Day 1 
- Depart Chicago O'Hare

Day 2
- Arrive in Europe

- Rome

Day 3
- Christian Rome

Day 4
- Tour of the Vatican

Day 5
- Assisi

- Umbria 

- St. Francis & St. Clare

Day 6
- Loreto 

- Bologna

Day 7
- Austria to Germany

Day 8
- Oberammergau

- Passion Play

Day 9
- Altotting

- Marktl am Inn

Day 10
- Dachau*

- Vallendar

Day 11
- Schoenstatt

Day 12
- Metternich

- Rhine Cruise

Day 13
- Trier

Day 14
- Free day in Schoenstatt

Day 15
- Return to USA

 

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LEGEND: (M = Aircraft Meals / B = Breakfast / D = Dinner)

Day 1: Friday, July 16th, 2010: US departure
Depart the U.S. for Rome, Italy! Enjoy dinner, drinks and video entertainment onboard as you fly into the European continent. Airfare included from Chicago. IL,(Airfare is available from other cities for an additional price). Please call for more information.

Day 2: Saturday, July 17th: Arrive in Paris & Rome. Arrive in Paris in the morning. After European Immigration enjoy a panoramic drive through Paris to reach the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal (thanksgiving Mass – for a safe arrival - celebrated here), where Our Lady appeared to St Catherine Laboure (her incorrupt body is in the same chapel). After Mass, visit St. Vincent De Paul’s preserved remains at a chapel nearby. Return to the airport to catch our flight to the Capital of Italy and ancient home of the greatest empire in western civilization, Roma (Rome). Board our motor-coach and travel to one of the Schoenstatt centers in Rome. Afterwards, check-into our hotel. Relax, get settled, and join your fellow pilgrims for dinner. (M, D)

Day 3: Sunday: July 18th: Christian Rome. After breakfast, embark on an unforgettable excursion of the treasures of our faith. First, travel south, down the ‘Via Apia’ (Apian Way) for a powerful journey, experiencing how our early brothers and sisters survived and persevered in preserving our Lord’s Church. Tour through an amazing complex of underground tunnels with an unending number of crypts, mausoleum tombs and chapels that fill every passageway that comprise the Catacombs of St. Callixtus. One of the highlights of this visit will be the place where the body of St. Cecilia was found. A very realistic statue that marks this place portrays the way her body laid, giving a final and resounding testimony to the Blessed Trinity at the time of her death. Mass celebrated here at the Catacombs. Then visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the 4 Patriarchal Basilicas of the Church. In addition to having portraits of every Pope, St. Paul Outside the Walls is most famous for housing the remains of St. Paul. After this visit, travel to St. Mary Major (another one of the 4 Patriarchal Basilicas) where you can see relics of the Manger from Bethlehem. Commissioned in the year 360AD approximately, Santa Maria is the first Basilica to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of the Snows). The famous icon of Mary, Health of the Roman People, believed to be painted by St. Luke, can be found in the beautiful Cappella Paolina built by Paul V. Then visit San Giovanni Laterano (St. John Lateran), the Cathedral of Rome (and another one of the Church’s four major Basilicas) originally dedicated to Christ Our Savior, and later to St. John the Baptist and to St. John the Evangelist. Adjoining is the Lateran Palace which was the official residence of the Popes before the Avignon captivity. Afterwards, visit the ‘Scala Sancta’ (Holy Stairs) where you may climb the same steps Our Lord climbed on the way to see Pontius Pilate. The climb may only be done on your knees. Approximately on every 5 steps, a small circled glass window allows the pilgrim to see the real marble steps below the wooden protective cover. It has been said that at one point pilgrims could still see the marble with drops of the blood of Christ through these small windows. End our day at ‘Santa Croce in Gerusalemme’ (Holy Cross of Jerusalem), where incredible relics can be found (fragments of the Holy Cross, one Nail, part of the inscription INRI, two thorns from the Crown of Thorns, fragments of the pillar of the scourging and of the rock of the Holy Sepulcher). We owe these beautiful relics, including the Holy Stairs, to St. Helena, the mother of Rome’s first Christian Emperor, Constantine. (B, D)

