Italy of St. Augustine

Upon arrival in Milan, transfer to the hotel and settle in. Take an optional brief introductory walking tour, then toast the start of our journey during a welcome dinner later this evening.

After breakfast, embark on a tour of Milan’s famous basilicas. Begin with San Marco and San Simpliciano—both with a rich history dating back to Saints Ambrose and Augustine. At the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, dedicated to the 4th century bishop, marvel at the intricate façade with its two bell towers and the interior decorations, including the golden altar, to which we will enjoy special access. Conclude the day at the Basilica of Sant’Agostino, where we consider the connection between Augustine and Ambrose. Enjoy dinner on our own this evening.

Take a day trip outside the city to see two gems of Lombardy. Stop first in Monza to see the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie—the start and the end of the 14-day Saint Augustine Way—and the Duomo of Monza that houses the the famed Iron Crown. After lunch, travel farther north to Cassago Brianza, where we take a look at Augustine’s early life in Italy. Spend the afternoon in the town’s vast historical-archaeological park before returning to Milan. Tonight, sample seasonal springtime fare during a special vegetarian dinner that we enjoy in honor of St. Augustine, who observed a vegetarian diet.

Head south today to the city to Pavia, home to a number of important Augustinian sites. Begin with a tour of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro, which guards the Saint’s tomb. Then tour the nearby Basilica of San Michele Maggiore, where we are granted special access to rare ancient mosaics. Following lunch, embark on a walking tour to see the Basilica of San Teodoro, the Duomo of Pavia, and the Monastery of Santa Maria Teodora. On our way back to Milan, travel to Certosa di Pavia, a 14th-century monastery that serves as the burial place for Milan’s great 15th-century leaders.

Depart Milan this morning for our drive along the Po River Valley to the former capital of Byzantine culture in Italy, Ravenna. This afternoon, we view exceptional mosaics dating back to the city’s “golden age” in the 5th and 6th centuries. Visit the Basilica of San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Baptistery of Neon, and the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. We also make a quick pilgrimage to the tomb of Dante, who died here while in exile from his beloved Florence in 1321. Enjoy a fine dining experience this evening at one of Ravenna’s best restaurants, featuring the unique cuisine of the Romagna region.

Set out this morning for a drive through the Apennine Mountains into Tuscany. Upon arrival in Florence, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before embarking on a walking tour. See the Basilica of Santo Spirito and the Palazzo Pitti and wander through the galleries of the Uffizi, taking in its many Renaissance masterpieces, including works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. Check in to our hotel, located in the historic core of Florence, a one-minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio. Enjoy an evening and dinner at leisure.

After breakfast, head to the Chiesa di Ognissanti to admire Botticelli’s St. Augustine in His Study and to the Brancacci Chapel with its groundbreaking frescoes by Masaccio. Continue to the Church of Santa Felicita and Basilica of Santo Spirito, where a fresco cycle of St. Augustine’s life was recently made available to the public. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. In the evening, we are invited into one of Florence’s most opulent private Renaissance-era palaces, specially opened for us by the family. Tour the home before sitting down for a dinner of Florentine cuisine and Tuscan wines.

Journey south this morning through the Tuscan hills to Rome, stopping en route in San Gimignano. Take a walking tour through this quaint medieval town famed for its stunning medieval towers. In the Church of St. Augustine, we view the early-15th-century fresco cycle by Benozzo Gozzoli, probably the most important artwork ever created celebrating the saint. Afterward, head to a small, renowned family-run winery for lunch and a tasting of local products with our friendly hosts, one of the most prominent aristocratic families in Siena. Continue to Rome and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Begin the day with an exploration of Old Rome, the city’s historic medieval and renaissance districts. Visit the most important Augustinian center in the Eternal City—the Basilica of St. Augustine, where the saint’s mother Monica is now buried. Take in the church’s beautiful art masterpieces by Raphael and Caravaggio. Next, see the medieval church of the Santi Quattro Coronati. The convent there is still inhabited by Augustinian nuns. Stop for lunch to sample classic Roman dishes, like cacio e pepe and saltimbocca. This afternoon, we move between Rome’s remarkable early Christian churches, with histories that date back to St. Augustine’s time in the Eternal City. These include the little-visited Santo Stefano Rotondo, with its beautiful circular plan, as well as the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the home church of the Pope.

Venture outside the city to the ancient ruins of Ostia Antica. Explore the archaeological site and learn about the rich history of this port city located at the mouth of the Tiber River. Trace the route Augustine describes in his book, Confessions, and see the small church of Sant’Aurea where a chapel honors the saint’s mother Santa Monica, who died in this village in 387 while traveling back to Africa with Augustine.  Return to Rome in the late afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before gathering for a farewell dinner.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights returning home.