10 Days/9 Nights

Divine & Classic Italy

Admire great cathedrals, bask in the breathtaking beauty of the Tuscan countryside and walk in the footsteps of the Saints on this inspiring tour of Italy. You’ll experience the classical sights of ancient Rome, explore the Colosseum, Mamertine Prison, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Stroll the charming shop-lined streets of Florence and travel across Tuscany’s gorgeous countryside. This is a brand-new World Wide Country Tours route that you won’t want to miss!

Tour Highlights

• Admire Italy’s greatest cathedrals and walk in the footsteps of the Saints.
• Experience ancient Rome and explore the Colosseum, Mamertine Prison, St. Peter’s Basilica and breathtaking Sistine Chapel.
• Stroll the charming shop-lined streets of Florence, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and travel across Tuscany’s beautiful countryside.

Itinerary

Days 1-2—Chicago/Milan: Benvenuto! Welcome to Italy! After we meet our English-speaking guide at the airport, we’ll head into the city of Milan for a guided tour. You’ll visit the Duomo, one of the world’s largest Gothic cathedrals, and the La Scala Opera House and theatrical museum. Meals included: D.

Day 3—Milan/Turin: Today you’ll enjoy a daytime excursion to Turin, the capital of Italy’s Piedmont region. The mountainous landscapes and dramatic valleys might remind you of neighboring Switzerland’s glorious Alpine vistas.

In Turin, you’ll visit the inspiring Chapel of the Holy Shroud, where you’ll explore the Shroud’s history and view photos and X-rays of this famous relic.

This afternoon, enjoy a stroll through Turin’s gracious town center and lunch on your own in the arcaded shopping district. We’ll return to Milan for dinner at our hotel. Meals included: B, D.

Day 4—Parma/Bologna/Montecatini: Today we’ll head south along the “Autostrada del Sol” as we travel to the gentle, rolling hills of the renowned grape-growing region of Tuscany. On our way we’ll pause in the Emilia Romagna region, known for its tangy balsamic vinegar, delicious cheeses, delicate prosciutto ham and numerous other traditional Italian specialities.

Later, we’ll stop in Parma to visit a Parmesan cheese factory—including tasty samplings—before continuing to Bologna. St. Dominic founded the Dominican order. You’ll visit the Shrine of St. Dominic in the Church of San Domenico. Later we’ll arrive in Montecatini, a timeless Tuscan town with Roman baths dating to the 14th century. Enjoy two nights at the famous spa resort of Montecatini Terme. Meals included: B, D.

Day 5—Montecatini/Florence: This morning, we explore Florence—the birthplace of the Renaissance—where artistic talent flourished in the 15th Century.

This city offers a treasure trove of glorious sculpture, architecture and paintings. You’ll explore the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, with its incredible dome and see the bronze Gates of Paradise at the Battistero. At the Basilica di Santa Croce, the world’s largest Franciscan church, you’ll see the burial places of several illustrious Italian figures, including Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and Rossini.

You’ll also have the opportunity for sightseeing on your own. The Uffizi Gallery is a “must see” with its wealth of sculpture and art with famous paintings by Da Vinci, Botticelli and Titian. Florence is also where you’ll find the ancient Ponte Vecchio bridge and Michelangelo’s celebrated David sculpture. There’s plenty to see in Florence, but make sure you save time for a cool and delicious gelato treat!

You’ll return to Montecatini for dinner on your own and a restful night at the resort. Meals included: B.

Day 6—San Gimignano/Siena/Cortona: Today we’ll travel through Tuscany to the medieval town of San Gimignano. The San Gimignano skyline is one of the most-photographed in all of Italy, so it may look familiar to you! Our guide will show us the sights of this historic town and introduce us to San Gimignano Cathedral and the Chapel of Santa Fina.

We’ll continue on to Siena to see the beautiful Piazza del Campo, one of the most stunning public squares in the world. Siena is also known as the birthplace of the Patron Saint of Italy, Catarina di Siena. You’ll visit her birthplace and the Church of San Domenico, her resting place.

A lovely restored renaissance palace in the center of old town, now converted to a charming hotel, will be our home for the next two nights. Meals included: B, D.

Day 7—Pienza/Montalcino/Cortona: Today we’ll venture off the beaten path to Pienza, a charming town in the Val d’Orcia. Be sure to bring your camera for postcard-perfect shots of this Tuscan village.

This hilltop town is famous for its Brunello wines and medieval architecture. Enjoy time on your own seeing the sights, tasting wines or relaxing with your traveling companions.

Later, we’ll travel into the nearby hills to the medieval abbey of Sant’antimo, one of the country’s most beautiful Romanesque churches. You’ll see the abbey and, if their prayer schedule permits it, hear the monks practice Gregorian chants. Meals included: B.

Day 8—Assisi/Rome: After a buffet breakfast, we’ll travel to the picturesque hillside city of Assisi, one of the capital cities of Christendom. St. Francis, founder of the Franciscans, and his devoted follower St. Clare, were born here in the late 12th Century. The city is dominated by reminders of their lives and work.

Our local guide will introduce us to the inspiring city’s numerous religious shrines, including the Basilica di San Francesco’s mighty stone arches, the Basilica of Santa Chiara and the crucifix where Francis was praying when he was called to religious life. You’ll also visit the little chapel that was central to the formation of the Franciscan Church.

Finally, as the old saying goes, “All roads lead to Rome!” Upon our arrival in this inspiring metropolis, we’ll visit the Mamertine Prison where the Apostle Paul was incarcerated, the magnificent ruins of the Roman Colosseum and Michelangelo’s remarkable statue of Moses. We’ll retire to the hotel in Rome for dinner and our overnight stay. Meals included: B, D.

Day 9—Rome: Prepare to be spiritually awed today on a morning excursion to Vatican City. We’ll visit St. Peter’s Basilica, home to Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture of Mary cradling Jesus’s broken body. Stroll through the Vatican Museum and gaze in wonder at Michelangelo’s magnificent Sistine Chapel masterpiece. Then you’ll visit St. John Lateran and the Scala Santa—the Holy Stairs, once walked by Jesus and believed to be the steps from Pontius Pilate’s Judgment Hall in Jerusalem.

Then we’ll enjoy a farewell lunch together with our traveling friends. Afterwards you’ll have lots of free time for shopping or enjoying the many sacred and historic sights of Rome. Meals included: B, L.

Day 10—Rome/Chicago: Our sublime Italian holiday together is over, but the inspiration you’ve gained and new friendships you’ve formed are sure to last a lifetime. And so you’ll fondly say…Arrivederci! Meals included: B.

Accommodations

• Day 1: en route to Italy
• Days 2 & 3: Grand Hotel Malpensa, Milan
• Days 4 & 5: Grand Hotel Panoramic, Montecatini
• Days 6 & 7: Hotel San Michele, Cortona
• Days 8 & 9: Hotel Nova Domus, Rome
• Pre/Post-Tour Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott O’Hare, Chicago