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: Sunday, June 19, 2022: Departure
Our journey will begin as we board our international flight bound for Rome, Italy. (IF)
Day 2: Monday, June 20, 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: Tuesday, June 21, 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: Wednesday, June 22, 2022: Rome
Today we will depart early to Vatican City for a Papal Audience. Following our time with the Pope, we will have time for lunch at leisure before visiting 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. This evening, we will have dinner together. (B/D)
Day 5: Thursday, June 23, 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: Friday, June 24, 2022: Assisi, La Verna, Ravenna
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 Ravenna where we will check in to our hotel and have dinner. (B/D)
Day 7: Saturday, June 25, 2022: Ravenna, Bologna, Tuscany
This morning we will tour the city of Ravenna, the 5th century capital of the Western Roman Empire, including the early Christian monuments of the city and their wonderful mosaics. We will have time for lunch in Ravenna, followed by a visit to the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe outside the city, before continuing on to Bologna. We will have some time at leisure to walk around the city of Bologna, to climb one of the towers, walk around the porticoes and perhaps visit the “seven churches” of Santo Stefano. Food lovers may want to stock up on Parmesan cheese, prosciutto ham and mortadella. We will then continue on to Chianti for dinner and overnight in Tuscany, where we will stay for three nights. (B/D)
Day 8: Sunday, June 26, 2022: Florence
After breakfast, we will depart for 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 returning to our hotel. (B/L)
Day 9: Monday, June 27, 2022: Siena, San Gimignano
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 10: Tuesday, June 28, 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. The evening will be at leisure. (B/L)
Day 11: Wednesday, June 29, 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 20-23, 2022
Crowne Plaza – St. Peter’s
Via Aurelia Antica 415
Rome 00165
Assisi, Italy
June 23-24, 2022
Giotto Hotel & Spa
Via Fontebella 41
06081 Assisi
Ravenna, Italy
June 24-25, 2022
Hotel Residence La Reunion
Via C.Ricci, 29
48121 Ravenna
Chianti, Italy
June 25-28, 2022
Castello Leonina
Str. di Leonina, 5
53041 Asciano
Rome, Italy
June 28-30, 2022
Hotel Forum
Via Tor de’ Conti 25
00184 Rome
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.
Various flight booking options are available for this tour. Please read our printable guide to booking your flight to better understand these options.
Option 1: We will be arranging group flights for this tour.
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 20, 20202 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 June 29, 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 2020, 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
• 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. Policies are now transferable to tours in 2021 and 2022.
If you don’t have insurance yet, we are now partnering with an award-winning company called Squaremouth, which helps travelers search, compare, and buy the best travel insurance for the lowest price. They offer excellent customer support and can help you find the best policy for your trip.
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.
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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64 Fiesta Circle, St. Louis, MO 63146
Tel: (618) 222-9914
Toll Free: (800) 303-5534
info@reformationtours.com
CST # 2093421-30