*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: Monday 8th September | From Manchester to Rome
Travel in comfort from Manchester Airport at approximately 10:15hrs. We will be landing in Rome at 13:55hrs, delays excluded. Our Joe Walsh Tours representative will be there to meet and greet us on arrival. Upon collecting our bags from the carousel, we will be
transferred by private coach to Santa Maria Maggiore – St. Mary Major, one of the four major Papal Basilicas in Rome and the largest Marian Church. Time for a short walking tour of the area followed by visit and Mass of this important Basilica.
Our next stop is the Hotel San Marco where we will be staying for the next 3 nights on a Half Board basis. Time to check in, dinner at the nearby restaurant Archi Romani (500mt away walking distance) and overnight.
DAY 2: Tuesday 9th September | St Peter Basilica, St Peter Square and the Holy Door
Today after breakfast our day will begin with a guided tour of the famous St Peter Basilica, St Peter Square and the Holy Door. St Peter Basilica is one of the holiest sites of Christianity and Catholic Tradition, and the burial site of its titular. Mass in St Peter Basilica time to be confirmed.
After such a full and interesting morning time for lunch before starting our walking tour of Rome main sites. We will be admiring the iconic Trevi Fountain, followed by the Spanish Steps and the former Roman temple “Pantheon”. Time to visit and have Mass in Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. This is the end of our day; we will be transferred to the hotel to get ready for dinner at the Archi Romani Restaurant and overnight.
DAY 3: Wednesday 10th September | Papal Audience
After a very early breakfast today we will spend the morning participating at 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. Time for lunch and refreshments.
Our afternoon will follow with the visit of St.John in the Lateran. The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran is the most important of the four major basilicas. It is considered the mother church of the Roman Catholic faithful.
The Colosseum will be next on our agenda. Another unmissable site of Rome. Time to take some pictures and for a walk around this beautiful amphitheatre. Dinner at the Archi Restaurant at the doorstep of the hotel and overnight. Mass will be organised
DAY 4: Thursday 11th September | Castel Gandolfo and the Papal Palace
Today after breakfast and check out time to leave Rome and head to “Castel Gandolfo”, or colloquially known as ‘Castelli Romani’. Situated about 25km from Rome, high in the Alban Hills with panoramic views of Lake Albano, the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo is listed as one of ‘The most beautiful villages of Italy’. The palace served as a summer residence and vacation retreat for the Pope.
We will start exploring this Apostolic Place with an orientation walking tour. The Palace is a 135-acre complex of buildings in a garden setting in the city if Castel Gandolfo, including the principal 17th Century villa, an observatory and a farmhouse. The Papal Palace has been a museum since October 2016. Time to check in the Villa Palazzola, Rocca di Papa, our accommodation for the next 2 nights on a Half Board Basis. Mass will be organised.
DAY 5: Friday 12th September | Palazzola
Today after a good breakfast we will be visiting the English Monastery and College in Palazzola. The Monastery is a Catholic Institution welcoming everyone. Originally founded as a Cistercian monastery, Palazzola is now owned by the Venerable English College, a seminary in Rome run by the Catholic Church in England and Wales. When the whole College visits Palazzola several times a year, it is not then available for bookings. This former Franciscan monastery, built on the site of a Roman villa, occupies a dramatically beautiful position above Lake Albano in the Alban Hills.
We will have a tour of the College and mass. Time for lunch and the rest of the day to visit Palazzola and what it has to offer in this rural blissful setting. Time to go back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6: Saturday 13th September | Assisi
After breakfast and check out our pilgrimage will continue on to Assisi, St Francis birthplace. On arrival in Assisi, we will visit and have mass in S. Maria degli Angeli where the Porziuncola, the cradle of the Franciscan Order 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. Time to check in the hotel Los Angeles for a relaxing evening for our last 2 nights on a Half Board Basis.
DAY 7: Sunday 14th September | 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, and amongst other relics on display, her long hair which was cut off by St. Francis during her religious profession, her habit and her cord belt. 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 ample time for lunch, to browse the shops and to walk through the quaint medieval streets savouring the atmosphere of Assisi. 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. Time for mass before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8: Monday 15th September | Travel back home
Today after breakfast and check out we will have the full day in Assisi before our evening flight back to Manchester. A free day that can be dedicated to personal prayers, shopping visiting Assisi’s hidden corners.
At around 16:00 -16:30 is our last and final transfer to Rome Ciampino Airport for our 21:30 flight back.
Mass will be organised.
