Saint Ursula Academy - Italian Pilgrimage
BRESCIA & DESENZANO
April 4th – April 6th
Upon arrival in Milan on April 4th after stopping to visit the beautiful Milan Cathedral you will transfer to Brescia. Saint Angela made this beautiful Northern Italian, city located in the foothills of the Alps her home. On April 5th your personal pilgrimage begins with a guide walking tour of the historic sites of Brescia. It was in this city that Saint Angela formed the Company of St. Ursula and continued her work devoting her life to the religious training of young women. The next morning, April 6th, take an excursion to Desenzano which is the 1474 birth place of Saint Angela Merici, foundress of The Ursuline School. This evening you will travel to Florence.
FLORENCE & ASSISI
April 6th – April 8th
Birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is sure to delight with its artistic and cultural treasures. On the morning of April 7th, enjoy a guided tour* of the city. The magnificent Duomo*, eclectic Ponte Vecchio and Santa Croce* all await you on Florence’s historic streets. Included is a visit to the Academia*, where one of Italy’s most impressive Renaissance collections can be found. The jewel of this museum would most certainly be Michelangelo’s “David”, a massive and iconic statue of the Biblical hero. You will visit to the Uffizi Gallery*, Italy’s greatest art gallery. On the morning of April 8th you will bid Florence farewell and travel to Assisi*, home of St. Francis, who influenced the life and works of Saint Angela after she became a tertiary of St. Francis in 1492 at age 17. This afternoon you will continue your Italian sojourn by traveling to Rome.
ROME
April 8th – April 12th
Rome the “Eternal City” and capital of Italy, is a magnificent city built on seven hills, and is literally layered with history, one civilization built on top of another. Twenty-First century Rome is a breathtaking mixture of ruins and monuments, fantastic fountains, beautiful piazzas and innumerable museums. On April 9th, Rome will welcome you with a guided city tour* including visits to the Colosseum* and the Forum*. This afternoon enjoy a guided visit to the Vatican Museums*, where you will have a chance to view religious relics and treasures accumulated over the centuries. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the gorgeous Sistine Chapel, painted by the illustrious Michelangelo, and explore the massive St. Peter’s Basilica. April 10th is dedicated to visiting such sights as the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and more with your tour leader. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to enjoy a free lunch at the Hard Rock Café in Rome (free for those who submitted their deposit and application by October 15th). On April 11th you will enjoy an excursion to the archaeological site of Pompeii*. You will be enthralled with the guided tour of the ruins of this ancient Roman city. Every day Roman life unfolds before you suspended in time. After a Pompeian Lunch*, your next stop will be the Naples Archeological Museum*, the most important archaeological museum in Europe and home of numerous bronzes, sculptures and other objects found in the digs of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Here, the Roman Empire speaks directly to you through glimpses of ancient everyday life and real people frozen in time since the city’s burial by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. This evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner marking the perfect end to your Italian travels. On April 12th, board a plane bound for home with new memories, exciting adventures, and feeling of spiritual enrichment.
SPECIAL TOUR CONDITIONS: **The tour price, if payments are made by cash or check, is $4,595.00; otherwise, the standard non-discounted price is $4,695.00 based on a minimum of 18 paying participants. Tour participation is based on triple occupancy and includes roundtrip airfare from Cincinnati point-to point transportation between cities while in Italy, all breakfasts, one Lunch, and all dinners. *Entrance fees and/or transportation to (Academia, Uffizi, Assisi, Vatican Museums, Roma Pass, and city tours in Brescia, Florence and Rome) marked with an asterisk, and are included in the tour price, while other items may be offered optionally, are subject to availability, and are not included in the tour price. A guaranteed single room may be available for a supplemental charge of $775.00. A guaranteed twin room may be available for a supplemental charge of $325.00 per person. The tour price includes estimated applicable governmental international airline ticket taxes, fuel surcharges, security surcharges, and associated fees. If applicable, tax increases will be billed on a supplemental invoice. All tour participants must submit an electronically signed application online. A $500.00 initial deposit* is due no later than October 15th, 2014 and will reserve your space on this tour (initial deposit fully refundable if tour does not operate). You may apply online by visiting www.EAtours.com and “student sign up.” The tour number for your group is 215156. A 2nd payment of $500.00 will be due no later than 15 to 30 days after your initial payment. Final payments are due no later than 70 days before departure. Updated Tour details (hotels, day by day itinerary, flights, etc.) are scheduled to be released approximately four weeks prior to departure.