Pope Benedict XVI announced last June that the Holy Shroud of Turin will be removed from its casket for a rare public display from April 10th until May 15th, 2010 at St. John the Baptist in Torino (Turin), Italy. The Shroud is a linen cloth believed to have been placed on Jesus at the time of his burial. According to the Torino tourist office, it became the property of Louis of Savoy in 1453 and was moved around Europe until it arrived in Turin in 1578.

Unlike the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," since 1694, the Shroud has been kept in the Chapel built between the apse of the Cathedral of Turin and the Royal Palace. The Shroud belonged to the House of Savoy until 1983, when it was given to the Episcopal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome. Since then, the cloth has gone on several displays attracting worshippers and curious people alike. Over two million visitors are expected in Turin in 2010 for this rare opportunity to see the Holy Shroud.

According to Felicity Long of Travel Weekly, "Faith tourism has blossomed in recent years into an $18 billion industry." The anticipated uptick in tourism will be welcomed throughout Torino and the region since the area's success in hosting the 2006 Winter Olympics.

With a mere six weeks in which to see this treasure, several U.S. based tour operators have designed special tours and packages around its display. Travelers and worshippers interested in catching a glimpse of history can start planning their trip by consulting the religious journeys and pilgrimages organized by leading specialty operators including:

Highlands Ranch Travel Vacations
206 Tours
Adriatic Travel Inc.
All Star Travel Inc.
Catholic Journeys
Peter's Way
Renaissance Pilgrimages

Tour operators will have a lot of clout in planning a visit to the Shroud itself; independent travelers will also be able to pre-book a visit to the Shroud starting December 2009 at www.sindone.org. Accordign to the site, "Reception facilities and posts for checking bookings will be set up in the Royal Gardens near the Rondò Rivella (crossroads of Corso Regina Margherita, Corso San Maurizio and Corso Regio Parco). As in 1998 and in 2000, there will be just one entrance. If pilgrims have not already booked, they will be able, subject to availability, to obtain an on-the-spot booking in Piazza Castello."

Pilgrims visiting Torino can also experience Piemonte's rich religious and artistic heritage by visiting sites such as the UNESCO World heritage designated Sacri Monti, groups of chapels and other architectural features created in the late 16th and 17th centuries and dedicated to different aspects of the Christian faith, and the 10th-century Sacra di San Michele (St. Michael's Abbey), often referred to as the symbolic monument of Piemonte.

Families should not miss a day at the Museum of Cinema, a fantastic collection of memorabilia and equipment from throughout Italy's long cinema history. Grab the kids and head straight to the wonderfully dramatic rotunda belonging to the landmark Mole Antonelliano tower, where you can recline to view films and many interactive displays.

Additionally, the city's famous Egyptian Museum has a fascinating collection of antiquities on display in another of Torino's beautiful buildings, where narrow stairs lead up and down to new discoveries.

Additional information on Turin and the Piemonte Region, located near to Milan for those flying in, is available at www.torinopiemonte.com.