13 Day Italy & Sicily Pilgrimage visiting Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Amalfi, Paola, Taormina, Siracusa, Agrigento, Sciacca & Palermo

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1 13 Day Italy & Sicily Pilgrimage visiting Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Amalfi, Paola, Taormina, Siracusa, Agrigento, Sciacca & Palermo October 17 th 29 th, 2011 YOUR TRIP INCLUDES: Round trip air from New York First Class 4 Star Hotels Breakfast & Dinner Daily Air-conditioned motor coach English speaking guide Sightseeing as per itinerary Porterage of one piece of luggage at hotels All taxes and service charges Daily Mass and Rosary HIGHLIGHTS: Tour of Rome Mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls Papal Audience (provided the Holy Father is in residence) Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii Visit of the Ruins of Pompei Mass at the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola Mass at the Basilica of Madonna delle Lacrime Visit the Valley of the Temples in the Ruins of Agrigento Visit the Benedictine Abbey of Monreale Tour of Palermo Pilgrimage Price: $ 4, Double/Triple per person* $ Single Supplement ITINERARY Mon, Oct 17 th : Newark/Rome Depart Newark Airport on your overnight flight to Rome. Dinner served in flight. Tue, Oct 18 th : Rome Upon arrival in Rome we are met by our guide and transferred to our hotel. En route we stop at St. Paul Outside the Walls for Mass. Remainder of the day is free.

2 The Historical Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls became a World Heritage Site in Wed, Oct 19 th : Rome/Papal Audience This morning we go to St. Peter s Square for our Papal Audience (provided the Holy Father is in residence). We have a free afternoon to enjoy Rome on our own. This afternoon, we have a Tour of Rome. We see the Roman Forum, the Coliseum and the Monument to Victor Emmanuel. We leave the bus to walk through Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. This evening we go to Da Meo Patacca for Dinner. Thu, Oct 20 th : Rome - Free day to enjoy Rome on your own. Fri, Oct 21 st : Rome/Pompeii/Sorrento This morning we start our journey through southern Italy to Sorrento. En route we stop at Pompeii to visit the Ruins of Pompeii and for Mass at the Pontifical Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii. After Mass and our tour of the ruins, we continue to Sorrento. In Sorrento the scent of lemons is everywhere. The lemons of Sorrento are the size of oranges and in the local shops they make the most important product of Sorrento Lemoncello. Walk into the shops. They will give you a taste. You will be amazed how many products they can make with lemons. If you re looking for a bargain, Sorrento is the place. Sat, Oct 22 nd : Sorrento/Amalfi Coast The Amalfi Coast became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in It is the most stunning coastline in Italy. You will be picked up at the hotel by your local guide and journey along the coast. Every turn is a new experience. Upon arrival in Amalfi, we will have free time for shopping before returning to our hotel. Sun, Oct 23 rd : Sorrento/Paola Morning departure to Paola. Upon arrival in Paola, we go to the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola for Mass. Francis was born in Paola (Calabria) on March 27, 1416, to Giacomo Martolilla and Vienna Fuscaldo. Being advanced in years, his parents attributed the birth of their eldest child to the intercession of St Francis of Assisi. This is the reason why they named him Francis and promised to make him wear the votive habit of the Franciscans for a year. At the age of fifteen Francis went to the monastery of the Friars Minor Conventuals in St Marco Argentano (Cosenza) to fulfill the vow made by his parents. Here Francis showed his disposition to prayer and his devotion, along with those supernatural powers which made him famous as a wonder-worker afterwards. From the very beginning Francis was a famous wonder-worker. He worked wonders for all of his life, from the building of his first monastery till his time in France. His powers were on behalf of the poor and of people who were oppressed by the frequent embezzlements of the powerful. He used common objects to work miracles so that everyone understood that it was God who really restored people to health or solved problems. The following episode is a good example of his "wonder methodology": a young man of Paola had a wound in his arm which could not heal although he had consulted famous doctors. Go to Francis and he will heal you, his mother said to him. He made up his mind and went to Francis to tell him about his problem and his unsuccessful attempts to solve it. Francis stooped down to pick a herb from the garden and said, Make it boil, put it on your arm and you will heal. The young man looked at him and objected, This is a common herb how can it work a miracle? It is faith that works miracles, the Hermit replied. A priest said to Francis, How do you know that this herb has healing virtues? The saint replied, a faithful servant of God obeys his commandments, even herbs reveal their virtues. One day Francis crossed the Straits of Messina by standing on his cloak laid on water. This well-known episode and other miracles often inspired men of letters and artists who immortalized them with their works of art.

