Day 1

23 SEP 10 – TORONTO TO ROME

Departure from Toronto Pearson Airport for Rome.

Day 2

24 SEP 10 – ROME

Arrive at Rome Airport. Transfer to hotel by private coach with an English-speaking guide.

Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city on the way.

Overnight at 3* Hotel Cilicia or similar (BB).

Day 3

25 SEP 10 – ROME

Early Transfer to St Peter and Mass (subject to availability) followed by half day guided tour of the Vatican.

Rest of the day at leisure. Late in the afternoon transfer back to the hotel for overnight.

Overnight at 3* Hotel Cilicia or similar (BB).

Day 4

26 SEP 10 – ROME to SORRENTO

Transfer by private coach to Sorrento. On the way stop in Monte Casino where we will visit St. Benedict of Nursia which was established as the first monastery of the Benedictine Order around 529. It was also the site of Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944. This site has been visited many times by various Popes, including a visit by Pope Benedict XVI in May 2009. The monastery is one of the few remaining territorial abbeys within the Catholic Church.

We will then proceed to Pompeii. In the afternoon, we celebrate Mass at the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary.

We proceed to Sorrento where we will stay for the next 2 nights.

Overnight at 4* Hotel Moon Valley or similar (HB). 

Day 5

27 SEP 10 – CAPRI

Enjoy a full day excursion to Capri with an English speaking guide. Holy Mass at the local Roman Catholic Church (subject to availability).

Overnight at 4* Hotel Moon Valley or similar (HB).

Day 6

28 SEP 10 – SORRENTO to SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

Transfer by private coach to San Giovanni Rotondo for 2 nights. Holy Mass.

The Shrine of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, southern Italy, is the second-most visited Catholic shrine in the world. It centers on the tomb of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, a Capuchin friar, priest and mystic known for his devotion to God, his care for the sick and his supernatural gifts. He died in 1968 and was declared a saint in 2002.

Overnight at 4* Hotel Nicotel or similar (HB).

Day 7

29 SEP 10 - SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

Enjoy an excursion to St. Angelo and the seaside aboard a private coach with an English speaking escort.  

The Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel is a popular Catholic shrine. Here the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared in 490, 492 and 1656 and consecrated the shrine himself.  

Overnight at 4* Hotel Nicotel or similar (HB).

Day 8

30 SEP 10 – SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO to TAORMINA

Transfer by private coach to Taormina where you will stay for the next two nights.

Overnight at 4* Hotel Naxos Beach or similar (HB).

Day 9

01 OCT 10 – TAORMINA

Full day at leisure.

Optional tour $$: A morning excursion to Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe. You’ll be taken to Rifugio Sapienza, 1800 metres above sea level and will have free time to enjoy the view. 

Overnight at 4* Hotel Naxos Beach or similar (HB).

Day 10

02 OCT 10 – SYRACUSE

Transfer by private coach to Syracuse.

About 59 A.D., St. Paul visited Syracuse where he preached - probably in the place where the paleo - Christian Church of Saint John was built. It is possible that a few Jews came to hear Paul talk, as there was a Jewish community at Syracuse. There was no subsequent "Letter of Paul to the Syracusans." However, there is no doubt that it was Paul who brought Christianity to Sicily, even though his stay in Syracuse lasted only three days before he departed for Reggio Calabria, Pozzuoli (near Naples) and then Rome.

Overnight at 4*Hotel  G Tourist or similar (HB)

Day 11

03 OCT 10 – AGRIGENTO

Transfer to Piazza Armerina for a guided tour of the town. Transfer to Piazza Armerina with their beautiful mosaics, a site that is on the UNESCO World heritage list and visit the famous Villa Romana del Csale with its 3500 square meters of mosaics. Proceed to Agrigento. Accommodation in your hotel. Dinner and overnight. 

Overnight at 4* HG Dei Templi or similar (HB).

Day 12

04 OCT 10 – PALERMO

Transfer by private coach for a guided tour of Agrigento including Temples Valley: Concordia, Juno, Castor and Pollux. Proceed to Palermo. Accommodation in your hotel. Dinner and overnight. 

Overnight at 4* G Albergo Sole or similar (HB).

Day 13

05 OCT 10 – PALERMO

Free day in Palermo. Dinner on your own.

Saint Rosalia of Palermo died in 1160. Rosalia is the patron saint of Palermo. She is said to have fled the pampered life of a member of the Norman aristocracy in Sicily and taken refuge in caves on Mount Pellegrino, moving from one to another to keep ahead of her family, with the help of two angels.

Overnight at 4* G Albergo Sole or similar (BB)

Day 14

06 OCT 10 – PALERMO to LAMEZIA

Transfer by private coach to Lamezia. Enjoy a panoramic tour with your tour escort before arriving at the hotel.

Overnight at 4* HG Lamezia or similar (HB)

Day 15

07 OCT 10 – LAMEZIA

Transfer by private coach to Lamezia airport for return flight to Toronto.