DAY 1: Saturday 03rd October
Early morning departure from Birmingham Airport aboard the Jet2 flight scheduled for 07:15 hrs. You will be landing in Naples at approximately 11:15hrs, where we will be met by our Joe Walsh Tours representative. After collecting our luggage from the carousel, we will travel by private coach to San Giovanni Rotondo. During our transfer, ample opportunity to enjoy scenic views of the beautiful Italian countryside, as well as hearing some inspirational words of the early years of Francesco Forgione (the future Padre Pio). Stop en-route for some snacks/sandwiches (at your own expenses) at a service station before visiting 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.
Afterwards, we will continue our drive to San Giovanni Rotondo where we will check in at the Centro di Spiritualità, our accommodation for the next three nights on a full board basis.
DAY 2: Sunday 04th October
Today we will spend the full day in San Giovanni Rotondo. Our pilgrimage will take us to both the new and old Shrines, beginning with one of the most cherished places in San Giovanni Rotondo: the Old Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the beloved Church of Our Lady of Grace. This intimate and sacred space is where Padre Pio lived, prayed, and heard countless confessions, leaving an atmosphere still deeply marked by his presence.
We will also visit the Capuchin Friary, including the humble cell where Saint Pio lived and died, and the crucifix before which he received the stigmata—a profoundly moving moment in his spiritual journey.
Our day would not be complete without stopping at the tomb of St. Pio and visiting the English Office, where we will hear inspiring stories about the extraordinary life, faith, and miracles of Padre Pio. After a full and enriching day, we will return to the Centro di Spiritualità for dinner, a relaxing evening, and an overnight stay.
DAY 3: Monday 05th October
This morning, we journey to the nearby town of San Marco in Lamis, known for its charming atmosphere and lively local market. Our visit includes the historic Monastery of St. Matthew, a place rich with centuries of faith and tradition. Before arriving in San Marco, we will also pause at the Stations of the Cross, taking time for reflection and prayer.
After lunch, our pilgrimage continues to Monte Sant’Angelo, home to one of the most revered sanctuaries in Christendom. Here we will visit, and celebrate Mass in, the sacred Grotto Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel, the very place where the Archangel appeared in the fifth century.
Over the centuries, countless Saints and Popes have come to this holy cave to seek the Archangel’s protection and intercession, including St. Francis of Assisi, St. Pio, and St. John Paul II. Following our visit and Mass, we return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
DAY 4: Tuesday 06th October
This morning, after breakfast and check-out, we will depart San Giovanni and journey to the magnificent town of Sorrento, nestled amid the stunning beauty of the Amalfi Coast and infused with the timeless charm of Southern Italy.
Along the way, we will visit Herculaneum (optional for who wants to enter – entrance ticket not included £14), an extraordinary Roman town preserved by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Though smaller than Pompeii, Herculaneum’s unique burial conditions have kept many of its buildings, frescoes, and artifacts remarkably intact, offering a vivid window into ancient Roman life.
We will also enjoy a panoramic tour of Naples, taking in the city’s vibrant streets, historic squares, and breathtaking coastal views. Our day concludes with check-in at the 4 star Hotel Vesuvio, where we will stay for the next two nights on a Half Board basis, enjoying dinner and a relaxing evening in our comfortable accommodation.
DAY 5: Wednesday 07th October
After breakfast, we depart for a day excursion exploring one of Italy’s most important archaeological and spiritual sites. Our first stop is Pompeii, the ancient Roman city famously frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. A guided tour of the extensive archaeological site, walking among remarkably preserved ruins, streets, villas, and frescoes and a visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, a revered pilgrimage site known for its miraculous image of the Virgin Mary and a deep Marian devotion. (entrance ticket to Pompei not included – standard ticket £15.75)
Time for lunch and free time to relax, explore Sorrento’s charming old town, or enjoy a coffee by the sea before dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Central Hotel Sorrento.
DAY 6: Thursday 08th October
Today is the last day of this beautiful pilgrimage. We will have breakfast and check out before driving to Naples airport to catch out flight back to Manchester departing at 11:20am and landing at 13:25 giving everyone plenty of time to make their way home.