3 Thanks to Neapolitan merchants Francis s fame reached the court of the French king Louis XI. Since the king was very ill, he asked Pope Sistus IV to send the hermit to his deathbed. This was the beginning of the "diplomatic chapter" of Francis s life. The Pope, wishing to sign a treaty with France, granted Louis XI s request willingly and so did the King of Naples. Francis lived in France for about twenty-five years. There he led a simple life, working a piece of land, and was seen as reformer of religious life-style. Because of his austere life-style he was chosen as a spiritual guide by some Benedictines, Franciscans and hermits, who left their religious orders to follow him. This made his Calabrian congregation international. Francis started the Order of Minims, then the secular Third Order and finally the Cloistered Nuns. Their Rules were definitively approved by Pope Julius II on July 28, Francis died in Tours on April 2, The fame of this wonder-worker spread through Europe thanks to the three branches of his order and contributed to his beatification on July 7, 1513 and his canonization on May 1, 1519, which took place after only twelve years since his death. Mon, Oct 24 th : Paola/Taormina Morning departure to Taormina. Today we continue travelling south along the Mediterranean Coast. We arrive at Villa San Govanni where we board our ferry to cross the Straight of Messina. Upon arrival in Taormina, we are free to enjoy Sicily s most famous resort. Wander through the tiny streets and alleyways. This is the city of the jet set and the shops and boutiques reflect this. Stop for expresso at a sidewalk café. Sit in the Square which overlooks Mt. Etna, and watch the world go by. Or, just relax at your hotel. Tue, Oct 25 th : Taormina/Siracusa Upon arrival in Siracusa, we visit the Basilica of Madonna delle Lacrime which holds the plaque of Our Lady of the Tears. From August 29 to September 1, 1953, a plaster plaque of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, placed over the headboard of the bed of a young couple, Angelo Iannuso and Antonina Giusto, shed human tears. The phenomenon took place at intervals inside and outside of the house. Many saw, touched, gathered and tasted the salt of those tears. After Mass we have a free day to visit Siracusa. John Paul II under the miraculous picture of the Madonna delle Lacrime Why did the Blessed Mother weep? The tears of Mary are the sign of the maternal love and of the participation of a Mother in the life of her children. Someone who loves shares! The tears are an expression of the sentiment of God towards us: A message of God to humanity. It is a strong invitation to conversion of heart and to prayer, addressed to us by Mary in her apparitions and repeated again through the silent, but eloquent, language of her tears. Mary wept from a humble plaster plaque, in the heart of the city of Siracusa, in a home next door to an Evangelical Church; in a very modest home of a young family; over a mother awaiting her first child, sick with gestational toxicosis... all of this cannot be without significance. The tender message of help and encouragement of our heavenly Mother is evident. She suffers with those who suffer to defend the values

4 of the family, the inviolability of life, the sense of the Transcendent before the prevailing materialism, the value of unity. Mary, with her tears, admonishes guides, encourages and consoles us. Wed, Oct 26 th : Siracusa Free day to enjoy Siracusa on your own. Siracusa is a wonderful city where historic cultures are evident in the narrow streets and lovely courtyards of the old houses. It is the birthplace of Archimedes and, at one time, it rivaled Athens as the most important city of the Greek world. Visit the Church of St. John the Baptist. It is the oldest church in the West, second in age only to its Eastern counterpart located in Antioch, Turkey. In its crypt, Saints Paul and Luke were said to have preached to the Christian community. In the ruins of the church wedding ceremonies are regularly conducted today. Siracusa became a World Heritage Site in Thu, Oct 27 th : Siracusa/Agrigento/Sciacca This morning we journey across the central part of Sicily passing Enna, a hillside town in the very heart of Sicily. En route to Sciacca we stop in Agrigento to meet our local tour guide for our visit of the archeological area known as the Valley of the Temples one of the world s most important archeological sites. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in We visit the Temple of Hera (Juno), Concordia, Herakles (Hercules), Olympian Zeus (Jupiter) and Sanctuary of Chtonian Deities (Temple of Castor and Pollux). We end our day in Sciacca. Looking to the sea and dominated by Mount Kronio on its east side, Sciacca has the oldest terme baths of Sicily and one of the biggest towns on the southeast coast. Upon arrival we check into our hotel. Remainder of the day is free to enjoy this seaside resort. Visit the potters shops along the main street for original works by the local people. Or, walk down to the seashore to see the colorful fishing boats. Fri, Oct 28 th : Sciacca/Palermo Enjoy a relaxing morning in Sciacca. This afternoon we depart to Palermo where we are met by our local guide for our tour of the city and visit of the famous Benedictine Abbey of Monreale. Situated on the slopes of Mount Caputo about four miles south of Palermo, Monreale overlooks the Conca d'oro, the beautiful valley beyond Palermo. The 12th c. Cathedral houses fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments, and the Cloisters. Monreale is worldrenowned for its dazzling mixture of Arab, Byzantine and Norman artistic styles framed by traditional Romanesque architecture. The beautiful mosaics in Monreale Cathedral are said to be one of the world's largest displays of this art, surpassed only by Istanbul's Basilica of Saint Sofia. Monreale's mosaics cover every inch of the vast interior - more surface than the Church of Saint Mark s in Venice. Sat, Oct 29 th : Palermo/USA Morning departure to Palermo Airport for our return flight to the USA.

