You are Invited to Join Father Gerald L. Seiler Jr. and the Clarion Herald on

A PILGRIMAGE to the CATHOLIC SPLENDORS of ITALY

Desenzano – Venice – Assisi – Florence – Rome – Pompeii

YOUR ITINERARY  $5985.00 from New Orleans**

$5035. Land Only w/o Airfare

October 4 – October 15,2024                                       Tour Code 225106

 

SPACE ON THE TOUR IS LIMITED AND IS EXPECTED TO FILL

On October 4th, 2024, you will depart from New Orleans to begin your unforgettable Pilgrimage to view the Catholic splendors of Italy. You will spend 12 unbelievable days touring this magnificent country, which is so important to our Catholic faith, and soaking in all that it has to offer.

 

Milan – Brescia – Desenzano – Venice

October 5 – October 7, 2024

Buongiorno Italia! On October 5, you will arrive in Milan, where you will be met by your private bus to begin your adventure. You will immediately proceed to Brescia to visit the ancient Church of St. Afra* and the St. Angela Sanctuary. From Brescia, you will continue to Desenzano to visit the family home of St. Angela Merici, Le Grezze*, where the foundress of Ursuline Order – who is so important to New Orleans history – spent her childhood. Your first night will be in Desenzano.  Dinner* is included tonight. On October 6, you will depart in the morning for a full-day excursion to “The Floating City” of Venice*. Here you will explore the magical city by foot as you tour the Doge’s Palace*, admire the Rialto Bridge and stroll through the St. Mark’s Square. Don’t forget to pick up some souvenirs! This evening you will return to Desenzano.

 

Assisi – Florence

October 7 – October 11, 2024

On the morning of October 7, you will say goodbye to Desenzano as you depart for the charming and significant town of Assisi. Located in Italy’s Umbria region, Assisi was the birthplace of St. Francis. Your highlight in Assisi is the Basilica of St. Francis*, a massive two-story church that was completed in 1253. Following your overnight in the Assisi area, on October 8 you will continue your journey to the amazing city of Florence where upon arrival, dinner* this evening is included. The next morning, October 9, you will awaken in the city that is the birthplace of the Renaissance. Because this is a Wednesday, the Papal Audience in Rome is being held today. Even though we will be visiting Rome in a few days, in order to facilitate your being able to attend the Papal Audience, a special excursion to Rome exclusively for the Papal Audience and Vatican City is planned. We will travel by express train to Rome (approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes) and then be met by our private bus to go directly to Vatican City. Following our Papal Audience, we will enjoy a guided visit of the Vatican Museum* and have time to revel in the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica. Following our time in Rome, we will return by express train to Florence. On the morning of October 10, you will depart for a guided walking tour* of Florence including the Academia*, home to Michelangelo’s “David”. Your sightseeing this afternoon will continue with visits to both the ever-important Duomo and the Basilica Santa Croce.

Florence – Rome – Pompeii

October 11 – October 15, 2024

On October 11, you will depart Florence bound for Rome. Following hotel check-in and dinner*, included this evening, you will enjoy a walking tour of the historic district to include such sites as the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps. Welcome to Rome! October 12 offers you visits to three of Rome’s most important basilicas – St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls and St. Mary Major – followed by a visit to one of Rome’s important Catacombs. On the morning of October 13, you will depart Rome by fast train bound for Naples. Upon arrival in Naples, you will be met by your private bus which will take you to explore the archaeological treasures of Pompeii with your guide. Following your Pompeii visit, you will enjoy lunch and a wine tasting* at a local vineyard. Following your lunch, you will travel by bus to Rome with a stop on the way at the imposing Abbey of Monte Cassino, rebuilt stone by stone after massive bombing during WWII. October 14 your final day, allows you to explore Rome on your own and enjoy personal time for shopping and sightseeing. Your farewell to Italy dinner* is included tonight. On October 15, you will depart from the Rome International Airport for you return flight to New Orleans, with wonderful memories and graces and, hopefully some memorable souvenirs.

SPECIAL TOUR CONDITIONS

SPECIAL TOUR CONDITIONS:  The tour price, if payments are made by cash or check, is $5,985.00; otherwise, if paying by credit card, the $5985.00 tour price is subject to a 3% credit fee additional fee, which is estimated to be $180.00. You are allowed to use a credit card for your initial $500. deposit.  If you wish to purchase / supply your own airfare to Italy from New Orleans, you may have a $950. per person discount.  If you wish to use a credit card for your initial deposit, you will be allowed to make your remaining payments by check and NOT be subject to the additional credit card fee.  Your trip price will be based on double/twin occupancy and will include round trip airfare from New Orleans (applicable taxes and governmental fees not included – see below), point-to-point transportation between cities while in Italy and as descried in your itinerary, all breakfasts and 4 evening meals (1 in Desenzano, 1 in Florence and 2 in Rome). Additionally, *Entrance fees and/or transportation marked with an asterisk will be included in the tour price. Additional items may be offered optionally. A guaranteed single room may be available for a supplemental charge of $985.00. A minimum number of paying participants may be required to operate the tour.

A $500.00 nonrefundable (for any reason) application fee / deposit is required to reserve your space on this tour.   All tour participants must submit an online application. Very specific conditions relating to cancellation apply and are listed in the Tour Conditions of the online Participation Application at Eatours.com.   A second payment of $1500.00, for which you will receive an invoice, will be due no later than 30 days from the date that EA Tours receives your initial payment and online application. Final payments are due no later than 130 days before departure.  Updated tour details (hotels, day by day itinerary, flights, etc.) are scheduled to be released approximately four weeks prior to departure. Please note: Additional tour conditions apply and are listed in the Tour Conditions Section on the Online Application. Applicable items listed above may supersede those listed in the tour conditions section on the online application.   

**Applicable governmental international airline ticket taxes, fuel surcharges, security surcharges, and associated fees (estimated to be approximately $600.00 per person) are NOT included and will be billed as a separate item on your final invoice.

Delta has confirmed trip flights to Italy traveling via Atlanta with a change of planes (one stop in each direction).  The exact flight details and information (which may be subject to change and are beyond the control of EA Tours) will be posted on the official EA Tours website (eatours.com). In order to access your flight information, you will need to enter your tour code, 225106. Additionally, it is planned for all hotels to be centrally located, four-star hotels, of course, with each room having private bathroom facilities.