Italy vacation | Journey through sacred Italy package

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It's time to make your Italy vacation dreams come true! Central Holidays' 9-day Journey Through Sacred Italy will take you to some of the country's most famous sites of spiritual significance, all while enjoying first-class accommodations paired with private tours and gourmet meals. Arrive in Milan for a short trip to Biella, where you will stay the night and explore the city's architecture, art and archaeology. Journey to the Sacred Mountains of Piemonte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to the Sanctuary of Oropa (3,900 feet above sea level) featuring The Black Madonna of Oropa, one of the unique statues and paintings that depict the Virgin Mary with dark skin that have been found in a vast area extending from Italy and France, to Spain and Germany. Continue to Sordevolo where you will enjoy a re-enactment of the Passion of the Christ. Similar in tradition to the Oberammergau Passion Play of Germany, the Passion Play of Sordevolo has taken place in this small town every five years since the beginning of the 18^th century-- all actors are local villagers. Next, travel to Padua where St. Anthony is honored by the magnificent Basilica of St. Anthony that houses large bronze works by Donatello. Your Italy vacation continues to the great Marian Shrine of Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the Madonna di Loreto, where more than 50 popes have visited. Legend holds that this is the home where Jesus grew up and the Holy Family lived. Your journey will continue to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and home to the St. Francis Basilica, and on to the "Eternal City" of Rome--where you will tour the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Walk the amazing streets of this ancient city and explore the famed Coliseum, Spanish Steps, Roman Forum, historic churches, boutiques, cafes and open-air trattorias, ideal for shopping, dining and simply enjoying the Italian lifestyle. This Italy vacation package will leave you mesmerized!!!

Passion Play of Sordevolo Exclusive promoters for North and South America

Program Highlights

Includes

First class hotel accommodation for 8 nights
14 included meals consisting of:
- 8 buffet breakfasts
- 4 gourmet dinners with mini a-la-carte menu at local restaurants
- 2 dinners at hotels
Wine, mineral water and coffee or cappuccino served with meals
Touring by private deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach
Assistance of a professional Tour Director for the entire length of the tour
Sightseeing, including local guide and all entrance fees, as follows:
- Walking tour of Biella
- Tour the Sacred Mountains of Piemonte including Oropa and Sordevolo
- Ticket for the ''Passion of Christ'' performance in Sordevolo
- Visit of St. Anthony's Basilica in Padua
- Visit of Madonna di Loreto Sanctuary
- Tour of Assisi and visit of St. Francis Basilica
- Tour of Rome, including entrance fees for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, and for the Colosseum
Arrival and departure airport transfers (see restrictions on page 73)
Baggage handling
Personalized audio system to hear every word your guide says, even from a distance
Hotel taxes and service charges
City tax

Small Groups

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Popular departures in purple

Notes

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Map for A Journey through Sacred Italy

Departures & Rates

Please click here to request a quotation for your preferred dates of travel, or contact your Travel Agent

Hotels

Day 1 - Fri Milan/Biella

After your morning arrival into Milan's Malpensa airport, you'll be met and taken to your hotel in Biella, a city rich in architecture, art and archaeology. An afternoon walking tour of Biella will be followed by dinner in a lively restaurant located in the Medieval village of Piazzo. (D)

Day 2 - Sat Biella/Oropa/Sordevolo/Biella

Today we explore the Sacred Mountains of Piemonte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Oropa, placed at 3,900 feet above sea level, is tied to the cult of the Black Madonna. After a visit of the Sanctuary we head to Sordevolo a village where, every 5 years since the beginning of the 18th Century, a Passion Play is performed with all the actors being local village people. After a visit of the museum you will enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant before attending the remarkable ''Passion of Christ'' performance. (B,D)

Day 3 - Sun Biella/Padua

After breakfast we say goodbye to Piemonte and depart for Padua, where St. Anthony, patron saint, is honored. An afternoon walking tour of Padua will end with a visit of the magnificent Basilica of St. Anthony and its art, including the large bronze works of Donatello. Tonight dinner is at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 4 - Mon Padua/Loreto

Today we continue our journey to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the Madonna di Loreto. More than 50 popes have made a pilgrimage to the house transported by angels to this hill in central Italy in 1294. Tradition has it that this is the house in which Mary first prayed the Magnificat, where Jesus grew to manhood, and in which the Holy Family lived. Tonight dinner is at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 5 - Tue Loreto/Assisi

This morning we depart for Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace to St. Francis. The afternoon is at leisure before enjoying dinner at local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 6 - Wed Assisi

The highlight of your morning tour will be a visit of the grandiose, gorgeously embellished St. Francis Basilica. Pope Gregory IX laid the first stone of the Lower Basilica the day after the canonization of St. Francis, on July 17th, 1228. Two years later the saint's body, that had been resting in the church of San Giorgio was brought here in secret for fear of looting by tomb raiders and buried in the unfinished church. The Basilica of St. Francis is a powerful place for believers, but also for art-lovers that come here to see the impressive frescoes painted by Cimabue, Giotto and others in the late 1200s and early 1300s. (B)

Day 7 - Thu Assisi/Rome

This morning we depart for Rome, the ''Eternal City''. Rome is filled with monuments, fountains, antiquities and other sites worth exploring. Use this free afternoon to discover, on your own, all it has to offer. (B)

Day 8 - Fri Rome

This morning experience a very special privately guided tour of the priceless collection of art and treasures in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum. Then proceed to the Piazza Venezia and Roman Forum, with a stop at the Colosseum - a testament to the greatness of Rome's past. Continue your full day tour by viewing the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, the Great Synagogue, Isola Tiberina and Castel Sant'Angelo. Tonight bid arrivederci to Rome at a special dinner with wine in a lovely Roman restaurant. (B, D)

Day 9 - Sat Rome to USA (or extend your stay)

This morning you are taken to the airport for your return flight home. (B)

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Enjoy your Italy vacation package to Rome, Assisi, Padua, Biella and Loreto for 9 days.

A Journey through Sacred Italy