SACRED ITALY

A Pilgrimage for Women to

FLORENCE, VENICE & THE ITALIAN LAKE DISTRICT

Postponed – New Dates to be Advised

Travel to the magical land of Italy. The first part of this journey takes us to the heart of Tuscany where we are based in the legendary city of Florence, the heart of Tuscany, the fountainhead of the renaissance; city of Dante, Boccaccio Botticelli and da Vinci. There will be a special day trip to Lucca, where we learn about the associations with the first century Order of the Holy Sepulchre, founded by Nicodemus and St Luke to protect the Holy Family. We also will view the Volto Santo, “The Holy Face,”the carved, life-sized crucifix which legend says was carved by Nicodemus, as a true likeness of Jesus. In Lucca we will learn about Matilda of Canossa.

In Sansepulcro, we will walk in the footsteps of St Francis.

On the way to Venice, we stop in in the gastronomical capital of Italy, Bologna, for the famous Ragù alla Bolognese Tagliatelle. Then onto Venice, the jewel in the crown of any Italian visit as we enjoy this amazing Renaissance city’s architecture as we venture inside some of the buildings to discover the works of Canaletto, Tintoretto, and many other Italian masters.

Our fabulous Italy holiday ends at the Italian Lake District and our stay at Lake Garda. Poets and politicians and divas. They’ve all been drawn to captivating Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) with its wind-ruffled waters in the north and village- and vineyard-hopping in the south. The lake’s cultural diversity attracts a cosmopolitan travelers and Italian families.

A perfect taste of Italy!

A Message from Tracey Walsh
Our 2023 trip to Bali was beyond all expectations!
So, I am excited to offer you a new adventure to Northern Italy.
Bring your sense of wonder and willingness to learn and experience new things.
Sit on the steps where St Francis sat and looked out over the Tuscan hills from his Hermitage.
Soak in the art and architecture of the glorious cities of Florence and Venice.
Take time to wander the streets after sharing a cappuccino in a sidewalk café…
All of this and much more has been chosen for you.
15 wonderful women, 2 weeks, and lots of laughter!
Hope you can join us~
Tracey~

ITALY TOUR ITINERARY

1st Day: – To Florence
Depart this evening on your connecting flights to Florence.

2nd Day: – In Florence
Arrival in Florence where you will be met and transferred to your reserved accommodations at the Hotel Cellai. Time to relax and get used to the time change as you enjoy your first night in Florence.

3rd Day: – In Florence (B/L)
After breakfast, it’s a drive up the romantic Viale dei Colli a breathtaking panorama of the city atop Piazzale, a strategic viewpoint that offers open views across the splendid skyline of Florence to the hills beyond.
Then it’s a drive back down the hill and into the historic city center for a walking tour to the majestic Duomo built in 1296, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery with its renowned “Gates of Paradise” doors.
We continue along the medieval streets to the most striking square in Florence, Piazza della Signoria and delete two words view the Santa Croce Church, Michelangelo’s final resting place. Then a special visit to the Galleria dell’ Accademia where we will bypass the queues and head straight in to view Michelangelo’s famous David.
After lunch, we will go to the Medici Palace before ending the day at the Santa Trinta Church.
Dinner on our own to try one of the wonderful small restaurants along the Arno River.

4th Day: – In Florence – Excursion to Lucca (B/L)
Today we are off to Lucca, one of Tuscany’s most charming cities with its wide ancient city walls and medieval architecture. Here we will visit the stunning Cathedral of San Martino to see the carved stone exterior labyrinth, a medieval prayer tool, and to visit the Volto Santo, believed to have been carved by Nicodemus as one of the few pieces of art created by someone who knew Jesus. It’s now a museum with ruins from the first century. It features a sculpture of Matilda of Canossa (aka Contessa of Tuscany, Vice Queen of Italy). Matilda was one of the strongest European women of her time (1046-1115) and the first woman to be buried in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Weather permitting, we will take our box lunch of wine cheese and goodies to the Passeggiata delle Mura the walkway, park along the city’s ancient walls for a picnic. After nourishment and rest we will visit the spectacular Basilica of San Frediano, with its 14th century mosaic. On the way back to Florence, we will stop right outside of Lucca at the Ponte della Maddalena, this beautiful bridge built by Matilda of Canossa in honor of Mary Magdalene. We will be home in time to enjoy an evening dinner on our own in Florence.

