Venice is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe, if not in the world. Her canals, historic buildings, magnificent churches, and medieval palaces create an atmosphere of unique charm and grandeur.

In addition to its aesthetic and cultural appeal, the city of Venice is also an important pilgrimage destination. Her majestic St. Mark’s Cathedral, adorned with splendid golden Byzantine mosaics, houses the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist. The cathedral is also home to the Nikopeia, one of the most revered icons of the Byzantine capital, Constantinople, along with a remarkable collection of Byzantine ecclesiastical treasures, many of which were brought to Venice following the sack of Constantinople in 1204.

Throughout the historic city of Venice, pilgrims can venerate the relics of over thirty saints deeply revered in the Eastern Christian tradition. Among them are St. Zacharias, St. Athanasius of Alexandria, St. Theodore of Tyre, St. Marina (Marinus) of Bithynia, and St. John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria.

In addition to these holy sites, we will also visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Gregory, which has served the city's Greek Orthodox community for many centuries.

Many of us have different interests and aesthetic preferences. While some pilgrims may wish to spend more time in churches, taking in the spiritual and artistic beauty of sacred spaces, others might be more drawn to Venice’s world-class museums or the majestic Doge’s Palace, steeped in the history of the Venetian Republic. Still, some travelers may simply want to enjoy a leisurely day of shopping and relax with a coffee at one of the elegant cafés in St. Mark’s Square, soaking in the atmosphere of this iconic setting.

With these varying interests in mind, today is a day at leisure, allowing everyone to tailor the experience to their own pace and preferences. However, we are also pleased to offer an optional excursion that would be difficult to organize independently—a scenic and enriching day trip to the islands of the Venetian Lagoon.

During this full-day adventure, we will visit three unique and fascinating islands: Murano, Burano, and Torcello each offering a distinct glimpse into the rich tapestry of Venetian culture and history.

We begin with Murano, renowned for centuries as the heart of Venice’s famous glass-making tradition. Here, we will visit a historic glass factory, where skilled artisans continue the delicate and intricate craft that has made Murano glass a symbol of elegance around the world.

Next, we’ll travel to the charming island of Burano, instantly recognizable by its brightly painted houses, which reflect in the canals like a living watercolor. Burano is also celebrated for its exceptional lace-making tradition and fine linens, crafted by local artisans. Here, you'll have ample time to enjoy lunch at one of the island’s many cozy restaurants offering local seafood and Venetian specialties. Afterward, you can explore the island’s quaint shops, where you’ll find authentic local crafts and textiles.

In the afternoon, our final stop is the peaceful island of Torcello, once a thriving center of the lagoon and now a quiet, almost mystical place. The highlight of the visit is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a magnificent Byzantine basilica whose origins date back to the early 7th century. Inside, the breathtaking mosaics, especially the hauntingly beautiful depiction of the Last Judgment, still dazzle with their vivid color, expressive detail, and spiritual intensity.

This optional excursion offers a perfect blend of art, history, culture, and scenic beauty an unforgettable way to experience a side of Venice that few tourists take the time to discover.

After breakfast, we will enjoy a pleasant transfer to Ravenna, once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and later a flourishing center of the Byzantine Empire in Italy. Though its political prominence faded over a thousand years ago, this quiet city along the Adriatic coast continues to enchant visitors with its profound historical and artistic legacy.

Ravenna is world-renowned for its early Christian basilicas, whose interiors are adorned with some of the most exquisite and best-preserved mosaics in existence earning the city its title as the "mosaic capital of the world." No picture, no photograph, and no exhibit can do justice to what we are about to witness today.

Our visit will take us to several of Ravenna’s most remarkable sites. The Basilica of San Vitale, perhaps the city’s greatest masterpiece, dazzles with its intricate mosaics of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora images that not only reflect imperial grandeur but also express deep spiritual symbolism. Nearby, the small yet unforgettable Mausoleum of Galla Placidia surprises visitors with its richly colored interior, where glittering stars and Christian symbols create a space of celestial beauty and calm.

