*Please note this pilgrimage involves a certain amount of walking and physical activity, such as stairs, standing for extended periods and walking on uneven surfaces; especially when visiting historical and religious sites. We kindly ask that you assess your comfort level with these activities before booking and travel with a companion that can provide assistance if required. If you have any mobility concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our team to discuss.
DAY 1: TRAVEL TO ROME
The Joe Walsh Tours representative will greet the group on arrival and travel to one of Rome’s four major Papal Basilicas, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, for a visit. Afterwards, the group will stop for lunch and check in at the beautiful 4-star Hotel della Conciliazione, where we will be spending the next five nights. Time permitting, we will end this very first day with a walking and orientation tour of the area before dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: ST PETER BASILICA
After breakfast we will have a morning guided tour of the famous St Peter Basilica, St Peter Square and the Holy Door. Mass will be celebrated in St Peter (time to be confirmed).
The Basilica is one of the holiest sites of Christianity and Catholic Tradition, it is traditionally the burial site of its titular, St. Peter, who was the head of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, the first Bishop of Antioch and later the first Bishop of Rome, rendering him the first Pope. After lunch in the area we will be visiting the renowned Vatican Museums (booking times tbc), enclave of Rome, which display works from the immense collection amassed by the Catholic Church and the papacy throughout the centuries. Free time before heading back to the hotel to enjoy the evening.
DAY 3: PAPAL AUDIENCE AND TOUR OF ROME
After a very early breakfast today we will spend the morning participating at the Papal Audience. Pilgrims and visitors will have the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal blessings or Apostolic blessings from the successor of the Apostle Peter during their visit. The Audience with the Pope consists of small teachings and readings mainly in Italian but also in English.
After such a full and interesting morning time for lunch before starting our walking tour of Rome main sites. We will be admiring the iconic Trevi Fountain, followed by the Spanish Steps and the former Roman temple “Pantheon”. Time to visit and have Mass in Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome.
DAY 4: CATACOMBS , COLOSSEUM AND FORMAN FORUM
After a good breakfast our day will bring us to a guided tour of the Catacombs of St. Callixtous. Located on the Appian Way, these once contained the tombs of several popes.
Our day will continue with a nice and leisurable walking tour around the Colosseum, the large amphitheatre that hosted events like gladiatorial games built as a gift to the Roman people.
Lunch in the Palatino-Colosseum area before heading to the Roman Forum also known by its Latin name ‘Forum Romanum’. A rectangular forum surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the centre of the city of Rome.
Time to head back to the hotel by coach.
DAY 5: BASILICAS
After breakfast today our day will follow with the visits of other two major Papal basilicas: the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, he second largest after St. Peter’s Basilica, and St John in the Lateran.
The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran is the most important of the four major basilicas. It is known as St John Lateran Archbasilica, as is it considered the mother church of the Roman Catholic faithful.
Time for lunch and free afternoon for shopping.
(Please do not hesitate to ask our Joe Walsh Tours representative for some suggestions and places to visit)
DAY 6: TRAVEL BACK
This is unfortunately our last day if this beautiful and insightful pilgrimage to Rome during this important Jubilee year.
After breakfast and check out we will be picked up from the hotel to go to the airport for our return flight home.
