2008 Italy Tour September 26th - October 7th 2008

Day 5 Isle of Capri - Naples - Assisi This morning we will sail across the Mediterranean to 'Bella Napoli' From there we board our motorcoach snd drive through the streets of Naples up through Latium, on our way into the Umbrian hills and to the beautiful city of Assisi. The scenic route is a marvel of old castles and beautiful landscapes... The Latium region are hills and flatlands along the coastline. Latium has four very ancient volcanic distincts, where the craters of extinct volcanoes forming five lakes. Umbria.... "the most beautiful garden in all the world." according to Henry James. St. Benedict and St. Francis were both born and raised in Umbria. We make our way throught the hills marveling at the exquisite landscapes to the town of Assisi.

We arrive early to visit "Church of St. Mary of the Angels" Santa Maria degli Angeli is one of the largest sanctuaries of the Christian world, measuring 413 feet long, 213 feet wide and 246 feet high at the level of the 1680 cupola.. In the main basilica are frescoes by Appiani dating from 1757 and in the chapels are paintings from the 17th century by Pomarancio, Giorgetti, Sermei Salimbeni and the Zuccari brothers. Santa Maria degli Angeli is decorated exquisitely by artists from various periods of time. Above the main entrance is the fresco by Johann Friedrich Overbeck (1829) depicting St. Francis receiving from the Christ and the Virgin the indulgence, known as the "Pardon of Assisi". The sidewall on the right side displays pieces of two frescoes by a unknown artists from Umbria. The interior of the church is decorated in Gothic style with frescoes from the 14th and 15th century. The most incredible work is the 6 part fresco in the semicircular or "apse" of the church, painted by Ilario da Viterbo (1393).Above the rear entrance, is a fresco depicting the Crucifixion by Pietro Perugino.

After lunch, we will be welcomed by a guided tour through the City of Assisi...the city much loved by Saint Francis...... Mystical Assisi is a beautiful medieval town perched on Mount Subasio, overlooking a peaceful Umbrian landscape. Many shoppes and cafes as you wander through the streets of this mountain top village. Our tour will lead us to the 13th Century Basilica of Saint Francis, built above Saint Francis's grave and world recognized for its serene Giotto frescoes. Giotto began his apprenticeship with Cimabue between the ages of ten and fourteen. A trip to Rome presumably rounded off the young painter's training, after which he followed his master to what was at that time the largest "building site" in Italy, the church of San Francesco in Assisi. .          There, Cimabue was in charge of the decoration of the newly erected Upper Church. When he left Assisi to due to other obligations, several of his painters, including Giotto, stayed behind. Also, during this time, Roman srtists led by Jacopo Torriti, arrived in Assisi.At this point, there were several studio s of artists painting alongside each another. Shortly thereafter, Giotto became the independent leader of the workshop, and the Franciscan order had Giotto continues the work. The upper Basilica has a Latin cross plan, consisting of one nave, with four spans and a pentagonal apse (semicircle). The nave contains frescoes by Giotto as well as other Roman and Tuscan artists telling the story of the life of the Poverello d'Assisi, inspiration was the biography of Saint Francis written by St. Bonaventure. . Ten years years ago a disastrous earthquake seriously damaged the basilica of Saint Francis as well as historic Assisi. The famous frescoes by Giotto in the upper basilica have been unveiled to the public again after a painstaking restoration. These works are one of the many highlights of the trip...

Our hotel for the evening is Hotel il Castello Assisi....a medieval castle near Assisi. Built in the sixteenth century...This "castle now hotel" has kept intact all its unique characteristics: Made out of a beautiful sixteenth century home, Il Castello Hotel - this wonderful castle - has a privileged panoramic position in the green heart of Italy, the region Umbria. Some of them overlook a beautiful landscape, others on the village. A wonderful swimming pool with a garden is available in another part of the castle. Large medieval halls host the hotel`s restaurant which can contain up to 250 people for banquets and receptions; but there are private painstaking places for pleasant dinners for two persons with a wonderful atmosphere. The castle is an ideal place for relaxing holidays and smart meetings but to spend one`s weekends immersed in another age as well. Moreover, near the castle there is the smallest theatre in the world "La Concordia" which has been recently restored. After a wonderful day of art history through the "eyes" of the churches, we will dine "Umbrian style" this evening at Hotel il Castello Assisi. Day 6 Assisi - Ravenna - Padua - Venice

This morning we board our motorcoach drive just outside Ravenna where we will tour the Basilica of Saint Apollinaris in Classe with its exquisite mosaic work. . The church of Sant'Apollinare in Classe is situated in the small town of Classe, about 3 3/4 miles south of Ravenna, Like many Ravenna churches, it is known for its beautiful mosaics. . Sant'Apollinare Church was built in the 6th century. Inside is a central nave flanked by two aisles, the latter containing tombs of Ravenna archbishops. Sant'Apollinare Church was consecrated by Archbishop Maximian and dedicated to St. Apollinare, bishop of Ravenna. Two dozen marble columns line the church inside. .. The mosaics are beautiful in the colors of gold and turquoise, set against a background of huge birds nesting in bushes.. with Saint Apollinare standing in the center. Our journey continues.... to Padua, where we tour the Basilica of St Anthony as we make our way to the floating city of Venice.....

Ahhhh.............Magnificent Venice....... We arrive in Venice at the end of our 5th day and what a place we are staying. The Laguna Palace.... This is a really nice change in the middle of our trip to have some of the "home" ammenities we are used to... Martin planned it this way so that one could relax in a truely upscale "new to Italy" Italian contemporary design and atmosphere. The Laguna Palace is located on the Venice mainland.... It offers a magnificent panoramic view from the hotel which gives it such a romantic attraction..The hotel has 355 rooms and apartments that have been finished in a classy, contemporary fashion and offer all the latest technology like internet connection, air conditioning, Jacuzzi bathtub and satellite TV. What a relaxing base hotel for the next two days! There will be evening free time to socialize with your traveling companions, after we enjoy a wonderful dinner at Laguna Palace this evening..... A wonderful evening enjoying each others company and taking in the magnificent view of Venice from the Laguna Palace! Get a good nights sleep, as we are are off to tour Italy's " Floating City"...The City of Venice.....in the morning....

Any questions or comments? italy2008@fauxfinish.com