Depart the USA!

Upon arrival at Lyon Airport, you will be greeted by your Englishspeaking, Catholic tour manager, who will accompany the group through France. Board the private deluxe bus and transfer to the city center to the heart of Lyon, where we will visit the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, a magnificent stone tapestry that took three centuries to build (1180-1476). Look closely at the portals, and you’ll discover 280 square stone medallions with scenes from the Bible and daily medieval life. This incredible outdoor gallery has been telling stories in stone for over 700 years. Inside, the 14th-century astronomical clock is a marvel of medieval engineering; its automatons still perform their mechanical dance at appointed hours. Overnight in Lyon. (D)

After Breakfast, we travel a short distance to tour the Basilica of Ars, where St. Jean-Marie Vianney, known as the Cure d’Ars, was a priest for over 40 years. It was this man who became a teacher and model even for the Popes, who are inspired by him and hold him up for emulation to the entire Church. In 1929, Pope Pius XI proclaimed him the “heavenly patron of all parish priests throughout the world.” Celebrate Mass here and then depart to Lake Bourget. Perched on the shores of Lake Bourget, Hautecombe Abbey holds the secrets of Savoy royalty hidden within its stone walls. Discover the final resting place of kings and the mysterious monastery that survived centuries of historical upheaval. The monastery symbolizes the region’s deep religious and architectural heritage, showcasing the transition from Cistercian to Benedictine traditions. Its location on Lake Bourget makes it not just a religious site, but a key cultural landmark. We will explore the monastery’s intricate stone carvings, walk through halls where Savoy royalty were laid to rest, and enjoy panoramic views of Lake Bourget. The Abbey offers a quiet, contemplative experience that will connect us directly with French medieval history, stunning lake views, and monastic life. We will pray Vespers in the Sanctuary and then end the day with a 45-minute drive to our hotel in Annecy. (B, D)

After breakfast, we enjoy a walking tour of Annecy’s old town, then take in views of the Glacial Lake. Visit the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre d’Annecy, a 500-year-old church blending Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Step inside the Basilica of the Visitation, where St. Jane Frances de Chantal, who founded 69 convents, and St. Francis de Sales, the Bishop of Geneva, who led the Counter-Reformation, are both buried. Learn about St. Francis de Sales, who was born at the Château de Sales nearby. Lunch is on your own in Annecy’s Old Town, where there are several fine French restaurants to dine at.After lunch, we walk to the Church of St. Francis de Sales, to celebrate Mass, the church where this great saint celebrated Mass and preached at daily during his life. It’s the first burial place of him and St. Jane de Chantel and it was originally the chapel of the second Visitation Monastery We then travel to Chamonix for dinner and to spend the night. (B, D)

Start the morning in Chamonix with breakfast, then we celebrate Mass in the baroque Church of St. Bernard du Mt. Blanc. After Mass, we spend free time in the town for a true flavor of France. At the base of Chamonix, at an altitude of 3,400 feet, we take the charming cogwheel train to the Montenvers station, at an altitude of 6,300 feet. After an unforgettable 20-minute journey, you’ll marvel at the famous Mer de Glace (Sea of ice) glacier, a wonderful opportunity to experience God’s amazing work with creation. We then travel through the Mt. Blanc tunnel, which is carved through the bottom of the 16,000-foot mountain, to enter into Italy where the next phase of our pilgrimage begins. We travel to Turin. We enjoy dinner and overnight in Turin. (B, D)

After Breakfast, we visit the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, the church St. John Bosco commissioned and where his remains lie. We will celebrate Mass here. After Mass, we tour the church and convent of St. Dominic, a 13th-century example of Gothic religious architecture founded by the Dominicans. After lunch, we will visit the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, built to house the linen cloth with the image of Christ. Visit the Shroud Museum to learn about the shroud’s long history and its study. After the museum, we will move to Piacenza. Dinner and overnight in Piacenza. (B, D)

We start the morning celebrating Mass at the Piacenza Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta e Santa Giustina, Piacenza’s principal Catholic church and one of northern Italy’s finest examples of Romanesque architecture. Beneath the main church, explore the Greek-cross crypt. The crypt preserves the relics of Saint Justina, to whom an earlier cathedral on the site was dedicated before that building was destroyed in the earthquake of 1117. We then travel to the Parma region, renowned for Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano. Begin with a visit to a local cheese factory to learn about the Parmigiano Reggiano production process, followed by a tasting. Continue to a traditional prosciutto producer, where you will explore the meticulous curing process and enjoy a taste of this world-famous delicacy. End the day in Bologna with free time to explore and enjoy dinner. Overnight in Bologna. (B, D)