Day 4: Monday July 19th: Tour of the Vatican. Tour the impressive Museo Vaticano (Vatican Museum) with a fascinating collection of historical artifacts and precious objects of art, including the magnificent Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel) with the famous Michelangelo frescoes featuring the Last Judgment. Afterwards, tour the largest Church in the world, the Basilica di San Pietro (St. Peter’s Basilica). Descend below the main Altar of St. Peter’s Basilica and visit the Crypt of St. Peter where the remains of the first Pope lay, surrounded by the tombs of many Popes. This is your chance to pay your respects to John Paul the Great at his tomb. Then visit the second Schoenstatt Center in Rome for Mass. On the way, enjoy panoramic views of Rome including the famous Coliseum (Flavian Amphitheater) built in 72 AD, flanked on one side by the Arch of Constantine and surrounded by the massive Roman Forum. Then see the huge Circus Maximus (also used in the movie Ben Hur), the Vittorio Emanuel II monument (“wedding cake building” – housing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), Piazza Venezzia featuring the old Venice embassy building (used by Mussolini to give his famous speeches), (B).

Day 5: Tuesday, July 20th: Assisi After breakfast, depart Rome early for the Umbria region, the land of St. Francis and St. Clare. Upon arrival to lower Assisi, visit the ‘Porziuncula’ (the first Franciscan house), the Transit Chapel (where St. Francis died), and the thorn-less rose garden, all inside the stunning St. Mary of the Angels Basilica. Then enjoy a guided walking tour of Assisi including the Lower and Upper Basilicas of St. Francis filled with world famous Giotto frescoes that depict the lives of Jesus and St. Francis, as well as other saints. Visit the tombs of St. Francis and his disciples. Visit other important sights such as the place of St. Francis’ birth, his home, also the remains of St. Clare and the famous Cross of San Damiano at the Church of St. Clare. Mass celebrated in Assisi. Overnight and dinner in Assisi. (B, D)

Day 6: Wednesday, July 21st: Loreto & Bologna. Head east crossing the Apennine Mountains towards the Adriatic coast of Italy, to a little piece of the Holy Land, the Marian Shrine of Loreto. See the beautiful black Madonna of Loreto while visiting the Holy House of Nazareth, where Mary received the Annunciation. Only 3 walls are present because the fourth wall is actually a grotto in Nazareth. Archeological studies have scientifically matched the composition of these two places. A pious tradition tells us that the Holy House was transported to Loreto by Angels in order to protect it from invading infidels. This Shrine has been frequented by many Popes. Holy Mass is scheduled at the Holy House where the word was made flesh. Then head North to a city famous for its meat sauce! Upon arrival in Bologna, visit the Basilica di San Domenico (St. Dominic) where you can find the resting place of the famous saint that founded the Dominican Order. Holy Rosary is prayed here in honor of a Saint that was intimately united with the Rosary. Say good-bye to your Italian Tour Manager and driver tonight at our group dinner. (B, D)

Day 7: Thursday, July 22nd: Travel through Austria into Germany. After breakfast, Fred, your German motor coach chauffeur (a good friend of the Schoenstatt Sisters), starts his services for the group for the remainder of the trip. Depart Italy and journey into Germany by crossing Austria through the Tyrol countryside. As you drive away from Italy, take one last look at a beautiful land that now holds a special place in your heart, and say Arrivederci Italia! Arrive tonight at Klein Schoenstatt in Munich for Mass and dinner. (B, D) Note: From this day on, all services are from Schoenstatt and friends of Schoenstatt. The remainder of the tour has been arranged by Schoenstatt Sisters. * (Time restrictions exist for visits marked with an asterisk and in parenthesis, due to Oberammergau’s huge demand and European bus driver laws regarding driving times and distances).

Day 8: Friday, July 23rd: Oberammergau with Passion Play. Travel through the gorgeous Bavarian countryside to the beautiful and richly decorated village of Oberammergau, site of the world famous Passion Play (performed for several centuries every ten years by the town’s population as an act of thanksgiving for having been spared of the bubonic plague). The Schoenstatt Sisters have obtained good seats for our group! The professionally produced and internationally famous Passion Play ends late in the evening, then we return back to Munich. * (A Wieskirche morning visit is planned only if time allows). (B, M, M)

Day 9: Saturday, July 24th: Altotting and Marktl am Inn,  head east towards the beautiful Marian Shrine of Altotting. Unlike any other Marian Shrine, Altotting looks and feels like a small Bavarian town with different churches and shops surrounding the old, unique and small chapel of Our Lady of Altotting. The beautiful image of Our Lady of Altotting is inside this chapel centered above the Altar. Continue traveling east to the charming town of Marktl am Inn, birthplace of Pope Benedict XVI. Visit the church where little Joseph Ratzinger was Baptized and tour the small town’s exhibit hall right across the street from Pope Benedict’s birthplace (an old police station - pictured above). * (If time allows, visit Downtown Munich on your own). (B, M, D)