We will also visit the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, once the palace church of Theodoric the Great. Its long nave is flanked by vivid mosaic processions of saints and martyrs, conveying a sense of order, peace, and sacred purpose. Just outside the city, the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe awaits, with its immense apse mosaic depicting Saint Apollinaris standing among green fields beneath a radiant cross a peaceful vision of paradise.

Transfer to Rome. Upon our arrival, we will begin our visit to several of the most important and historically significant churches in the Eternal City.

One of our first stops will be Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the oldest and largest churches in the world dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Built in the 5th century, it has stood for over 1,500 years as a monument to Marian devotion. Its interior is richly decorated with mosaics from the early Christian era. In a special side chapel, you will find a precious relic: several pieces of wood believed to be from the manger of Christ, brought to Rome from the Holy Land.

We will also visit the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, and therefore the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope. Unlike St. Peter's Basilica, which is located in Vatican City, St. John Lateran is located in Rome proper and is considered the "mother of all churches." It was originally built on the site of the ancient papal palace, and for many centuries served as the main residence of the popes. Among its most venerated relics are the skulls of Saints Peter and Paul, the foremost apostles of the early Church, both martyred in Rome during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero around 64 AD.

Just across the street stands the Sancta Sanctorum and the Church of the Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta), an extraordinary site of pilgrimage. According to tradition, these 28 white marble steps are the very ones that Jesus ascended on the day of His judgment before Pontius Pilate, brought to Rome from Jerusalem by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, in the 4th century. Pilgrims often ascend the stairs on their knees in prayerful reverence.

We will begin our day by attending the Divine Liturgy at one of the Orthodox churches in Rome.

After a light brunch, you’ll have the chance to explore some of Rome’s most beloved and iconic landmarks—often referred to, with affection and humor, as the city's "tourist traps." These include the elegant Spanish Steps, a favorite gathering spot surrounded by fashionable boutiques and classic Roman charm; the Pantheon, an awe-inspiring architectural marvel from ancient Rome, remarkably preserved and still in use as a church today; the enchanting Trevi Fountain, where tossing a coin ensures your return to the Eternal City; and the lively Piazza Navona, once a Roman stadium and now a bustling square filled with street artists, fountains, and cafés.

In the afternoon, our journey into the early Christian past continues with a visit to the Catacombs of St. Priscilla, often referred to as the "Queen of the Catacombs." These ancient underground burial chambers, carved into the soft volcanic rock beneath the city, date back to the 2nd century and are among the most significant and well-preserved Christian catacombs in Rome. They are especially renowned for their remarkable frescoes, including what is believed to be the earliest known depiction of the Virgin Mary.

Rome is often called the "Eternal City." Historically, this nickname reflects the legacy of the capital of the greatest empire the world has ever known. Yet to frequent visitors, the term eternal may also hint at the seemingly endless time it would take to fully discover all of the city's countless treasures.

With that in mind, today we offer you the flexibility to take a day to rest, explore the places that have most inspired you personally, or dive deeper into the rich history and archaeology of ancient Rome.

For those eager to continue exploring, we suggest a journey through some of the city’s most spectacular ancient ruins. Begin with the Colosseum, the largest stadium of antiquity, a monumental amphitheater that once hosted up to 80,000 spectators for gladiatorial games and public spectacles. From there, continue to the heart of ancient Rome—the Roman Forum—a grand complex of temples, basilicas, and triumphal arches, including the Arch of Titus, commemorating the siege of Jerusalem, and the Arch of Septimius Severus, a testament to Rome’s imperial power.

To conclude the day, visit the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, located near the Forum. This early Christian basilica is dedicated to the beloved unmercenary healers, twin brothers known for offering medical care without accepting payment. The church preserves beautiful mosaics and offers a quiet spiritual space amidst the ruins of ancient Rome.

Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world, both in size and population. Yet despite its small dimensions, it holds immense spiritual, historical, and cultural significance as the residence of the Pope of Rome, once considered the most prominent among the five ancient Christian patriarchal sees, alongside Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.

What many may not know is that the Vatican stands on the site of an early Christian necropolis, where numerous martyrs of the faith were buried during the times of persecution under Roman rule. According to tradition, St. Peter the Apostle, martyred in Rome, was buried here, and over his tomb the great St. Peter’s Basilica was eventually built.

