Religious, Artistic and Cultural Treasures of Italy April 9 19, 2012

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1 Religious, Artistic and Cultural Treasures of Italy April 9 19, 2012 Join Fr. Jim Koenigsfeld and members of St. Columba Parish for a journey exploring the artistic, cultural, historical and spiritual treasures of Italy. We begin our journey in the enchanting city of Venice. We travel down the center of Italy visiting the great art and religious capitals of Italy Florence, Siena, Assisi and finally Our program combines guided visits to historical, religious and artistic sites, Mass daily at unique historical venues, special meals, a visit to vineyards in Tuscany, and enough leisure time to enjoy these cities at your own pace. We are all members of a global community that is increasingly interdependent. The future of our world depends on our cultivating a spirit of hospitality, respect, understanding and compassion for one another. Enlightenment comes in many forms, but we believe that there are few life experiences more moving than exploring other cultures, meeting people of diverse backgrounds, and becoming a citizen of the world leading and inspiring respectful and compassionate ways of life.

2 Our Program Monday, April 9 th We depart Denver on an overnight flight to Venice. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the flight. Tuesday, April 10 th We arrive in Venice and meet our tour manager at the airport. We travel to our hotel in Venice via a private boat crossing the Venetian lagoon to the magical city of Venice. This afternoon we have some free time to relax, freshen up and adjust to the new time zone and enjoy exploring the canals and pedestrian ways of Venice. We will gather together this evening for a Welcome dinner. Overnight in Venice. Wednesday, April 11 th Breakfast. We will have Mass this morning at the Basilica of San Marco. Continue with a guided visit of San Marco and the Doge's palace. The afternoon is at leisure. There will be an optional tour to Torcello and Murano (to see the medieval church in Torcello and the glass-making factories in Murano). Dinner and overnight in Venice. Walk... in the heart and soul of Venice. The piazza San Marco, live with music and caffes, provides the perfect backdrop for the exotic Byzantine-style Basilica of S. Marco. Built around the tomb of St Mark the Evangelist, its interior is one of the most ornately decorated churches in the world. Every inch wall and ceiling is covered in gold and multi-colored mosaics. The Doge s Palace, administrative center of the Venetian Empire, was a symbol of the power of Venice and immense wealth the city. A motorboat ride from the Bay of Venice, arrive into the lagoon of Murano. This island is known for its famous glass works - from souveniers to chandeliers. Continue to the island of Torcello, with its 7th century historical basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. For those who love the history of art, a walk along Venice's narrow calle focuses on discovering one of the greatest painters of all times: Tiziano. The Basilica della Salute, the magnificent Baroque church at the entrance to the Grand Canal, was built by the Venetian people as thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary for delivering the city from the plague which had decimated the population in the 17th century. Continue through small squares to the Frari Basilica and Monastery erected by the Franciscans between the 14th and 15th centuries housing Tiziano's masterpiece, the Assunta. Across the San Polo district, and crossing the Rialto Bridge, visit the Campo San Salvador and its church, recently restored to its original splendor. Thursday, April 12 th After breakfast this morning we will travel to Florence. We will stop en route in Ferrara or Bologna for a lunch break. After we check into our hotel in Florence enjoy a walking tour of the historical sites including the Duomo and Baptistry, the Church of Santa Croce, Piazza delle Signorie and other sites in the historical center. Mass may be celebrate at Santa Croce. Dinner and overnight in Florence. Florence is a masterpiece unto itself with magnificent palaces, fine crafts in gold and leather, and elegant shops with exquisite fabrics: presenting the gilded city. The evolution of art, science, and culture are deeply rooted and its myriad of churches, museums, and galleries are a testament to the greatness of those who once lived and worked here. This is the city that inspired Michelangelo and Machiavelli, and the richness of Florence's beauty continues to inspire today! The Duomo or Cathedral of Florence is one of the largest churches in the world and built in the 13th and 14th centuries. The dome was designed by Brunelleschi and represents an astonishing architectural and technological advancement and is one of the most recognized monuments of Florence. The exterior of the Cathedral is richly decorated with green and white marble and complemented by Giotto s bell tower and the Baptistry of St. John (adorned with Ghiberti s doors). The Church of S. Croce is one of the most historic churches in Florence center of life and worship during medieval and Renaissance times. It includes tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and other famous Italians and is richly decorated with frescos by Giotto and other great Renaissance artists.