5th Day: – In Florence. Excursion to Sansepulchro (B/L)
After breakfast, we will experience the city of Sansepulchro. The origins of Sansepolcro are shrouded in mystery: according to a legend, two pilgrim saints on their return from the Holy Land stopped in this valley and, as thanks to a sign from God, they decided to stay and build a small chapel to house the holy relics they had brought from Jerusalem. Highlights of our visit will be the Sansepolcro Cathedral founded 1000 years ago as a Benedictine abbey along the pilgrimage routes. The earliest information about the church dates to 1012 and it is where Saint Francis of Assisi preached in that period. We will also visit Eremo di Montecasale (the Hermitage of Montecasale) built in 1192. Donated to St. Francis in 1213, the Hermitage is a place of prime importance for the Saint of Assisi and his spirituality. To be in the place in which Saint Francis slept, prayed, and lived his life in solitude, surrounded by nature, silence and spirituality, will make a truly remarkable day… Afterwards we will return to Florence for a lovely dinner on your own.

6th Day: – In Florence. Morning Uffizi Gallery visit. Balance of day free (B)
After breakfast we skip the lines and go to the world-renowned Uffizi Museum and the Botticelli room. The balance of the day is free for independent exploration and shopping. Maybe go to the small stores around Via della Spada that lure shoppers away from the luxury labels on Via de’ Tornabuoni. Visit the tiny Antica Officina del Farmacista that is filled with jewel-like bottles of home fragrance scented with tuberose and pomegranate. At the Palazzo Pitti, pause for a glass of Sangiovese at Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina, an elegant little wine bar with a handful of marble-topped tables. In the evening, we will celebrate our last night in Florence.

7th Day: – Travel to Bologna and Venice (B/L)
After breakfast, we board our coach to Venice as we traverse the Italian countryside. On the way, we will stop for lunch in the gastronomical capital of Italy for lunch as we enjoy fresh pasta – Ragù alla Bolognese Tagliatelle – topped with local Parmesan Cheese. One, if not, of the quintessential first dishes of Bologna. This dish will welcome you into Bologna. Then a short panoramic tour of the city before we continue to Venice and our reserved accommodations and dinner on our own at one of the many nearby local restaurants.

8th Day: – in Venice. Full day of touring (B)
Morning guided walking tour of the center of Venice, experiencing the unique atmosphere of this magical city by starting at St. Mark’s Square. Admire the Clock Tower and Marble Lions before entering the Basilica with your guide. Marvel at the golden mosaics and opulent design, and learn how it is a symbol of Venetian power and wealth. Next, explore the Doge’s Palace, a Gothic masterpiece that was once the seat of the Venetian government. Learn about the life of the ruling Venetian Doges and the 14th-century sculptors who worked on the palace. Enjoy stunning views across the lagoon as you stroll through this world-famous landmark. Learn about the extraordinary story of Casanova and the significance of the Bridge of Sighs, as well as the Old and New Prisons. Return to the hotel for lunch on our own. In the afternoon, continue exploration in this charming city as you board your Gondolas for a “cruise” on the famous canals. Once seated, you’ll be guided by a local gondolier, dressed in the iconic striped shirt, through the narrow and hidden canals that characterise the capital of the Venice as we cruise the waters of the canals and have the opportunity to cross bridges full of charm, admire elegant palaces, and immerse ourselves in the magic of the city. The highlight of the gondola ride will be when we pass under the famous Bridge of Sighs. Do you know the legend of this place? It’s said that it owes its name to the bittersweet sighs of the prisoners who crossed the bridge, which also would have been their last view of Venice before entering prison.

9th Day, – In Venice: Day at leisure. Afternoon Optional Murano glass factory tour (B)
A full day at leisure in this wonderful city to explore on your own. For lunch maybe try a neighborhood Bacaro. A bacaro is a typical small-sized Venetian tavern where you can enjoy glasses of wine, ombre in Venetian, or of spritz, accompanied by typical Venetian cicheti, that are small snacks of food ranging from fish balls to small stuffed sandwiches. It is also possible to taste the authentic spritz, a typical Venetian aperitif, made with Prosecco, Aperol or Campari (or both in the case of the spritz misto, mixed), sparkling water or Seltz, a slice of orange and to put the finishing touches, the olive. Or take a water taxi around the city. Being a small island, it is impossible to stray far. Enjoy gelato as you walk, and finish the day with dinner with your traveling sisters or on your own. Or take an optional tour to experience the world of Murano glass at a glass factory and enjoy a demonstration with style! You’ll live the authentic experience of the centuries old Murano glass in one of the oldest glass factories of the island. You’ll see a skilful glass master working the different techniques of the glass production, such as the famous blowing glass technique or the sculpture technique. During the demonstration of the glass production a member of our team will explain the different steps of the production, the techniques and the material used by their glass master! The visit will then continue to the glass artworks collection of the factory that houses masterpieces made by the most important Murano glass masters. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

