11 DAY ITALY TOUR & MARY MACKILLOP CANONISATION

Insight Vacations presents their 11 day "Italian Wonders" tour including the canonisation of Mary MacKillop. Don't miss this once in a life time opportunity. During your Rome visit, bear witness and join fellow Sisters, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and Australian dignitaries as we honour Australia's first Saint, Mary MacKillop.

PRICE: per person, twin share

DEPARTURE: 15 October 2010

ITINERARY:

Day 1: FRI 15 Oct 2010 - ARRIVE ROME

Welcome to Rome. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax. Hotel: Sheraton Golf

Day 2: SAT 16 OCT 2010 - ROME SIGHTSEEING

Today, along with a local guide, you will visit the Catacombs; underground cemeteries where the Ancient Christians were buried. We then see the major Basilicas of Rome: St Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterno and St Paul outside the walls. We tour Ancient Rome, see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Victor Emmanuel Monument. Here you will stand where Mark Anthony, Caesar, Cicero, Bernini, Michelangelo and Da Vinci stood. Tonight you will enjoy a highlight dinner in a local restaurant followed by an "illuminations tour" of Rome including its magnificent fountains and monuments. (BB,HD)

Day 3: SUN 17 OCT 2010 - Mary's CANONISATION

A highlight today; we bear witness and join fellow Sisters, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and Australian dignitaries as we honour Australia's first Saint, Mary MacKillop. Here with our official entry ticket into St Peter’s Square we attend the memorable Canonisation. (BB)

Day 4: MON 18 OCT 2010 - ROME SIGHTSEEING

This morning we return to Vatican City with our local guide to visit St Peter's Basilica where we see Michelangelo’s masterpiece the Pieta, as well as the splendid Dome, completed after his death. We also visit the Vatican Museums to see the treasures of the Popes and to gaze in awe at Michelangelo's famous ceiling inside the Sistine Chapel. Later, there is time for last minute shopping or sightseeing at your leisure. (BB)

Day 5: TUE 19 OCT 2010 - ROME - SIENA - TUSCANY

Take the autostrada north to medieval Siena, where you can explore narrow cobbled streets lined with palaces and patrician mansions. We will visit St Catherine's birthplace and the Cathedral. Continue through the beautiful rolling countryside of Tuscany, past olive groves, old farmhouses, medieval towns and of course, the famous Chianti vineyards. Stop for a taste of some of the most famous products of Tuscany at a local winery with a short group tutorial on Italian wines. We continue to your hotel for a two night stay. (BB) Hotel: Hotel Tettuccio

Day 6: WED 20 OCT 2010 - FLORENCE EXCURSION

After breakfast make the short journey to Florence, jewel of the Renaissance. Accompanied by our local guide, we visit the Academy Gallery to admire Michelangelo’s original 'Statue of David'. Once outside, continue to the lofty Cathedral - its adjoining Baptistery is adorned with the 'Gates of Paradise', while Giotto's 14th century Campanile is said to be the most beautiful bell-tower in the world. Walk on to Signoria Square with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculptures. Afterwards, there is the chance to shop for Florentine leather, or discover more art treasures housed in the many museums and galleries. As night falls, why not consider joining a Tuscan dinner party? (BB)

Day 7: THU 21 OCT 2010 - TUSCANY - VENICE

Pass Bologna and the flood plains of the River Po to Padua, here we visit St Anthony's Basilica. A scenic drive along the famous Brenta Riviera takes us past the magnificent classical villas that were once the summer residences of the Venetian nobility. Our route takes us along the canal to magical Venice, where the city seems to float on the lagoon. (BB) Hotel: Gorizia/Belle Epoque

Day 8: FRI 22 OCT 2010 - VENICE SIGHTSEEING

Relax and enjoy the scenery as you travel by private launch to St Mark’s Square. See the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the Doges’ Palace to the prisons. See the ornate St Mark’s Basilica, followed by a demonstration of Venetian glass blowing. To truly appreciate this unique city, step aboard your gondola to glide along the picturesque canals. Now you are at leisure, why not cruise to Burano Island for a delicious seafood meal? (BB)

Day 9: SAT 23 OCT 2010 - VENICE - ASSISI

Skirt the Venetian Lagoon and cross two of Italy's most important rivers, the Adige and Po, before approaching the city of Ravenna. Stop to visit the Church of St Apollinaris in Classe with its dazzling mosaics. Then the scenery changes dramatically as you drive through the wild Apennines. Your destination is the stone built hill-town of Assisi, home of St Francis. (BB) Hotel: Roseo Hotel

Day 10: SUN 24 OCT 2010 - ASSISI - ROME

This morning we see the Church of St Mary of the Angels and enjoy a guided visit inside the Basilica of St Francis. We then depart the peaceful town of Assisi and follow the valley of the River Tiber to the hills of Umbria, which form part of the Apennines. You will arrive back into Rome for your last evening on tour. (BB) Hotel: Sheraton Roma

Day 11: MON 25 OCT 2010 - DEPART ROME

This morning after you enjoy breakfast at the hotel there will be a transfer to the airport to meet your onward flight. (BB)