Palermo, Catania

MARCH 6: Arrival Palermo

Arrival at Palermo airport; transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner in an outside restaurant. Overnight in Palermo

MARCH 7: Morning Mass.

Visit Palermo, including the Royal Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni) with its Palatine Chapel, the cathedral, the Arab-Normand churches of St. Cataldo (Greek rite) and Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (named “La Martorana”). We will also visit the baroque church of St. Caterina d’Alessandria. We will visit the “Four Corners”, the center of the historic city, the Piazza Pretoria, and the outside of the Massimo Theatre, the third biggest opera theatre in Europe. Overnight in Palermo

MARCH 8: Morning Mass. 

Morning excursion to Monreale, with the visit of the Arab-Normand Cathedral (with 3.500 square meters of golden byzantine mosaics) and its cloister. In the afternoon back to Palermo and ascend by bus to Monte Pellegrino, where you will visit the Shrine of St Rosalia, the patroness of Palermo, which is in a cave. Overnight in Palermo

MARCH 9: Morning Mass. 

Check-out. Travel to Cefalù, one of the most important Sicilian destinations, and visit the Arab-Normand cathedral. Travel to Tindari (in the province of Messina) and visit the Shrine of the Black Virgin, overlooking the Aeolian Islands. Proceed to Catania. Overnight in Catania.

MARCH 10: Morning Mass.

Morning excursion to Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe. Afternoon visit Catania with its Cathedral, dedicated to St Agata, the patroness of the city; inside the cathedral, you can also see the tomb of Vincenzo Bellini, the famous opera composer, born in Catania. Overnight in Catania.

MARCH 11 – Morning Mass.

Morning excursion to Taormina, the most famous Sicilian destination: you will admire the Cathedral, dating back to the Renaissance, the Ancient Theatre and the Odeon. In the afternoon visit the charming fishers’ village of Aci Trezza, near Catania. Overnight in Catania.

Rome

MARCH 12 – Check-out. Transfer to Rome

Check-out. Transfer to Rome.

MARCH 13 – Morning Mass.

Depart to Vatican for Audience with the Pope. Pope Francis and the Cardinals will pass through the crowd while greeting and blessing people in different languages before reaching their stage. The audience will either be celebrated in St. Peter’s Square or in the Paul VI Audience Hall – according to the Vatican’s schedule. In the afternoon we will have a private tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

MARCH 14 – Morning Mass.

Early entrance to the Vatican Museum to avoid the crowds.  We will have a private guided tour through many of the (26) separate museums at the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel.  The private tour will extend to St. Peter’s Basilica.  There will be an opportunity to ascend the 551 steps to the top of St. Peter’s for an unparallel view of Rome.

MARCH 15 – Morning Mass.

Walking tour among the fountains and squares of the historic center of Rome.  We will experience the Pantheon,  Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Navona Square and much more.

In the evening we will transfer to a restaurant for a Farewell Dinner.

MARCH 16 – Morning Mass.

Private transfer to Fiumicino airport.