10th Day: – In Venice. Excursion to Padua and cooking school (B/L)
After breakfast we are off to Padua as we experience the culturally rich city. Padua (Padova in Italian) seems a world away with its medieval marketplaces, Fascist-era facades and hip student population. As a medieval city-state and home to Italy’s second-oldest university, Padua challenged both Venice and Verona for regional hegemony. A series of extraordinary fresco cycles recalls this golden age – including in Giotto’s blockbuster Cappella degli Scrovegni, Menabuoi’s heavenly gathering in the baptistry and Titian’s St Anthony in the Scoletta del Santo. For centuries, Padua and Verona fought for dominance over the Veneto plains. We will enter the Cathedral of Padua, first erected in the 4th century and also view the Palazzo della Ragione. We will see some of the most famous squares of the city, including Piazza delle Erbe, della Frutta and della Signoria, which all overlook several prominent and majestic buildings. Then, we visit one of the most masterful examples of art from the 14th century at the Scrovegni Chapel, followed by a visit to the Basilica of St Anthony. Afterwards, learn to cook like an Italian chef as it has never been more easy and fun. During your cooking class you will be not only a spectator, but you will also become an actor as you taking a step-by-step approach and hands on cooking class. Each class begins by explaining the recipe choices, what techniques are included and a suggested order in which to approach the recipes. Taking into account time restraints, each authentic dish can be quickly assembled and will give you the confidence to create fresh homemade pasta from scratch, delicious potato gnocchi, pizza in Italian style, lovely focaccias, famous fish dishes or meat dishes and much more. Your cooking class will introduce a 21st-century approach to one of the most ancient—and popular—cuisines. Return to Venice in the afternoon followed by dinner on our own. Leave time to walk enjoy the evening … soak up our last night in Venice.

11th Day: -To Lake Garda (B/L)
Today we depart for Lake Garda right in the middle of Northern Italy, shaped like a ladle reaching upwards into the mountains. Towns and villages on the lake shore enjoy a milder climate compared to the rest of the region – you’ll see lemon trees and olive groves, palm-fringed lakeside walks with a stunning backdrop of snow capped mountains. On our way, we will stop in stunning Sirmione for a visit to this Roman city built in 100BC with its Cathar associations. Sirmione has been settled since the Stone Age, with early finds showing that it was probably a small village of fishermen living in houses on stilts on the banks of Lake Garda. Highlights will be a visit to the Scaliger Castle, a fortification, surrounded by water, built near the end of the 12th century. This area is rich in ancient history. Here we will have lunch at the Tancredi, a Michelin star gastronomic stop not to be missed, after which we continue to our reserved accommodations and dinner at the four-star Grand Hotel Gardone located right at the lake.

12th Day: – Lake Garda – To Desenzano in morning. Lake cruise afternoon (B/L)
After breakfast we depart for Desenzano we visit the Mary Magdalene Church. The Cathedral of Desenzano, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, was built on the ruins of an ancient church between 1586 and 1611 by the architect Giulio Todeschini. Inside hang the works of Andrea Celesti, a prominent representative of Venetian painting from the 17th century, including a large “Resurrection” and a series of paintings dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. In the chapel of Sacramento we will see “The Last Supper,” a remarkable work. We will lunch at a local restaurant before boarding a local boat for a short cruise around the lake that incorporates the magical combination of turquoise water and the surrounding land praised by poets over two thousand years ago. We start cruising from the Isola del Garda and sail to the eastern part of the lake to Garda and enchanting Punta San Vililio. We will return to our hotel for dinner on our own.

13th Day: Lake Garda – Morning at leisure. Afternoon Wine & Olive Oil tasting (B/L)
Happy Mother’s Day! A morning free to relax. In the afternoon we depart for our wine and olive tasting tour. Lake Garda is known for its mild microclimate, making it an ideal area for wine production. Discover Garda wines with this tour and tasting at a landmark cellar in Lazise. Meet your hosts for a tour through the vineyards and barrel room and learn how this family has been making wine for five generations. Then sit down for a tasting of the best vintages paired with local specialties. Delve into the world of Lake Garda wines at a historic family-run winery. Stroll through the vineyards to learn the cellar’s history and production A tasting of six top Garda wines like Bardolino, Chiaretto, and Custoza. Sample olive oil, cheeses, charcuterie and other local gourmet foods. Return to our hotel late in the afternoon and evening on your own.

