with Rome’s stately stone pines, we arrive at Ancient Rome’s monumental three-tiered amphitheater, the Colosseum, once used for gladiatorial games. We will also pass by the Roman Forum, open grounds that are now surrounded by the ruins of ancient government buildings at the center of Ancient Rome. We will then make our way to visit San Gregorio Magno al Cielo Convent, the Roman motherhouse of the Missionaries of Charity. It is here where Saint Teresa of Calcutta resided when she visited her sisters in Rome.
Overnight Rome
Our pilgrimage continues on to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coastline, the next stop being Pompeii, the famous ancient city buried by the ashes of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. You will walk through one of the most important and interesting archeological museums in the world. This is a preserved site of excavated ruins of streets and homes that you can freely explore. We arrive in the town of Sorrento, where we overnight for two nights. This town offers stunning panoramic views of the bay of Naples, where we will marvel at the picturesque narrow streets, parks, and villas.
Overnight Sorrento
This morning we tour the Amalfi Coast, widely considered one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world; deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site as an outstanding example of a Mediterranean landscape. You’ll follow the 34 miles of winding roads, making a quick stop to view the breathtaking panoramic view of Positano. We’ll also visit the Duomo di Amalfi, where preserved relics of St. Andrew the Apostle, the brother of St. Peter, are kept. Vigil Mass this evening. We’ll end our day with a limoncello and cheese tasting in Sorrento.
Overnight Sorrento
This morning we will make our way to Naples by way of hydrofoil. We say farewell to Italy as we then board our flight from Naples to Lourdes. On arrival, we’ll visit the Grotto of Massabielle where the healing waters flow. Evening candlelight procession.
Overnight Lourdes
This morning we’ll visit the underground Basilica of St. Pius X. Next, we’ll have a guided tour of St. Bernadette’s home, the basilica, and her environs that will give us a deeper understanding of St. Bernadette’s life and her relationship with Mary, the Immaculate. This afternoon we walk and pray in the Eucharistic Procession.
Overnight Lourdes
With a renewed sense of pilgrimage, and an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, we transfer to the Rome Fiumicino Airport, say farewell to our fellow pilgrims and new friends, and board our return flight home.
