10 Day Pilgrimage to Italy
Date
Activity Level
Moderate – High
Book By
Group Limit
40
Pilgrimage Overview
Come join Fr. Paul-Michael Piega, S.T.L., on a pilgrimage to the Eternal City….Rome, Italy! On this
pilgrimage, you will have the opportunity to experience the Christmas season in Italy, walk in the footsteps of
many of the saints, visit holy sites, receive spiritual guidance from Father Piega who lived in Rome for six
years, celebrate Mass with the Pope, grow in discipleship and of course, eat molto buono (very good) food! Come
and experience the beauty of our faith as we walk with Jesus in celebrating his birth and entering the New Year
of 2025 with the grace of God!
Register now to receive $100 discount. Expires 3/1/24.
Travel Insurance Group Name/ID: CA137
DAY 1
Departure
Our journey begins with our long flights across the Atlantic. We try to get some sleep as we anticipate the amazing journey that awaits us!
DAY 2
Arrive to Bari
Upon our arrival in Bari, we collect our bags and proceed through customs to meet our HLTC tour escort and driver. Our first stop is the Piazza Mercantile located right in the heart of “Old Bari.” The piazza has served as a gathering space for the citizens of Bari for over 700 years and is host to many restaurants and bars. After enjoying some time to stretch our legs and fill our stomachs we will continue with a tour of the nearby Cathedral Basilica of Bari. This magnificent structure was consecrated in 1292 AD but contains the ruins of its predecessor that date all the way back to the 6th century! Following our tour, we will celebrate our first Mass in Italy before continuing to our hotel to check in and freshen up. Later, we will enjoy a special Welcome Dinner before retiring to our rooms for some much-needed rest!
DAY 3
San Giovanni Rotondo
Our day begins with breakfast and check out from our hotel before we proceed to the Basilica of St. Nicolas. Here, we will celebrate Mass and experience a tour of the final resting place of St. Nicolas in the crypt below the basilica. Afterwards, we will break for lunch at one of the nearby restaurants before boarding our bus for the drive to San Giovanni Rotondo (2hrs). Once we’ve checked into our hotel, we will enjoy a few hours of free time before gathering for our dinner later in the evening.
DAY 4
San Giovanni Rotondo
Following breakfast at the hotel, we will tour Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, the hospital founded by Padre Pio and return to Santa Maria delle Grazie, to visit the church and confessional where Padre Pio committed himself to hours of listening to Confession as he was incredibly devoted to the sacrament. It was said that he could read souls, and pilgrims have long been known to leave tiny papers with intentions near his confessional. At this shrine, we will also see the incorrupt body of this great saint, along with his living quarters. Next, we will board the bus to travel along the beautiful area known as the Gargano Peninsula to Monte Sant’Angelo (grotto of St Michael) where St Michael is said to have appeared in the years 490, 492 & 493. Mass will be celebrated in the grotto this day. Lunch and free time in this charming and quaint area prior to returning to the hotel.
DAY 5
Rome
We begin the day with a big breakfast before checking out of our hotel and boarding our bus for the long journey to Rome (6hrs). A little over halfway through our drive (4hrs), we will stop at the historic Abbey of Monte Cassino. Here, we will celebrate Mass followed by a tour of the grounds before we eventually sit down to lunch in the town the Abbey overlooks. Continuing to Rome (2hrs), we make one more stop just outside the city at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Housing the Tomb of St. Paul, this magnificent structure is one of the four major basilicas of Rome and our time there will serve as a great introduction to our stay in the Eternal City. To close the day, we check in at our hotel with a group dinner to follow. Tonight, Rome will be alive with celebrations as residents and guests alike welcome the New Year!
DAY 6
Rome
On the first day of the new year, we participate in a truly special event – a Papal Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica! To ensure excellent placement, our group will breakfast early and depart the hotel with plenty of time to spare before the 10am Mass begins. Afterwards, we enjoy some free time for lunch before proceeding to visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the oldest basilica of the Western World. We then visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one the most important shrines in the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Finally, we return to our hotel to discuss the day over a shared dinner.
DAY 7
Rome
Our day begins with an exploration of Vatican City; starting with a tour of the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica. We will then discover the Vatican Museums which house many of the Western world’s most important collections of art. Our experience culminates in a visit to The Sistine Chapel, a place where our minds and hearts will surely linger for many years to come. After lunch, we will depart the Vatican to explore the Catacombs of St. Callixtus. Later, we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8
Rome
Today we enjoy a change of pace from the bustling streets of Rome by heading to nearby Assisi. Upon arrival, we will visit the Basilica of St. Francis, the upper Basilica with Giotto’s frescoes representing the life of St. Francis, then the lower Basilica and the Tomb of St. Francis. After lunch, we will transfer to the Convent of San Damiano, where St. Francis received his call to rebuild the Church and where St. Clare lived and died. Afterwards, we will proceed to the Basilica of St. Clare for a brief tour followed by Mass. We then make the drive back to Rome to enjoy a late dinner at our hotel together.
DAY 9
Rome
We begin the last day of our pilgrimage by celebrating Mass at Fr. Piega’s alma mater, the Pontifical North American College. Once Mass is concluded, the group will be given the balance of the day to explore Rome to their individual tastes. Those who wish will be invited to join Fr. Piega as he gives a guided tour of the grounds. The college is located just a short walk away from the Vatican as well as many of the most famous sites of ancient Rome. At the close of the day, the group will reconvene to enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of our pilgrimage.
DAY 10
Depart Rome
Setting out for home, we take with us cherished memories of a journey filled with love, faith and fellowship.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 4-5 Star Hotels
- Roundtrip Flights
- Air-conditioned Motor Coach
- Professional Licensed Tour Guide
- One Checked Bag
- Accommodations (based on double occupancy)
- Entrance Fees as per itinerary
- Meals (per itinerary)
-
Roundtrip Airport transfer to (AUS)*
Departing from St. Patrick Catholic Church in Hutto, TX
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Passport and Visas (Refer to the section below for Passports or Visas help)
- Gratuities
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend that all travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect themselves and their trip investment. Travel protection plans can provide coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical expenses and emergency evacuation/repatriation, trip delay, baggage delay, and more. Please go to the link below to learn more Click here for Travel Insurance Details.
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