A Journey in the Evolution of the Church: Ancient, Byzantine, Medieval and Renaissance

A Pilgrimage to Italy for St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church Youth

Led by:

Ms Amelia Snider

May 26 – June 4, 2007

DAY 1, Saturday, May 26, 2007 - Depart the USA for our Trans-Atlantic flight to Italy. D

DAY 2, Sunday, August 12, 2007 - We will meet our tour manager and driver at the airport in Rome and visit Ostia Antica where Paul landed during his fist visit to Italy.  We will have lunch here and then have a brief orientation tour as we continue to travel into Rome.  Our orientation will include seeing the Arch of Constantine, the Palatine and the Capitoline Hills.  We will join together for a “welcome to Italy” dinner tonight.  Overnight in Rome. BLD

DAY 3, Monday, August 12, 2007 - After breakfast, we will attend Anglican services at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Inside the Walls (in Vatican City).  We will visit St. Paul’s Outside the Walls in the afternoon.  This beautiful Basilica is considered to one of the five great Basilicas of Rome.  It was built by followers of Saint Paul the Apostle after his execution and burial.  Then we will take a sightseeing tour which will introduce the group to more of the splendor of Rome.  We will see the Colosseum, the Forum, Circus Maximus, Trevi Fountain and Castle San Angelo.  We will overnight in Rome. B

DAY 4, Tuesday, May 28, 2007 - An early morning visit to the Catacombs where we will have Morning Prayer.  Then, we continue to the Vatican, the smallest city/state in the world.  We will see Michelangelo’s famous Pieta’ and then we will visit the Vatican Museum where we will see Michelangelo’s famous fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.  We will have dinner and overnight in Rome. BD

DAY 5, Wednesday, May 29, 2007 - Today we travel to Assisi where we will see St. Francis’ birthplace, the Church of San Ruffino where he was baptized, the Carceri, the little Hermitage where Francis was often drawn for prayer and solitude, San Damiano, where Clare lived and where Francis received his vision to “rebuild the church”, and the church of Santa Chiara.  We will also visit the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which is built over the Porziuncola, the little chapel St. Francis restored.  It is here in the Transito Chapel where Francis died on October 3, 1226.  We will overnight in Assisi. BD

DAY 6, Thursday, May 30, 2007 - Today we travel to Pisa and see the Leaning Tower, the Duomo and the Baptistry.  Afterwards, we will continue to Lucca, the first town in Tuscany to accept Christianity.  We will explore on foot and see the Duomo, the church of San Michele and the church of San Frediano as well as other sites.  We will continue on to the Florence area for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 7, Friday, June 1, 2007 - We begin today with a walking tour of Florence and we will see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its magnificent dome, Bell Tower and Baptistry. The Baptistry has golden doors designed by Ghiberti representing scenes from the Life and Passion of Christ.  We visit the Museum of the Duomo to see Donatello’s sculpture of Magdalene and then visit the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s famous statue of David.  We will visit Santa Maria Novella to see the Masaccio Fresco of the Trinity.  Dinner and overnight in Florence. BD

DAY 8, Saturday, June 2, 2007 - We will continue north today to the island of Venice and transfer to our hotel on Lido where we will have dinner and overnight.  Venice is one of the jewels of Italy with its arched bridges, St. Mark's Square, gondolas and gorgeous old buildings. Dinner and overnight in Venice. BD

DAY 9, Sunday, June 3, 2007 - We will take a morning walking tour of Venice with a visit to the Basilica di San Marco, one of Europe’s most beautiful churches.  We will visit the Palazzo Ducale, also known as the Doges Palace.  This fantasia of pink-and-white marble is a majestic expression of the prosperity of power attained by Venice during its Renaissance period.  There will be free time this afternoon to explore on your own.  Your guide will suggest places that you might want to visit.  You can feed the thousands of pigeons in St. Mark's Square, take a ride on the vaporetto (water taxi) or simply watch the thousands of people who crowd St. Mark's Square.  Ask your guide for the number of the taxi that will take you entirely around the canals of Venice.  After some free time, we will join together for a "farewell to Italy" dinner tonight. BD

DAY 10, Monday, June 4, 2007 - A very early wake up call and transfer to the Venice airport for our return flight to the United States. BL

Price: $2,499.00.  Price is based on double occupancy without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Air from Atlanta, GA on Lufthansa Airlines.  Air transportation available from other cities.

An application for travel insurance will be included with the receipt for your deposit.  We strongly recommend that you seriously consider this coverage.

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner

The itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at the discretion and direction of the leader or guide.