DAY 1
We depart from Dublin Airport for our flight to Milan. On arrival we will be met by our Joe Walsh Tours guide. Coach transfer to Padua where we check into Casa de Pellegrino Hotel where we will stay for three nights with breakfast and dinner each day.
Padua is one of the prettiest cities in Europe, probably most famous for its Franciscan monk, St. Anthony. Born in Lisbon in 1195, Anthony became a hermit and lived in seclusion and contemplation until 1222 when he gave an improvised sermon. Anthony continued to preach to the crowds and people were astonished by his great gift of preaching the gospels and teaching of the Catholic faith. Anthony worked himself to death at the age of only thirty-six years. Due to the abundance of miracles after his death he was recognised immediately as a saint and canonised less than a year later.
DAY 2
This morning we walk to the nearby Basilica of St. Anthony, built in 1200 in his honour. Many pilgrims write their prayers and petitions and place them on St. Anthony’s tomb in the Basilica. During our stay in Padua, we will see the Prato della Valle and its famous market. The Prato della Valle, the largest square in Italy and one of the largest in Europe, is an elliptical square surrounded by a small canal and is particularly beautiful by night. We visit the Basilica di Santa Giustina overlooking the Prato. This beautiful Basilica, with its side chapels and frescoes, houses the tombs of several saints as well as the relics of St. Luke the Evangelist and St. Mathias, also known as the Twelfth Apostle.
DAY 3
Today there is an option to visit Venice (payable locally). Venice, a fascinating and unique city, was built on one hundred and seventeen islands. This great maritime republic was the richest city in the world in the fifteenth century. We can witness the results of this wealth at St. Mark’s Square with the Doges Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. St. Mark’s Basilica is unique for both its wealth of history and its magnificent façade and interior. There will be free time to take in the splendours of this beautiful city, from Piazza San Marco to the Grand Canal, which is crossed by the famous bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge. There will be time to stroll along the narrow streets to admire the Murano glass and Venetian carnival masks. There is also the option to take a gondola ride up to the famous Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge.
DAY 4
Today we depart for Lake Garda. On the way we will visit the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona. The shrine is one of the most inspiring places of prayer in the world with its breathtaking position on the cliffs of Monte Baldo. We continue by coach to Torbole on Lake Garda and check into our hotel the 4 star Piccolo Mondo, where we will stay for the next three nights with breakfast and evening meal each day.
DAY 5
Breakfast will be served in the hotel. Today will be a free day for shopping or more sightseeing of your choice. You could take a trip to nearby Verona or just relax by the lake. Evening meal will be served in the hotel.
DAY 6
Breakfast will be served in the hotel. Today we will have an optional boat tour on Lake Garda visiting some of the beautiful towns around the lake (payable locally). Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7
Breakfast will be served in the hotel. Today will be a free day for shopping or more sightseeing of your choice. Evening meal will be served in the hotel.
DAY 8
Breakfast will be served in the hotel. We will then be transferred to Venice airport for our return flight to Dublin.*Pease note, this is a sample itinerary and may be subject to change.
