*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.
Pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi and San Giovanni
DAY 1 – LONDON TO ROME
Today we will start the day by departing from London Stansted Airport at 13:35hrs aboard the Ryanair flight to Rome, landing at approximately 17:00hrs. After collecting our bags, our Joe Walsh Tours representative will be there to meet and greet us on arrival before being transferred by private coach to our accommodation, Casa Francesca Romana, a convent style guesthouse in Rome’s lively Trastevere district, where we will be staying here for the next three nights. It will then be time to check in and have dinner at the nearby hotel restaurant.
DAY 2 – VATICAN AND PAPAL AUDIENCE
After a very early breakfast, we will be picked up around 7am and transferred to St Peter Square where we will have the opportunity to participate to the Papal Audience. Pilgrims and visitors will have the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal blessings or Apostolic blessings. 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 there will be time for lunch before visiting the famous St Peter Basilica, St Peter Square and the Vatican area. St Peter Basilica is one of the holiest sites of Christianity and Catholic Tradition, and the burial site of its titular.
Following this we will be transferred to the other side of the river to visit the beautiful PapAl Basilica of St Mary Major (Mass will be celebrated here), which will be followed by a short and leisurely walking tour of the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. To finish off the day we will be transferred back to the hotel to enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening.
DAY 3 – ROME
After breakfast our day will bring us to both the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and St John in the Lateran where mass will be celebrated. The Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, is one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas, along with the basilicas of Saint John in the Lateran, Saint Peter’s, and Saint Mary Major.
There will then be time for lunch in one of the many café’s or restaurants in central Rome suggested from our experienced tour guide. After lunch we will start our walking tour of some of Rome most iconic landmarks. We will be admiring the Colosseum and the Roman Forums. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4 – ROME TO ASSISI
After a beautiful and insightful few days in Rome time to leave and head to Assisi, St. Francis Birthplace. On arrival in Assisi, we will check in the Domus Pacis, a serene retreat in Assisi only a few steps from the evocative Basilica of St Mary of the Angels and our accommodation for the next two nights.
After checking in and having some lunch, we will walk to 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. It will then be time to head back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5 – ASSISI
This morning our coach will take us 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, her habit, cord belt and her long hair which was cut off by St. Francis during her religious profession.
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 and chose instead a life of poverty.
There will be ample time for lunch, to browse the shops and to walk through the quaint medieval streets savouring the atmosphere of Assisi before 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.
We will then have mass before returning to our hotel.
DAY 6 – LANCIANO AND SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
Today after an early breakfast and check out we will travel to Lanciano before arriving to San Giovanni Rotondo. In the 8th Century, a Church in Lanciano was the location for the first and greatest Eucharistic miracle of the Catholic Church. Time to check in the Hotel Parco delle Rose where we will be spending the next 2 nights.
DAY 7 – SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
Today after a full breakfast we will 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 and the crucifix before he received the stigmata.
Time permitting, we will also visit part of the hospital ‘Casa Sollievo della sofferenza’. In his life, Padre Pio, gave special welcome to those people who, like him, were sick or experiencing any kind of suffering. He founded the hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza also known as “Home for Relief of the Suffering”, now welcomes many patients, being one of the best health cares.
DAY 8 – TRAVEL BACK
After breakfast and check out at 5.30am, we will travel to Naples airport for our flight back home departing at 12:05hrs. We hope you had a wonderful time.
