DAY 1 - DEPART USA - Today, we depart our local airport to connect with our overnight flight to Rome aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner, and breakfast while aloft.

DAY 2 - ROME – Following our morning arrival in Rome, we are greeted at the airport by our Unitours Tour Manager and board our coach bus for our ride through Rome to our hotel. We stop to enjoy lunch on our own en-route to our hotel. Pending availability of our accommodations, we have time to relax and re-energize before we enjoy our “welcome dinner” celebrating the start of our pilgrimage in honor of our pilgrimage patron Saint, Augustine. Depending on our final schedule there may be time to celebrate Mass before dinner at a local church near our hotel. Overnight at our hotel in Rome.

DAY 3 - ROME - This morning, we depart for the famous Piazza Navona, originally known as the Stadium of Domitian, and then, Circus Agonalis, before it eventually retained the name it is known by today. Under Pope Innocent X, this Roman piazza was transformed by the construction of various statues, elaborate fountains, and numerous church buildings. The now famous Bernini masterpiece “The Fountain of Four Rivers” has been featured in numerous movies, including “Angels & Demons”. The Church of Sant’Agnese in Argone is located nearby and houses some of the most magnificent Catholic artwork outside the Vatican! Following a break for lunch on our own at one of the many trattoria’s that dot the area, we visit the Basilica di Sant’Agostino, an Augustinian parish where the tomb of St. Monica is located. We celebrate Mass here before returning to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 4 - ROME/OSTIA - Today, we board our coach bus for a short drive to the nearby port of Ostia Antica, an ancient Roman seaport that now lies over 2 miles inland because of silt deposited over the many centuries at the mouth of the famed Tiber River. It was in this port that St. Augustine arrived after leaving North Africa in 382AD. It was also here that St. Monica would later fall ill and die in 387AD, at the age of 55. Shortly after her death, St. Augustine left for North Africa from this same port. Following our visit, we break for lunch on our own as we return to Rome, the city where Augustine taught rhetoric (public speaking) before eventually journeying to Milan where he would meet St. Ambrose. We visit St. Mary Major, also known as Our Lady of the Snows in memory of a Marian miracle in 352AD, where it snowed in August marking the spot to build the basilica. Our visit is followed by a walking tour of the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, the Flavian Amphitheater (known simply as the “Coliseum”), and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Time permitting, we celebrate Mass here before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5 - ROME/VATICAN CITY This morning, we visit Vatican City, where we view the treasures of the famous Vatican Museum. We marvel at Michelangelo's recently restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and the wonders of St. Peter’s Basilica. We visit Sant’Anna Parish, the parish of Vatican City, staffed by the Augustinian Friars. This afternoon, following lunch on our own, we continue our day with a visit to the Holy Stairs and Basilica of St. John Lateran. We then proceed to our next stop, St. Paul Outside the Walls. This huge, imposing Basilica, second in size only to St. Peter’s and one of the largest churches in the Christian world, contains an unusual gallery of papal portraits: 265 tablets portraying the popes of the past. We conclude our day at the Callistus Catacombs, the early burial places of 2nd and 3rd century Christians. While here, we celebrate Mass and view the unique fresco paintings. We return to our hotel in time for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6 - ROME/OPEN DAY - Today, we visit St. Monica’s, the International Headquarters of the Augustinian Order for an informal tour (pending permission). While there we celebrate Mass. Following lunch on our own, the remainder of the day is free for shopping, relaxation, or personal adventure. This evening, we will have the opportunity to explore the culinary delights of Rome, as tonight’s dinner is on our own. Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 7 - ROME/VATICAN CITY/MILAN  - This morning, we again make our way to St. Peter's for a public audience with Pope Francis (pending if he is in residence). After the audience, we immediately journey north to Milan, stopping for lunch on our own and a break along our beautiful scenic drive through central Italy, a route dotted with vineyards and olive orchards! We dinner on our own along our route and overnight at our hotel in Milan.

DAY 8 - MILAN/ PAVIA  – Today, our first stop is the Duomo di Milano, one of the largest cathedrals in Italy and a gem of gothic architecture and magnificent stained-glass windows. We visit the place where St. Ambrose, baptized St. Augustine as a Catholic! While here we will renew our baptismal vows. We also visit the tomb of St. Charles Borromeo, the first Archbishop of Milan and the “Patron Saint of Seminarians”. Following a break for lunch on our own, we travel a short distance south of Milan to Pavia and the Basilica of San Pietro Ciel d’ Oro, the final resting place of St. Augustine. While there, we have an opportunity to celebrate Mass, pending the final schedule. After our visit to Pavia, we return to Milan and our hotel and enjoy dinner and overnight in Milan.

DAY 9 - TURIN  - This morning, we journey west to Turin, home of the Shroud of Turin, the famous burial cloth of Jesus Christ! While there we visit the Museum of the Shroud*, Turin Cathedral, as well as the Churches of San Carlos & Santa Cristina. Following a break for lunch on our own, we celebrate Mass before our drive back to Milan for dinner on our own at one of Milan’s notable restaurants and overnight in Milan. *The shroud is only displayed for limited times during specific years; thus, we cannot guarantee it will be on display during this pilgrimage.

DAY 10 – MILAN - Today, we visit the Santa Marie della Grazie, home of Leonardo di Vinci’s famous painting “The Last Supper”. We tour this magnificent church, as well as nearby Sforza Castle, a 15th century renaissance castle, which features numerous works of art and Michelangelo’s last work before his death. Following a break for lunch on our own, the remainder of the day is free to browse metropolitan Milan. This evening, we enjoy our “farewell” dinner and overnight in Milan.

DAY 11 – MILAN/RETURN TO U.S. - This morning, we make our way home with memories of a lifetime, cherishing the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of St. Augustine!