DAY 1: Friday 16th May – Flight from Dublin to Venice
Depart Manchester Airport in comfort with the 08:00hrs morning flight to Venice. We will be landing at approximately 11:30 with the full day ahead of us.
Our Joe Walsh Tour representative will be there to meet and greet us on arrival and, upon collecting our bags from the carousel, we will start our journey to the north side of the beautiful Lake Garda.
Lunch on the way before heading to the Hotel Piccolo Mondo in Torbole, where we will be staying for the next 4 nights on a Half Board basis.
Time to check in, relax and dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: Saturday 17th May – Optional boat tour of Lake Garda
After Breakfast there will be an optional boat tour of Lake Garda (to be paid locally) and visit to Limone. Enjoy this 1h30mins boat tour with breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. We will be dropped and picked up at Limone sul Garda, a small village in the northwestern part of Lake Garda.
Famous for its “Limonaie”, where you can admire the various types of citrus fruits grown, its fine olive oil, thanks to the numerous olive groves and for the longevity of its inhabitants. Mass to be confirmed in a local church. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
DAY 3: Sunday 18th May – Dolomites Alps
Today we will spend the day admiring the beauty and peace of the Dolomites Alps, a Unesco Heritage Mountain range. We will go up as far as the Pardoi Pass, located between the Sella group and the Marmolada at an altitude of 2,239meters. We will also make a short stop at the Ortisei village in the Val Gardena on the way back to the Hotel. This village is one of the most popular tourist destination in South Tyrol because of its unique beautiful location and the hospitality of its inhabitants. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Mass will be organised locally.
DAY 4: Monday 19th May – Riva del Garda
After a good breakfast today, we will have the full day trip to Riva del Garda. A favourite destination for those who love sports but not only, Riva del Garda also boasts a long history, which has given us many places of artistic interest such as fortifications, religious architecture and museums. We will move with local transport and Mass will be arranged in a local church. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: Tuesday 20th May – Padua
Today after breakfast and check out from the hotel we will continue to the next part of our Pilgrimage and travel to the city of Padua. We will be departing around 09:00am admiring one more time the beautiful landscape, the huge mountain peaks and the blooming nature, before visiting the amazing Shrine of ‘Our Lady of the Crown’.
This is a favourite destination of thousands of pilgrims looking for reconciliation or simply to experience a moment of intense peace. Visit and Mass. Stop for lunch.
On arrival in Padua time for check-in at the Casa del Pellegrino, our base for the next three nights on Half Board basis. In the afternoon we will have a guided visit of the Basilica of Saint Anthony. This beautiful Romanesque Church is one the most visited sanctuaries in Italy, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of ‘Lost articles’.
DAY 6: Wednesday 21st May – Padua
Today it is time to discover Padua and have some walking tours after celebrating mass in the Basilica of St Anthony. Starting with Prato della Valle, one of the largest squares in Europe and its famous market. A large outdoor market where you can find just about everything: from clothing to plants and flowers, but especially local produces. Lunch before continuing to explore Padua’s highlights and historical sites, such as the Basilica of Saint Giustina. Time to go back to the hotel for dinner and overnight in the hotel.
DAY 7: Thursday 22nd May – Mass at the Sanctuary of St.Leopold Mandic
Today after breakfast we will be picked up at 08:30hrs and transferred by coach to visit and have Mass in St.Leopold Mandic. The church of the Capuchin friars of Padua, now better known as the Sanctuary of St. Leopold Mandić, built in the 16th century. Almost completely destroyed in World War II, it was later rebuilt.
At 10:00hrs until 16:30 there will be an optional excursion to Venice to be paid locally or free time to explore Padua e.g. the Scrovegni Chapel, Botanic Gardens, Shopping and so on. (**please note the attractions would have to be booked individually and ahead of time).
After a full day dinner and overnight at la Casa del Pellegrino.
DAY 8: Friday 23rd May – Flight back to Manchester
Today is unfortunately the last day of our Italian pilgrimage. After breakfast and check out we will be collected at about 08:30hrs in the morning to catch our flight departing at 12:15hrs from Venice airport to Manchester.