5 Reservation Form Tour No. ITS1017 Name (as it appears on your passport): Address: City: State: Zip: Telephone: address: Will your room be a: ( ) single (limited) ( ) double ( ) triple Name of Roommate: Are you a US citizen? ( ) Yes ( ) No Date of Birth Passport No. Expiration Date Please return this form with your check to: LITTLE FLOWER TOURS & TRAVEL, LTD. 145 Fieldstone Road, Staten Island, New York or outside NY call A $ DEPOSIT IS DUE AT TIME OF BOOKING FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE July 31, 2011 TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Cancellation made by passengers. Of the $ deposit, $ is non-refundable in case of cancellation. 70 days to 46 days a $ penalty is imposed. 45 days to 16 days a $ penalty PLUS any penalty imposed by the airlines and hotels. 15 days or less may result in loss of entire cost, depending on what we can recover. Once travel has commenced, no refunds for unused portions can be made. TRAVEL INSURANCE IS AVAILABLE AND ADVISABLE If you have a pre-existing condition, it is important that you take Travel Insurance within 10 days of booking. Insurance on this trip is $ per person double or triple. $ per person single Signature: Date: Credit card ( ) MasterCard ( ) Visa ( ) American Express Account #: Expiration date: Name (as it appears on your card) Billing Address: Amount to be charged: $ Signature: Date:

6 EVERYONE MUST FILL OUT THIS FORM AND SIGN IT BELOW. If you are NOT taking the Travel Insurance you must still fill out the Insurance form below and indicate NO in the premium box and return it with your reservation form. Please note that insurance is strongly recommended but is optional. If you want to receive a waiver for pre-existing conditions, your premium must be received by Little Flower Tours within 10 days of your initial trip deposit/payment, provided you are not disabled from travel at the time of your premium payment. Insurance payments are non-refundable. Tour Number Tour Name Premium ITS Day Italy & Sicily Pilgrimage $ Double/Triple $ Single Insurance Form Name Address: Tour Number ITS1017 City: State: Zip: Telephone: Are you a US citizen? ( ) Yes ( ) No Additional Family Names I will take the Insurance ( ) Yes ( ) No Premium $ per person Double/Triple $ per person Single Please make your Insurance Premium check payable to Little Flower Tours & Travel Ltd.: LITTLE FLOWER TOURS & TRAVEL, LTD. 145 Fieldstone Road, Staten Island, New York or outside NY call If you want to receive a waiver for a pre-existing condition, your premium must be received by Little Flower Tours within 10 days of your initial trip deposit Signature Date

7 Schedule of Coverages Type of Coverage Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation Post-Departure Trip Interruption Maximum Benefit Amount Up To Trip Cost 150% of Trip Cost Travel Delay (Up to $150 Per Day) $750 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Air Flight Only $ 50,000 Any Other Circumstance $ 25,000 Baggage & Personal Effects $ 2,500 Baggage Delay $ 250 Medical Expense/Emergency Assistance Accident and Sickness Medical Expenses Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation $ 50,000 $250,000 THIS IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ASK FOR THE TRAVEL INSURANCE CERTIFICATE WHICH FULLY DETAILS THE COVERAGES, PROVISIONS, LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS OF THE INSURANCE OFFERED AND IS AVAILABLE TO YOU, UPON REQUEST, AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO YOUR PURCHASE OF THE PLAN. Conditions and Limitations Certain exclusions and limitations apply and are detailed in the Travel Insurance Certificate which will be included with your travel documents and is also available to you, upon request, at any time prior to your purchase of the plan. For example, coverage does not apply to any sickness or condition that existed during the 60 days prior to the effective date of the coverage (this exclusion is waived if your premium is received within 14 days of your initial deposit/payment for your trip and you are not disabled from travel at the time you pay your premium), suicide, normal pregnancy, war or any act of war, mental or nervous disorders. Other Covered Events, as defined, includes the following events or their consequences: 1) Post-Departure Trip Interruption due to cancellation of arrangements by an airline due to strike, mechanical breakdown of the aircraft on which you are scheduled to travel or bad weather (Maximum of $100 per day/$500 total) or 2) cancellation or interruption of your trip due to: a documented traffic accident while en route to departure; jury duty; destruction of your residence by a natural disaster; or a documented theft of passports or visas; or a Terrorist Act which occurs in your departure city or in a city which is a scheduled destination for your Trip provided the Terrorist Act occurs within 30 days of the Scheduled Departure Date for your Trip; and your premium is received within 14 days of the initial deposit/payment for your Trip. Sickness or Injury must require examination and treatment by a Physician and must commence while insurance is in force for you. This plan does not cover a loss that results from an illness, disease, or other condition (of you, an Immediate Family Member, Traveling Companion or Business Partner), event or circumstance which occurs at a time when this plan is not in effect for you. Designed by Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. This plan is underwritten by: Stonebridge Casualty Insurance Company, Columbus, OH. Travelex 360 º Claims Administered by: Trip Mate**, P.O. Box , Kansas City, MO **(In CA, dba Trip Mate Insurance Agency).