As we enter the Jubilee Year of St Francis of Assisi in 2026, we are invited into more than remembrance. This is a moment to step closer to the spirit that shaped his life and continues to speak to ours today. In a world that often feels hurried, divided, and burdened by excess, the witness of St Francis offers a different way forward, one rooted in peace, simplicity, and care for all creation.
This Jubilee is an open invitation. It calls each of us, wherever we are, to rediscover what it means to live with purpose and compassion. Whether through small acts of kindness, a renewed commitment to faith, or a deeper respect for the natural world, every step taken in this spirit reflects the legacy St Francis left behind.
You do not need to change everything at once. Begin where you are. Choose generosity over indifference, presence over distraction, and humility over pride. In doing so, you join a wider community of people seeking to live differently, guided by the same quiet strength that defined St Francis himself.
Let this Jubilee Year be a time of renewal. A time to listen more closely, to give more freely, and to walk, even in small ways, along a path that leads toward peace.
To follow the steps of St Francis of Assisi is to choose a life shaped by simplicity, humility, and quiet courage. His example does not call for grand gestures, but for small, consistent acts of compassion and faith. He lived with little, not because he had to, but because he believed that letting go of excess made room for what truly mattered: love, service, and a deep connection to both God and the natural world.
This path asks us to slow down and notice. To care for others without expecting recognition. To treat every person, creature, and moment as something worthy of respect. It is not always easy. It often goes against the pace and priorities of modern life. Yet, in choosing simplicity over excess and kindness over indifference, we begin to reflect the same quiet strength that defined St Francis himself.
London - Assisi - Basilica of St Francis, St Clare and St Carlo Acutis’ Tomb
Fly direct from London Stansted to San Francesco d’Assisi Airport in Perugia. Upon our arrival we will be met by our local guide and coach. We will take advantage of our early arrival time and first tour the Basilica of St Clare in Assisi, built between 1850 - 1872 AD, which houses the incorrupt body of St. Clare in the crypt. We can also view the relics of both St Clare and St Francis including garments worn by them. At one of the chapels, we also view the replica (the original is in San Damiano’s Church) of the famous crucifix that spoke to St Francis asking him to repair his church. We then walk towards the centre of Assisi, visiting the Church of St Mary Major, 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 to symbolise the renouncing of his wealth. Here we view the tomb of St Carlo Acutis who was recently canonised in September 2025. He was one of the youngest saints in the history of the Catholic church. We then break for lunch in the area; there are many restaurants and cafes to choose from in Assisi. After we regroup, we will finish our guided tour of Assisi at the Basilica of St Francis, built between 1228 - 1253 AD. This wonderful basilica houses the tomb of Saint Francis and stands as the mother church of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. The complex is a masterpiece of medieval art and architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. The upper basilica houses beautiful frescoes of Giotto. The spiritual heart of the basilica is on the lower level. Here we will view the mortal remains of St Francis in a simple stone tomb, surrounded by the tombs of his closest companions. Mass here. Please note that this is a silent visit for prayer and veneration of St Francis. After our day of touring, we return to our coach then proceed to our hotel for check-in, evening dinner and some well-earned rest.
Gubbio - St Damiano
In the morning, we will have an early breakfast before taking our coach on a one-hour drive northward to Gubbio. This charming town is located along the foot of Mount Ingino. Upon arrival we will drive straight to the summit to visit the Basilica of St Ubaldo, where the patron saint of Gubbio’s miraculously preserved body is kept. Mass here. Afterwards we drive to the town centre and tour the area. St Francis lived here around 1220 AD and is where he famously tamed a wolf who terrorised the locals. Hearing of this danger he decided to act, but not with violence. He talked to the wolf calmly and who then agreed to make peace with the inhabitants on the basis that “thou shalt be fed everyday”. Lunch break here. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from and is the best place to buy your local produce to take home with you. We travel back to Assisi and visit St Damiano’s Church along the way. This is a very special place for St Francis as he prayed alone before a large painted crucifix and had a profound spiritual experience: Jesus spoke to him from the crucifix and said “Francis, go and repair my house, which, as you see, is falling into ruin”. Return to our hotel for dinner.
Tuscany - Mt La Verna
A pilgrimage to La Verna is one of the most powerful ways to connect with the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi. Here in 1224 AD, he received the stigmata, making it one of the holiest Franciscan sites in the world. The Sanctuary stands in the heart of the Casentino Forests, a beautiful setting chosen by St Francis, surrounded by dense forests, cliffs, and silence - an ideal place for prayer and reflection. Here we first visit the Chapel of Stigmata built on the exact spot where St Francis received the Wounds of Christ; then Sasso Spicco, a dramatic overhanging rock where he prayed in solitude; the Basilica & Friary which are home to relics, frescoes, and examples of ongoing Franciscan life. Historically, La Verna was granted to St. Francis by Count Orlando of Chiusi in 1213 AD as a place for prayer and contemplation. After the saint’s death, his followers-built chapels and hermitages, expanding the site into a full monastery. It became a centre for pilgrimage soon after the first reports of the stigmata, marking it as a major devotional site in medieval Europe. La Verna remains a living monastery and active pilgrimage destination, drawing visitors for retreats, liturgies, and Franciscan feasts. The site is recognised for its harmony with nature and panoramic views of the Casentino Valley. Mass in one of the chapels here. Return to our hotel for evening dinner.
St Mary of the Angels Basilica - Airport
On our final day we will visit the St Mary of the Angels Church in Assisi, being one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Catholic Church because it is closely tied to the life and mission of St. Francis. At the heart of the basilica there is a small chapel known as the Porziuncola and is very sacred in the Franciscan tradition. St. Francis died here on October 3rd, 1226 AD. Pilgrims come here not for grandeur, but for what it represents: a life of humility, devotion, and closeness to God. It is also here that St Francis began his religious life and founded the Franciscan Orders and understood his mission to live a life of poverty, simplicity, and service. He welcomed followers here, including St. Clare of Assisi. She came to join St. Francis, marking the beginning of her own religious path and the founding of the Poor Clares. The chapel is also closely linked to forgiveness. According to tradition, St Francis had a vision of Christ here and asked that anyone who visited the chapel with a sincere heart could receive full pardon for their sins. This became known as the “Pardon of Assisi,” and it is still observed today, drawing pilgrims from around the world. May your pilgrimage here bring you peace, renewal, and a lasting positive impact on your life. We return to our hotel to collect our belongings then head to the airport for our flight back to London Stansted.
The booking deadline at this price is 30/04/2026. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £350 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.
