Shrines of Italy
10 Days
Embark on a soul-enriching pilgrimage through the heart of Italy, Tracing the sacred footsteps of Saints in Rome, Assisi, Lanciano, Padre Pio and more...
What's Included
Roundtrip Airfare
Guided Tours
First Class Hotels
Deluxe Motor Coaches
Entrance Fees
Daily Breakfast & Dinner
Booking of daily mass where possible and when accompanied by a priest. Priest is provided by tour host and is subject to change due to availability,
Daily Itinerary
Depart from our local airport to begin our pilgrimage for Italy.
Arrival at FCO Rome Airport ,assist by a representative to the bus . Transfer to the hotel for dinner & overnight.
Today we visit St Peter basilica which gathers inside 2000 years of history and famous works of art such as the Pietà by Michelangelo, we will see the most impressive of edifices, galleries, and awe-inspiring relics. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to visit the Vatican museum to observe the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, and Michelangelo’s Masterpiece. Continue to other Basilicas of Rome’s Mary Major which contains relics from the manger of the Infant Jesus, The papal Arch basilica ,St. John in Lateran and the Holy stairs from Pontius Pilate’s palace of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. It is also said that this Staircase was brought to Rome by St. Helen in the 4th century. Dinner & overnight in Rome.
The tour begins with the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square! This Audience is celebrated each Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (subject to the holy father’s schedule). following the audience visit Vatican sop at the tomb of St. John Paul II. Afterward, we will enjoy free time for lunch on our own. We will then begin the short journey down the Appian Way, the earliest road of Ancient Rome. This road will lead to the Domino Quo Vadis Chapel, the Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Drusus, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and the catacombs of St. Callixtus. The day concludes with a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century, this Basilica is the place of Saint Paul the Apostle.
Today we will be transferred by bus to Montecasino. This one hour and forty-five minute (approximate) bus ride will be extremely scenic, as you pass through the Roman countryside that is known for its villas and vineyards. Throughout this bus ride, our tour escort will share very interesting information regarding the spiritual, historical, and cultural aspects of Italy. We will arrive in Montecasino, the principle monastery of the Benedictine Order, founded by Saint Benedict around 530 A.D. then we shall drive (approximately three hours) toward San Giovanni Rotunda, the hometown of Saint Padre Pio.
this morning we will see the places associated with Saint Pio. See his room, confessional and the Crucifix from which Saint Pio received the Stigmata. Visit the Grotto Michael the Archangel, a shrine consecrated by St. Michael. At this grotto, St. Michael appeared to a Bishop to assure him that his diocese would not be annihilated as he feared. Following the visit to this grotto, we will enjoy free time for lunch on their own and gaze at the breathtaking view of the ocean and surrounding countryside.
Today we will board the bus and head to Lanciano (approximately two hours). This Church is the site of the Eucharistic Miracle that occurred in the eighth century. At the time of the Miracle, there was a Brazilian monk who struggled with the belief in the real presence of The Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. During the time of Mass, the monk, with doubt in his voice, said the “Words of Consecration” and the bread turned into living flesh, and the wine transformed into live blood. Next we will drive toward Assisi (Approximately three hours), the hometown of St. Francis.
Today we explore the hilltop birthplace of St Francis. In the Crypt of St Francis Basilica laid the tomb of one of the most beloved saints of all the time, St Francis of Assisi. During the tour, we will have the opportunity to view a series of frescoes depicting his life, as well as, view a few of the saint’s possessions. next we will visit the Basilica of saint Clare and the Crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis.
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we will ride through the beautiful Umbrian mountains to Gubbio. Then we visit the town of Gubbio, which seems painted onto the hill, a succession of backdrops against which towers and houses stand out, surrounded by walls. Through the power of God, St. Francis freed the town from a terrible and fierce wolf that afflicted it. After lunch on our own we will continue to La Verna, the place where St. Francis received the stigmata in 1224. At the end of the daily tour transfer to Rome. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
After an early breakfast, we will leave by motor coach and transfer to FCO Rome airport for our return flights home.
*Occasionally local religious holidays, national days, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of visits or the missing of certain visit. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, however, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of places to be visited.
Departure Dates
Below prices are without airfare. Upon registration, you have the option to acquire airfare by selecting your preferred airport.
Sunday, Feb 9-18, 2025 | From $2,695 | |
Sunday, Oct 12-21, 2025 | From $2,795 | |
Sunday, Oct 12, 2025 | Without airfare (land only) $2,850 | |
Sunday, June 8, 2025 | Without airfare (land only) $2,750 | |
Sunday, Feb 9, 2025 | Without airfare (land only) $2750 |