OECTA: Assisi, Rome & Amalfi Coast

July 6: TORONTO - ROME

Evening departure from Toronto's Pearson Airport for our overnight flight to Rome. 

Flight with Air Transat:

Depart Toronto on TS308 at 9:40, arriving in Rome at 12:15pm the following day.

July 7: ROME - ASSISI 

Afternoon arrival to Rome and transfer by private motorcoach to Assisi.  Check into our centrally located hotel.  Free time to shop and explore the beautiful town centre.  Opening liturgy before dinner.  Dinner featuring local cuisine from Umbria at the hotel this evening.  Evening prayer and vespers at Basilica Santa Maria Delgli Angeli.

Overnight Assisi. 

July 8: ASSISI 

 Optional morning yoga at the pool deck.   Assisi has hardly changed since St. Francis was born here in 1182.  Winding, stone-paved streets lined with old houses lead from the base of the town to the top and to the various monuments. Enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful monastery of St. Francis and learn about the patron saint of animals and environment and how he founded the Franciscan Friars. Explore this beautiful medieval town. The group will visit the hermitage of Saint Francis for a pilgrimage and prayer.  

Gourmet dinner at the hotel this evening. Evening prayer and vespers at Santa Maria Delgli Angeli prior to retiring for the night. 

Overnight Assisi. 

July 9: ASSISI - ROME 

Optional outdoor yoga class. Morning transfer to Rome with an en-route stop for wine tasting at a historic vineyard near Orvieto.  The group will unite in prayer on the bus as we travel through the lush green landscapes of the umbrian vineyards and countryside.  Arrival to Rome in time to check into the hotel and prepare for our beautiful tour of this ancient capital.  We will introduce ourselves to the city with a walking tour of central Rome. Starting from the world-renowned 18th-century Spanish Steps, our walk will take us to the Piazza of Trevi with its spectacular fountain, through the Piazza Colonna distinguished by the Marcus Aurelius column in its centre, the Temple of Hadrian, aka the Hadrianeum, to the Pantheon built by Agrippa in 27 B.C., and finally to the Piazza Navona, a 17th century square that traces the oval form of the underlying Circus of Domitian. This first view of the city will emphasize the great span of architectural styles which make Rome a true metropolis. Dinner included this evening. Sunday evening mass after dinner (schedule TBD).

Overnight Rome. 

July 10: ROME 

The group will gather prior to breakfast for a morning prayer and reflection.   Our morning programme centres on the Vatican City and Papal Rome. Vatican City, a 109 acre state, is bounded by a wall built in the 9th-century and by the colonnade of St. Peter’s Square. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the world’s most majestic buildings, standing over St. Peter’s Tomb and the spot where he was martyred. Explore the Vatican Museum with its many treasures and see the Sistine Chapel where we can marvel at the newly restored ceiling and the many splendid works of art.  Free afternoon & dinner on own this evening. 

Overnight Rome. 

July 11: ROME 

Morning prayer prior to breakfast followed by class.  Mid-morning the group will gather in the lobby and step back in time and discover the Forum and the Colosseum! The Colosseum, opened by the Emperor Vespasian in AD 80, was where gladiators fought. Immensely impressive with a circumference of 530 metres and a height of 48 metres, the Colosseum was built to seat 50,000 spectators and aside from being one of Rome’s top tourists attractions, it is also a consecrated church. The Roman Forum was the commercial, civil and religious centre of Roman life in the Republican Era. Remainder of the day is free to explore Rome. Prior to dinner, participants will receive information re: book club projects  (each group will pick their own site and time).  Dinner included this evening. 

Overnight Rome. 

July 12: ROME 

Free day in Rome to work on course content, explore Rome, shop, gallery-hop,  or potentially an outdoor theatre event! 

Overnight Rome. 

July 13 - MONTECASSINO - SORRENTO

Morning gathering and prayer followed by breakfast. After breakfast, we will travel south to Sorrento with an enroute stop at Montecassino to visit the famous Abbey of Montecassino, situated high on the crest of a hill.  During WW2 it was occupied by the Germans, thus making  it a target for the Allied air and artillery bombardment that reduced it to rubble in 1944. See the marbles, stuccos and rich wood carvings of the main church, and contrast it with the simplicity of its courtyards and crypt. The Abbey complex has been restored and conscientiously reconstructed (this will be the ideal setting for face learning and class). We will gather at Montecasino for prayer.  Following our visit, continue our journey to Sorrento, where upon arrival we will settle into our hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing and strolling the scenic streets of this famous resort town. Class followed by dinner this evening. 

Overnight Sorrento. 

July 14: SORRENTO (AMALFI COAST)

Optional yoga by the pool.  Morning prayer.  In the morning, enjoy today's retreat as we travel the spectacular drive along the Amalfi Coast. Stop at the noble town of Amalfi with its Gothic Arsenal and the magnificent cathedral with the ‘Paradise’ cloister.  See the Duomo di Amalfi (also known as the Cathedral of St. Andrew), which is dramatically situated at the top of a steep and elegant flight of stairs overlooking the sea. Afterwards, continue to Positano where we will stop for lunch and enjoy the fantastic view. The rest of the day is spent at leisure to stroll around this quaint and picturesque town. Return to Sorrento in the late afternoon. Dinner on own this evening. 

Overnight Sorrento. 

July 15: SORRENTO

Optional morning yoga by the pool.  Morning retreat & course closure (1.5-2 hours).  GHT will arrange an optional excursion to Pompeii for those interested in ancient Roman History. Otherwise, you can take the fast ferry across the bay to the famous island of Capri, or simply enjoy a day by the pool, book a beach cabana, or shop and dine in the beautiful town of Sorrento.  Mass will take place prior to dinner.   A delicious al fresco 'ciao italia' dinner will be served in a trattoria. 

Overnight Sorrento. 

July 16: SORRENTO - ROME - TORONTO

Early morning transfer by private motorcoach to Rome airport for the flight home. 

Flight with Air Transat:

Depart Rome on TS309 at 2:15pm, arriving in Toronto at 6:00pm.