Start the morning activities by celebrating Mass at the Basilica of San Domenico, one of the richest churches in Bologna in terms of art history, which the Dominican Friars founded to house the remains of Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominican order, who arrived in Bologna around 1200. Explore Italy’s food valley today and learn the art of pasta making from a chef in Bologna. Learn every step of preparing several traditional dishes, such as “Tortellini in brood” and “Tagliatelle with Ragu.” We then enter the world of “Black Gold” and discover the aging process in centuries-old barrels for balsamic vinegar. Enjoy a “spoon tasting” and then travel to a family winery. Wander through a local vineyard and hear about its history before enjoying a wine-tasting lunch. Travel back to Bologna to tour the city’s most important and imposing church, the Basilica of San Petronio. It is also the largest Gothic brick church in the world. It has the famous Sundial, the longest in the world at 67 meters, and is home to hundreds of relics. It is an artistic and historical experience, but also a journey into the heart of Bolognese spirituality and identity. We then take a short 7-minute walk to the Sanctuary del Corpus Domini, home of the incorrupt body of St. Catherine of Bologna. We will tour the church and the adjacent Museum della Santa. We will then pray Vespers and Compline, the beautiful prayers that will close our day. Spend the night in Bologna. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we leave Bologna and head to Mantua, to one of Northern Italy’s most important pilgrimage churches, the Basilica of St. Andrea, because it houses the relics of the Precious Blood of Christ. According to Ancient tradition, the Roman Centurion Longinus collected some of Christ’s Precious Blood at the Crucifixion. It was later brought to Mantua, where it was buried for over 770 years until it was rediscovered in 804AD. We will celebrate Mass here, then travel to scenic Lake Garda and enjoy a cruise to see the islands of Val di Sogno Bay, the waterfalls near Limone, & the Palace of Malesine. Dinner and overnight in Verona. (B, D)

After enjoying breakfast, Mass will be at the Basilica of Saint Anastasia, Verona’s largest church and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. After Mass, we will tour Verona’s historic center. We then make a pilgrimage nestled high in the cliffs of Monte Baldo, the awe-inspiring Santuario Madonna della Corona Sanctuary of Mary of the Crown), which offers breathtaking views and a profound sense of spirituality. The Santuario Madonna della Corona has been a site of pilgrimage for centuries, with its origins dating back to the early medieval period. We will pray the Stations of the Cross leading up to the church. Dinner and overnight in Verona. (B, D)

After breakfast, we leave Verona and head to where St. Anthony spent the last years of his life; visit the Basilica of St. Anthony, the patron saint of things lost; celebrate Mass there; and visit his tomb. Walk through the town and learn about its history, then enjoy free time at the Piazza delle Erbe to explore the stalls and peritivos and get a taste of the local cuisine. This afternoon, visit the Sanctuary of Leopold Mandic. The church is now dedicated to the saint, who served as a apuchin friar and priest here and was canonized in 1983. This afternoon, journey into the hills surrounding Padua and visit a historic Olive Oil mill run by the same family for generations. Learn about the process and enjoy a guided tasting session with bread and oils. Dinner and overnight in Padua. (B, D)

Travel by boat to the magical city of Venice. Rising between sea and sky, this fascinating city boasts waterways and boats instead of roads and cars, encompassing 118 islands separated by more than 150 canals. Before exploring, we will celebrate Mass at San Giacomo di Rialto, which, according to tradition, is the oldest church in Venice, consecrated in 421. Visit the Piazza San Marco, bordered on three sides by palatial arcades in two tiers. Tour the Basilica with its treasure of marble and gold. mosaics. From the square, you can see the famous Bell Tower and the Clock Tower, as well as the charming pink and white Doges’ Palace. After seeing the romantic Bridge of Sighs, enjoy free time to explore on your own. You can shop, stroll along the bridges and canals, or even indulge in a gondola ride along the Grand Canal. Return to your hotel in Padua for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Transfer to the airport for return flights.