DAY 1: Thursday 08th October – Depart from London Gatwick to Rome
We depart in total comfort from London Gatwick Airport at 08:50hrs on board EasyJet flight. We will be arriving in Rome at approximately 12:30hrs, with the full day ahead of us.
Our Joe Walsh Tours representative will meet us on arrival and, upon collecting our bags from the carousel, we will be transferred by private coach to Santa Maria Maggiore – S. Mary Major area. Time for lunch, in one of the many local cafes’ or Bistrot’s, suggested from our experienced tour guide (at your own expenses), before starting an orientation walking tour of the area,followed by the visit and Mass of St. Mary Major, one of the four major Papal Basilicas in Rome.
After a first full day, transfer to Santa Maria alle Fornaci, located in one of the most beautiful and quiet areas of Rome, adjacent to the walls of Vatican City, just a short walk from Roma San Pietro railway station. This will be our our accommodation for the next three nights on a Half Board basis.
Time to check in, dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: Friday 09th October – Vatican Area – Rome
Today after a nice breakfast we will begin our day with a truly special experience.
We will be spending our morning in the Vatican area, exploring St Peter’s Basilica and its grottoes, followed by mass and a walk in St Peter Square. Time for lunch.
In the afternoon we will be walking around the most famous attractions, from the Spanish Steps, we will visit S.Andrea delle Fratte (miraculous medal), followed by the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the church of the Jesuite(Gesu’ church).Our last stop will be Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome.
Time for dinner and overnight back at the hotel.
DAY 3: Saturday 10th October – Major Papal Basilicas – Shrine of the Tree Fontane – St Paul Martyrdom
Today, after breakfast, we will visit the remaining two of Rome’s four major Papal Basilicas. Starting with the beautiful Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls. This majestic basilica is built over the burial site of St. Paul the Apostle, who was martyred in Rome around 67 AD. It is one of the four major basilicas of Rome, alongside St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran,
and St. Mary Major. Time to move on to visit the Shrine of the Tre Fontane and St Paul Martyrdom. This church enshrines the three springs and commemorates his martyrdom.
Time to take our coach and move to St John’s Lateran area for lunch and refreshments in one of the many local Café’s and Bistrot. In the afternoon we will keep visiting the Major Papal Basilica of St John in the Lateran, where we will celebrate mass. After a full and insightful day, time to head back to the hotel for our last dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: Sunday 11th October – Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) – Travel back home
Today is the last day of this short but meaningful pilgrimage. Time for a relaxing breakfast and check out.
Our day will proceed with a walking tour of Rome main sites.
We will start with the visit of the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs), 28 marble steps traditionally believed to be the steps Jesus climbed in Jerusalem. We will visit after the Basilica of San Clemente followed by the Colosseum, Rome’s iconic amphitheatre (from the outside).
Our walk will bring us to admire the Arch of Constantine, the Roman Forums strolling through the ruins of ancient temples and the Palatine Hill.
Time for lunch before visiting and celebrating mass in the Basilica of Santa Prassede.
We will then board our coach and head to the airport for our evening flight departing at 19:55 back to London Gatwick.