*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 – Arrival & Lower Assisi

Morning departure from London Gatwick Airport at 09:05hrs aboard EasyJet flight to Rome. We will be landing at approximately 12:45hrs. Our Joe Walsh Tours representative will be there to meet and greet us on arrival. (Please make sure to have snacks and food on the flight or before arrival)

Upon collecting our luggage from the carousel, we will be transferred by private coach to the Vatican, where we will enjoy a private guided tour with a certified guide of the beautiful St Peter’s Basilica and St Peter’s Square.

We will then travel to the beautiful hill town of Assisi (comfort stop along the way). The approximate arrival time is 20:00hrs, time to check in the Hotel Los Angels, where we will be staying for 2 nights on a Half Board basis. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 2 – Upper Assisi

This morning after breakfast, we will walk to the nearby S. Maria degli Angeli, where the Porziuncola, the cradle of the Franciscan Order is, and where the original community of brothers made their home is enshrined also, his cell, the famous rose garden and place where St. Francis departed this life. We will celebrate Mass here and have a guided tour from one of the seminars.

After this beautiful visit, we will be transferred by coach to Upper Assisi where we will spend our day on a walking tour beginning with the Basilica of St. Clare where we will see the original San Damiano cross. Next, we will be visiting the Sanctuary of the Renunciation the Church where Blessed Carlo Acutis remains are displayed and the place where it is renowned that St. Francis relinquished his wealthy lifestyle, cast off his rich clothes, choosing instead a torn patched up tunic and life of poverty.

There will be time for lunch, to browse the shops and to walk through the quaint medieval streets. Our walking tour of the town will conclude at the impressive 13th century Basilica of St. Francis, renowned as The Mother Church of The Franciscan Order. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3 – Assisi to San Giovanni Rotondo (with Loreto)

Today we will have an early departure and check out. We will board our coach and start traveling to San Giovanni Rotondo whilst visiting some of the significant places connected with St Francis on the journey to the south.

We will stop in Loreto, home to the Shrine of the Holy House of the Virgin Mary, one of the world’s most revered Marian pilgrimage sites. Visit the magnificent Basilica of the Holy House and enjoy time for prayer and reflection. Mass will be celebrated in Loreto.

Continue south through the picturesque Italian countryside. Our final stop will be San Giovanni Rotondo where we will check in the Centro di Spiritualita’, our accommodation for the next 4 nights on a Full Board Basis. After a full day traveling, dinner and overnight and times for prayers.

DAY 4 – San Giovanni Rotondo

Today after a full breakfast, we spend the full day in San Giovanni. After the morning Mass, visit to the English office where we hear about the extraordinary life of Padre Pio and the Capuchin Friary, the cell where Saint Pio lived and died, the crucifix before which he received the stigmata. One of the most beautiful shrines to see in San Giovanni Rotondo, the Old Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie or Our Lady of Grace. Plenty of time to for prayers and personal time at St Pio’s tomb.

Back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon we will have some free time, and we will visit Mary Pyle’s house the home of Mary Pyle, Padre Pio’s spiritual daughter and devoted helper, where she welcomed pilgrims, the poor and those in need. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5 – Monte Sant’Angelo 

Today we depart in total comfort to Monte Sant’Angelo, home to the sacred grotto where the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared in the 5th century. A long line of Saints and Popes have visited. This holy site to pray, including St. Francis of Assisi, St. Pio, and St. John Paul II. Mass in the Cave will be celebrated. Lunch (own arrangements), and free rest of the day in Sant’Angelo.

Our coach will collect us around 16:30 to bring us back to the hotel. Free evening, dinner and overnight.

DAY 6 – Free Day

Today it is a very personal, relaxing and free day. Pilgrims can take their time to revisit the Old Convent and the places closely associated with the life of Padre Pio, including his humble friary quarters and the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Time for personal prayer and reflection, followed by Mass.

Visit the Station of the Cross or else known as the Monumental Way Of the Cross. This monument consists of a forested path through a pine forest on the hillside above Santa Maria delle Grazie. There are 16 sculptures positioned in this area.

We suggest visiting part of the hospital ‘Casa Sollievo della sofferenza’. In his life, the Saint of Pietrelcina, Padre Pio, gave special welcome to those people who, like him, were sick or experiencing any kind of suffering. After a full day time to head back for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7 – Pietrelcina – Return Home

This morning we will have an early breakfast and check out, as we will be moving towards the last leg of our journey traveling to Pietrelcina. Walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio in his quaint little town and learn about his dream of becoming “a monk with a beard” and visit the family home where Padre Pio was born and the Church of Sant’Anna where he was baptised. Mass will be celebrated in Pietrelcina.

We then continue on to Naples airport where we will be getting our flight back to London Gatwick departing at 15:30hrs.

• Direct flight from London Gatwick to Rome and Naples to London Gatwick
• Coach transfers throughout the tour
• 2 Nights at Hotel Los Angeles, Assisi – Half Board
• 4 Nights at Centro di Spiritualita Padre Pio, San Giovanni – Half Board
• 1 x 15kg check-in bag

• Price per person based on two adults sharing rooms
• Single occupancy is available on request at a supplement of £35 per night
• Airport taxes, charges and airline related fees included
• Deposit of £350 is required at the time of booking
• Meals where not stated, in-flight catering and expenses of personal nature are not included
• Itinerary may be subject to change
• Mandatory travel insurance: £35 from 3 to 17 years; £49 from 18 to 50 years; £69 from 51 to 65 years; £89 from 66 to 79 years; £129 from 80 to 90 years (Pilgrims may opt out subject to providing proof of own insurance policy at the time of booking. Insurance charge cannot be refunded if cancelled at a later stage.)