This is an absolutely incredible authentic Tuscan villa limited to 14 pilgrims.
Seven (7) private double occupancy bedrooms with attached private bath.
The number of options to do each day is endless! Create your own itinerary or go with the experts you trust, having been there!
We highlight various holy and sacred sites throughout Italy. Each (optional) excursion on our itineray begins with breakfast and ends with a chef prepared dinner. One option might be to simply relax in the countryside by the private pool or the library and reminisce about your day into the evening with fellow pilgrims on the journey!
* Additional private apartments within this spectacular 16th Century medieval hamlet can accomodate up to 50 additional pilgrims if you have a larger group in mind.
Itineray includes:
Private Tuscany Villa accommodations; Mercedes motor-coach; English speaking driver to and from the sacred sites as per itinerary; includes taxes, tolls and parking fees; seven (7) private bedrooms with (7) seven private bathrooms; full service kitchen; outdoor pool; indoor excercise facility and sauna; six (6) daily continental breakfast (except on travel day) and five (6) chef prepared dinners (except Wednesday) provided; daily Mass scheduled at Basilica's and private Chapels; English speaking, Catholic tour-guides and entrance fees where noted.
Does not include:
Airfare
Travel insurance is suggested/optional
Tips -for the driver and tour guide
Lunch - cost is on your own
Beverages - on your own
Dinner - Wednesday
Day 1
Depart for your overnight internatinal flight to Italy.
Departure from Indianapolis International Airport at 2:29pm.
Arrive at 8:10am in Rome.
Day 2
Arrive Rome, Italy - Fiumicino (FCO)
Airport and transfer to Tuscany
A Peace Love Pilgrimage Ambassador will guide you through each day. A Priest will celebrate the Sacraments daily. There is a private English speaking, Catholic tour-guide in Assisi, Siena and Rome/Florence option.
Upon your early morning arrival, locate your luggage in baggage claim and proceed to customs where you passport will be stamped. You will be met by (2) english speaking drivers that will travel with you the entire week in (2) 8-passenger Mercedes Benz large capacity SUV Mini-vans.
Depart the airport and take in the sights and smells of Italy.
It is 194 miles, nearly 3 hours to the villa.
Lunch.
Sightseeing.
Stop at a market on your way to the villa for any items or beverages you would like to have at the villa for the week. There is a full service kitchen at the villa for your convenience.
After rolling through the very strep hills of Tuscany you will eventually arrive at a private villa near Grieve in Chianti, is an amazing village where your group will reside for one week. It is a 13th century medieval hamlet overlooking olive groves and vineyards galore. Unpack, sit back and relax.
Welcome dinner reception and wine provided. Evening prayer led by your traveling priest.
Day 3
Morning prayer and breakfast served al fresco on the veranda.
Tuscany
As you rise to the most authentic beauty of the sunrise, the morning light naturally leads to the outdoors, where you can rest and recuperate in mind and body. Stroll the sidewalks and explore the surrounding gardens and terraces throughout this quaint medieval village. The cobblestone drive wraps around the beautiful grounds and historic buildings, marked by fragrant herbs and olive trees galore.
*laundry service is available throughout the week.
A local professor/speaker will provide a short audio visual presentation about local villages over coffee and scones.
Private group Mass at the Chapel a few steps from the villa in the Medieval hamlet.
Lunch is at your cost and at your leisure.
Half day suggestions include: Electric bicycle tour; visit a nearby Monastery; or stroll through Gaiole and experience wine tasting.
Dinner at the villa. Evening faith sharing.
Day 4
Morning prayer and breakfast at the villa.
Siena
Travel 37 miles, 51 minutesto to Siena. Piazza del Compo is the principal public space of the historic center of Siena, Tuscany, Italy and is regarded as one of Europe's greatest medieval squares. It is renowned worldwide for its beauty and architectural integrity. Learn about the life of Saint Catherine of Siena. Meet your private tour guide at the Duomo in the morning and explore art stacked from Michelangelo to Bernini.
A private Mass requested for the group at the Basilica of Saint Dominic (based on availability)
A two-hour afternoon guided walking tour explors three artisan shops sampling, espresso, bread, olive oil, wine, balsamic vinegar, gelato, deli meat and more.
Dinner at the villa. Evening faith sharing.
Day 5
Morning devotional and breakfast at the villa.
Day Trip: Rome or Florence options
Early morning departure:
Option #1 - Two and a half hour drive to Rome.
Option #2 - One and a half hour drive to Florence.
Rome - Papal Audience - option #1
Spend the day in the capital of Italy. Rome is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally infulential art, architecture and culture on display. Vatican City, is its own city with its own Post Office and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. There you will find Saint Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museum, which house masterpieces such as Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel frescoes and the 1499 Pieta (means pity), a Renaissance sculpture of Mary holding the dead body of Christ.
Florence - option #2
Spend the day in Florence, the capital of Italy's Tuscany region, home to many masterpieces of Rennaissance art and architecture. One of the most iconic sights is the Duomo, a cathedral whith a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto. The Galleria dell'Accademia displays Michelangelo's David. The Ponte Vecchio bridge is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River noted for still having shops built along it.
Lunch on your own
*Dinner in Rome or Florence (at your preference and cost).
Late return to villa.
Day 6
Morning prayer and breakfast at the villa.
Assisi
Drive 114 miles, about 2 hours to be inspired by the life of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare of Assisi in every direction. Explore the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi and see the tomb of Saint Francis in the crypt. On the top floor you can see the frescos that describe the life of Saint Francis. Visit San Damiano, the Basilica of Saint Clare of Assisi and pray at the tomb of Saint Clare; the Cathedral of San Rufino; and the Piazza del Commune on your own. A Franciscan Friar will lead a private tour prior to a private group Mass requested at the Basilica of Santa Maria (based on availability).
Lunch.
Dinner at the villa. Evening faith sharing.
Day 7
Morning devotional and breakfast at the villa.
San Gimignano
Drive 26 miles, 42 minutes to explore an Italian hill town in Tuscany. Encircled by 13th century walls, the old town centers on Piazza della Cisterna, a triangular square lined with medieval houses. It has an unforgetable skyline of medieval towers with breathtaking views.
Lunch.
Private Mass in the local chapel in the Midieval hamlet, just steps from the villa.
Dinner and evening faith sharing.
Day 8
Morning prayer and breakfast at the villa.
Loreto
Early morning departure for 3 1/2 hour trip to the Holy House of Loreto in the mountains overlooking the Adriatic Sea. This is one of the most revered Marian shrines in the world. Thousands of miracles have been recorded that are attributed to Our Lady.
Private Mass requested in the Crypt of the Cross (based on availability).
Savour the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loretto and each amazing side altar.
Lunch.
There are many restaurant choices for a large group or a quaint table for 2 less than 3 miles (via motor-coach) down the mountain on the shore of the Adriatic Sea.
A chef prepared farewell dinner at the villa is provided. Evening faith sharing.
Day 9
Prayer.
Check out of the villa in the morning.
Breakfast and lunch is on your own in transit from Tuscany to Rome.
Visit the many sights and smells throughout Rome that could include The Vatican, Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, Saint Mary Major Basilica and Saint John Lateran, the oldest Cathedral in Rome.
Dinner is on your own at a restaurant of your choice.
One night accomodation in Rome.
Day 10
Arrivederci.
Breakfast at the hotel and early check out.
Transportation to the airport is on your own.
*Must arrive at the airport 2 hours prior to departure.
3 day Rome extension can be arranged for 6 people or more.