Pictures from the Italy

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church Youth

Youth Pilgrimage to Italy

Led by:

Ann Meyer
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
Williamsburg, VA

July 13 - 20, 2016

Trip map

DAY 1: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 - Depart the Richmond, VA Airport for our flight on Delta Airlines connecting in New York, JFK to our trans-Atlantic Delta Airlines flight into Rome. M

DAY 2: Thursday, July 14, 2016 - We arrive in Rome, Italy, meet our driver and guide, board our private motor coach and transfer into the “Eternal City”.  We enjoy a panoramic tour of Rome during which we will see the Pantheon, the Vatican, Castel San Angelo and many more sites.  We continue for our guided tour of the Colosseum, considered the symbol of Rome’s eternity, it was completed under Titus in 80 A.D. and is where over 55,000 spectators could watch the gladiatorial games.  Dinner and overnight Rome. D

DAY 3: Friday, July 15, 2016 - This morning we enjoy a tour of the Vatican State, an entire European state comprising only 109 acres, ruled by the Pope, and having its own postage stamps, coinage, anthem and flag.  Within the boundaries of the Vatican stands St. Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was buried after he had been martyred in Nero's Circus.  The first chapel on the right as you enter St. Peter's contains the Pieta', the moving and powerful masterpiece carved by Michelangelo.  We tour the Sistine Chapel and marvel at the beauty created by Michelangelo on its ceiling.  Pending confirmation, we visit the Scavi, excavations beneath St. Peter's Basilica, to see the tomb of Saint Peter.  Time permitting, we will venture out in small groups (transportation not included) to explore areas on our own such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona.  Dinner and overnight Rome. BD

DAY 4: Saturday, July 16, 2016 - This morning we visit St. Paul's Inside the Walls, an Anglican church within the walls of ancient Rome.  Our journey continues as we travel to Assisi. We travel along the "Highway of the Sun" and stop in Greccio to see the Greccio Monastery.  It is here that St. Francis celebrated Christmas in 1223 by placing a manger and live animals before the altar which started the custom of making creches or manger scenes at Christmas.  We visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli where the young Francis of Assisi understood his vocation and renounced the world in order to live in poverty among the poor and thus started the Franciscan movement.  After dinner we will meet at the town square where we will discuss Francis' ministry and the significance of the square.  Dinner and overnight Assisi. BD

DAY 5: Sunday, July 17, 2016 - This morning we enjoy the half-hour walk to Cannara.  Outside the town are the fields of Pian d'Arca which legend identifies as the site of St. Francis' sermon to the birds.  We visit the church of Santa Chiara, dedicated to St. Clare, who was one of the earliest and most fervent of Francis' followers.  We see the Cappella del Croscifissco, the cross that spoke to St. Francis and led him to a life of piety.  We visit San Damiano, a church with a monastery built in the 12th century that was the first monastery of the Order of Saint Clare where Saint Clare built her community.  We return to Assisi to visit the Basilica di San Francesco which contains one of the most imposing series of frescoes, 28 scenes from the life of St. Francis, by Giotto, and the crypt where the remains of St. Francis rest.  The remainder of the day we will be free to explore Assisi on our own.  Dinner and overnight Assisi. BD

DAY 6: Monday, July 18, 2016 - We have morning prayer in Assisi followed by a visit to Isola Maggiore, where Francis went on retreat for 40 days.  We enjoy some time on the beach on the island before we continue to La Verna where we visit the site where St. Francis received the stigmata.  Dinner and overnight La Verna area. BD

DAY 7: Tuesday, July 19, 2016 - After breakfast we depart for Florence.  We will have some time to explore Florence in small groups with chaperones before meeting our guide at 2 PM.  We visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its magnificent dome, Bell Tower and Baptistery.  The Baptistery has golden doors designed by Ghiberti representing scenes from the Life and Passion of Christ.  We visit Santa Maria Novella and then the Accademia and see Michelangelo’s famous statue of David.  Dinner and overnight Florence. BD

DAY 8: Wednesday, July 20, 2016 - We transfer to the Florence Airport for our return flight home.  We board our Air France flight to Paris. There we transfer to our flight back to the Richmond Airport.  We return home with an appreciation of the links between our country and Italy and the important part Italy has played in the movement of Christianity around the world. BM

$2,949.00.*  Price is based without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Roundtrip air from Richmond, VA Airport on US Airways.  Air transportation available from other cities.  Single Supplement $209.00.

* Pricing does not include airline taxes and fuel currently at $653.70 per pilgrim and are subject to change until the tickets are issued.  The price is not guaranteed and may change due to the fluctuation of the Euro and the US dollar.  We make every effort to avoid any increase and will only do so if the value of the dollar falls against the Euro.  Your pricing was based on the exchange rate of $1.09 to the Euro

*Price DOES include trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance.

$400.00 per person deposit due with registration and copy of passport.

Final payment due April 8, 2016

Terms and Conditions:
◊ 1. PRICES ARE CASH.  AMERICAN EXPRESS ACCEPTED FOR FINAL PAYMENT ONLY ADD'L 3.5%.
◊ 2. Names as on passport.  If name is incorrect and tickets reissued, $50 fee plus change fees from airline.
◊ 3. $100 deviation fee plus any additional airfare, hotel, tour or admission charges.

Worldwide Pilgrimage Ministries provides the following basic travel insurance for you at no additional cost:
◊ Accident and Sickness Medical Expense    $50,000
◊ Common Carrier A D & D                              $25,000
◊ Trip Delay, Missed Connection                       $1,000
◊ Medical Evacuation/Repatriation                $250,000
◊ Baggage/Baggage Delay                        $1,500/$250
◊ Emergency Assistance

If pilgrim is under 18 traveling with only one parent or someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, you will need a notarized letter for medical care and permission to take the child out of the country.  Please see Children - Child traveling with one parent or someone who is not a parent or legal guardian or a group for more information.

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Until April 7, 2016:  $200.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ April 8 – May 26, 2016:  $400.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ May 27, 2016 or later:  NO REFUND

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner, M Meals on Aircraft

The itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at the discretion and direction of the leader or guide.