Faith Based Travel - Spiritual Highlights of Italy
From $2,089.00 CAD
About Rome, Italy
For more than 50 years, Cosmos has offered value-minded travellers the most affordable travel packages to the world’s most fascinating places. Now, you can also make your dream of an enriching and engaging faith-based vacation an amazing reality with Cosmos value-based religious pilgrimages to Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Israel, and Oberammergau, Germany.
On this inspirational tour, you’ll have the opportunity to attend the Papal Audience, learn about some of Italy’s beloved Saints, and attend Mass. Learn about St. Pio of Pietrelcina, a modern-day saint; visit the Shrine of Monte Sant’Angelo; see the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano; reflect in the Holy House of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Loreto; and visit the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare in Assisi. Italy is a must for Catholic travelers and art lovers.
Cosmos Small-Group Discovery
Each Cosmos faith-based vacation is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted vacation, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
Inclusions & Higlights
The tour includes:
- Nighly accomodations in 3 and 4 star hotels. 4 nights in Rome; 2 nights in Assisi; 2 nights in San Giovanni Rotondo
- Daily Breakfast
- 4 dinners
- Touring by private, first-class,
air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi
Highlights include:
- Papal Audience and Blessing ( subject to availability)
- Daily Mass
- Scala Sancta - Holy Stairs
- Tour Papal Summer Residence
- Evening Candlelight Procession San Goianni Rotondo
- Assisi - St. Francis Basilica
Itinerary:
DAY 1 ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY
Welcome to Italy! Check into your hotel, with rest of the day free to explore on your own. This afternoon, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers, and prepare for your upcoming spiritual journey. Later this evening, a welcome dinner awaits at your hotel. Dinner
DAY 2 ROME
This morning, attend the Papal Audience (subject to availability) for the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal Blessing. Later, with a Local Guide visit St. Paul Outside the Walls, burial place of St. Paul the Apostle and one of Rome’s four major Papal basilicas, along with St. John Lateran Basilica. Next, visit the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs), transported from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 AD by St. Helena, Emperor Constantine’s mother. These 28 marble steps are traditionally ascended in a kneeling position with a prayer recital dedicated to Jesus Christ. Then, visit the impressive St. Mary Major Basilica and attend Mass. Breakfast
DAY 3 ROME. EXCURSION TO CASTEL GANDOLFO
A different, quite unique experience is offered today. We will take an included excursion to Castel Gandolfo, a quaint village in the hills outside Rome, to visit the Papal Summer Residence and Gardens with a Local Guide. Visit the rooms that have been occupied by many Popes over the centuries and enjoy the opportunity to reflect and meditate in quiet and relaxing surroundings. In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure in Rome or join the optional excursion to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo’s impressive fresco, The Last Judgment. Breakfast
Today's Distance: 50 mi / 80 km
DAY 4 ROME–PIETRELCINA–SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
On your way south, stop in quaint Pietrelcina, to visit the house where the beloved St. Pio was born, before heading towards San Giovanni Rotondo on the east coast, the Saint’s home from 1916 until his death in 1968. Breakfast Dinner
Today's Distance: 258 mi / 415 km
DAY 5 SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO. EXCURSION TO MONTE SANT’ANGELO
Attend Mass this morning at Santa Maria delle Grazie (Old Church), then visit the friary of Padre Pio, including his tomb, cell, confessional, and the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church (New Church). Afterwards, take a short drive to the nearby Shrine of Monte Sant’Angelo, one of Christendom’s most celebrated shrines, where St. Michael the Archangel appeared in 490, 492, and 1656. Tonight, attend the evening candlelight procession in San Giovanni Rotondo. This evening, attend the candlelight procession. Breakfast Dinner
Today's Distance: 43 mi / 70 km
DAY 6 SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO–LANCIANO–LORETO–ASSISI AREA
Visit St. Francis’ Church in Lanciano, home of the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle, and attend morning Mass. Continue to the Sanctuary of Loreto, including the Holy House, where, according to tradition, angels transported the home of the blessed Virgin Mary. Arrive at the hilltop village of Assisi, home of St. Francis and St. Clare. Breakfast Dinner
Today's Distance: 298 mi / 480 km
DAY 7 ASSISI
Today, learn more about St. Francis, patron saint of animals and the environment. Attend early morning Mass at St. Francis Basilica, famous for its 14th-century Giotto paintings depicting the life of St. Francis. Meet your Local Guide and visit the Upper and Lower Basilicas of St. Francis and the Basilica of St. Clare, founder of the Order of Poor Clares. Next, visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, situated at the foot of Assisi’s hills and protecting the Porziuncola, where St. Francis is said to have founded the Order of Friars Minor in 1209, and the Cappella del Transito, where the saint died in 1226. Breakfast
DAY 8 ASSISI AREA–CASCIA–ROME
Travel to Cascia this morning, situated in Umbria and home of St. Rita, the “Patron Saint of Impossible Causes.” Visit the Sanctuary and see the Major Basilica, the chapel that houses the tomb of St. Rita. Also, see the Minor Basilica, home of the Eucharistic Miracle that is commemorated each year with the Feast of Corpus Christi. Return to Rome for a final overnight stay. Breakfast
Today's Distance: 149 mi / 240 km
DAY 9 ROME
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
CONTACT YOUR TRENT TRAVEL AGENT FOR DATES AND PRICING
Tours begin this fall 2021 and continue into 2022 and 2023.