Program

DAY 1

Arrive in Rome at Fiumicino Airport, transfer by bus to hotel in Abruzzo. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2

Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Lanciano to discover many interesting monuments and buildings situated in the four historic districts: Lancianovecchia, Civitanova, Sacca and Borgo. Visit at the Church of San Francesco thathouses the relic of the first and greatest Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church. The Miracle, that every year brings in the city thousands of pilgrims attracted by mistery and deep faith, took place in the VIII century when a Basilian monk’s doubt turned the holy host into flesh and wine into blood. It is possible to have a Mass. Lunch at the restaurant. In the afternoon leaving Lanciano you can reach easily Fossacesia, to admire the wonderful Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere. Built on a striking Gulf of Venus, the Abbey is an important Romanesque masterpiece. Then the guide leads you to Manoppello where the guide leads you to visit the Sanctuary of the Holy Face. The Holy Face is considered the original image exposed, many centuries ago, on Veronica’s altar in Rome and which was stolen in the 17th century. Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 3

After breakfast, you’ll meet the guide for a tour of Padre Pio’s places in San Giovanni Rotondo. Visit to the Sanctuary. A short period for praying on Padre Pio’s tomb, the venerated father of Pietrelcina. Visit to the “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza” a hospital that Padre Pio inaugurated in 1925. Lunch at the restaurant. In the afternoon leaving San Giovanni Rotondo you can reach easily the Sanctuary of St. Michele in Monte Sant’Angelo. Next, visit to the Sanctuary of St. Matteo in S. Marco in Lamis. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 4

Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to the small town of Isola del Gran Sasso. Visit to the Sanctuary of San Gabriele dell'Addolorata, "the Saint of Joy and Smile". Visit to the Basilica founded by St. Francis of Assisi, to the New Sanctuary and to the Saint’s Tomb. Opportunity to have a Mass. Then moving to Campli, a small town rich in history and traditions. In the Church of San Paolo there is the Holy Staircase. In 1772 Pope Clement XIV gave Campli the “Privilege of the Holy Staircase”, that allowed the absolution of sins and, in certain days, the Plenary Indulgence having the same value of that obtained in Rome. In order to obtain the absolution, while praying, believers climb up on their knees the 28 wooden steps of the staircase. Freetime to visit the archaeological Museum. Lunch at a local restaurant. In  the afternoon you’ll visit Atri, the ancient “Hatria Romana”. Visit to the historical centre and to the Cathedral of St. Maria Assunta, which is a wonderful construction on roman stones and has a lot of frescos by De Litio. Visit to the Capitolar Museum. Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 5

Breakfast in hotel. Full day excursion to Loreto, the “Holy City”. Visit to the Sanctuary of the Holy House, one of the most famous Sanctuaries dedicated to Virgin Mary. According to devout tradition, Angels carried the house of the Virgin from Nazareth to Loreto. It is possible to have a Mass. Lunch at the restaurant. In the afternoon free time and visit to Museum close to the Apostolic Palace. Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 6

Breakfast in hotel. Excursion to Rome. The whole day is dedicated to the visit of Rome, the “eternal city”. Visit to the Basilica of San Pietro, the Cupola, Vatican Museum and Cappella Sistina. Lunch not included. Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 7

Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Sulmona, a wonderful town with ancient origins and birthplace of Ovid, the Roman Poet known as the father of the Latin language. Your guide will take you for a fascinating walk through the historic centre to admire the Basilica of S. Panfilo, patron saint of Sulmona, dating back to the VIII century, and the Medieval Aqueduct built in 1256. Of great value is also the complex of SS. Annunziata. After, you may enjoy the Visit at the Museum of Art and confectionery technology to understand and watch the process and equipment used during the past century in confectionery. Tasting of sugared almonds. Lunch at the restaurant. In the afternoon, the guide leads you to to Roccamorice. Short pilgrimage to the Hermitage of S. Bartolomeo in Legio. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 8

Breakfast at hotel. Load luggage on coach for departure. to Rome Airport. End of our services.