Pilgrimage to Padua & Venice
Padua - Saint Anthony
The charming city of Padua in north-east Italy is a great centre of history, art and pilgrimage. The focus of our pilgrimage is the shrine of St. Anthony, one of the most famous disciples of St. Francis of Assisi.
This Franciscan friar was born in Lisbon, but died near Padua. He was a famous preacher and worker of miracles in his own day, and throughout the eith centuries since his death he has so generously come to the assistance of the faithful who invoke him, that he is known throughout the world.
When he died, it is said that the children cried in the streets, that all the bells of the churches rang of their own accord, and that angels came to earth to ring the bells for the dealth of the saint. St. Anthony will always be remembered for his love of children.
He is buried in a chapel (once a church, now enclosed by the current edifice) of the large basilica of St. Anthony in Padua. The house where he was born in Lisbon was turned into a church, the Igreja de Santo Antonio de Lisboa.
Venice - City of St. Mark
One of the world's most famous cities in northern Italy, capital of the region Veneto, Venice has been known as the "Queen of the Adriatic", "City of Water", "City of Bridges", and "The City of Light".
Just the name Venice is enough to conjure up a host of images, even for those who have not yet set foot in Italy: gondoliers in striped jerseys, the Rialto and the Bridge of Sighs, masked balls at carnival time, golden barges, courtesans in gondolas and crumbling palaces facing streets made of water.
Venice is a glorious cliche, more romantic, more beautiful and more surprising than you could expect. No matter how many photographs or films you may have seen, it is still a jaw-dropping experience seeing Venice's canals and palaces for the first time. That first cruise down the Grand Canal - punctuated by exclamations and photo-snapping is - one of the life's unforgettable experience.
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Day 1
[London - Bologna]
We fly from London Heathrow Terminal 5. Meet up with our group leader at the airport. Our local rep will meet you on your arrival in Bologna. Time permitting, we’ll conduct a city tour of Bologna with lunch break. Transfer to Padua for dinner and overnight.
Day 2
A full day visit to Venice, the City of St. Marks. The guided tour includes Basilica St Mark and the square, Doge’s Palace, Old Prisons and Bridge of Sighs. Time permitting, we’ll visit a glass factory with our tour leader. Return to Padua for dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Mass at the Basilica of St Anthony and guided tour in the morning. Guided visit of Duomo and Baptistry. Lunch on your own. The afternoon programme includes a guided visit to Scuola del Santo, optional visit to Botanic Garden founded in 1545, the oldest in Europe or Scrovegni Chapel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4
Today we’ll travel to Verona, known for Shakespear’s Romeo & Juliet. Our guided visit includes Church San Zeno Maggiore, Duomo, Piazza Erbe. Lunch in Lake Garda. On our way back to Padua, we’ll stop in Vicenza to visit the Basilica di Monte Berico and Church Santa Corona. Return to Padua for dinner and overnight.
Day 5
We’ll have a free morning in Padua. Included excursion to Ferrara. This unique city has been declared a world heritage site for the number of 14th century palazzo and churches within it’s medieval walls. The Palace of Diamonds boasts a superb marble façade and the Este Castle. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer you to Bologna for your return flight to London.
Depart | Return | No of Days | ModeOfTransport | Pilgrimage | Tour Leader | Package Price |
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Included: Return flights from London - Bologna + taxes, coach transports in Italy, hold luggage,
3* hotel on half board, local tour manager, guided tours, full pilgrimage programme.
Extras: Single room supplement (£30/night), travel insurance, all lunches, snacks & drinks, optional excursions, all other entrance fees & gratuities,
any other costs of a personal nature.
# The above itinerary & package prices are for guidance only and are subject to minor alterations due to circumstances (local/overseas) that may arise beyond our control. #
FIND YOUR FAITH
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that have received--only what you have given.”
Francis of Assisi