Off-season Bargain
Now is the perfect time to plan your pilgrimage to Italy for the "off-season" (we call it the "smart season"). Seasonal price reductions allow us to offer you great value. The "off-season" is from November through April and the advantages of traveling at this time are numerous. The huge crowds and heat of the summer season are gone (temps average 50-60 in the daytime) and you can snap up the lowest airfares of the year. It is a great way to maximize your travel dollar and still sample the sights and sounds of Italy with all the benefits of small group travel.
Our itinerary is designed to be relaxing, with no long bus travel involved. You won't find yourself worn out at the end of the day, but refreshed by the wonderful experiences that you have actually had time to savor. All at the lowest price we have ever offered. We have cut the cost, not the quality.
Cost shown is per person, double occupancy. A few single rooms are available at additional cost. A $300 per person deposit will hold your space, balance is due 60 days prior to departure.
Items not included: Round-trip airfare to Italy, lunches, items of a personal nature, tips to driver and guide (approx. $80).
Contact us for special low-cost airfare from your home town. Or call us toll-free at 1-877-404-4240.
Want to stay longer in Italy? Just let us know and we can help make arrangements for you.
Look before you book! You may have seen tours that look similar, but overnight in Rome each day. That means a lot of time on the bus. It is 3 1/2 hours each way from Rome to Florence, and 3 hours each way from Rome to Assisi. That means long days of 6-7 hours on the bus that can not only be tiring but take away from the time you actually have in these cities.
Mercy Tours Inc. 6504 28th Street S.E. Suite Q Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
Tel: 1-877-404-4240 616-942-4773 fax 616-808-3794 MERCY TOURS
Your Catholic Pilgrimage Resource
A Spiritual & Cultural experience
Your Itinerary:
Day 1 U.S.A.--Florence
We depart our home towns today, connect in our East Coast city of departure and then fly on to Florence.
Day 2 Florence
You will arrive in Florence this morning and be met by our local, English-speaking guide and escorted to our private bus. We will have an orientation tour of the city by bus including Michelangelo Plaza before checking in to our hotel to rest up a bit. Later we celebrate Mass at one of the many nearby churches and have dinner and overnight in Florence.
Day 3 Florence
There is perhaps no city in the world that can match the artistic splendor of Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Some of the finest art and architecture in Italy are found here along with priceless treasures of our Catholic Faith. Yet the city is compact, warm and friendly with easy walking to most major attractions. Important paintings and sculptures are everywhere.
Our full day tour begins with our reserved tickets to the Accademia Gallery that houses Michelangelo's famous statue "David" by Michelangelo and many other art treasures. Our reserved tickets mean that we do not have to wait in line to go in to the museum. We then visit the Medici Chapels and then, following lunch, we will visit the Cathedral of “Santa Maria Del Fiori (St. Mary of the Flowers), Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry with the famous doors called the Gates of Paradise.
Among other sites we will visit are the Church of St. Ambrose, which houses two Eucharistic Miracles dating from 1230 and 1595.
Dinner and overnight in Florence.
Day 4 Florence--Assisi
Today we travel on to the beautiful medieval hilltop town of Assisi, home to St. Francis and St. Clare.
Our hotel is in the heart of the town. Assisi is a very compact town and we can walk from one end to the other in less than 30 minutes. After dinner we can stroll through the town and soak up the atmosphere. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.
Day 5 Assisi--Rome
As we leave Assisi we stop below the town at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. This giant Basilica (it is the seventh-largest church in the world) actually houses the "portunicula", or "little portion" the tiny chapel that was actually built by St. Francis. It houses perhaps 20 people at best. For centuries doves have been resting in the statute of St. Francis in the garden behind the sacristy. We will also see the rose garden with its thornless rose bush.
After lunch we board our bus for our final destination--Rome! While in Rome we have made a special effort to include free time for shopping or exploring while at the same time visiting many of the special sites in this most amazing city. For this reason we are including three full days in the Rome and have picked a hotel that is in the heart of the city. Rome does not shut down after dark---in fact it takes on a whole new life. This evening we have the chance to wander around one of the famous piazzas, have some delicious gelato (Italy's famous ice cream) shop from the many street vendors or just soak up the atmosphere. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 6 Rome
Our day begins with a visit to the Catacombs of Saint Calixtus where we celebrate Mass among the tombs of the dead as so many early Christians did.
Next we visit the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls. This is the second largest church in Rome after St. Peter’s. Here you will find the tomb of St. Paul under the main altar.
Our day also includes the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. This basilica is one of the oldest and most important shrines in the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 7 Rome
This morning we have the special opportunity to celebrate Mass in the crypt area of Saint Peter's Basilica, burial place of many of our Popes. We will also see the tomb of our beloved Pope John Paul II. Saint Peter's is the world's largest church and filled with priceless works of art. Of special interest, of course, is the Pieta, Michelangelo's famous sculpture.
From here we go to the Basilica of St. John Lateran (the Pope's own church as Bishop of Rome).
Right across the street from Saint Johan Lateran we will visit the Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs. According to tradition, these are the very stairs that Jesus climbed during his Passion.
Today also allows us to see some of ancient Rome: The Colosseum, the Forum and other architectural wonders from the early days of Rome.
This afternoon, as a special treat, we will have a private two-hour tour of the Vatican Gardens by one of the Vatican guides. A place of quiet and meditation for many Popes, this hidden beauty has its origins in 1279 A.D. The lush greenery is punctuated by many fountains, shrines to the Blessed Mother, an Olive Tree given by Israel, the Vatican radio station and the Vatican's own train station. It is a wonderful respite from the busy activities of Rome.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 8 Rome
The highlight of our stay here will be attendance at the weekly Papal audience of Pope Benedict XVI. The audience is normally held in St. Peter's Square except in case of rain when it is held in the large audience hall. It is inspiring and impressive to be here with thousands of other pilgrims from all over the world. A sense of excitement builds as groups with the flags of their native countries wait with excitement for the appearance of our Holy Father.
Later we will take a tour of the Vatican Museums, seeing several of the galleries such as the Gallery of the Tapestries, the Gallery of the Candelabras and also the Sistine Chapel.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 9 Rome--U.S.A.
After breakfast this morning, we reluctantly we say "Arrivederci Roma" as we leave for the airport.
Mercy Tours Value includes:
- At least one priest will accompany the group. Daily Mass & Rosary.
- Small group of 15-25 people.
- Deluxe, centrally-located hotel accommodations.
- Buffet breakfast and dinner daily. Wine, coffee, water or tea with dinners.
- Local, English-speaking Catholic guide will accompany us throughout.
- Ground transportation via our own luxury bus.
- Admission fees to all sites indicated.
- Private tour of Vatican Gardens.
- Tickets to weekly Papal Audience.
- Tickets to Accademia Gallery in Florence.
- Headphones (whisper system) for tours conducted inside the Vatican, Saint Peter's, Assisi, Florence assures you will be able to hear our guide clearly and distinctly in public places.
- Mercy Tours Extend-Your-Stay option.
Pilgrimage Dates:
November 9-17, 2011$1999 + air
$1999 + air 