3 Friday, April 13 th Breakfast. We will celebrate Mass this morning followed by a guided visit to the Accademia (housing Michelangelo's sculptures) and the Convento di San Marco. The rest of this afternoon and evening are at leisure. Our tour manager can assist participants with information about visiting other sites/museums in Florence. Overnight in Florence. The Accademia houses one of the greatest sculptures ever Michelangelo s David. This magnificent figure captures the poise and grandeur of the Renaissance. The museum houses other Medieval and Renaissance religious art and several other larger-than-life sculptures of Michelangelo. The Convento di San Marco, often overlooked by tourists rushing past it to see conventional sites, is a gem. This Dominican priory was decorated by the celebrated artist Fra Angelico. He painted biblical scenes in the various cells of the monks. The Convento di San Marco was also home to Savaronola, the Dominican preacher who challenged the Medicis and the Papacy to evangelical reform. Saturday, April 14 th Breakfast. Today we travel to Siena, visiting the Cathedral, Piazza del Campo and St. Catherine of Siena's house (with an opportunity for Mass). We will take a break for lunch before continuing on to Assisi - stopping at a vineyard en route for a wine tasting. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. Siena, a city reminiscent of medieval times, set in the Tuscan hills, has Gothic streets and is surrounded by huge ramparts. St. Catherine was born in Siena in She became a Dominican nun at 16 years of age. Throughout her life she experienced a calling from God and it is believed that she had the Stigmata at one point. The Piazza del Campo is a brick plaza shaped like a trapezoid with rounded corners. The brick is divided into nine compartments symbolizing the different major governments that ruled the city during its most prosperous period. The Cathedral in Siena is truly a museum, exhibiting marble panels with intarsia drawings of mythological characters by forty different artists. Narrative scenes of Jesus' life are carved into panels in the pulpit. Sunday, April 15 th After breakfast this morning we will visit the Basilica of San Francesco (and tomb of St. Francis) with Mass. Next we will visit S. Chiara and the Convento di San Damiano. There will be some free time for lunch before we continue traveling to A pizza dinner is included this evening at a local pizzeria. Overnight in Assisi is a graceful, serene and enchanting Umbrian hill town built of pink stone and encircled by medieval walls. The basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare welcome pilgrims at both ends of the city underscoring the spiritual heritage of the two local saints who called for a return to evangelical simplicity. Assisi preserves the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare and offers an opportunity for personal reflection and prayer in a spiritually rich setting. The beautiful multi-leveled Basilica of St. Francis was inaugurated in 1228 to commemorate the life of Francis and provide a place to gather around his tomb. The three levels are richly decorated with frescos of Giotto, Cimabue, Martini and Lorenzetti narrating events in the lives of Francis and Jesus and celebrating the virtues of Franciscan spirituality. The picturesque convent and chapel of San Damiano in the valley below Assisi was rebuilt by St. Francis and served as the home for St. Clare. It was here that Francis heard the voice of Christ from the cross telling him to rebuild His Church. Monday, April 16 th Breakfast. This morning we will celebrate Mass at St. Peter's Basilica followed by a guided visit to the Vatican Museums. The afternoon and evening are free. Overnight in The largest church in the world and center of Christian pilgrimage for centuries, St. Peter s Basilica is utterly breathtaking in size, beauty and spiritual inspiration. Constantine erected a major basilica over the tomb of St. Peter on this site in the 4th century; in the 1500 s, great Renaissance artists built the current building. Some of the major features include: Michelangelo s Dome, Bernini s Baldachino, Bernini s Chair of Peter, detailed mosaics, and the crypt. Some may wish to climb to the top of the dome or visit the crypt and tombs of the Popes.

4 The Vatican Museums is one of the largest museums in the world. It was begun during the Renaissance when Popes began to create spaces to exhibit classical statues that were being found as interest in ancient buildings led to archaeological digs. Of course, the Vatican Museums include the spectacular papal apartments painted by Raphael and the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo s Ceiling and Last Judgment.Our visit will include time in the Pio-Christian section with early Christian sarcophagi. Tuesday, April 17 th Breakfast. We begin the day with Mass at the Basilica of St. Clemente. Next we will tour the excavations there and then continue with a guided visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum. The afternoon is free. Overnight in The Basilica of San Clemente offers a unique opportunity to explore the chronology of Christianity at The current 12th century basilica is one of the most graceful and beautiful in Rome - boasting an impressive Byzantine-style apse mosaic and decorative marble choir enclosure. The 12th century building rests on the ruins of a 4th century basilica that was built over 1st and 2nd century Roman buildings. The 4th century building was one of the first "in town" major churches built after Constantine and represents a significant achievement for a local congregation. The 1st and 2nd century buildings tell us a lot about the sociology of the Christian community that met here. There is also an impressive Mithraic temple helping visitors appreciate other competing religions during the early centuries of Christianity at The Roman Forum began as a gathering place and center of trade for communities of people living on the seven hills surrounding the site in the 8th century BC. The marshy land was drained with an innovative sewer (the Cloaca Maxima) in the 6th and 7th centuries BC and transformed by the Etruscans with temples and other administrative buildings. Following the Etruscans, the Romans continued to transform the site from the Republican era through the end of the Empire. For centuries, the Forum was the symbol of Roman power with its large Senate building, great temples, triumphal arches, and the Rostrum where emperors and orators would speak to the local citizens. Despite years of ruin, the Forum is still an impressive site and easily evokes a feel for the life and times of ancient The Flavian amphitheatre built over part of Nero s palace and next to a colossal statue (thus Colosseum) was the largest in the Roman Empire and entertained the Roman populace with gladiator battles, staged wildlife hunts, and other spectacles. Although used as a quarry for the marble to build many medieval and Renaissance churches (including St. Peter s), it is in amazingly good shape and easily evokes the grandeur of Imperial Rome! Wednesday, April 18 th Breakfast. We will have some free time this morning before attending the Papal Audience. Later in the afternoon we will have a guided visit to S. Maria Maggiore, Catacombs and St. Paul Outside the Walls. (Mass at one of these sites). A farewell dinner is scheduled this evening at a local restaurant. Overnight in Every Wednesday morning, His Holiness greets the faithful at St. Peter's. This general audience is comprised of visitors from around the world. After a hopeful message pronounced in various languages the Pope imparts His blessing. The beautiful basilica of St. Mary Major was built in the 5th century after the Council of Ephesus to honor Mary. It has been embellished, but retains much of its original with some of the oldest mosaics in Christianity narrating Biblical stories on the side walls. The catacombs are underground galleries of tombs built during the early centuries of Christianity. Most are located on major ancient roads leaving The Catacombs of S. Sebastian were created under several Roman mausolea. A visit here provides an opportunity to compare and contrast cremation and inhumation as well as some of the differences between pagan and Christian art. Romans celebrated the anniversary of the dead with a meal. A dining hall was built over part of the site and grafitti on walls suggest that the relics of Peter and Paul were once placed here for safe keeping. Sebastian, a Roman soldier who was martyred, was buried here - and his tomb became an important pilgrimage site. A larger basilica was built over the site in the 4th century. St. Paul Outside the Walls is built over the burial site of St. Paul and near the location of his martyrdom. The original basilica, burned in a fire in It was rebuilt according to the original 4th century plan, allowing visitors to experience a pristine example of Constantinian-era monumental basilicas. Recent archaeological work has provided greater support to the belief

