Board our transfer through the beautiful Umbrian mountains to Orvieto. This incredible town sits on a volcanic high rock formation. Here we visit one of the most beautiful and most renowned Cathedrals in Italy. Because of its strategic location, it’s Christian history officially started in 1004, but Orvieto was built over preexisting Etruscan era cave tunnels dating back 2,500 years, which some historians believe Christians used to celebrate Mass when Christianity was forbidden. Continue north through the Tuscan countryside to Siena. On the way, you will stop in Pienza. Around the year 1300, parts of this village became property of the Piccolomini family, and the Franciscans settled down here in the 13th century. Enea Silvio Piccolomini, the Renaissance humanist who later became Pope Pius II, was born in this tiny hamlet in 1405. Once he became Pope, he had the entire village rebuilt as an ideal Renaissance town and renamed it after himself as Pienza, which means “city of Pius”. Intended as a retreat from Rome, it is the first application of humanist urban planning concepts, subsequently adopted in other Italian towns and cities. While here, we will celebrate Mass at the Duomo. Continue on to Siena, a medieval city and the birthplace of St. Catherine “Doctor of the Church”, and the Apostle of Italy, St. Bernardine. Check in to your Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Starting this morning with breakfast, followed by boarding the bus to start our day tour of Siena. Start with a visit to the Basilica of St. Catherine (which is also known as the Basilica of St. Domenico). St. Catherine passed a large part of her life inside the walls of this Basilica. It is here you will also view the incorrupt head of St. Catherine. After, visit the Shrine of St. Catherine, which occupies the site of her family home. Enjoy your walking tour through the Siena including a visit to its Cathedral (Duomo di Siena). Conclude at one of Italy’s finest squares, the Piazza Del Campo, where you will be given free time to spend at your own leisure. There are a number of restaurants surrounding the square to have lunch, as well as shops for gifts and souvenirs. Return to the Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Starting this morning, you will leave your luggage outside your Hotel room where the porters will bring your bags down to place them on the Bus. Make your way to an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, you will board your transfer back to Rome. Along the way, you will stop in Montepulciano. Admire the town while you walk from the main gates to the historical center. Taking in the quaint shops, you will come to the first square where you will see the Colonna del Marcozza, a marble column with the heraldic lion of Florence which decorates many of the places such as the Palazzo Avignonesi. Continue on to the Church of Sant ‘ Agostino, designed by Michelozzo, and contains the crucifix attributed to Donatello. Then take in the Fortezza, and then the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi. Then we will conclude the day with a visit to the Shrine of the Madonna del buon Viaggio. On April 23, 1518 two girls were returning from carrying water from a nearby fountain when they witnessed the Madonna’s eyes repeatedly opening and closing. A nearby farmer also witnessed the miracle. September 15th, 158 – we saw the commencement of construction for the Shrine, and in 1681, the Vatican allowed the miraculous image to be crowned in gold. In 1739, the Church was consecrated by the Bishop of Montepulciano, and in 1963 – the image of the Madonna of San Biagio was proclaimed Madonna del Buon Viaggio, protector of those who travel by earth, sea, and sky. Mass will be celebrated at the Tomb of St. Agnus, followed by time to venerate the relics. We will continue back to Rome where our pilgrimage will conclude.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of places to be visited. Occasionally local religious holidays, national days, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of visits or the missing of certain visits.