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Assisi, Pax et Bonum
Introduction
Assisi is situated in the heart of Italy in the province of Umbria, a region celebrated for being verdant and an ever-changing landscape of mountains, wooded hillsides and wide open valleys. It was in this area sometimes also called ‘The Land of Saints’ that St Francis and St Clare were born at the end of the 12th century. Both of them were reluctant leaders but their stubborn devotion to following the gospel ideals proved to be a beacon, which attracted many people and has meant that the Franciscan and Poor Clare orders have had a profound effect on the Church. Time will be spent in Assisi and its surrounds seeing the places where the saints lived out their mission, whilst also being able to appreciate as Francis did the glory of the natural world in this special place.
Basic Itinerary
DAY ONE - SUNDAY
Stansted - Perugia - Assisi
We fly from London Stansted to Perugia on a scheduled direct flight. On arrival in Perugia Airport we transfer by coach to Assisi (20 minutes) where we check into our hotel. Lunch and Dinner are at the hotel. This afternoon we walk through the streets of Assisi as Saints Francis and Clare would have known it. Visit the Cathedral of San Ruffino, the church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Chiesa Nuova (New Church), built on the site of Francis' house. Afterwards we visit St Clare's Basilica, which now houses the Crucifix that called to Francis. There will be an opportunity to attend Mass this evening.
DAY TWO - MONDAY
Basilica of St Francis
This morning we have a guided tour of the twin basilica of St Francis, now fully reopened after the earthquake in 1997. We see the frescoes attributed to Giotto in the Upper Basilica and those by Cimabue and Simone de Martine in the Lower Basilica. The rest of the day is at leisure in Assisi and lunch and dinner are at the hotel.
DAY THREE - TUESDAY
Assisi
This morning we take a twisting taxi ride to the Hermitage, situated high above Assisi on Monte Subasio, which was a place of retreat and meditation for Francis and his followers and is still an oasis of quiet today. The taxis wait for about forty minutes here before driving down to San Damiano below Assisi, which was where St Francis received the message from the Crucifix to repair God’s church and where, later, St Clare spent her cloistered life and founded her community. Afterwards we drive down into the valley to visit the Basilica of S. Maria Degli Angeli to see the Porziuncula, the chapel that St Francis restored, and which became the centre of his first community where he died. The rest of the day is at leisure. Lunch and dinner are at the hotel.
DAY FOUR - WEDNESDAY
Assisi - Perugia - Stansted
After breakfast we transfer to Perugia airport for our return flight to Stansted.
Travel Dates and Cost: | ||
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21st September 2008 - 24th September 2008
2nd November 2008 - 5th November 2008 4 days
£499
£499 |
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Terms of Payment:Deposit of £90 on booking (+ insurance if required). Balance payable two months before departure date. Members of all Christian denominations will be welcome on this pilgrimage. There will be the opportunity to attend daily Roman Catholic Mass.
This tour will operate with between 8-18 participants.
THIS PRICE IS GUARANTEED UNTIL THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE DEPARTURE DATE, AFTER THIS TIME THERE MAY BE A FLIGHT SURCHARGE. | ||
THIS TRIP INCLUDES:UK and Italy airport taxes and return flights on Ryanair: Stansted – Perugia. Three nights accommodation in shared twin-bedded rooms with private facilities at a comfortable hotel, situated in Assisi. Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, starting with lunch on day one and finishing with breakfast on day four. Transfers from Perugia to Assisi and return. Walking tour of Assisi in the steps of St Francis and St Clare. Visit to the Basilica of San Francesco. Taxis to Hermitage and San Damiano.
EXTRAS:Travel insurance currently at £21. Single room supplement at £54 for the three nights (Limited number of rooms available). Contribution to the Basilica of San Francesco, suggested £5 per person. Other dates available for private groups of 8-30 people throughout the year.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:Ecumenical |