5 that the sarcophagus under the main altar is that of the Apostle Paul. The church boasts beautiful mosaics and a graceful medieval cloister. Thursday, April 19 th After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our return flight to Denver.. Inclusive Features Air transportation via regularly scheduled flights between the following cities: o Denver ~ Venice o Rome ~ Denver Three star hotel accommodations in twin-bedded rooms with private baths as follows: o Venice ~ 2 nights o Florence ~ 2 nights o Assisi ~ 1 night o Rome ~ 4 nights Continental buffet breakfast served daily in the hotels. One Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant in Venice including beverages. One wine tasting will be arranged at a vineyard enroute from Florence to Assisi. One 3-course dinner will be served at the hotel in Assisi. One pizza dinner will be served at a local restaurant in One Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant in Rome including beverages. Attendance at Papal Audience Transportation via private deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach with English-speaking assistance. Services of a professional tour manager throughout Italy. Privately guided sightseeing with government-licensed expert local guides as per itinerary. Luggage, porterage, road and local taxes.. Program Prices $ per person based on double occupancy $ additional estimate- airline taxes, airport fees, security fees, fuel surcharges (estimate as of February 28, 2011) $ supplement for single room occupancy Please note: Single rooms for single use are limited to 10% of the total number of rooms reserved. Thereafter, double rooms for single use will be secured at a supplemental cost of approximately 150%. Alternatively, if you have selected double occupancy but no roommate is available due to uneven numbers or if your roommate should cancel you will be in a single room and responsible for the single room supplement. Land Only Program Prices: (excludes all air transportation and airport transfers) $T.B.D.00 per person based on double occupancy $ supplement for single room occupancy All prices listed are discounted for payment by check. When paying with a credit card you will be charged the standard base price which is 5% higher. Travel Insurance Premiums: $ Deluxe Group Travel Insurance Plan $ Deluxe Plan with Cancel for Any Reason The Group Deluxe Insurance plan is optional. If you wish to purchase the plan, the premium must be paid with your initial deposit. The policy can be found on the Travel Resource Center for your program under the Group Deluxe Insurance Plan link. Illume recommends that you purchase travel insurance to cover the cost of the investment you will make. Travel insurance provides peace of mind and protection against the unexpected. Please read the illume Conditions and Clauses attached to the Program Registration Application to review the charges that will apply in the event that you cancel your program participation. Illume offers several options to travel insurance. To learn more click on the Travel Insurance link provided on the Travel Resource Center for your program: The prices are based on availability of services at the time registration material is received; currency exchange rates in effect February 28, 2011 and on 2011 land and air tariffs and are subject to change. All services are provided subject to Illume s Conditions and Clauses.

6 Program Registration: Complete the Registration Application. Forward with your $ deposit per person (and insurance premium if applicable) no later than May 1, 2011 to: Rev. Jim Koenigsfeld St. Columba 1830 E 2nd Avenue (970) jimkoen@earthlink.net Checks can be made payable to illume Balance of payment due not later than: January 8, 2012 Note: Any changes to the program will be outlined in the final documents which you will receive one month prior to departure. If changes are made that effect the program price, you will receive an invoice or a credit accordingly. Please contact Fr. Koenigsfeld with any questions. Program No