Day 1: Monday 8th August
Sydney Airport
Depart Sydney on Thai Airways International (Airbus 340)
TG478 Economy Class.
Bangkok Airport
Change at Bangkok to Thai Airways International (Boeing 777)
TG940 Economy Class.
Day 2: Tuesday 9th August
Milan Airport
On arrival into Milan today we will meet our guide &
travel directly south to Florence,
the art capital of the world & home to superb churches, galleries & museums.
Florence
Before our arrival we will ascend the hill of Piazzale Michelangelo
to admire the view of this amazing city.
Hotel Donatello
We will stay in Florence overnight at the Hotel Donatello...
Hotel Castri
... & the Hotel Castri.
Due to the size of your group, two hotels will be used
during your stay in Florence.
The property you are staying in will be advised by your group leader
at the start of your pilgrimage tour.
Day 3: Wednesday 10th August
Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze
Set out this morning to visit the Academy of Fine Arts
containing many treasures including Michelangelo's statue of David.
Florence Cathedral
Also enter the awesome Duomo whose magnificent dome
was created by Brunelleschi.
Siena
Following our tour we travel to Siena, birth place of St. Catherine.
Basilica of San Domenico
While here we will visit the Basilica of St. Dominic;
Piazza del Campo
Stroll the Piazza del Campo...
House of St. Catherine of Siena
... before entering the Sanctuary of St. Catherine.
Assisi
Continuing on today we will come to the pilgrimage centre of Assisi
where St. Francis tended the poor & sick
& founded the Franciscan order.
Hotel Antonelli
We will stay in Assisi overnight at the Hotel Antonelli.
Day 4: Thursday 11th August
Assisian Walkway
This morning we will soak up the atmospheric sounds of chapel bells,
cobblestone footsteps & a tangible spirit of St. Francis
preserved within the walls of the holy town.
Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli
Begin our pilgrimage with a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels
on the plain where St. Francis spent most of his life.
Porziuncola
Here we will see the Portiuncola,
Thornless Rose Bush
the thornless rose bush,
the cave where the saint returned for prayer
& the chapel where he died in 1226.
Basilica di Santa Chiara
Onwards to the Upper Town to the Church of St. Clare
where we will kneel before the famous crucifix
from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis.
Tomb of St. Francis
Continuing on we enjoy a guided walking tour
through some of the town's highlights including:
Basilica of St. Francis housing the tomb of St. Francis (for Mass);
San Damiano
The quaint Church of St. Damiano...
The San Damiano Cross
... built on the site where
St. Francis heard the voice of Christ speaking through the crucifix
'go rebuild my church which you see is falling down'.
Eremo delle Carceri
The tour will culminate high up at the Hermitage (Eremo delle Carceri),
an oasis of peace & tranquility in the woods...
Cave of St. Francis
... built on the site of a simple cave where
St. Francis often withdrew to spend many hours in prayer.
The cave & Chapel of Our Lady are preserved in the Hermitage.
An opportunity also presents itself in the evening
to attend Vespers in the Church of St. Clare &
listen to the angelic voices of the Poor Clare nuns.
Day 5: Friday 12th August
Orvieto
We farewell Assisi & journey south to the quaint Umbrian town of Orvieto,
Orvieto Cathedral
place of the famous Eucharistic Miracle of 1263.
Rome
We will then continue on to Rome where we will
spend the following three nights.
Rome, the eternal city, is home for every wandering pilgrim.
Its vibrancy & beauty is written into the
monuments, artworks, cathedrals & basillicas
that await us on the pilgrim's journey.
From St. Peter's Square to the Vatican Museum,
from Michelangelo & Bernini to the underground catacombs,
Rome tells its amazing story through the ages.
Via del Corso
On arrival we will enjoy an orientation drive through the city
to our place of accommodation.
Remainder of the day at leisure
or perhaps wander down in groups to St. Peter's
to check out the awesome Basilica - larger than 3 football fields!
Cardinal Hotel St. Peter
We will stay in Rome at the Cardinal Hotel St. Peter.
Day 6: Saturday 13th August
St. Peter's Basilica
After a private mass at St. Peter's Basilica this morning...
Vatican Museums
... we will visit the Vatican Museums...
Sistine Chapel
& wander the spectacular chambers & halls leading to the Sistine Chapel
to view Michelangelo's masterpieces,
including the magnificent fresco of the Last Judgment.
St. Peter's Basilica
We continue through to the awe inspiring St. Peter's Basilica,
the largest church in the world for an informative guided visit.
Tomb of Pope John Paul II
Here too we will also come & pray before
the tomb of Pope John Paul II.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Continue by coach this afternoon to the impressive
St. Mary Major Bascilica.
Basilica of St John in Lateran
Onwards to the Basilica of St. John in Lateran (First Papal residence)...
Scala Sancta
... & the adjacent Holy Stairs
brought from Jerusalem to Rome in 326 AD by St. Helena
(as a favourite of pilgrims, these steps may only be ascended on the knees).
Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Visit then the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
with its extraordinary collection of relics from the Holy Land...
Shroud of Turin Replica
... including a full size replica of the Shroud of Turin.
Cardinal Hotel St. Peter
We will stay another night in Rome at the Cardinal Hotel St. Peter.
