Florence, Assisi & Rome
In essence, the act of going on pilgrimage has changed little over the years. First, it involves journeying to particular places, in this case to Florence, Assisi and Rome, each of them places of prayer and pilgrimage over many centuries, each famous for their Christian art and architecture. Pilgrimage also usually implies travelling in the company of others, and the fact that this is an ecumenical pilgrimage will add a special dimension, not least as we mark each day with an appropriate act of worship. In Florence, this will include the music of the Winchester Cathedral Choir, both in concert and in the liturgy of the Duomo. There is also a sense in which we shall be walking in the company of the Saints particularly associated with the three cities: in Florence, the Blessed Virgin Mary, in whose name the Duomo is dedicated; in Assisi, the inspiration of St Francis; and in Rome, St Peter, the chief apostle to whom Christ entrusted the keys of the Kingdom.
I look forward to your company and your fellowship on this pilgrimage.
+ David Stancliffe
The Holy Land Brochure. Booking Form.
Day 1 Monday 9 May
We gather at London Gatwick airport where we will be assisted by our Lightline representative with check-in for our flight. Fly to Florence. On arrival we will be met by our guide and then transferred to our hotel in Florence. Overnight stay in Florence.
Day 2 Tuesday 10 May
Our first visit will be to the Duomo whose orange-tiled dome dominates the skyline. It is the fourth largest church in Europe and contains almost countless treasures. Its celebrated 4th century Baptistery is one of Florence’s oldest buildings and itself a treasure trove. We should be able to visit both the crypt and the dome of the Church. We then visit the Convent of San Marco where we will see the painted cells of Fra Angelico. With luck we may fit in the Church of Santa Maria Novella to see particularly the nave, the frescoes and the perspective in the Trinity painting by Masaccio. Return to our hotel. Overnight stay in Florence.
Day 3 Wednesday 11 May
Today we start at The Piazza della Signoria, a Florentine landmark. Within it the Palazzo Vecchio has an exterior dating from the 14th century, an interior and works of art from the 16th. We shall have a guided tour of the Palazzo. We shall visit and have views of both the Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinita before taking in the Church of Santa Spirito followed by the Carmelite church of Santa Maria del Carmine to view the outstanding Renaissance frescoes by Masaccio. After a break for lunch near the Piazza della Republica, we shall spend an hour or two in the Uffizi, the finest museum in the finest city in the world of art. Then on to the Church of San Miniato al Monte, one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Italy. Overnight stay in Florence.
Day 4 Thursday 12 May
Following breakfast we leave Florence and drive to the town of Cortona where we take the time to visit the Museo del Duomo to view the Fra Angelico paintings of the annunciation and the Madonna and Child with Saints before continuing onto the early Renaissance church of San Pietro. We leave Cortona and continue our drive onto the Umbrian town of Assisi, where we will spend the next two nights. On arrival we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli before retiring. Overnight stay In Assisi.
Day 5 Friday 13 May
After breakfast we begin our tour of Assisi, visiting the Basilica of San Francisco. The building was begun in 1228, two years after the death of St. Francis. The upper church contains frescoes by the Giotto and Cimabue. The lower church has frescoes by Simone Martini. Visit the Basilica built by Brother Elias to hold the body of St. Francis. Work was started on the church on July 17, 1228 when the first stone was blessed by Pope Gregory IX the day after the canonization of St. Francis. His body was moved here from the Chapel of St. George on May 25, 1230. Nearby we visit the Basilica of St Clare. Santa Clara, born in Assisi and received into the Franciscan order, founded the Poor Clares, an Order devoted to the Franciscan ideal of poverty. Our afternoon will be free to wander in this beautiful Umbrian town, with inviting piazzas and cafés. Return to our hotel for overnight stay.
Day 6 Saturday 14 May
After breakfast we visit Eremo delle Carceri, the caves in which St Francis meditated with his followers. Here we explore the medieval architecture and enjoy the magnificent views afforded by the friary across the countryside. We leave Assisi for Rome. En-route we will visit San Damiano, the little church which Francis found in ruins. It was here that Francis is supposed to have heard the voice of Christ telling him to rebuild His Church. This is also the place where St Francis wrote the Canticle of the Creatures. On arrival in Rome, we check into our hotel before dinner. Overnight stay in Rome.
Day 7 Sunday 15 May
After breakfast we begin our tour of this magnificent city, by driving to the Coliseum, a masterpiece of classical architecture and the largest amphitheatre in the world. There, we remember the Christian Martyrs of the Early Church. We continue to the Church of San Clemente, built on top of an early Christian church and also view the excavations of a street dating back to the time of Saints Peter and Paul.
After a break for lunch we visit some of Rome’s most wonderful churches; the well hidden Santa Praesede with its little known Byzantine mosaics, the 5th century Santa Maria Maggiore, and the Lateran. Afterwards, we return to our hotel. Overnight stay in Rome.
Day 8 Monday 16 May
After a break for lunch we visit some of Rome’s most wonderful churches; the well hidden Santa Praesede with its little known Byzantine mosaics, the 5th century Santa Maria Maggiore, and the Lateran. Afterwards, we return to our hotel. Overnight stay in Rome.
Day 9 Tuesday 17 May
This morning we leave for a half day tour to two of Rome’s most spectacular sites - the amazing residence of Emperor Hadrian and the magnificent Villa d’Este. This medieval hilltop town east of Rome was the residence of ancient Rome patrician families, emperors, art patrons, painters and musicians. Visit Hadrian’s villa, an outstanding roman archaeological site, with its memories of Rome’s most enlightened emperor and the impressive remains of his favourite residence. Continue to the world famous Villa d’Este, magnificent renaissance garden, home of Cardinal d’Este, one of Italy’s 16th century great art patrons, with beautifully frescoed rooms and halls and its spectacular park and fountains. We return to Rome to spend the afternoon at leisure to revisit sites of special interest. Overnight stay in Rome.
Day 10 Wednesday 18 May
After breakfast we leave our hotel and travel to the Catacombs of St.Callistus, which reminds us of the sacrifices of the first Christians. After a break for lunch we visit some of Rome’s most famous sites, the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona with its magnificent fountains by Bernini - a wonderful afternoon of history and romantic tradition. We also plan to visit the Pantheon, a 7th century church containing the tombs of the Italian kings. We bring our tour to a close with a final service, before returning to our hotel for our overnight stay in Rome.
Day 11 Thursday 19 May
After breakfast we leave for Rome Airport and our return flight to London.
