Join us on this 8-day pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year, the Holy Year in Rome and the Vatican city. The 4 major basilicas in Rome (St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Archbasilica of St John Lateran, Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and Basilica of St Mary Major) have a papal alter and a holy door that is opened only for the duration of the Holy Year, making this a very special year to embark on a pilgrimage here. Jesus was quoted saying "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me, will be saved" (Jn 10:9). Plenary indulgence can be gained by entering through the holy doors. On this pilgrimage, we will see a vast wealth of religious shrines, ancient and beautiful architecture, Renaissance exhibitions, sample exquisite food and good wine. In Rome, we experience the General Papal audience with Pope Francis (when he is in residence). Also, a guided visit to see the four major Basilicas of Rome. After Rome, we move onto San Giovanni where we see the Shrine of Padre Pio, his cell and where he said Mass. We finish our pilgrimage in Assisi, a historical city pervaded by the spirit of St. Francis, viewing the Basilica of St Francis and his tomb. We also visit Lanciano and have Mass at the site of the Eucharistic Miracle and visit the Shrine of St Rita in Cascia.
UK - Rome
Fly to Rome on our direct flight from London with easyJet (there is also an option to fly with Jet2 from Birmingham). Upon arrival in Rome, we are met by our local Tour Escort who will be with us throughout our pilgrimage. Transfer to our hotel. Private Mass, followed by free time and then evening dinner. Overnight here for 3 nights.
Rome - Papal Audience & St Peter’s Basilica & Walking through the Holy Door
After breakfast, we meet our tour escort in the hotel lobby and we leave the hotel for St Peter’s Basilica to attend the Papal Blessing in the Square (subject to the Holy Father being available). Free time for lunch and then afterwards we have a guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica, the largest of all the Catholic churches. We explore this wonderful basilica and the grounds and visit the Crypt and view the tombs of St Peter and recent Popes. We spend the rest of the afternoon here before returning to the hotel. Evening dinner.
Rome - Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls - Basilica of St Mary Major - Archbasilica of St John Lateran & Walking Through the Holy Doors
Today, after breakfast, we have a guided visit of the remaining three major basilicas in Rome; the Holy Doors will also be open in the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls, the Basilica of St Mary Major and the Archbasilica of St John Lateran. Firstly, the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls, the second largest church in Rome, which houses the tomb of St Paul kept under the main altar. Secondly the Basilica of St Mary Majors, which houses the true relics of the manger from Bethlehem in which Jesus was laid following his birth. Thirdly St Peters in Chains Basilica to view Michelangelo’s famous Statue of Moses and lastly St John Lateran, the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome which is the oldest, and the first among the four great "patriarchal" basilicas of Rome. Across the road from here we make a quick visit to the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa). According to tradition these are the steps our Lord walked up on his way to trial before Pontius Pilate. Return to our hotel. Evening dinner.
Rome - Lanciano - San Giovanni Rotondo
Breakfast in the hotel followed by check-out. Transfer to San Giovanni Rotondo. On the way we stop in Lanciano, which is known for the first recorded Catholic Eucharistic Miracle. Around the time the miracle took place, there was a Basilian monk who doubted it until during Mass when he witnessed bread and wine transformed into physical flesh and blood. We have private Mass at the Convent/Church of St Francis which was built on top of the antique Church of St. Longinus (this is the site of the Eucharistic Miracle). After Mass we continue our journey to San Giovanni Rotondo. Check-in followed by dinner. Overnight here for 2 nights.
San Giovanni Rotondo (St Padre Pio)
After breakfast, we visit The Shrine of St Pio, the second most visited Shrine in the world (second only to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico). Here we visit Santa Maria Delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace) where St Pio’s Tomb is kept and on view in the crypt; his Cell; his Confessional from where he performed so many of his miracles, and the choir loft where he received his Sacred Stigmata in 1918 - he suffered from these wounds until his death on September 23, 1968. His well-preserved personal belongings can be viewed here including thousands of letters he received for just one year displayed on the wall. Private Mass followed by stations of the Cross. Free time in the afternoon. Return to the hotel for evening dinner.
San Giovanni - St Michaels Cave - Cascia - Perugia (near Assisi)
After breakfast we check out and then Private Mass at St Michael’s Cave. We have free time to view the Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel and see St Michael’s Cave where the Angels appeared three times in the years 490, 492 and 1656. Transfer to our hotel in Perugia (near Assisi). On the way we stop to view the Shrine of St Rita in Cascia. Pope Leo XIII canonised St Rita in 1900 and she was bestowed the title "Patroness of Impossible Causes." We have free time to look around this stunning church and location. We continue our journey and upon arrival at the hotel, we check in for 2 nights. Evening dinner.
Assisi
After breakfast, we will have a guided tour, firstly to the church of St. Clare which houses her incorrupt body. One of the chapels here contains the crucifix that bowed its head and ordered St. Francis to “repair God’s Church”. Afterwards, we visit St. Mary Major Parish in Assisi, also known as the Shrine of the Renunciation, which refers to the time when St. Francis stripped himself of his clothing in front of his father as a way of renouncing his wealth. Blessed Carlo Acutis’ tomb currently resides here (in July 24); Carlo Acutis, who had a passion for computers and the Eucharist, died at the young age of 15 in 2006 from leukemia and his Canonisation Ceremony will be Sun 27th April 2025. We will then tour the Basilica of St. Francis, built in 1228 to house the Relics of the saint. The “upper” basilica houses beautiful frescoes of Giotto. We will have Mass in the church of St Francis. We then drive to the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, The “Porziuncola”, the very ancient chapel, venerated for an apparition of angels within it, and which was originally the property of the Benedictines of Subasio. It was located on a piece of land known as the Portiuncula; this name became attached to the chapel. After a long period of abandonment, it was restored by St. Francis. Here he was given a clear understanding of his vocation. He founded here the Order of Friars Minor (1209), "establishing here his home". Return to the hotel for evening dinner.
Perugia (near Assisi) - UK
Early breakfast in the hotel followed by check-out. Transfer to Rome for our direct flight back to the UK (easyJet to London Gatwick or Jet2 to Birmingham).
The booking deadline at this price is 14/02/2025. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £400 with your completed booking form will confirm your place on this tour. The final balance is due 2 months prior to the departure date.
We’ll mail your travel pack around two weeks before travelling, including your flight information, boarding passes (if applicable), general information booklet, hymn and prayer booklets, name badge, lanyard and luggage label.
All Saints Travel is an ATOL licence holder (no. 6049). In the very unlikely event of company insolvency, you are guaranteed a refund and repatriation back to the UK through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Air Travel Trust Fund (ATTF). Please visit www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection for further information.
It’s your responsibility to ensure you have a passport with at least 6 months validity remaining from the date of return, in addition to any visas required to travel to the relevant countries. Please call us on 01793 881166 for further information.
For the latest travel advice please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
While people of all ages are invited to travel on this tour, a reasonable level of fitness is required in order to keep pace with the group. There may be extended periods of standing and walking on hard surfaces.
It’s compulsory to have adequate travel insurance for your journey. When booking with us we can refer you to Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd, or you can buy your insurance independently.