Day 7: Sunday 14th August
Catacombs of Rome
Journey out to the ancient Catacombs fora memorable guided tour
as we explore these underground burial tunnels
for Christians & Hebrews.
Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
Continue on to visit the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
for Mass as we give tribute to the Church's greatest evangelist.
Colosseum
We then travel back into central Rome, stopping at the Colosseum (outside view),
Circus Maximus
Circus Maximus...
Roman Forum
... & the Roman Forum.
A free afternoon to discover the sights of Rome
in small groups (optional).
Pantheon
Why not visit the Pantheon...
Trevi Fountain
... or the Trevi Fountain...
Piazza Navona
... & indulge in a gelato at the Piazza Navona.
Cardinal Hotel St. Peter
We will spend our final night in Rome at the Cardinal Hotel St. Peter.
Day 8: Monday 15th August
Rome Airport
This morning we will transfer to Rome airport
for our flight bound for the WYD host city of Madrid.
Madrid Airport
On arrival we will join the streams of young pilgrims
converging today on the World Youth Day host city &
our long awaited meeting with the youth of the world &
Pope Benedict XVI.
Welcome
Upon our arrival in Spain's capital, we will be welcomed & ushered
to our designated place of accommodation.
WYD Pilgrim's Bags
At this point we will receive our WYD pilgrim's bag
containing the WYD handbook, tourist guide, pilgrim pass, transport card &
all the information you need to get around Madrid &
participate in WYD events.
University Residence Lodgings
We will stay 7 nights in Madrid at University Residence Lodgings.
Day 9: Tuesday 16th August
Plaza del Sol
The city of Madrid has some amazing sites & attractions &
it will be alive with hundreds of thousands of young people
who have come for this great act of faith.
WYD Australian Gathering
Prepare for the greatest Aussie overseas youth gathering of all time!
Featuring music, prayer, multi media presentations &
various sharings in the company of over
3,000 pilgrims, priests & bishops combined.
Opening Mass
The WYD Opening Mass will be held in the afternoon at Cibeles Square.
Day 10: Wednesday 17th August
Cultural Program
Aside from the WYD main events,
many different activities will take place throughout the day
as part of the Cultural Program.
The program will include concerts, exhibits,
guided museum visits, plays, and much, much more.
Catechesis at the Palacio De Deportes
WYD participants, organized by language groups,
will have catechesis session with bishops from all over the world.
The sessions will take place in churches, schools,
auditoriums and sports centers of Madrid
Day 11: Thursday 18th August
Pope Arrives in Madrid
On Thursday afternoon, we will celebrate the Pope's arrival
as we welcome him in a huge celebration
which will live long in our memories.
Youth Festival
Featuring music, dance & dramatic performances from around the world
in small & large venues across the city.
Papal Welcome Ceremony
Welcoming ceremony in the evening for Pope Benedict XVI at Plaza de Cibeles.
Day 12: Friday 19th August
Catechesis
There will be opportunities for Catechesis, Daily Mass
& the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Youth Festival
Featuring music, dance & dramatic performances from around the world
in small & large venues across the city.
Via Crucis
The focus tonight is on the moving Way of the Cross
when we as young pilgrims will contemplate
the reality of Christ's passion & the call to true freedom.
Day 13: Saturday 20th August
Pilgrimage Walk To WYD Vigil
Today will begin the mass mobilization of pilgrims
along set walking paths through the city
as we converge on Cuatro Vientos,
the site chosen for the historic WYD gathering here in Madrid.
Preparatory Ceremony in Cuatro Vientos
An afternoon of concerts, performances & song will unfold
as we await the arrival of the Holy Father.
Evening Vigil With Pope Benedict XVI
This begins the main event!
Millions of young people together with the Pope -
a Summer evening of unforgettable atmosphere.
The celebrations continue all night
as we share in a global sleep out under the stars.
Day 14: Sunday 21st August
XXVI World Youth Day
As the sun rises we'll share in Morning Prayer,
breakfast & the climatic WYD Papal Mass
with the youth of the world.
Return Of Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Arrives At Cuatro Vientos Airport For Closing Ceremony.
WYD Final Mass With Pope Benedict XVI
Here the Pope will concelebrate Mass with thousands of bishops & priests,
addressing us & sending us out to the world to witness to our faith,
as the lord did with his Apostles.
At the end of the Mass, the Holy Father will announce
the place where the next edition of World Youth Day will be held.
Day 15: Monday 22nd August
Today we will transfer back to the airport
for our home bound flight connections to Australia.
Madrid to Palma de Mallorca
Depart Madrid on Air Berlin (Airbus A320)
AB7709 Economy Class.
Palma de Mallorca to Munich
Change at Palma de Mallorca to Air Berlin (Airbus A321)
AB9821 Economy Class.
Munich to Bangkok
Change at Munich to Thai Airways International (Boeing 747 400)
TG925 Economy Class.
Day 16: Tuesday 23rd August
Bangkok to Sydney
Change at Munich to Thai Airways International (Airbus A340 600)
TG475 Economy Class.
Day 17: Wednesday 24th August
Sydney
Land at Sydney Airport around 7:30 am on Wednesday morning.
