Pictures from the Italy

Church of the Redeemer

Episcopal Youth Pilgrimage to Italy
In the Footsteps of St. Francis

Led by:

Jay Phillippi
Church of the Redeemer
Midlothian, VA

June 13 – 22, 2015

Trip map

DAY 1, Saturday, June 13, 2015 - Depart the Washington Dulles Airport for our flight on Air France connecting in Paris, France to our flight into Rome. M

DAY 2: Sunday, June 14, 2015 - We arrive at the Rome airport where we meet our guide and board our private motorcoach and transfer into the “Eternal City”.  We enjoy a panoramic tour of Rome before our visit to the Campo dei Fiori, a piazza in the historic center of Rome.  At one time this square served as the “Pilgrims Route” and was the place pilgrims would find food and lodging on the way to St. Peter’s Square.  We enjoy a guided tour of the Colosseum, considered the symbol of Rome’s eternity, it was completed under Titus in 80 A.D. and is where over 55,000 spectators could watch the gladiatorial games.  We continue with a walk through the Forum, featuring the remains of temples, basilicas and triumphal arches, which once formed the heart of the Empire.  We view the Trajan’s Column and Markets and the grandiose Vittorio Emmanuelle Monument.  We journey outside of the city to stroll the Via Appia Antica, built in 312 BC.  It is believed to be the highway on which Peter was fleeing when he saw a vision of Christ that convinced him to turn back and that Paul traveled on his journey to Rome.  Overnight Casa Tra Noi, Rome. D

DAY 3: Monday, June 15, 2015 - This morning we tour the Vatican State, an entire European state comprising only 109 acres, ruled by the Pope, and having its own postage stamps, coinage, anthem and flag.  Within the boundaries of the Vatican, stands St. Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was buried after he had been martyred in Nero's Circus.  The first chapel on the right as you enter St. Peter's contains the Pieta', the moving and powerful masterpiece carved by Michelangelo.  We tour the Sistine Chapel and marvel at the beauty created by Michelangelo on its ceiling.  Pending confirmation, we visit the Scavi, excavations beneath St. Peter's Basilica, to see the tomb of Saint Peter.  Time permitting, we will venture out in small groups (transportation not included) to explore areas on our own such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona.  Overnight Casa Tra Noi, Rome. BD

Please note during your visit to the Scavi all males MUST wear long pants and Females MUST wear long pants or a skirt below the knee.  Everyone MUST have covered shoulders.  NO bulky objects are allowed (suitcases, backpacks, large bags, cameras, etc.).  Even if it has passed the police check the items are not allowed.

DAY 4: Tuesday, June 16, 2015 - After breakfast we see the Domine Quo Vadi Church, built where Peter saw a vision of Christ and visit the Catacombs of St. Callixuts, the first known cemetery of the Christian community of Rome that includes the official burial place of nine popes.  We visit St. Paul's Inside the Walls, an Anglican church within the walls of ancient Rome.  We will spend time with the refugees at the Joedl Nafuma Refugee Center, a ministry of St. Paul's.  Overnight Casa Tra Noi, Rome. BD

DAY 5: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 - We have an early morning departure as we begin our journey toward Assisi.  We travel along the "Highway of the Sun" and visit Greccio to see the Greccio Monastery.  It is here that St. Francis celebrated Christmas in 1223 by placing a manger and live animals before the altar which started the custom of making creches or manger scenes at Christmas.  Upon arrival just outside the town of Assisi, we will see the fields of Pian d’Arca which legend identifies as the site of St. Francis’ sermon to the birds.  We will hike to the hermitage Eremo delle Carceri, a monastery in the dense woodlands on the side of Monte Subasio.  It was here on the slope of the mountain, in caves, where Francis and his followers established their first home and to which he returned often during his lifetime to pray and meditate.  After lunch, we visit the Basilica di San Francesco which contains an imposing series of frescoes by Giotto including 28 scenes from the life of St. Francis.  Here in the Basilica we will see the crypt where the remains of St. Francis rest.  We continue to our home for the next five nights Villa Morghen, Florence. BD

DAY 6: Thursday, June 18, 2015 - Today we are free to explore on our own in small groups.  You can spend your day on your own or you can go on a hike – there are easy and more difficult paths available in this forest area.  An itinerary worth mentioning is the “Circuit of the Chapels”, a pedestrian path in the forest by which you visit ten chapels and tabernacles, most of which were built between the 17th and 18th century.  Overnight Villa Morghen, Florence. BD

DAY 7: Friday, June 19, 2015 - Today we have an early start as we enjoy a full day excursion to Florence.  We explore the Piazza della Signoria and visit St. James Church where we tour and celebrate Eucharist with the Rev. Canon Mark Dunnam.  We have the opportunity to learn how this “American Church” ministers to the various groups in Florence.  After lunch, we visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its magnificent dome, Bell Tower and Baptistery.  The Baptistery 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 and see Michelangelo's famous statue of David.  We return to Villa Morghen, Florence for overnight. BD

DAY 8: Saturday, June 20, 2015 - After an early breakfast our journey continues to Cinque Terre, an area known as “The Five Lands” is composed of five coastal villages located in the province of La Spezia in Liguria.  Our first stop is Vernazza which exhibits some really breathtaking views along the Mediterranean with vineyards and fields.  We visit the Romanesque Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia, unique for its east facing entryway which is atypical for the catholic churches.  This afternoon we enjoy a walk to Manarola, an ancient village perched on a steep dark rock promontory that features colorful boats in the harbor.  We take the famous footpath, Via dell’Amore (The Lovers’ Pathway), which is cut in the steep rock overlooking the sea.  The road was said to be shelter for lovers, and many famous poets and painters found the inspiration for their works along this spectacular pathway.  We visit the church of San Lorenzo, built in Gothic style in 1338, and now stands in the middle of the village.  We return to Villa Morghen, Florence. BD

DAY 9: Sunday, June 21, 2015 - This morning we travel to Siena, Italy’s lovely medieval city.  We visit the Duomo, one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Italy and where we see the 56 separate biblical scenes, allegories, religious symbols, and civic emblems that are designed in marble on the floor.  We see the carousel pulpit and frescoes depicting events from the life of Pope Pius II.  We continue to walk through the narrow and winding streets to Piazza del Camp, a vast and lively square in the heart of the city.  We return to Reggello where we will be free to shop, reflect, journal, or pack for our return trip home.  Overnight Villa Morghen, Florence. BD

DAY 10: Monday, June 22, 2015 - We have an early morning departure for the Florence Airport to board our Air France flight to Paris, France.  There we transfer to our flight to Washington Dulles Airport. BM

Price: $3,359.00*.  Price is based without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Roundtrip air from Washington Dulles Airport on Air France.  Air transportation available from other cities.  Single Supplement:  $249.00 per pilgrim. * Air taxes and fuel as of July 28, 2014:  $672.00 per pilgrim (not included in the cost of the pilgrimage and is subject to change until the tickets are issued).

** The price is not guaranteed and may change due to the fluctuation of the Euro and the US dollar.  We make every effort to avoid any increase and will only do so if the value of the dollar falls against the Euro.  Your pricing was based on the exchange rate of $1.37 to the Euro. **

Price includes Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

$450.00 per person deposit due with registration and copy of passport.

Final payment due March 10, 2015

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Until March 9, 2015:  $350.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ March 10 to April 28, 2015:  $550.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ April 29, 2015 or later:  NO REFUND

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner, M Meals on Aircraft

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