Day 10: Sunday, July 25th: *Dachau and Vallendar. *(If time allows, a brief visit is planned to the site of the former concentration camp of Dachau. Tour the camp’s site, memorials and museum. A special prayer will be offered here for all the victims of the Holocaust, especially those who died here, and also for the 50 million victims of the abortion holocaust that is destroying our Country). Then travel northwest towards Vallendar, site of the Marienau Schoenstatt Center where you’ll stay for 5 nights. After check-in, enjoy a group dinner. (B, M, D)

Day 11: Monday, July 26th: Schoenstatt. A very special day starts with Holy Mass at the Original Shrine! Explore the historic valley area including Father Kentenich’s house on Mount Schoenstatt. Tour Mission House and Mariengarten Shrine. Return to Vallendar via Priest Mountains (Mt. Tabor, Mt. Sion and Mt. Moriah). (B, L, D)

Day 12: Tuesday, July 27th: Metternich and Rhine Cruise. Travel to Metternich for Mass at the Shrine. Continue to the banks of the famous Rhine River for a delightful river cruise passing the Marksburg Castle on the way to Boppard. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Wednesday, July 28th: Trier. Enjoy a tour of the City of Trier today. Marvel at the amazing works of the Roman Empire like the Porta Nigra, the Amphitheater and the Imperial as well as the Forum Baths. Then visit Constantine the Great Basilica and the Dom (Diocesan Cathedral). See the Barroque St. Paulinus Church as well as the Tomb of St. Matthias! Holy Mass and dinner at the Schoenstatt Shrine in Trier. (B, L, M)

Day 14: Thursday, July 29th: Leisure day at Schoenstatt. Enjoy a leisure day at Schoenstatt today with opportunities to pray and visit all the other sites at your leisure. (B, L, D)

Day 15: Friday, July 30th: Auf Wiedersehen Germany! Early transfer to Frankfurt Main Airport this morning for our flight to the U.S.A. As our airplane takes off, we take one last look at the beautiful land that now holds a special place in our hearts, and say Auf Wiedersehen Deutchland! (B, M)

Upon arrival in the USA, clear US Immigrations and Customs.
Welcome Home!

 

15 - Day Trip Inclusions:

• Air transportation from Chicago to Italy and Frankfurt to Chicago (per itinerary).  Airfare available from other cities.  Please call for price difference. 

• Private Motor-coach in Italy and Germany with professional Chauffeur (some tours require walking).

• Airport Transfers in Italy and Germany (for those flying with the group)

• Italian Accommodations at 3 and 4 star properties.  German accommodations at Schoenstatt Centers.

• 32 meals:  13 Breakfast, 10 Dinners, 4 Lunches and 4 Packed Meals.

• Expert Local guides on selected featured tours in Rome and Germany.

• Schoenstatt Father and Sister accompany the pilgrimage.

• Italian Tour Manager during the Italy portion.

• Admissions to all featured and selected visits of the touring program.  Including good and real tickets to the Oberammergau Passion Play. 

• Tour program includes: Vatican City including Vatican Museum, Sistine
  Chapel and St. Peter’s, Imperial Rome Tour (Coliseum and Forum)
  Christian Rome Tour (Catacombs of St. Callixtus, Holy Steps, Holy
  Cross of Jerusalem, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul
  Outside the Walls), Assisi (Home of St. Francis and St. Clare), Loreto
  (home of the Holy House of Nazareth), Bologna (tomb of St. Dominic),
  Munich, Altotting (Marian Shrine), Marktl Am Inn (Pope’s Birthplace),
  Oberammergau (Passion Play), Trier, Rhine River cruising and more.

• Full documentation packet with luggage tags & re-usable wallet.

• Spiritual program including daily Mass, Rosaries, Meditations, and opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

• Hotel sales tax, Italian hospitality taxes & service charges.

Does Not Include:

• AIRLINE TAXES: US/Europe airport, departure, connection and
  transportation taxes and fuel surcharges (approximately $420)

• Tour Manager, Tour Guide's and Motor-coach Chauffeurs gratuities
  . (See registration for price, terms & Conditions)
   

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