Today, St. Peter’s Basilica stands as one of the most magnificent and revered churches in the world—a masterpiece of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Its grandeur, both inside and out, defies adequate description. Beneath its marble floors lie the tombs of many popes and saints, including several recognized by the Orthodox Church.

In the afternoon, we will continue our pilgrimage with a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the four major basilicas of Rome and a site of profound significance. Built over the burial place of St. Paul the Apostle, known as the “Apostle to the Gentiles,” this basilica is a solemn and beautiful place of prayer, reflecting the enduring legacy of a man whose letters helped shape Christian theology and identity.

Following our visit, we will transfer to Naples, continuing our journey through the sacred and historical heart of Italy.

Our first major stop will be the Chapel of St. Januarius, located within the Naples Cathedral (Duomo). Here are kept the relics of St. Januarius, the first bishop of Naples and the city’s patron saint. Adjacent to the cathedral is the ancient Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte, one of the oldest surviving Christian baptisteries in the Western world, featuring remarkably preserved mosaics from the 4th and 5th centuries.

From the Cathedral, we will continue to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, considered one of the most important archaeological museums in the world. Spread over several floors, the museum houses a vast collection of artifacts from ancient Roman cities, including Pompeii and Herculaneum. Mosaics, frescoes, sculptures, household objects, and even preserved scrolls offer an extraordinary window into everyday life in the Roman Empire.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a short drive to Herculaneum, a lesser-known but equally captivating site compared to Pompeii. Buried under volcanic ash by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, Herculaneum is in many ways better preserved—with intact wooden beams, frescoes, and even food remnants giving a hauntingly vivid impression of ancient life. Unlike the larger, more crowded Pompeii, Herculaneum offers a quieter and more intimate experience.

We'll explore the remarkably well-preserved streets, villas, baths, and shops of this two-thousand-year-old Roman town, concluding with a visit to the small but fascinating Antiquarium, located right next to the ruins. This compact museum complements the site with valuable insights and additional artifacts discovered in and around Herculaneum.

This morning, we will transfer to the historic city of Salerno, where we will visit the magnificent Duomo (Cathedral of Salerno). This beautiful cathedral is renowned for housing the relics of the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, one of Christ’s twelve apostles and the author of the first Gospel. The cathedral itself is a stunning example of medieval architecture, with a richly decorated interior and a crypt that holds the sacred remains, drawing pilgrims from around the world.

After our visit to Salerno, we will embark on a scenic ferry ride along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to the charming town of Amalfi. Here, we will venerate the relics of St. Andrew the First-Called, the Apostle who was the brother of St. Peter and one of the earliest disciples of Christ. His relics were brought to Amalfi from Byzantium in 1206. The town itself, with its colorful buildings and stunning coastal views, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and spiritual significance.

Following our time in Amalfi, we will return by ferry to the mainland and continue our journey with a transfer to the city of Bari, located on the Adriatic coast.

Today we will begin our day with the Divine Liturgy in the city of St. Nicholas Bari. St. Nicholas became the patron saint of the city in 1087, when his relics were transferred from Myra in Lycia (modern-day southern Turkey), where he served as bishop during the 4th century. This important event is commemorated every year on May 9 (or May 22 according to the Julian calendar). For reasons not entirely clear, this feast day has become a major celebration in the Slavic Orthodox churches, and we hope to be present at the Basilica of St. Nicholas during these festive occasions, surrounded by our fellow believers from around the world.

The saint’s body lies in a crypt beneath the basilica named after him in Bari. To this day, countless miracles are attributed to St. Nicholas, including the annual phenomenon of the flowing of myrrh (also called “manna”) which is carefully collected each year by the rector of the cathedral in the presence of numerous clergy and faithful pilgrims. This sacred event continues to inspire devotion and wonder among those who witness it.

On our way back, we will visit the charming village of Alberobello, famous for its unique trulli—traditional dry-stone huts with conical roofs. This distinctive architectural style has been typical of the region for thousands of years and remains remarkably well preserved today, offering a fascinating glimpse into local history and culture. Overnight accommodations will be in the Bari area

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure back home. Departure airport: Bari International Airport-Karol Wojtyla (Airport code: BRI)