Rome Rome Basilica of St. Francis Florence Siena
Assisi
Welcome to our pilgrimage to Rome from Galilee Church in Virginia Beach. We shall immerse ourselves in the lives and stories of saints and sinners, led respectively by Father Andy Buchanan and Professor Terry Lindvall. We will get to know good Popes like Leo the Great (who stopped Attila the Hun in 452 AD and supported the Chalcedonian Creed) and Gregory the Great (who defended icons) to the naughty ones like Julius (who wanted to be called after a Caesar rather than a saint) and Leo X (who spent money lavishly and had to sell indulgences to make ends meet).
Then, as we wander away from Rome, into the Tuscany regions of wine and sunflowers, we will meet with the Jongleur of God, St. Francis of Assisi, his friend St. Clare, the patron saint of television; St. Benedict and his rules, St. Catherine of Sienna and her prophetic words, and all the Borgias and Medici family members that we can handle. At least, we can follow Dante, as he follows Virgil and then Beatrice. Of course, we will find the greatest sinners and saints sitting next to us at dinner.
-Professor Terry Lindvall
Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Wednesday, June 22, 2022: Departure
Our journey will begin as we board our international flight bound for Rome, Italy. (IF)
Day 2: Thursday, June 23, 2022: Rome
Welcome to Italy! On arrival in Rome, travelers will transfer to our hotel. We will have time to relax from our flight before a welcome dinner at our hotel tonight. After dinner, we will have a private driving tour of Rome by night. We will stay in Rome for three nights. (IF/D)
Day 3: Friday, June 24, 2022: Rome
This morning we will meet our local art historian/guide who specializes in medieval churches. We will have a full day touring many of the churches in Rome, including Santo Stefano Rotondo, Santi Cosma and Damiano, San Clemente, Santa Maria Maggiore, and Santa Prassede. The evening will be at leisure to explore the city on our own. (B/L)
Day 4: Saturday, June 25, 2022: Rome
Today we will depart early to Vatican City, where we will visit St. Peter’s Basilica, home of the Roman Catholic Church and the largest building in Christianity, as well as the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, where we will ponder Michelangelo’s interpretation of Christianity. The afternoon is at leisure, before a group meal in the evening. (B/D)
Day 5: Sunday, June 26, 2022: Assisi
After breakfast, we will depart to Assisi where we will check in to our hotel and have some free time for lunch. In the afternoon, a local guide will take us on a tour of the Papal Basilica of St. Francis. The rest of the afternoon will be at leisure to explore Assisi or walk up above the town to the Eremo delle Carceri to visit the cave where St. Francis often slept and prayed. We will have dinner in our hotel. (B/D)
Day 6: Monday, June 27, 2022: Assisi, La Verna, Florence
Before leaving Assisi this morning, we will visit the Papal Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, Porziuncola. Built around the 9th century, it is where St. Francis was called to dedicate his life to the poor. We will continue on to the La Verna Sanctuary, which is high in the mountains on the beautiful Mount Penna. This is where St. Francis received the Stigmata and it remains a place of prayer and contemplation. We will have time at leisure to move around the sanctuary, pray and visit the Chapel of the Stigmata. In the afternoon, we will continue on to Florence, where we will check in to our hotel. The evening is free so that you can dine in Florence. (B)
Day 7: Tuesday, June 28, 2022: Florence, Chianti
After breakfast, we will go to nearby Florence, where a local guide will take us on a walking tour of the city, including a visit to Accademia to see Michelangelo’s incomparable “David.” We will then enjoy lunch at a trattoria. In the afternoon, we will have the option of a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery (additional charge) or free time. The rest of the day will be at leisure to explore the delightful city of Florence before we go to our private villa in Chianti. We will dine in the villa. (B/L/D)
Day 8: Wednesday, June 29, 2022: Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti
This morning we will start with a leisurely breakfast and time to explore our hotel and its estate. Our driver will then take us to Siena where we will have a guided city tour, including the Piazza del Campo, home to the Palazzo Pubblico, Torre del Mangia and Fonte Gaia, and the magnificent Gothic cathedral. On our way to San Gimignano, we will stop to enjoy lunch at a local winery where we will have wine-tasting. In the afternoon, we will be at leisure to explore the city, go shopping or climb a tower. In the evening we will have dinner at a local pizzeria before returning to our hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 9: Thursday, June 30, 2022: Cortona, Arezzo, Chianti
On today’s day trip from the villa we will visit the stunning medieval towns of Cortona and Arezzo. Cortona is considered a classic Tuscan hill town and is surrounded by dramatic Umbrian and Tuscan views. A highlight is the Diocesan Museum which has a collection of art from the town’s many churches. Arezzo has a stunning medieval square and was the set for the Oscar winning film, “Life is Beautiful”. The loggia was designed by Vasari who also planned the Uffize in Florence. The archeological museum’s collection includes prehistoric, Etruscan and Roman artifacts. (B/D)
Day 10: Friday, July 1, 2022: Val d’Orcia, Rome
We leave this morning and drive through the beautiful Orcia Valley to visit the towns of Montepulciano and Pienza. We will have lunch and wine-tasting at a local winery. In the late afternoon, we will arrive in Rome and check in to our hotel with free spa access, a pool and a beautiful garden. The farewell meal will be in a nearby restaurant. (B/L/D)
Day 11: Saturday, July 2, 2022: Return
This morning we will drive to the Rome airport for our flight home. (B/IF)
Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.
