New Year's Pilgrimage to Florence, Tuscany, and Beyond

Day 1: Departure from Washington, Dulles Airport

Meet at Washington, Dulles
Meet at Dulles airport: 1:30 PM for distribution of trip envelopes (Luggage Tags, badge, booklet) Father Pollard pilgrimage prayer & blessing prayer.

• Departure
  ITA (Formerly Alitalia) Flight #AZ0619 4:30 PM
  (via Rome)
  Dinner on Flight
• Arrival Rome Dec 30 | 7:15 AM
• Depart 9:30 AM for Florence Flight #AZ1675.
• Arrive Florence 10:25 AM

MEALS: Dinner on flight

Day 2: Arrival in Florence 10:25 AM via Flight AZ1675

Florence, Italy, is home to numerous exquisite churches, cathedrals, and religious sites. Florence’s art and culture are deeply intertwined with its religious heritage, making it a place where faith and creativity converge. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence offers a unique opportunity for spiritual reflection while immersed in the timeless beauty of art and history.

• We will depart from the airport aboard our private motor coach
• Lunch in Florence
• Check into our hotel
• Visit to Museo Nazionale di San Marco, a historical and artistic museum located within the former Dominican convent of San Marco, known for its extensive collection of Renaissance art and the serene frescoes by Fra Angelico.
• Evening Mass TBA
• Dinner
• Free evening

Overnight Florence

• Breakfast followed by Holy Mass
• We will embark on a enriching morning walking tour through Florence, exploring its spiritual heritage visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the revered Franciscan church Santa Croce—resting place of Dante, Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli—and experiencing the historic charm of Piazza Signoria and the iconic Ponte Vecchio.
• Visit to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy—a world-renowned art museum housing a magnificent collection of Renaissance masterpieces from Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” to Michelangelo’s “Tondo Doni.”
• New Year’s Eve Celebration Dinner in Florence
• Fireworks over Florence. Happy New Year!

Overnight Florence

Day 4: Day Trip to Panzano in Chianti

Panzano in Chianti, a picturesque village nestled in the heart of the Chianti wine region of Tuscany, Italy is renowned for its enchanting rural charm, breathtaking landscapes and its association with world-class wine production of Chianti Classico wine.

• Breakfast
• Holy Mass. Feast of The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
• 9:30 AM Depart by bus for a day trip to experience the serenity of Panzano in Chianti. We will explore the historic village’s streets, the ambiance of the local church Pieve di San Leolino, savor the renowned Chianti wines from local vineyards, indulge in authentic Tuscan cuisine. (Lunch Included) Relish breathtaking panoramic views of the rolling vineyards and countryside.
• Return to hotel
• Free Evening
• Dinner on your own in Florence

Overnight Florence

Day 5: Day Trip to Siena and Montalcino

Siena and Montalcino both nestled in the heart of Tuscany, Italy, offer an enriching Catholic pilgrimage experience. Siena, is renowned for its stunning medieval architecture. Pilgrims can walk the it’s historic streets, steeped in religious tradition and marked by the annual Palio di Siena horse race. Montalcino, a picturesque hilltop town, is known for its world-class Brunello wine in the rolling vineyards of Tuscany,
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January 2, Feast of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors of the Church

• Breakfast
• 8:30 AM Departure by bus for Siena & Montalcino. Mass TBA.
• Visit Siena Cathedral, a stunning Gothic masterpiece dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. Walk to the Basilica of San Domenico, where the relics of St. Catherine of Siena are preserved., followed by Piazza del Campo, Siena’s main square, known for its unique shell shape. Marvel at the Palazzo Pubblico and its iconic tower, Torre del Mangia.
• Light lunch in Sienna
• Continue our journey to Montalcino, a charming town known for its historic charm and captivating landscapes. Brief visit to Sant’Agostino Church. Stroll to experience the stunning panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside. Visit a Brunello Vineyard.
• Dinner in Montalcino
• Return to hotel
• Free Evening in Florence

Overnight Florence

Day 6: Beyond to Bologna, Italy

Bologna is a city with a deep Catholic heritage and numerous religious sites, rich cultural history, vibrant atmosphere, and culinary delights.

• Breakfast/Check-out. Departure for Bologna.
• Holy Mass TBA | Feast of The Most Holy Name of Jesus
• Arrive in Bologna
• Visit Two Towers, Asinelli and Garisenda, symbols of Bologna’s history and strength. Brief visits to the Churches of Bologna, Italy including, Grand Basilica di San Petronio, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. Santuario del Corpus Domini, Tomb of St. Catherine of Bologna. Basilica of San Dominenico, tomb of Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominican Order.
• Lunch in Bologna
• Basilica Santuario Santo Stefano – a unique complex of interconnected churches. Basilica di San Francesco, French Gothic basilica completed in 1263, featuring soaring vaulted ceilings & ogival arches.
• Arrive at Hotel. Check-in.
• Dinner
• Free evening

Overnight Bologna

Day 7: Day Trip to Modena, Italy

Modena is a city of profound historical and religious significance. Modena’s historic center and culinary traditions, offers pilgrims a holistic experience that combines faith, history, and gastronomy in a spiritually enriching journey. Modena is famous for its balsamic vinegar and home of famous automotive brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati.

• Breakfast
• Morning Mass TBA
• Depart for Modena
• After arrival in Modena, we begin with a visit to Duomo di Modena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture.
• Stroll over to Piazza Grande, right next to the Duomo. Explore the square.
• Light Lunch
• Visit a Balsamic Vinegar farm. Learn about the traditional production process of this famous vinegar, sample different varieties
• Dinner in Modena
• Return to hotel in Bologna
• Free evening

Overnight Bologna

Day 8: Day Trip to Ravenna, Italy

Ravenna is renowned for its stunning Byzantine mosaics and its historical role as an important center of early Christianity. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Ravenna became the capital of the Byzantine Empire in Italy. We will visit Ravenna’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• Depart for 8:30 for Ravenna, Italy. Holy Mass TBA.
• Visit Basilica di San Vitale. This 6th-century church is renowned for its exquisite mosaics depicting biblical scenes, including the famous mosaic of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora
• Walk to the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia built 425–450, it is a jewel of early Christian art and architecture. Built in the 5th century, it is renowned for its simple yet breathtaking beauty and stunning mosaic work.
• Walking tour in Ravenna Battistero degli Ariani, an early Christian baptistry known for its intricate mosaics. Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, known for its mesmerizing mosaics depicting biblical stories. Dante’s Tomb: Pay homage to the renowned poet Dante Alighieri by visiting his tomb.
• Lunch in Ravenna
• Continue our visit in the town of Ravenna. Battistero Neoniano, one of the oldest Christian monuments in Ravenna, adorned with mosaics that narrate scenes from the life of Christ. St. Andrew Chapel & Archiepiscopal Museum, discover early Christian artifacts. We conclude with Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in Classe, dating back to the 6th century, this basilica was originally built to honor Saint Apollinaris, the first bishop of Ravenna. Its stunning simplicity, mosaics and grandeur are immediately apparent upon entering.
• Return to Bologna
• Farewell Dinner
• Free evening

Overnight Bologna

Day 9: Departure / Return Home

Feast of The Epiphany of the Lord (Mass TBA)

>> Depart from Hotel early AM to BLQ /Bologna Airport

• Flight #AZ1312 6:30AM from Bologna BLQ To Rome
• Arrive Rome FCO 7:30 AM
• Arrive Washington, Dulles 2:35 PM, January 6, 2023