NEW YORK/ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Depart on your overnight transatlantic flight to Amsterdam, arriving the following day.
| ARRIVE AMSTERDAM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 |
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| Arrive in Amsterdam and after meeting your tour director and boarding your awaiting motorcoach, begin your sightseeing of Amsterdam. Pass the Royal Palace on the dam where the original houses of Amsterdam’s fisherman once stood. See the Magere Brug known as the ‘Skinny Bridge’ over the River Amstel, and the Damrak at the heart of the city’s busy shopping thoroughfares. Enjoy the Dutch architecture as you cruise the canals that give Amsterdam its distinctive character. In-tended to be seen from the water, much of the city’s beauty is owed to the builders in the Golden Age, when the influence of classical Italian and French styles was coupled with the affluence of the Dutch merchants. Afterwards, proceed to your hotel for check-in and to spend the evening. (B,D) |  |
AMSTERDAM/STEYL AREA
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
After breakfast, we will depart from Amsterdam and venture through the picturesque Dutch countryside to the village of Steyl. Steyl is most notable as the location where the Society of the Divine Word was formed in 1875 by Saint Arnold Janssen. Enjoy the day in Steyl to explore the village, receive education on the Society of the Divine Word, and the opportunity to meet with members of the Society of the Divine Word residing in Steyl. Celebrate Mass in Steyl. Spend the evening in the Steyl area. (B,D)
| STEYL/GOCH/COLOGNE/RHINE VALLEY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 This morning say goodbye to our friends in Steyl as we cross the border into Germany. Visit the small town of Goch where the founder of the Society of the Divine Word, Saint Arnold Janssen, was born. Enjoy a brief stop in the city of Cologne for a brief panoramic tour including a visit to the remarkable Cologne Cathedral, which took 632 years to construct. Considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world and holding the record for tallest twin-spired church at 515 feet tall, the Cologne Cathedral is the most visited landmark in all of Germany. Afterwards, continue south to Germany’s Rhine Valley to take in the breathtaking countryside dotted with medieval villages along the Rhine River. En route stop at the Society of the Divine Word’s St. Augustin’s seminary. Spend the night in the Rhine Valley. (B,D) |
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RHINE VALLEY/BAVARIA
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
After breakfast, journey through one of Europe’s most acclaimed regions of natural beauty, Bavaria. Start with a visit to the Weiskirche, a UNESCO World Heritage site commonly known as the Church in the Meadow. Continue to the famed village of Oberammergau, renowned for its nearly 400-year old tradition of hosting the world’s most viewed Passion Play. Admire this colorful village with its buildings decorated in devotional paintings and browse the town’s many wood carving shops. Cross the Bavarian Alps into Austria and the region of Tyrol to Innsbruck to spend the night. (B,D)
INNSBRUCK/OIES/VENICE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
This morning enjoy an orientation tour of Innsbruck, capital of the Austrian province of Tyrol, set in the heart of the Austrian Alps. The 800-year-old city was named for the bridge across the Inn River, first built in the 12th century. On your orientation tour of Innsbruck, view the Wilten Ba-silica, Hofburg Palace, Maria Theresia Avenue and the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), a late Gothic oriel with 2,657 gold-plated tiles. It was built under the rule of Emperor Maximilian I as a royal box for spectacles held in the square below. Afterwards, continue across the border to Italy and through the beautiful scenery of the Italian Alps to the hamlet of Oies. Birthplace of Saint Joseph Freina-Nemetz, the Sanctuary of Oies became a famed site of pilgrimage due to his legacy. After concluding the visit to Oies, venture farther south to Venice to spend the evening. (B,D)
VENICE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
| Your exciting day begins on Venice, built on 118 small islands lying some four kilometers frommainland Italy. Venetian highways are the many waterways that connect the cities’ islands and these islands are linked by numerous picturesque and romantic bridges. Enjoy your morning walking tour of Venice Island beginning with a visit of the Basilica San Marco. Other highlights include the Palace of the Dog-es, the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto. The afternoon is at leisure to explore this captivating city independently. Celebrate Mass today in Venice. (B,D) |  |
VENICE/PADUA/FLORENCE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Today drive to Padua where you will visit the Basilica of St. Anthony. Continue on through the serene Tuscan countryside to Florence, the cradle of Renaissance Art and former stronghold of the Medici family. From Botticelli to Da Vin-ci, the city is unsurpassed in art treasures and the glory of its history. Enjoy a walking tour of Florence’s city center including the “Duomo” with Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry with its “Gates of Paradise” doors and the Piazza della Signoria where the Neptune Fountain stands. Afterwards, proceed to your hotel in Florence to spend the night. (B,D)
| FLORENCE/ASSISI/ROME TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Venture south today through the mystical province of Umbria to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. Your walking tour includes the Basilica of St. Francis, still surrounded today by ancient walls, the Church of St. Clare and Santa Maria degli Angeli with its ‘thornless rose bush’. This afternoon, proceed to Rome, the Eternal City. Located in the center of the region of Lazio, Rome is a reflection of every era of Western history. The wonders of Rome surround you…a world of art, history and culture that has been attracting visitors since the beginning of Western civilization. (B,D) |
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ROME
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
This morning attend an Audience with Our Holy Father, Pope Francis. Afterwards, travel via the famed Via Appia to visit the Catacombs of St. Domitillia, which are run by the Society of the Divine Word, and a visit of the Society of the Divine Word World Headquarters. (B)
ROME
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Your sightseeing tour this morning takes you to Vatican City including visits to the Vatican Museum and Gallery and the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s magnificent frescoes. End your morning tour at the Basilica of St. Peter. This afternoon tour the Basilicas of St. Mary Major, St. John Later-an and St. Paul's outside the Walls. Today, celebrate Mass. (B)
ROME
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
After breakfast this morning, board your motorcoach and travel south outside of Rome to the Society of the Divine Word’s retreat center in Nemi. In the afternoon, return to Rome where the balance of the day is at leisure. This evening enjoy a special farewell dinner in Rome to celebrate your trip. (B,D)
ROME/NEW YORK
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
Bid farewell to Europe as you transfer to the airport for your flight to New York, arriving the same day. (B)
(B) ~ BREAKFAST (D) ~ DINNER