Our hotels are chosen for their quality, amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!
Rome, Italy
June 23-26, 2022
Hotel Genio
Via Giuseppe Zanardelli
28, 00186
Assisi, Italy
June 26-27, 2022
Giotto Hotel & Spa
Via Fontebella 41
06081 Assisi
Florence, Italy
June 27-28, 2022
Villa Neroli
Via Gabriele D’Annunzio, 141A/B
50135 Florence
Chianti, Italy
June 28-July 1, 2022
Castello Leonina
Str. di Leonina, 5
53041 Asciano
Rome, Italy
July 1-2, 2022
Crowne Plaza – St. Peter’s
Via Aurelia Antica 415
Rome 00165
Transfers are automatically included if we have booked your flights.
If you have booked your own flights, we can still provide transfers, as long as we have your flight details on file and a phone number to give to the driver. We will include your transfer information in your final packet. Transfers will be arranged for each arrival, so that you won’t have to wait for other tour members if their flight is delayed. Transfers can be arranged for the day of your choosing, but we can’t arrange transfers if you arrive or depart by train.
Please note that individual transfers are booked through a third-party and you will be responsible to communicate with the company in case of delays.
Option 1: We have a group booking on United for $1,500 per person. You will be able to upgrade to Economy Comfort after tickets. If you would like Premium Economy or Business, please request a quote. We will continue to monitor group flight options, so this itinerary may change.
Flight No. | Date | From | To | Departs | Arrives |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
UA 3632 | June 22 | Norfolk | Newark | 12:40 PM | 2:12 PM |
UA 40 | June 22/23 | Newark | Rome | 5:25 PM | 7:45 AM |
UA 971 | July 2 | Rome | Chicago | 9:55 AM | 1:30 PM |
UA 2237 | July 2 | Chicago | Norfolk | 6:24 PM | 9:41 PM |
Option 2: You may request a flight quote from us by filling out this form. Payment is due at the time of booking.
Option 3: You may book your own flights, making sure you land in Rome on the morning of June 23, 2022 no later than 9:00 AM. If you would prefer to arrive earlier, we can arrange a pre-tour hotel night in Rome. You are welcome to depart at any time on July 2, 2022. Please send us a copy of your flight itinerary for our records as soon as you have booked it.
Please note that if you would like to use air miles you will need to book directly with the airline.
We can arrange pre-tour and post-tour nights in Rome, but due to the volume of tours in 2022, we are not able to arrange additional travel within Europe.
Price based on a minimum of 30 tour participants
• Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 4-star hotels
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional Tour Director throughout the tour
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Baggage handling when available
• All taxes and tips except as indicated below
• Round-trip air transportation (group air is available from Norfolk)
• Single supplement ($1,500)
• Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
• Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond return date.
• Passenger trip cancellation insurance (details sent with reservation form)
• Gratuities for tour director, and driver
• Initial deposit of $350 will secure your place on the tour. Please send all checks to Reformation Tours, 64 Fiesta Circle, St. Louis, MO 63146 or click here to pay by credit card.
• Final invoices will be sent in March 2022
• Final payment is due by April 5, 2022
• Reservations will be accepted after April 5, 2022, subject to availability
We will continue to assist clients who have a current policy with Roam Right Insurance, a division of Arch Insurance Company. Travelers who had a policy in 2020 or 2021 have credit towards a new policy.
If you don’t have insurance yet, Squaremouth is an award-winning company which helps travelers search, compare, and buy the best travel insurance for the lowest price. We recommend using the following filters: trip interruption, coronavirus pandemic, travel delay ($500), emergency medical ($100,000), medical evacuation ($100,000), baggage delay and baggage loss. Please read these instructions and if you still need assistance you can e-mail us and request a quote.
For other questions relating to Covid and travel insurance, please click here.
Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly. To offset these costs the following fees will apply, plus any non-recoverable expenses to our suppliers:
From time of deposit to 100 days before departure: $100 cancellation penalty
From 99-15 days prior to departure: $350 cancellation penalty plus any non refundable deposits
14 days or less prior to departure: No refund– Cancellation charges also apply to additional accommodation reserved prior to and after the tour.
– Cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. central time on the last business day of the applicable time period.
– For flight changes or cancellations, revision fees and/or airline cancellation charges will apply.
– Roommates canceling can result in a single supplement charge for the roommate. The Participant who cancels will be responsible for that charge if a substitute roommate cannot be found.
– Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended.
Reformation Tours cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other arrangements not made through Reformation Tours.
This tour is now fully booked, so please only fill out this form if you are already accepted onto the tour. Please note that all travelers are required to be fully-vaccinated against Covid.
We look forward to welcoming you on the tour.
You can fill out your reservations online by clicking the “Book Now” tab (under the images).
You can either send a check made payable to “Reformation Tours” to 64 Fiesta Circle, St. Louis, MO 63146 or click here to pay by credit card (additional 3.5% fee).
We will continue to assist clients who have previously purchased Roam Right Insurance policies, which can be transferred to tours in 2021 and 2022. If you don’t have insurance, we are now offering clients the opportunity to compare and buy insurance directly:
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Head Office: Hall Gate House, 29cCranfield Road, Kilkeel, Co. Down, N. Ireland BT34 4LJ
US Office: 12316 244th St. Chisago City, MN 55013
Toll Free: (800) 303-5534
Email: info@reformationtours.com