14th Day: : Lake Garda – Full day at leisure (B/D)
A full day to soak in the last day of your holiday. Go to Riva Del Garda. The historic city center is flat, small, easy to explore, and very picturesque. Colorful buildings line narrow alleyways and wide piazzas. Climb the medieval bell tower and walk through ancient city gates. Go to Arco and Torre di Arco. Arco is a small town that sits on the north end of Lake Garda. It is tucked away in the mountains, so it is not located right on the lake. This town is famous for its medieval tower, Torre di Arco, and the Arboretum, a botanical garden. Visit the Varone Waterfall Parco Grotta Cascate. Varone is a very small botanical garden with a series of waterfalls. The main thing to do here is to walk the short boardwalk trail into the grotto for a view of the Varone waterfall. Or just laze by the pool and then go shopping. In the evening we will have our farewell dinner at our beautiful hotel.

15th Day: – To Milan Airport (B)
Our tour ends after breakfast as we board our coach to the Milan airport and our flights home.

Your Homes for the Journey (or similar)

We have chosen very special locations as our bases for this journey, so you will be immersed in the flavor of the region from the moment you arrive.

Florence: The Hotel Cellai (5 nights)
Venice: The Hotel Santa Marina (4 nights)
Lake Garda: The Grand Hotel Gardone (4 nights)

Tour Includes:

Roundtrip air from SFO to Florence and return from Milan
Hotel accommodations as per itinerary
Hotel taxes
Daily buffet breakfasts
Porterage at hotels on arrival
Additional lunches and dinners as indicated
Group transportation by coach
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Sightseeing entrance fees
All activities described in the itinerary

Special Features Include:

A visit to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence
Visits to Lucca and San Sepulchro
Pasta lunch and visit to Bologna
Gondola ride on the canals of Venice
Tour of Padua including a special Italian cooking class
Mother’s Day Wine and Olive tasting
Optional tour to Venice’s Murano glass factory
Scenic boat ride on Lake Garda
Lunch at the Tancredi (a Michelin Star restaurant) on Lake Garda

Please read the Terms and Conditions for this program.

** Bonus! SAVE! You will receive a 5% discount if ALL payments are made by check or money order. These discounted prices are noted in red.

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PRICING

ALL INCLUSIVE PRICES FOR LAND & AIR FROM SAN FRANCISCO
Per Person Double Occupancy: $5,899 by check, ($6,219 credit card)
Per Person Single Occupancy: $7,499 by check, ($7,899 by credit card)

ALL INCLUSIVE PRICES FOR LAND ONLY (you book your own air to Florence/returning from Milan):
Per Person Double Occupancy: $5,399 by check, ($5,679 credit card)
Per Person Single Occupancy: $6,999 by check, ($7,359 by credit card)

Please add the following to the tour price
Airline Taxes & Security Charges: $599 by check ($629 by credit card)
Prepaid Gratuities to guides and drivers: $125 ($130 by credit card)

Optional Murano Glass Factory tour in Venice
Price Per Person (price based on a minimum of 4 participants): $75 ($79 by credit card)

There are a limited number of rooms and configurations available. If you are willing to share a room, please let us know and we will do our best to match you up with a roommate with advanced introductions.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

FIRST NON-REFUNDABLE PAYMENT (Due as soon as possible in order to ensure a place on the tour)
Per Person: $1,000 by check or money order, $1,050 by credit card

FINAL PAYMENT
BALANCE for payments is due in full by TBA

After you register online you will automatically be re-directed for payment by mail-in check or securely online by credit or debit card.

TOUR NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER

If you have already registered and would like access to the Payment Page, please CLICK HERE.

Travel Insurance
As travel professionals, Body Mind Spirit Journeys highly recommends travel insurance. Sometimes unexpected circumstances can arise. A sudden emergency just before or during your trip could spoil your vacation and deplete your resources.

We have recently seen some of our valued travelers lose not only their non-refundable deposits, but also their entire tour payments because they hoped they would not need trip cancellation insurance.

You should protect your trip investment and yourself in regards to health, property and trip payments. That is why we provide you with an easy way to contact BMSJ’s preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance. If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 1-800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323.

BMSJ will be sending you additional details and a brochure with your confirmation on trip.

Photo Credits:
Ponte della Maddalena: Photo: Eckhard Henkel / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons
Padova Cappella degli Scrovegni Innen Langhaus Westairon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons