Join us for a Very Special Pilgrimage

Visiting the Two Capitals of Christendom

Rome & Constantinople

with Fr. Stanley Klores,

Fr. Joseph Cazenavette and Fr. Fratt

Highlights include:

a 9 day Cruise aboard the luxurious

Silver Wind

&

a visit historic town of Manoppello, Italy

to see the Miraculous Image of Christ's Face on a Veil,

the "veronica" (true icon)

&

Mass at the House of the Virgin Mary

on the Feast of Fatima!

Proposed Itinerary

May 3 - Day 1 - USA - Rome
Depart New Orleans for your International flight to Rome. Dinner and breakfast are served on board transatlantic flight.

May 4 - Day 2 - Arrival in Rome – the Eternal City!
Upon arrival in Rome you will meet your Italian Tour Escort, who will assist you to your Private Motorcoach, and give you a Panoramic Tour of Rome including a stop at the Basilica of San Clemente. Here you will have Mass and see the beautiful frescoes and the 12 century mosaic of the Cross as the Tree of Life. After Mass you will descend visit the remains of the 4th century basilica that lie beneath the present day church, and the remains of the 1st century temple that lie beneath that. Proceed to your hotel where you will check-in and have time to relax or explore the city independently before gathering this evening for dinner. Overnight in Rome. (D)

May 5 - Day 3 - Rome - Manoppello - Rome
After breakfast, you will travel through the beautiful Italian Countryside to the historic town of Manoppello. Here you will celebrate Mass at the old Capuchin Monastery and see miraculous image of Christ's face on a veil, the "veronica" (true icon) in the Santuario del Volto Santo. The image shows a male face with long hair and a beard parted in bands. It is the only case in the world where the image is visible on both sides of the cloth; colors are very light, the eyes are turned upward and the pupils are completely open, even though irregular. Scientific tests, observations under ultraviolet light and under a microscope show no pigments and no paintings on the veil. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before returning to Rome where we will visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran to see the Face of the Savior, in the apsidal mosaic, and visit the Sancta Sanctorum at the top of the Holy Stairs to see the Icon of the Holy Face. Dinner and overnight in Rome (B,L,D)

May 6 - Day 4 – Rome – High Mass & Papal Blessing, Private Tours with New Orleanians  Living in Rome
After Breakfast you will travel to Saint Mary Major where you will attend the 10:00am High Mass with full choir. Afterward, you will re-board the motorcoarch and travel to St. Peter’s Square to pray the Angelus and receive the Blessing by Pope Benedict XVI. Enjoy a special lunch (Pronzo) followed by a visit to the Casa Santa Maria, part of the Pontifical North American College in Rome which serves English speaking priests who are sent from their Diocese for graduate level studies. Enjoy a tour of the chapel and grounds given by a priest in residence from New Orleans. From here you will walk past the Pontifical Gregorian University to the Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Gesù all'Argentina, better known as Il Gesù, the mother church for the Society of Jesus and where St.Ignatius is buried. A Jesuit priest from New Orleans stationed in Rome, will give you a special tour of the private Chapel and Rooms of St Ignatius. Afterward you will visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where you will have the opportunity to view the recently excavated 1st Century Tomb of St. Paul. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (B,L,D)

May 7 - Day 5 – Rome – Venice
This morning you will begin with an early Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, in the Crypt below the main altar. Afterward there will be a tour of the Basilica before returning to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast you will transfer to the Train Station, where you will board your express train to Venice. Upon arrival at the Santa Lucia Station, you will be met by our local representative and transferred to the beautiful Silver Wind, your home for the next 9 days. Dinner and overnight onboard ship. (B,D)

May 8 - Day 6 – Venice
This morning you will meet your guide and begin a walking tour of Venice. Walk across the iconic wooden Ponte del Accademia (Academy Bridge) over the Grand Canal. Continue through the winding Streets to St. Mark’s Square. Celebrate Mass at St. Mark’s Basilica, and tour the Doges Palace. Afterward there will be time for lunch, shopping, grab a coffee at Harry’s Bar, or just to sit at Florian’s Café and watch the passers-by in St. Mark’s Square. All aboard at 4:00PM, for a 5:00PM sailing. Dinner and overnight aboard ship.

May 9 - Day 7 – Adriatic Sea
Enjoy a Full Day at Sea – time to relax, read, or enjoy one of the many activities or lectures offered.

May 10 - Day 8 – Corfu
Enjoy an optional sightseeing excursion visiting the Town of Corfu, and through orange and lemon groves en route to the Achilleion Palace, former home to Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Kaiser Wilhelm II. The palace features lush gardens adorned with statues, and spectacular views overlooking the densely-wooded countryside and Ionian Sea.

May 11 - Day 9 – Ionian Sea
Enjoy a Full Day at Sea – time to relax, read, or enjoy one of the many activities or lectures offered.

May 12 - Day 10 – Santorini
Undoubtedly the most extraordinary island in the Aegean, you will sail into the caldera of the volcano which is Santorini. Perched at the top of the crescent-shaped cliffs are the towns of Fira and Ia. Take one of the optional tours offered, or enjoy a walk along some of the many Cliffside walkways past traditional vaulted cave houses and chapels.

May 13 - Day 11 – Kusadasi – Ephesus (Feast of Fatima!)
Today a special excursion is planned beginning with Mass and visit to the Home of the Virgin Mary, who is said to have come here in the company of St. John towards the end of her life, around 40 A.D. Enjoy the peace and beauty of this hilltop location, before descending to the Ancient city of Ephesus. Here you will have a guided tour of which will take you down marble streets past the Terrace Houses, the Celsus Library and the Greek Theatre where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians. Your last stop is at the nearby Basilica of St. John, which was built in the 6th century to replace the small basilica at the site of St. John's Tomb. Much of the basilica was constructed using materials from the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

May 14 - Day 12 – Mykonos
Enjoy a day on this popular and fashionable island in the heart of the Cyclades. Stroll through Mykonos town with its quaint cafes and tavernas, tony boutiques and galleries, and numerous churches and chapels or take an excursion to the nearby island of Delos, the Island of the Gods.

May 15 - Day 13 – Cannakale
Situated on both sides of the Dardanelles, its shores touch both Europe and Asia Minor. The Persian king Xerxes crossed the Canakkale Peninsula in 481 B.C.; Alexander the Great followed about 150 years later, and the Ottoman armies invaded Europe from this location. Take an optional excursion to visit the ancient city of Troy, immortalized by Homer in his Iliad, or to Gallipoli, where during World War I, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his Turkish troops defended the region against enemy forces.

May 16 - Day 14 – Disembarkation – Istanbul
After breakfast you will disembark the ship and meet your Turkish Guide on the pier, who will bring you to your private motorcoach and begin your tour of Istanbul. You first stop will be to see the fabulous Topkapi Palace, the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans, with its jewel encrusted treasury and elegant four courts. We will have lunch here and then visit the famous Hagia Sophia Museum, once the largest church in the world for 1000 years. Continue on to your hotel for check-in with time to relax and freshen up before gathering for dinner. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,L,D)

May 17 - Day 15 Istanbul

This morning you will visit the Blue Mosque, designed with 6 delicate minarets and a striking blue Iznik tiled interior. Nearby, take a stroll through the site of the ancient Hippodrome, and see the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and Fountain of Wilhelm II. Afterward you will visit the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of over 4000 shops full of unusual antiques, colorful spices, glittering jewelry and richly textured fabrics. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to shop for rugs, or visit some of the ancient churches of Constantinople that are now mosques. Special Farewell Dinner Tonight. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, D)

May 18 - Day 16 – Early transfer to Istanbul airport for return flights to New Orleans. (B)

Prices

Prices include:

~ Roundtrip Economy Airfare from New Orleans

        (Discounted Business Class Fares Available for additional $2,599)

        (Deduct $1,300 from the above prices if you are making your own air arrangements.)
~ Airport Transfers in Rome and Istanbul

       (Airport Transfers not included if you are making your own air arrangements)

~ 3 Nights Rome - Deluxe Hotel in Rome

        Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese, or similar
~ 2 Nights Istanbul - Deluxe Hotel
        Pera Palace, or similar
~ 9 Nts Silver Wind - Deluxe Oceanview Suites
~ Breakfast (B) & Dinner (D) Daily, 11 Lunches (L)
~ All Drinks, Tips & Gratuities aboard the Silver Wind
~ English Speaking Guides, all Entrance Fees in Italy and Istanbul
~ $500 per person Ship Board Credit to apply toward Shore Excursions
~ Welcome Packet & Document Portfolio
~ Daily Mass with Fr Klores, Fr Cazenavette, and Fr. Fratt
 

Payment Schedule:

Deposit: $2,000 (Due at Registration)

Final Payment: Due December 3, 2011

Cancellation Fees:
100% of Cancellation Fees are covered by the optional Travel Insurance Protection Plan provided the premium has been paid and reason for cancellation is insurable. (Insurance Premiums are non-refundable.) Those who do not take insurance should be aware of the following cancellation fees:

FULL REFUND - There is NO Penalty for Cancellations received by November 3, 2011
$1,000 Penalty for Cancellations received November 4, 2011 - December 3, 2011
$2,000 Penalty for Cancellations received December 4, 2011 - January 3, 2012

25 % of total tour cost for Cancellations received January 4, 2012 - February 3, 2012
50% of total tour cost for Cancellations received February 4, 2012 - March 3, 2012

75% of total tour cost for Cancellations received March 4, 2012 - April 3, 2012

100% of total tour cost for Cancellations received April 4, 2012 - May 3, 2012
On or after day of departure, no refund for any service not used. All refund claims must be received in writing by the CatholicJourneys.com office. Refunds for payments made by credit card are subject to an additional 3.5% fee.

A minimum of 20 participants is required to operate a tour or pilgrimage. A tour may operate with fewer passengers at the sole discretion of CatholicJourneys.com. A change or cancellation of the group leader or the Spiritual Director is not grounds for cancellation by participant.

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